Kids
Playing and Torah Learning
Q:
Is it proper and healthy for a child to learn a lot of Torah and limit playing,
if this is his desire?
A:
Certainly, if this is truly HIS desire, and not that he is pressuring himself or
being pressured by others (Ha-Rav Moshe Feinstein's son related that one time
when their family was in a bungalow colony in the summer, he was learning Torah
with his father and they heard children outside taking a ride on a horse and
carriage. He father stopped the learning
and told him to go and take a ride on the carriage, so that he would not feel
that learning Torah was preventing him from playing if he wanted to).
Reading
During Class
Q:
I am learning in a college and attendance is required. Is it permissible for me to read something
else during a class?
A:
Ask directly at the college.
Choosing
a Teacher
Q:
Which teacher is preferable to hire – a veteran teacher who will be insulted if
not hired, or a younger teacher who will be more helpful to the school?
A:
Great general principle: The teacher is for the students and not the students
for the teacher.
Learning
Emunah or Gemara
Q:
Which is greater – learning Emunah or Gemara?
A:
One needs both of them.
Text
Message During Tefilah
Q:
If my mom calls and I am in the middle of Davening, is it permissible for me to
send her a text message to tell her that I am Davening?
A:
Yes. Just as it is permissible at
certain times during Davening to greet someone out of respect or awe.
Nefesh
Ha-Chaim
Q:
Is it true that one should only learn Sha'ar Dalet in Nefesh Ha-Chaim?
A:
One should learn the entire book. It is
very important (see Ha-Rav's Commentary on Nefesh Ha-Chaim).
Learning
Sefer Ha-Tanya
Q:
Is it good for a Yeshiva student to learn Sefer Ha-Tanya?
A:
1. It depends on his age. 2. After
learning Nefesh Ha-Chaim. 3. Ask your
Rabbi in Yeshiva.
Healthy
Soul in a Healthy Body
Q:
Is the source for the expression "A healthy soul in a healthy body"
from our Sages or from the non-Jews?
A:
It is from the Romans: Mens Sana In Corpore Sano. We say: A healthy body for a healthy
soul. Rambam, Hilchot De'ot 4:1.
Expression
on Ascending to the Temple Mount
Q:
Someone mentioned ascending to the Temple Mount. I said: Hashem have mercy. Someone then said to me that I should not use
this expression because it is only permissible for a Rabbi to use it. Is this correct?
A:
It is clear that you are not saying it in your name but in the name of the
Rabbis.
