Mother's
Milk
Q:
How is mother's milk permissible when we have a general principle that anything
which comes from a non-Kosher animal is non-Kosher?
A:
Since the Torah mentions that people nursed, it is a sign that it is
Kosher. And if it were only permissible
in a life-threatening situation, the Torah would mention that it is permissible
only in such a case. By the way, the
Torah does not explicitly mention that it is forbidden to eat a human being. While it is obviously forbidden to do so,
there is a discussion among the Poskim as to the source of the prohibition (See
Rambam, Hilchot Machalot Asurot 2:3, 3:4.
Ra'avad ibid. Rosh, Ketuvot
5:19. Rama, Yoreh Deah 79:1).
Free
Choice for Animals
Q:
Do animals have free choice?
A:
Not to any significant degree. Igrot
Ha-Re'eiyah Volume 1, p. 104.
Shyness
Q:
I am very shy and cannot give a Torah class.
What should I do?
A:
Prepare the class in written form and read it.
Immersing
a Utensil to be Given as a Gift
Q:
Is it true that one may not immerse a utensil which is to be given as a gift?
A:
Correct. The majority of Poskim rule
this way, since the utensil is not yet designated for a meal but rather for
another person, i.e. a gift (Tevilat Kelim pp. 87-88). There are those, however, who rule that it is
permissible to immerse it without a blessing when one is giving the utensil to
someone who will not immerse it (Taharat Kelim p. 120). And some recommend that one grants ownership
of the utensil to the receiver before giving it to him and then immerses
it. Ha-Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach,
however, does not agree with this recommendation (Tevilat Kelim pp.
239-242). And others recommend immersing
the utensil and then using it for a short time before giving it as a gift. This, however, is not always possible.
Shidduch
with One who Visits the Temple Mount
Q:
Should I cancel a Shidduch with someone who visits the Temple Mount?
A:
No. A person is judged by the majority
of his actions. Rambam, Hilchot Teshuvah
3:1).
Arabs
from Jewish Descent
Q:
How should we relate to a study that 65% of Arabs of the Galilee are from
Jewish descent?
A:
The study does not have a solid scientific basis. Its purpose was political, in order to
convince us to give up portions of Eretz Yisrael. Scientific studies cannot, in any case, serve
as halachic proofs.
Gifts
for a Teacher
Q:
I am a teacher. Parents sometimes bring me
gifts. Is it permissible to accept them?
A:
It is not good. The gift should be a
joint one from all of the parents.
Netilat
Yadayim for First Responder
Q:
If I am on call as a first responder, and receive a call in the middle of the
night while I am sleeping, am I exempt from Netilat Yadayim, since every second
is important?
A:
It does not seem so, since you get dressed and do not go in your pajamas.
