Kipa in the
Army
Q: I am going
into the army and bought a large Kipa in order to help me maintain my spiritual
state. My parents said that wearing such
a large Kipa will prevent people from wanting to connect with me. What should I do?
A: You should
certainly wear a large Kipa, since this is the basic Halachah, and the purpose
of a Kipa is to instill Yirat Shamayim (Fear of Heaven). People will not connect with you based on
your clothing but on your Midot Tovot (positive character traits).
Charedim and
the Army
Q: How is it
possible to explain that Charedim refuse to serve in Tzahal?
A: Instead of
involving oneself in what is difficult to understand about the Charedim, one
should learn from them to be punctilious in observing every Mitzvah, even those
which seem light, and to dedicate every free moment to learning Torah, etc.
Long Peyot and
Honoring Parents
Q: It really
bothers my mother that I have long Peyot.
She says it embarrasses her. What
should I do?
A: Leave them
and try to appease her.
Convert from
Does Not Observe Mitzvot
Q: What is the
status of a convert who does not observe Mitzvot?
A: If from the
first moment of the conversion he did not observe the Mitzvot and deceived the
Rabbis, there was no conversion. If he
did observe the Mitzvot from the beginning, but later regressed, he is a Jew
like any other.
Woman Covering
Hair at Home
Q: Is it
permissible for a woman to be at home without covering her hair?
A: It is
permissible on condition that only her immediately family is there. It is preferable, however, to always cover
her hair, even in the dark, since Hashem fills the entire world with His
honor. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 3:1.
Reciting Prayer
for the State of Israel in Place of Ketubah
Q: I am
performing a wedding on Yom Yerushalayim.
What is Ha-Rav's opinion regarding reciting the Prayer for the State of
Israel in place of reading the Ketubah?
A: In theory,
it is a beautiful idea to honor the State of Israel, but one should not change
the way our Rabbis acted throughout the generations. The entire purpose of reading the Ketubah is
to separate between the Eirusin (Betrothal) and the Nisu'im (Matrimony) (Rama,
Even Ha-Ezer 61:9. Therefore, a great Rav in America, Ha-Rav Eliezer
Silver, would read the Ketubah very slowly. See "Be-Ikvei
Ha-Tzon" of Ha-Rav Herschel Schachter p. 268). In theory, it is
even possible to invite a philosopher to read Plato in Greek between them, but
we do not make changes (And in America, Ha-Rav Schachter once said that in
theory even a monkey could read the Ketubah in order to create a
separation. Some people were angered by his remark, mistakenly asserting
that he was using an insulting expression towards women. But Ha-Rav
was using a halachic expression: "The act of a
monkey". For example, the Chatam Sofer writes that it is
permissible for a monkey to serve as a messenger to deliver Mishloach Manot. Chatam
Sofer on Gittin 22b. And food prepared by a monkey is still
considered Bishul Akum. Shut Shevet Ha-Levi 9:164).
Medical
Negligence
Q: Is it
permissible to sue a hospital for medical negligence? Perhaps it is ungracious after they tried so
hard to help?
A: It is
permissible. 1. It is deterrence against
it happening again. 2. It is not
necessarily the same doctor who was both negligent and effective. 3. The hospital has insurance for such cases.
Mother of
Hitler, may his name be blotted out
Q: Is it true
that Hitler's mother was Jewish?
A: No. There are those who claim that his father's
mother was Jewish, but this has no basis.
Picture of the
Rambam
Q: Is the
famous picture of the Rambam really the Rambam?
A: No. He doesn't have Peyot at all. It is a later picture of someone who is
wearing Turkish clothing.
Difficult
Pregnancy
Q: My wife has
difficult pregnancies, and nonetheless still wants to have another child. The problem is that I also suffer from this, and
it has a damaging effect on our relationship (Shalom Bayit). Is this a reason to not have another child?
A: Just as your
wife courageously enters pregnancy to have another child, you should do the
same (see Meshech Chochma on Bereshit 9:7).
You should therefore be brave, and you will benefit two-fold: having
another child, and learning to overcome difficulties.
