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Nechomah – You may want to check again re: the bottle of wine. As a general matter, for those who do not hold of the Hetter Mechira, the issur on fruits (NOT vegetables – there’s an issue of sfichin there that does not apply to fruits) during the actual year of Shmita is only on the purchase and sale of fruits with Kedushas Shivi’is, and not on their consumption. There is a halacha of Bi’ur that applies after the end of the year, and if that was not done, you may now have an issue – but Hetter Mechira fruits and wine, during the year of Shmita, are Muttar to consume if they’ve been given to you.
Re: carrots – at this time, some of the carrots that are being sold in Israel are still Shishis – from the sixth year – with no Shmita issues. I have, only in the past few weeks, started seeing carrots on the market (via Otzar HaAretz) that are labled as Kedushas Shivi’is, but I’d think that those that were exported likely were picked earlier, given the transit time – so there’s a good chance that the ones sold in ShopRite are not Kedushas Shivi’is. Finally, even if they are, they’re likely not yet sfichin, since in order to be sold now, they’d have to have grown at least one-third before Rosh HaShanah – which would make them Kedushas Shivi’is, but not sfichin. There, the Halacha is no commerce (no Mekach u’Memkar), but not an Issur Hana’a.
an Israeli Yid
GAW – I’m not saying that Tznius should override Halacha. My point is that there’s nothing wrong with trying to see if there’s a way to accomodate human feelings about Tznius in a way that’s Halachicly acceptable. If not, not – we accept the Halacha despite human feelings.
an Israeli Yid
DY – who said anything about her discomfort overriding Halacha??? I clearly said that discussing if there is a way to address the discomfort WITHIN HALACHIC PARAMETERS is fine, but if there is no way around it, so be it – Halacha is Halacha. Bringing Rav Moshe’s Psak to show that MK Lipman’s interpretation of it is wrong is absolutely fine – in a Halachic discussion, bringing actual Halachic proofs is what should be done. My entire point was that people should challenge his view on the Halachic merits, and not based on whom he is.
As to the DC story – that is clearly 100% relevant. The individual in question was not only the “manager of the Mikva” – he was the lead Rav in a number of conversions. As such (and particularly given the publicity that story has received), the whole idea of a man or men watching the Tvila of a woman for Geirus makes a number of sincere want-to-be female converts more than a bit squeemish. If you can’t understand the relevance of that incident to addressing a woman’s feelings about Tevila, I’m sorry – it seems to me to be quite obvious.
BTW, after reading Rav Moshe’s psak, I agree that MK Lipman’s understanding of it appears inconsistent with the plain meaning. Thank you for providing the link.
an Israeli Yid
DY and GAW – I’m not arguing in favor or against MK Lipman’s position. I’m merely pointing out that dismissing what he says because of who he is – without actually addressing the Halachic issues he raises – is the wrong way to go. If he’s wrong, then so be it – I have no view one way or the other on the Halachic merits of his position. At least use facts, though, and not the “well he said it and he’s bad, so it can’t be right” approach in challenging what he says.
And GAW – you’ve got to be kidding when you dismiss being uncomfortable about an issue of Tznius, particularly when an individual in a position of trust has abused the situation. This is far different from one being uncomfortable, say, because they just can’t give up eating bacon. This is a discomfort on account of what would otherwise be a positive trait – modesty – so it’s not wrong to see if something can be done Halachicly to aleviate such discomfort. If not, then so be it – we accept Halacha. But don’t go saying that someone is wrong just for discussing if it’s possible to do something in a Halachicly acceptable way that less uncomfortable.
an Israeli Yid
DY – The recent events in DC are quite relevant in that they highlighted and hightened the discomfort that many female potential Gerim (Gerot?) have with being observed by men. Yes, the situations are not identical, but there’s enough of a relationship between them that one does influence the other.
As to the Poskim mentioned – I did not look into the purported piskei halacha, and don’t have a view as to how the Halacha should be lema’aseh. I am only saying that that if these great Gedolim said something, or seem to have said something, it’s worth discussing. If you’re going to disagree with MK Lipman’s interpretation, then do so, and bring facts to support your position – simply saying “Lipman said it, so it must be Treif” is mere foolishness.
