Segulah against Traffic
Accidents
Q: Is there a Segulah against
traffic accidents?
A: Driving carefully and
performing kindness to those who need a ride (And the Belzer Rebbe – Ha-Rav
Aharon Rokeach – also gave the Segulah that if one follows the traffic laws
with the strictures of the 10 Commandments, and also gives rides to those who
need them, in the merit of these kindnesses which he does on the road, he will
be saved from any bad occurrence. Shut
Shevet Ha-Kehati 5:241).
Choosing a Teacher
Q: What is preferable – a
Torah teacher with a beard, or a Torah teacher without a beard who can explain
better?
A: The one who explains
better, since learning Torah is a greater Mitzvah than having a beard (This is
also the ruling of Ha-Rav Yosef Shlomo Elyashiv. Kav Ve-Naki #306).
The Taste of Pork
Q: Is it permissible to eat a
Kosher spice that has the taste of pork?
A: Yes. Like the brain of a Shibuta fish which tastes
like pork (As Yalta says: "For everything that the Torah forbids,
something similar is permitted".
Chullin 109b).
Reb Avrum
Q: The Gemara in Berachot
(13a) says that one who calls Avraham: "Avram" violates a positive
and a negative Mitzvah (brought in Magen Avraham, Chapter 156). If so, how is it that Ha-Gaon Ha-Rav Avraham
Shapira ztz"l – Rosh Yeshivat Mercaz Ha-Rav" was called: "Reb
Avrum"?
A: This prohibition only
applies to Avraham Avinu himself. Kaf
Ha-Chaim 156:14. And when done so in a
shameful way. Shut Minchat Yitzchak 4:30
(And see Tzalach on Berachot 13a. Torah
Temimah on Bereshit 17:5 #8).
Adding a Name
Q: Our son is extremely
short. We asked a Chasidic Rebbe what to
do and he recommended adding a name. Is
it enough to add it during an Aliyah to the Torah or do we need to do something
else?
A: Ask the Rebbe directly, or ask
his student.
Helping
My Wife
Q:
My wife in pregnant, and she wants to sleep while I watch the kids. If I do
this, I will not be able to Daven with a Minyan.
A:
You are also obligated to take care of your children, and one who is involved
in a Mitzvah is exempt from another Mitzvah – in this case, Davening with a
Minyan (Sukkah 26a).
Role of a Rabbi
Q: What is the role of a
Rabbi?
A: To learn, to give Halachic
rulings and to perform acts of loving kindness (To this question, R' Refael –
Reb Chaim Brisker's father-in-law - said: A Rabbi should only sit and learn
Torah day and night. The Aruch Ha-Shulchan
said: To give Halachic rulings. And Reb
Chaim Brisker: There are judges and halachic authorities to give halachic
rulings, rather he should perform acts of kindness for his community. See the commentators on Parashat Yitro. Meged Givot Olam, p. 57).
Ahavat Yisrael
Q: Is there a Mitzvah to love
each and every Jew?
A: Certainly. See Mesillat Yesharim, end of chapter 19 (and
Tanya, Chapter 32).
