IMPORTANT CORRECTION:
What I should have done is ask Rav Belsky for permission to record our conversation, and then transcribed it, instead of scrambling to jot down notes as quickly as possible while we spoke.
If anyone finds and corrects any other mekor errors (which are mine alone) it would be appreciated.
You can google:
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I am confident that items 2, 3, 4 and 5 above are accurate, because regarding the actual halacha I was careful to make sure what I wrote was correct, and in some cases I asked Rav Belsky to repeat what he had said to ensure I had it right.
Joseph-
You’re very welcome.
Tizku lemitzvos for staying on top of me regarding this issue.
Did you call Rav Belsky special for this, or add it on while speaking about other issues?
– I was calling about something else, and asked if it was OK to ask the “dina di’malchusa” questions as well.
And does Rav Belsky typically not mind responding to “theoretical” shailos?
– I can’t speak for Rav Belsky, but when speaking with him, I mentioned that although it was no longer nogeah le’maseh this had been an actual occurrence and was not theoretical. I also mentioned that this was not only to satisfy my own intellectual curiosity, but that it would be read by readers of this website as well. As with any Rosh Yeshiva and adom gadol, I think the value of his time must play a part in our cheshbon of asking theoretical shailos. One thing I really appreciate about answers Rav Belsky gives is that he will give a detailed explanation of the mekoros and thinking behind his psak.