You also apparently also did not understand my reference to being a Chacham. I was not referring to MK Lipman – I was referring to those who hear what he said. A sign of a Chacham is that he learns from all – even, yes, an MK he does not agree with.
an Israeli Yid
One of the signs of a Chacham is that he learns from everyone. MK Lipman does cite three well-respected and widely accepted Poskim in support of his position – so rather than reject the position on account of the individual who espouses it, why not actually look into the issue? Given the recent unfortunate events in Washington, DC, it would seem that this is a matter worth looking at – and if there are poskim on the level of Rav Shmuel Salant, Rav Ben-Zion Meir Chai Uziel, and Rav Moshe Feinstein, Zichronam Levracha, who have Piskei Halacha on the issue, there is what to talk about.
Shoot the messanger if you must – but don’t ignore the message.
an Israeli Yid
oyyoyyoy – If Nekama is not wrong, then why, in Av haRachamim, do we only ask HKBH to take Nekama on those who persecuted Klal Yisrael? Those we’re referring to are not Jews. It therefore seems that Nekama as such is not for mankind, absent a specific command from G-d (such as in the case of Midyan and Amalek).
That is not to say that Nekama for the sake of creating deterrence is wrong, of course – that is part of protecting lives. It’s only Nekama for the sake of Nekama that is best left to G-d.
an Israeli Yid
As stated by DaasYochid, it’s not our place to exact vengence – but it is our place to request that G-d do so. This is further seen in Av HaRachamim, the Tefila said on Shabbos before Musaf – we pray that G-d avenge those who were killed sanctifying his name.
A final point – we also ask that we merit seeing G-d exacting such vengence. So no, we don’t seek revenge on our own, but we do ask that we merit seeing those who attack us receive justice.
an Israeli Yid
Here is Rav Moshe’s Psak:
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??? ?? ?????? ??? ????? ??? ???? ????, ???
????? ????? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ????
???? ?? ?????? ?? ??????, ?????? ??? ???? ????
?? ??? ??? ????? ??? (????? ????? ???? ????? ???
????? – ?????) ????? ????? ??? ???? ?? ????? ???????.
?????? ??????? ????? ??? ?? ??, ??? ?????
?????? ????? ????? ????? ???? ??????? ????? ????.
???? ???? ?? ??? ?? ????? ?????? ????? ???????
???? ????? ??????? ?????? ????, ?? ?? ????
??????? ???????, ????? ???? ???? ????? ?????
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If you look at this, Rav Moshe says that “one who has a desire to learn Torah and to become a Gadol b’Torah, Hora’a, and Yiras Shomayim has the right (Yesh Lo) to go to Yeshiva Gedola, and there will be a Bracha to Klal Yisrael and a protection to all Jews”.
In other words, this psak is only for one who truly wants to stay in learning – and not carte blanche to all Chareidim to avoid military service. Unfortunately, I know too many “Chareidi” boys who are “in Yeshiva” only because (a) it’s the socially acceptable thing to do; (b) they have no marketable skills. Most of these boys would do much better to go into the army – albeit in a framework designed to meet their religious standards – and get on with their lives.
an Israeli Yid (and proud father of a truly Frum IDF soldier)
Your premise that the children of a Challal are Assur le’Kohen is incorrect. See Shulchan Aruch Even HaEzer 7 16. link removed
an Israeli Yid
These questions are practically impossible to answer in a way that would satisfy the human intellect. The only answer I’ve found that is remotely satisfying is from a Pasuk in Yeshaya Perek nun-hey, Pasuk Ches (which is leined as the Haftara on every Ta’anis Tzibur at Mincha): “Ki Lo Machshevosai Machshevoseichem, v’Lo Darkeichem Derachai, Ne’um Hashem” – “For my thoughts are not as your thoughts, and your ways as my ways, says Hashem”.
