Changing name of Donor on Object in Shul
Q: If someone donated a Torah cover to the Shul and it
deteriorated over time, is it permissible for someone else to donate a new one
and have his name on it?
A: Yes. Every donor
clearly understands that an object will not last forever. This follows the opinion of Shut Shevet
Ha-Levi (9:205) unlike Shut Igrot Moshe (Orach Chaim 2:26).
Son who Enters Har Ha-Bayit
Q: I just discovered that my son enters the Temple Mount
without asking me. What should I do?
A: Love him.
People of the Book
Q: Is the expression "People of the Book" about the
Jewish People correct?
A: No. This is an
expression used in the Koran. We are the
"People of Hashem".
Minhag of Baal Teshuvah
Q: Which Minhag should a Baal Teshuvah adopt?
A: He should follow his ancestors' Minhagim. If he desires, however, he can choose a
different Minhag, such as his Rabbi's.
Piskei Teshuvot 68:3 note #26.
Peyot
Q: Why do we need to have Peyot?
A: Holiness of one's face.
Honor during Torah Class
Q: It is permissible to go to the restroom in the middle of a
Torah class?
A: No. One should go
before or after. Prof. Nechama Leibowitz
did not allow students to go out in the middle of a class, or come in
late. She said: Would you act this way
in a concert?!
Feeding Cats
Q: My science teacher told us that it is not good to feed the
many street cats in Israel, because they kill all sorts of pests when they are
hungry. Is this proper even if a cat is
hungry at the moment?
A: Yes. The cats eat
mice and snakes.
Pidyon Ha-Ben for Child who did not have a Brit Milah
Q: If parents refused to give their child a Brit Milah
because of ideological reasons, should he still have a Pidyon Ha-Ben?
A: Yes. They are not
connected to one another.
Miracle Stories
Q: Why do Sefardic Rabbis tells so many miracles stories
about Rabbis and Ashkenazic Rabbis do not?
A: There are Ashkenazic Rabbis who do tell them, and Sefardic
Rabbis who do not. But according to all
opinions, this is not the essential matter, but rather one's greatness in Torah
learning, in awe of Hashem and with proper character traits.
Detailed Mitzvot
Q: Why are there Mitzvot in the Torah which are not written
with the details such as Shabbat and women covering their hair?
A: They are written in detail in the Torah to someone who is
accustomed to reading the Torah in the proper way. Great Rabbis of the previous generation
proved this in their commentaries: Revid Ha-Zahav, Mesech Chochmah, Netziv,
Ha-Rav Shimshon Rafael Hirsch, Ha-Ketav Ve-Ha-Kabbalah and the Torah Temimah.
