Leaving Torah Class to Use the Restroom
Q: Ha-Rav published in a text message in the name of Prof.
Nechama Leibowitz that one should not leave a Torah class in the middle to use
the restroom. But isn't it forbidden to
"hold it in"?
A: Yes, it is an explicit Gemara in Yevamot (64b) that the
students of Rav Huna did not use the restroom in the middle of a Torah class
and their health was negatively affected.
And see Terumat Ha-Deshen (#16).
But this is not our case. Rav
Huna's classes were extremely long, while ours are relatively short, and one
can use the restroom before and after the class (This certainly does not apply to someone with a medical condition). Furthermore, when I served in Tzahal, I sat
in ambush for 10 hours and did not use the restroom. I planned ahead and did not drink much water
beforehand.
Messiah without Knowing
Q: Can a person be the Mashiach without knowing that he is
the Mashiach?
A: No. See Rambam,
Hilchot Melachim 11:4 for the list of criteria to know if someone is the
Mashiach.
Tefillin during Musaf
Q: I accidentally Davened Musaf of Rosh Chodesh with Tefillin. Did I fulfill my obligation?
A: Certainly. This is
not a negative but a positive. It seems
that in the past, when they wore Tefillin all day long, they did not remove
them during Musaf on Rosh Chodesh. In
our days, Yemenite Jews wear them during Musaf on Rosh Chodesh.
Recording from the Radio
Q: If there is a Torah class on the radio, is it permissible
to record it for myself?
A: Yes. It seems that
the Rabbi and the radio station would allow it as long as it is not for
commerce or public use.
Tefillin on Person in Coma
Q: Is it permissible to put Tefillin on a person who is in a
coma?
A: There is no obligation, but it is permissible. Perhaps he will feel it.
Bringing Ketubah on Vacation
Q: When a family goes on vacation, does the wife have to
bring her Ketubah with here, since she should have it available at all times?
A: No, since there is a fear that it will be lost (The Satmar
Rebbe answered in the same way, and added that it is better to leave it at home
in a safe place, and to always know its exact location. In the book "Nitzotzei Tomer"
volume 1, p. 453).
Who is Greater – Vilna Gaon or Chatam Sofer
Q: Who was greater – the Vilna Gaon or the Chatam Sofer?
A: Both were among the greatest of our Rabbis in Halachah, in
holiness and in purity (The Admor Imrei Sofer of Erlau once related that a
grandson of the Vilna Gaon asked his father, the Yad Sofer [a grandson of the
Chatam Sofer], who was greater – the Vilna Gaon or the Chatam Sofer? The Yad Sofer did not want to answer, and
place his head between the two great mountains which where these Rabbis. The questioner did not give up and would keep
asking from time to time. One time the
Yad Sofer finally "broke" and gave an answer. On that very day, the Yad Sofer was walking
in the street and was struck by a bike and broke his hand. The Yad Sofer saw his injury as a punishment for his brazenness
in commenting on the greatness of these two towering figures. Someone later asked the Imrei Sofer: Did you
ever ask your father what he answered?
He responded in surprise: After he told me what happened to him because
he expressed his opinion about it, would I dare to ask him this question?! In the book "Be-Mechitzat Zekeini",
pp. 216-217).
Running to Shul
Q: It is a Mitzvah to run to Shul, but it looks weird!
A: One should run in a normal manner and not cause a Chilul
Hashem (Piskei Teshuvot 90:18). By the
way, one should also run to the Beit Midrash and to any Mitzvah.
