Fasting on Yom Kippur

A “regular” sick person, whose whole body is ill but whose life is not in danger, is obligated to fast but may take pills that have no taste * A gravely ill person is obligated to eat * Not all medical worries are considered life-threatening, therefore a religiously observant doctor should be asked * Eating … Read more

Shofar, Blessings, and Glad Tidings

How many shofar blasts must one hear on Rosh Hashanah * Sitting and standing for the shofar blasts * Differences customs regarding blowing the shofar during the Silent Prayer * Someone who uses a hearing aid but can hear without it should remove it during the blowing of the shofar * When two prayer quorums … Read more

Torah Observant are More Successful

In the merit of Torah and mitzvoth, as explained in this week’s Torah portion, ‘Clal Yisrael’ receives blessings in real life * Mitzvoth and Jewish values ​​have an actual effect * Thanks to Jewish values, religious families are more stable * The Torah educates towards fertility which leads to demographic growth, as reflected even in … Read more

Rabbi Shaar Yeshuv, of Blessed Memory

The greatness and aspirations of Rabbi Shaar Yeshuv’s father, The Rabbi- Nazir * Rabbi Shaar Yeshuv grew up as a nazir from birth, followed in the holy ways of his father, and was endeared by the eminent Rabbis of Jerusalem * At the age of sixteen, he asked to be absolved from being a nazir … Read more

TORAH LAW VS. NON-RELIGIOUS LAW

The Commandment to Establish Courts Based on Torah Law Last week, I dealt with the Torah commandment to conduct all legal matters before judges who mediate according to the Torah, as it is written (Exodus 21:1): “These are the laws that you must set before [the Israelites].” Regretfully, however, after so many long years of … Read more

The Unwarranted Uproar over Shabbat

In general, Shabbat is officially kept in the State of Israel * State law allows the desecration of Shabbat even for special needs that do not involve ‘pikuach nefesh’ * The police estimated that closure of the Ayalon Highway on a weekday would endanger lives * The decision was made in coordination with religious and … Read more

Mixtures of Considerations and Beliefs

The laws of ‘issur v’heter’ teach us that even things that are inherently good, may be forbidden if they are mixed * Mixing considerations of disproportionate magnitudes is harmful; for example, when a mother spends too much energy on the clothes she will wear to her daughter’s wedding, at the expense of her main responsibility … Read more

Blessing on Viewing the Olympics

A person impressed by athletes and their accomplishments should acknowledge the source of their strength * The blessing “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who has such [beauty] in his universe” was fixed over seeing a strikingly beautiful, strong and impressive creature, including athletes * One is not required to take … Read more

When Tisha B’Av Falls on Shabbat

Pregnant and nursing mothers who find it difficult to fast can be lenient when the fast is postponed * It is a mitzvah to wash oneself before Shabbat; Sephardim can do so in hot water * It is forbidden to mourn on Shabbat, therefore we eat and are happy as usual, including the pre-fast meal … Read more

Laws of the Nine Days

Joyous events are forbidden during the Nine Days, but study tours and seminars are permitted * One should not do construction work or renovations if they are not absolutely necessary * One should not purchase items that bring joy, except if delaying the purchase will cause a loss * Crocs shoes are forbidden to be … Read more