Illegal
Building
Q:
Is it permissible to build houses illegally in Israel? What is of higher value: the settling of
Eretz Yisrael or the law of the State of Israel?
A:
We do not perform a Mitzvah through a transgression.
Israeli
Embassy Outside of Israel
Q:
What is the halachic status of an Israeli embassy in a foreign country?
A:
According to international law, it is considered the territory of the State of
Israel, but according to the Halachah, it is foreign soil. And the opposite it also correct: a foreign
embassy in Eretz Yisrael is Eretz Yisrael.
Blessings
by Rabbis
Q:
Which is preferable – going to Rabbis to receive blessings or going to Shul to
receive Birkat Cohanim?
A:
Birkat Cohanim, since it is not a blessing from Cohanim but a blessing from
Hashem (And Ha-Rav Aharon Yehudah Leib Shteinman expressed surprise that people
travel great distances to receive a blessing from a Rabbi instead of running to
Shul to receive Birkat Cohanim.
Be-Orchotecha Lamdeni p. 38).
Informing
Others of the Police on Waze
Q:
Is it permissible on Waze to inform others that there is a police trap?
A:
It is certainly permissible since it immediately causes people to drive in a
more cautious manner in that area, and this is what the police are interested
in.
Electric
Hand Dryer
Q:
If one washes Netilat Yadayim before a meal, is it permissible to dry his hands
with an electric hand dryer and then recite the blessing?
A:
Yes, just as one may dry his hand in the sun.
Pri Megadim (Mishbetzot Zahav #13.
This ruling is also found in Shut Revivot Efraim 2:68 #4 and Sha'arim
Metuyanim Ba-Halachah, Kuntres Acharon 40:5).
Sefer
Torah which Fell
Q:
When we opened the Aron Ha-Kodesh, the Sefer Torah fell out. We then fasted. How else do we do Teshuvah?
A:
Maran Ha-Rav Kook said in Igrot Ha-Re'eiyah (Volume 1, Igeret #10) that you
should make sure that the Torah is secure in the Aron Ha-Kodesh so the Sefer
Torah does not fall (Similarly, a 4-year old child once fell out of a window
and a miracle occurred and she only had minor injuries. The parents asked Ha-Rav Shlomo Zalman
Auerbach what they should do as a "Tikun" (spiritual repair) to
repent for the occurrence. He said: Put
bars on your windows! Another time, a
father was drinking a hot drink while holding a child, and it slipped on the
child and she was badly burnt. The
parents asked Ha-Rav Shlomo Zalman what they should do as a
"Tikun". He answered: Do not
drink hot drinks while holding a child!
In the book "Ve-Alehu Lo Yibol" Volume 3, pp. 163-164).
Tzedakah
of a Child
Q:
If my parents give me spending money, do I need to give Maaser?
A:
Only if they agree.
Eretz
Yisrael Vomiting Out Sinners
Q:
When the Torah writes that Eretz Yisrael vomits out sinners (Vayikra 18:25,
28), does it refer to individuals or only to Klal Yisrael?
A:
It also refers to individuals. And if
they appear as sinners and are nonetheless not vomited out, it is a sign that
inside they are good. Chesed Le-Avraham
(Ma'ayan Shelishi, Ein Ha-Aretz, Nahar 12).
And see Sefer Orot p. 84 (And see at length in Shut Eretz Yisrael pp. 270-277).
Switching
the Parochet
Q:
Someone donated a Parochet for the Aron Ha-Kodesh in Shul. Is it permissible to
take down the old one and put up the new one?
A:
Yes, since a donor knows that one day someone will donate a new Parochet.