In other words, not everything can be fully understood – we can accept that there are some things that are beyond our understanding. We can, of course, try to understand – but I can accept that there are some things that I just won’t get. After all, there are still many mysteries of the natural world that modern science has not explained – why should all the mysteries of the metaphysical world need to be resolved for me to accept it?
an Israeli Yid (presently in the US, where it’s not yet Shabbos)
A very simple reason why eggs would be considered Pareve is based on the fact that chicken is only Besari m’derabanan, since people in the time of the Gemara were getting it mixed up with meat from animals. M’deoraisa, chicken is Pareve, since “lo sivashel g’di bachalev imo” can only apply to mammals – which produce milk – and not to birds. As such, when the Rabanan were Gozer on chicken, there was no g’zeira on the eggs, so they retained their Pareve status.
an Israeli Yid
What I was told is that in pre-war Europe and the US, the AH was considered to be the authoritative Posek. Rav Aharon Kotler ZT”L, though, favored the MB – which is why it gained a following in the “Yeshiva Velt” after the war. As a result, the MB has now come to be viewed in the US as more authoritative than the AH.
I heard this from an old Talmid of R’ Dovid Leibowitz, who grew up in the US and saw this change happen.
an Israeli Yid
Far be it from me to question the Gadlus of Rav Ovadia, a true Gadol b’Torah. What I do – with utmost respect – question is the use of invective to describe those with whom he disagrees. As Chazal say, “Chachamim – Hizaharu B’divreichem”.
I personally am not in favor of Rav Stav, Shlita, becoming the Rav HaRashi – I’d much prefer someone like Rav Shapira, the son of a previous Rav HaRashi and currently a Rosh Yeshiva at Merkaz HaRav. That being said, I can see nothing to be gained by calling Rav Stav the names that have been used. If you disagree with his nomination, facts, not name-calling, are the best weapons to fight the nomination.
an Israeli Yid
Good luck. Not sure the YWN Coffee Room is the best place for that type of advice, though.
Zehava’s Dad – they’re not only being machmir with yenem’s gelt. By being Machmir on one thing, they’re being meikil on another – the Mitzvas Ha’av al HaBen to teach a son an Umnus Kala u’Nikiya!
an Israeli Yid
It’s interesting how the current mess about a Rosh Yeshiva calling MK Lipmann a Rasha could have been avoided by simply listening to a Chazal – “Chachamim – Hizaharu b’divreichem!”
Note that Chazal were specifically addressing those they called Chachamim in their statement – an acknowledgement that even those who are truly Chachamim can sometimes speak unthinkingly.
an Israeli Yid
YW Moderator 007 – are you going to appologize for calling MK Lipmann a Rasha, now that the RY of Ner Yisrael who initially called him such has appologized?
As to why you should not post opinions as a moderator – as an individual, your posting is clearly only representing yourself. As a moderator, you represent the site as a whole. Are you saying that YWN’s policy is that MK Lipmann is a Rasha?
an Israeli Yid
Health – stub one’s toe, bend a finger – what’s the difference? The point of the Gemara is that even the most minor of movements is the Ratzon of HKBH. It’s a stretch to read that Gemara as saying that only punishments are from Him. The reference to stubbing a toe is more logically read as including something as minor as stubbing a toe rather than exluding non-punishment effects.
Re: your anti-Zionist posts – Have you ever even opened any of the seforim of Rabbonim who supported Zionism? You keep repeating that it’s Kefira and Avoda Zara, but have not given on-point responses when others have stated why they believe otherwise. I agree that there are Shitos that disagree with Zionism, and have learned both sides of the issue before reaching my own conclusions – but I made sure that I had the knowledge to make an informed decission. What about you?
an Israeli Yid
Thank you, RoB.
Re: the Chasam Sofer I referenced:
We all know the psukim in Yirmiyahu (part of the Haftora on the second day of Rosh Hashana) “Kol berama nishma”, which describe how Rachel is heard, weeping for her children who have been sent into Galus. Hashem then answers her saying that she should cease her weeping as there _is_ hope – “Veshavu Banim l’gulam” – the children will return to their home in E”Y.
