Laser
Surgery for Cohain
Q:
I am a Cohain. Am I allowed to have laser
surgery on my eyes or is it considered creating a blemish?
A:
A blemish in one's eyes which cannot be seen does not invalidate a Cohain from
serving in the Beit Ha-Mikdash. On the
contrary, the laser surgery will correct the "blemish".
Refusal
to Discuss Ruling
Q:
Why is Ha-Rav sometimes willing to give reasons for his rulings and other times
unwilling to discuss them?
A:
There are times when discussion gives a level of legitimacy to an opinion which
has no place in Halachah (During one of Ha-Rav Aharon Kotler's visits to Vilna,
Ha-Rav Chaim Ozer Grodzinski showed him a letter sent to him by a certain Rabbi
with a lengthy Pilpul regarding turning on and off electric lights on Yom Tov. Rav Chaim Ozer told him that he did not
respond to the letter. Rav Kotler asked:
Why not? Rav Chaim Ozer explained that
if he responds, and the Rabbi writes back, and he responds a second time, the
Rabbi could say: I discussed this issue from all sides with the Rav of Vilna in
an exchange of letters, and I decided to permit it… But if I don't respond at all, he cannot
argue that the issue has any standing and relate it to me. Aish Ha-Torah on Ha-Rav Aharon Kotler Vol. 2,
pp. 240-241.
And
the same principle was applied in response to a question that caused a storm
amongst the Poskim during the Holocaust.
The European countries claimed that Shechitah was "Tza'ar Ba'alei
Chaim" (causing undue pain to animals) and made laws that an animal must
be anesthetized before being slaughtered.
All the great Poskim discussed whether this was permitted according to
the Halachah. During that time, Ha-Rav
Aryeh Tzvi Frumer, known as the Kozhiglover Gaon, wrote an ingenious Teshuvah
(Shut Eretz Tzvi 2:39) regarding this issue and sent it to the Tchebiner Rav
but did not receive a response. At short
while later, they met one another and the Kozhiglover Gaon asked the Tchebiner
Rav why he did not answer his letter.
The Tchebiner answered that although the Teshuvah was a wonder and
contained strong proofs, he did not understand how one can permit it anesthetizing an animal
before Shechitah. He said that when anesthesia
is given to a person for the purpose of surgery, we search for an expert anesthesiologist
to examine the person's condition, so that the person is not injured or killed
by the anesthesia, G-d forbid. And
occasionally, there are errors. In our
case of giving an animal anesthesia before being slaughtered, who will examine
the animal's condition and how will we know if the animal did not become Treif
before being slaughtered? The reason I
did answer the letter is on account of the fear that if the Polish authorities
saw that Rabbis were discussing this issue, some permitting it and others
forbidding it, it would strengthen them to make such a decree, claiming that it
is a dispute and some Rabbis permit it.
I therefore thought it best to remain quiet and not discuss the
matter. Sar Ha-Torah pp. 283-284).
Nurse
Returning Home on Shabbat
Q:
I am a nurse. If I am working on Shabbat and my shift ends, am I
permited to drive home or take a ride from a non-Jew?
A:
According to Ha-Rav Moshe Feinstein, it is permissible. According to
Ha-Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, it is forbidden. Therefore, one should
return home in a car driven by a non-Jew. If this is not possible,
it is permited for a Jew to drive (Shut Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:80,
5:25. Shut Minchat Shlomo 1:8. Ha-Rav Shlomo Zalman
Auerbach adds a note there that this issue was discussed in the important and
famous book "Shut Igrot Moshe" by the Gaon and Tzadik, Ha-Rav
Feinstein, and he only printed his Teshuvah after asking permission from Ha-Rav
Feinstein. See Ha-Torah Ha-Mesamachat pp. 229-230. Other
authorities who hold like Ha-Rav Feinstein include: Ha-Rav Yaakov Yisrael
Kanievski in the name of the Chazon Ish. Orchot Rabbenu Vol. 1 p. 213. The
Brisker Rav, Ha-Rav Velvele Soloveitchik, brought in Asiya #56 p. 64. Shut
Teshuvot Ve-Hanhagot 3:105, 4:80. Shut Amud Ha-Yemini
#17).
Rastafari
Q:
Is Rastafarianism considered idol worship?
A:
Yes. It is a type of Christianity.
