Law
of Return
Q:
I heard a story from the Chief Rabbi, Ha-Rav David Lau, that a Jewish grandfather
who lived outside of Israel enabled 78 non-Jews - his wife, children and
grandchild - to make Aliyah, receive grants for absorption, reduction in buying
a house, etc., under the Law of Return.
The Chief Rabbi therefore said that we must change the Law of
Return. Is he correct?
A:
The Chief Rabbi does not require my approval, but of course he is correct.
Not
Tasty Food from One's Wife
Q:
If my wife occasionally cooks food that does not taste good, should I eat it
without saying anything or tell her and not eat it?
A:
Eat it. Nothing bad will happen to
you. And thank your wife for it. In general, thank Hashem that you have a wife
and food.
How
Much for Etrog Mehudar
Q:
How much money should a person add in order to buy an Etrog Mehudar?
A:
Another third of the cost. More than
this amount depends on one's ability.
Furthermore, it is possible that other Mitzvot take precedence over
buying an Etrog Mehudar, such as Tzedakah or kindness to your wife and children
(An Avrech, a married Yeshiva student, who very particular about observing
Mitzvot, bought an Etrog Mehudar for $300 and to came to Ha-Rav Shmuel Ha-Levi
Vozner, author of Shut Shevet Ha-Levi, to ask him about the Etrog. Rav Vozner knew the Avrech, who was a true
Ben Torah who had very little money, and asked him: Did you already buy
clothing and jewelry for your wife for the holiday? The Avrech answered that he does not have
enough money to buy clothing and jewelry.
Rav Vozner said to him: It is preferable that you use the $300 to buy
your wife a present for the holiday and purchase an inexpensive Etrog. In the book "Ve-Lo Shevet Ha-Levi
Bilvad, p. 200).
Filming
a Terrorist Attack with a Smartphone
Q:
Is it permissible to film a terrorist attack in order to show the world that
the Arabs are attacking us and we are only protecting ourselves? After all, based on the story of Pilegesh
Ba-Geva (Shoftim, Chapter 19-21), Ha-Rav Moshe
Feinstein permits someone to bring organs to a rally against organ donation to
shock people, since hearing is not the same as seeing (Shut Igrot Moshe, Yoreh
Deah 2:150).
A: It is preferable not to publicize it. In our time it weakens the resolve of the
Nation. When the terrorists see our pain, they are strengthened, as it is
written in the lament of King David: "Do not relate it in Gat…lest the
daughters of the Philistines rejoice" (Shmuel 2 1:20). It is only permissible when it can aid the
police.
Q: In a case where it is permissible, would it be permissible
also on Shabbat?
A: It is permissible, since it helps in our war against
terrorism, whether in the short term or the long term, enabling us to capture
and punish terrorists. And filming is a
Rabbinic prohibition.
Child
Who Found Money
Q:
My son found 50 shekels in school. What
should he do?
A:
Ask his teacher what to do.
Q:
Can I trust the teacher?
A:
You trust him with your son's education for an entire year and you're not sure
you can trust him with 50 shekels?!
Tefillin
and Desecrating Shabbat
Q:
My friend is leaving Israel on Shabbat and asked if he should take his Tefillin
with him?
A:
No. It is performing a Mitzvah through a
transgression.
Knit
Kipa
Q:
What is the source for a Knit Kipa?
A:
There is no source and it has no importance.
During the course of the generations, there were hundreds, if not
thousands, of different types of head coverings. The essence is that one's head is covered,
i.e. really covered.