The Medrash on these psukim explain that when the Jews went into Galus when Bayis Rishon was destroyed, all of the Avos and Imahos came to HKBH to ask for mercy, but were rejected – after the Jews had set up idols in the Beis HaMikdash, HKBH decided that they were not worthy of His Midas HaRachamim. Rachel then stood up and said, “When my sister was substituted for me when I was supposed to marry Ya’akov, not only did I not object, I gave her the secret codes that had been aranged with Ya’akov so as not to embarass her. Therefore, the same way I showed mercy when a rival was brought into my house, you should show mercy even though a rival was brought into yours.” Upon hearing this, HKBH conceded, and responded that yes, V’shavu Banim l’gvulam.
The Chasam Sofer has a serious question on this. Yirmiyahu was not the only Navi at the time of the Churban – Yeshaya and Yechezkel were Nevi’im at that time as well, and they too predict that there will be a Churban, a Geula, and the Jews will then return to E”Y – with no reference to Rachel needing to intercede to get this promise of Geula from HKBH. The question therefore is, what is Yirmiyahu telling us with this Nevu’a – what concession did Rachel “win” from HKBH?
The Chasam Sofer’s answer is beautiful. He says that in analyzing Yeshaya and Yechezkel, we find that they both say essentially the same thing – there will be a Churban, then a Ge’ula, then a return of the Jews to E”Y. The psukim in Yirmyahu, though, are different – there is _no_mention_ of there being a Ge’ula before the pasuk of “V’shavu Banim l’gvulam”. What Rachel had “won” with her arguement was a promise from HKBH that the Jews will begin returning to E”Y even _before_ there is a Ge’ula Shelema.
This was all written by the Chasam Sofer well before there was a Zionist movement, and in fact, the Chasam Sofer is generally considered the father of modern Chareidism. He is the “author” of the Chareidi mantra that “Chadash Assur min HaTorah” – and yet, this is his Vort. Based on this, can one still say that the ingathering of Jews made possible by the establishment of the State of Israel is really a “Ma’ase Satan”? HKBH uses many messangers; it seems, to my simple eye, that the secular Zionists were His unwitting messangers, and the State a tool in His hand, to accomplish His will.
May we be Zoche to the final Ge’ula Shelema B’Karov.
an Israeli Yid
HaKatan – My original post was to point out that those who are most vocal against the State of Israel are generally those who say that the Holocaust was a punishment from HKBH for Zionism, but the success of the Zionist enterprise three years later was a Ma’ase Satan. Is there some masochistic streak in them, that anything bad that happens to Klal Yisrael is to be viewed as a deserved punishment from HKBH (for which they, of course, know the reason), while anything good that happens is viewed as a nefarious plot by the Satan to trip us up?
I can, in fact, postulate a different theory – perhaps the Holocaust was a punishment for not returning to E”Y when the Umos Ha’olam granted us the right to with the establishment of the Mandate by the League of Nations. As the representative of the will of the majority of nations of the world, moving to E”Y after the granting of the mandate would not have constituted “hisgo’arus ba’umos”, as the umos had explicitly granted permission for Jews to return. The establishment of the State was HKBH, in his infinite mercy, providing us with a second chance, with a TWO THIRDS majority of the UN approving the setting up of a state – so once again, no hisgo’arus.
There is no need to have all non-Jews agree to something for it not to be considered hisgo’arus, and it is not required for Jews to have no input on something that affects them – after all, otherwise, how would Jews be allowed to participate in any elections, even outside of Israel? Last I checked, the KJ populace has one of the highest participation percentages in the US, and doesn’t hesitate to throw its electoral weight around to get what it wants.
In summary – you have chosen a view based on your personal biases, and are unwilling to even consider anything else. “None is as blind as he who won’t see.”
A final point – you may want to look at the Chasam Sofer’s pshat in the whole story in Yirmiahu re: “Rachel Mevaka al Baneha” – it’s a beautiful pshat that fits with the Medrash and is highly relevant to this discussion. If I have time later today, I’ll try to post it.
An Israeli Yid
Popa – thank you for the subject line correction.
an Israeli Yid
Amazing how some people seem to believe that hashgacha pratis stopped in 1948. Everything before that – Retzon haBoreh. Afterwards? A Ma’ase Satan. Just amazing….
an Israeli Yid
It’s Rav Druckman, BTW.
