Shehechiyanu
on Game
Q:
I am a kid and received as a gift a game I really love. Do I recite Shehechiyanu?
A:
Yes (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 223:3).
Helping
an Eldery Woman Stand Up
Q:
[Question from a man]: Is it permissible to give an elderly woman a hand if she
is unable to get up from a bench?
A:
It is permissible under two conditions: 1. She asks for the help. 2. There is no woman anywhere around to help
her (But see Shut Mishneh Halachot 5:142).
Gum
in Restroom
Q:
Is it permissible to chew gum in the restroom?
A:
Yes. The blessing should obviously be
recited outside of the restroom.
Depression
Q:
What should I do if I am depressed?
A:
Involved yourself with things that bring you happiness, such as listening to
classes, music, physical activity, etc.
But if the situation becomes more severe or there is no improvement,
turn to a psychologist, and may Hashem help you.
Symbol
of Bnei Akiva
Q:
The symbol of Bnei Akiva has the Ten Commandments with rounded tops. Shouldn't it be changed so that the tops are
squared off?
A:
The Ten Commandments were indeed square.
Baba Batra 14a. See Yerushalami
Shekalim. It seems that rounding off the
Ten Commandments on top was influenced by Christian artists. But since we are simply discussing a symbol
and not the exact tablets, there is no problem to leave it as most of Am
Yisrael does (R' Osher Rata told me that Ha-Rav Chaim Druckman, Rav of Bnei
Akiva, was once asked about this issue, and he answered that they indeed should
be square but it is difficult to change it since this symbol was been accepted
and known for many years. The Lubavichter Rebbe was strongly opposed to using
the round design. Shaarei Halachah U-Minhag, vol. 1 p. 199. And the same is true of the Steipler
Gaon. Shut Teshuvot Ve-Hanhagot 2:535. And when Ha-Rav
Yosef Shalom Elyashiv was asked about the shape of the Ten Commandments on a
Torah Ark being built, he answered that one should not change the accepted
custom and they should be rounded on top.
Ha-Rav Elazar Menachem Man Shach similarly said that most Shuls
he had seen have rounded Tablets, and even though he does not know the reason,
since they are square in reality, but the custom is Israel is Halachah. He added, however, that he rescinded his
position after hearing in the name of the Steipler that they are to be
square. Miktavim U-Ma'arim Volume 1
#94. Ha-Rav Chaim Kanievsky said,
however, that one should not change the accepted custom and they should be
round. Yisa Yosef 4:36. And Ha-Rav
Moshe Sternbuch wrote that while it is preferable to use the square design, it
is permissible to use the round design since it is not an exact depiction but
rather merely a symbol. Shut Teshuvot Ve-Hanhagot ibid. And when Ha-Rav
Yitzchak Yosef was appointed as Sefardic Chief Rabbi of Israel, he was given a
gift by the Jewish community in Turkey: a gold breastplate in the shape of the
Ten Commandments hanging from a chain.
Rav Yosef wore it around his neck when he met the Pope as the Jewish
response to the gold cross worn by the Pope.
The Tablets were rounded on top).
Purim Greater than Shabbat
Q: Is it true that Purim is holier than Shabbat and all the other
holidays?
A: No. But obviously it has
its uniqueness.
Stance of Rabbi Which Others Reject
Q: Isn't there a problem when a Rabbi takes a stance on an issue
which almost everyone else rejects?
A: This was indeed the problem of Avraham Ha-Ivri ("The
Hebrew" which can also indicate being "on the other side"), who
was on one side (of believing in one G-d) while the entire world was on the
other side. But in the end, it all
worked out. Don't just follow the herd.
Who's Right – Us or Satmar
Q: How can we know that we are right in our philosophy and not
Satmar?
A: There are things we are
right about, as our eyes can see: Building Eretz Yisrael, the return of Am
Yisrael to Eretz Yisrael, the establishment of the State of Israel, the wars of
Israel. And there are things which
Satmar is right about, as our eyes can see: Fulfilling all of the Mitzvot, even
the seemingly light ones, and dedicating every free moment to learning Torah.
Accident on Account of Cell Phone
Q: Someone was on his cell phone while driving and caused an
accident, and was miraculously saved.
Does he recite Ha-Gomel?
A: It is a dispute, since he is guilty for the accident. He should therefore recite the blessing
without Shem U-Malchut (see Shut Avnei Derech of Ha-Rav Elchanan Printz Volume
8 #176).