A(valid) point made by one of the leading DL Rabbonim recently was that every shnook who gets elected to the Knesset from a Chareidi party is automatically referred to as Rav so-and-so in all Chareidi media, while true Talmidei Chachamim from the DL community are commonly referred to in such media by their last name only, with no title. While you may or may not agree with the piskei halacha of the DL Rabbonim, they at least deserve proper Kavod.
an Israeli Yid
First Republic Bank does not charge any foreign withdrawal fees, and reimburses for fees charged by the bank whose ATM was used. The exchange rate you get is the full sha’ar yatzig or interbank rate (not sure which) – better than any moneychanger.
Only downside is that you need to keep a $3,500 average monthly balance to get this.
an Israeli Yid
Vochindik – you are absolutely correct; the two tragedies you mention are clearly the Retzon HaBorei. We have Chazal who give us a reason why HKB”H allowed the Beis HaMikdash to be destroyed, and are still doing our soul searching re: the Churban that took place in Europe. My point is that to dismiss the creation of the State of Israel as a “Ma’ase Satan”, especially when there were clear miricles involved in its creation, is to deny the role of HKB”H in running the world.
an Israeli Yid
Did hashgacha pratis end in 1948? If the State of Israel exists, it’s obviously only because of the Retzon HaBorei – and the Nissim that have taken place, firstly for it to even have been established, and secondly to have continued to survive and thrive, should teach us all something. As Ma’aminim, we believe that HKB”H rules over all – and it is clearly His will that Israel exist.
That is not to say that there is not significant room for improvement – we all MUST strive to improve the situation in E”Y. However, the way to do that is to engage with the state and general population – not to close ones self off from the greater Israeli society. After all, thevast majority of Israeli society is just as Jewish as the frummest Chareidi – and we have a Chiyuv to show them that “deracheha darkei noam”. Yes, there is room for improvement – but rather than just standing there and yelling “gevaldt” about how bad things are, we should all go out and do what we can to improve it.
I put my money where my mouth is by moving to Israel (with a family) despite the difficulties – after 120 years, I want to be able to say that yes, I did do something other than sit on my rear to improve Artzeinu HaKedosha.
an Israeli Yid
On the ball – he is a Rosh Yeshiva that all were recently saying Tehilim for and who had a name added. He has now BH made a remarkable recovery (my sons saw him in Camp Agudah this summer). I was his Talmid many years ago when he gave the Chulin shiur in Yeshiva. Does that give you enough of a hint?
an Israeli Yid
The line I’ve used is “for religious reasons, my wife doesn’t shake hands with men, and I don’t shake hands with women”. By first mentioning that my wife doesn’t shake hands with men, I’ve avoided making them think that I think that women are lesser than I am.
FWIW, I can also say that I was told by a well-known Rosh Yeshiva, widely accepted as one of the premier Poskim in the American Yeshivish world, that if it’s necessary, I can shake hands with a woman in a business context, since it’s not Derech Chiba. Accordingly, when necessary or to avoid causing offense (such as when traveling in Europe, where religious restrictions are not as widely accepted), I’ll shake a woman’s extended hand – though I’ll not extend mine first.
Good luck to you,
an Israeli Yid
Write or wrong – I sympathize with you. I also note that you may want to consult your Rav, or a Rav with experience dealing with similar situations, before rejecting another Derech for your son. Your fight is to keep him a Torah-observant Jew, and that and that alone should be your focus. Externals are nice, and keeping all the “syugim” that have been set up are important, but rejecting paths that have the potential to win the main battle because they don’t preserve the less key aspects may be a case of Tafasta Meruba.
Re: Rabbi Slifkin – he is unquestionably controversial and not for everyone. That being said, please do note that he has Haskamos on several of his books from Rav Yisrael Belsky. Additionally, there are those who reject his books in general, but say that if one has a need for such Hashkafos to answer questions in Emuna, they are acceptable as a Bdieved.
Hatzlacha Rabba,
an Israeli Yid