Menachem Melamed

I don’t claim to be in the “Know”, but perhaps HKB”H is trying to push Bnei Torah to the smaller communities. There are Jews hungering for Torah all across North America. Many people who raised families in the small communinities will tell you that they were able to raise children with great depth to their Yiddishkeit – perhaps more than children raised in the large centers of Yiddishkeit – provided that the small community had at least a core of Orthodoxy.

To Zahavsdad –

There are all kinds of mistakes that people make regarding giraffe. Even though there may be practical and legal reasons for not eating it – it is not really a halocha issue (except according to the opinion that mesora is necessary for animals too). Many teachers repeat something about not knowing where to shecht it. Anyone who know hilchos shechita knows that is incorrect.

The major agencies do not accept it. One issue is that they follow an opinion regarding cheese which is not accepted by the mainstream hechsherim.

Please do not confuse it with the KSR of Montreal which uses a picture of the Luchos inside a black circle.

You can search Kosher Quest to get an idea of hechsherim.

Twice (or more) per day when we say Shma we say that we are commanded to love HaShem to such a degree than if necessary we would give up our lives and all our possessions for Him. This is a very weighty topic which should be learned with the seriousness it deserves. It is difficult for me to understand how people can discuss such weighty topics in the Coffee Room. We must learn these halochos with the appropriate serious attitude and not have every anonymous person – perhaps learned, perhaps somewhat knowlegeable, or perhaps a bored kid – state whatever they think the halocha should be.

It is a brocha from HaShem that human nature allows us to block out pain. We must walk a difficult tightrope allowing for appropraite sensitivity without being crushed. I doubt that anyone could maintain their sanity if we were as sensitive and empathetic as we really should be. I heard that Rav Simcha Wasserman zt”l said that that is the tefilla which we ask HaShem to replace our stone hearts with hearts of flesh. When Mashiach comes we will no longer have to make a hard protective shell to protect ourselves from pain, but we will be able to empathize with others as we should.

To Hashtagposter –

Could you please give a source of your statement that there is a cifference between a boy and a girl having a cut on the face stitched on Shabbos. Thank you.

Issues that pertain to halocha should be asked to your own Rav. If people would like to discuss halachos in these types of forums, they should cite their sources (as some people do). Without sourcs they remain what are called “boich sevaros” (ideas from the belly).

May you find the strength and support you need to deal with your condition.

Medical progress in dealing with both forms of diabetes has been very encouraging. There is actually hope of an actual cure in the coming years. May HaShem help the doctors to make great strides in this field, so that you and numerous others will be able to enjoy good health. If you need emotional support and medical advice, there are many people who will be happy to help you.

I don’t think that it is respectful to substitute with a word that means “melting wax”.

This is something well known by the poskim, and spoken of in the halocha seforim. There are some people who are particular about this issue regarding Pashas Zachor. The fact that sifrei Torah match almost perfectly is a tremendous attestation to the care with which Klal Yisroel guarded the mesorah.

Incidntally. I highly doubt that there is anyone in the world that carries ALL 9 of those genetic defects.

The posters have offered many good pieces of advice, and some that are not so good. I would like to focus on a couple of points. I think that when parents and teachers find joy in Torah and mitzvos their children and students will be more likely to follow in their footsteps. When parents and teachers don’t fulfill mitzvos with love, the next generation will be less likely to adhere to a Torah way of life. I believe that that it is also important that parents and teachers discuss points of hashkafa and belief according to the best of their ability. It is critical that every person have a solid foundation in emunah. Even though many students are afraid to ask questions, we must supply the answers. The more solid a person’s emunah is the more simcha he/she will find in Torah and mitzvos. Perhaps the CR can open a moderated forum for the discussion of emunah topics. It is critical that it be moderated by a capable person.

Whatever you do – don’t forget that your life after 120 is what really counts. For most girls the most dangerous option is going to a college away from home and staying in campus housing. If a girl or boy must go to a college away from home, they should stay with an appropriate frum family.

Dash’s information is correct.

If you ask around you will find that there are rides every day, including people who commute and people who use the Philadelphia doctors and medical services.

I strongly suggest that if you want to fulfill the mitzvos of tefillin and mezuzah properly that you follow a few prudent steps:

Purchase your mezuzos and tefillin from someone that you or your Rav know well. Tell the seller that you want high quality without any compromise – and that you are not looking for something “cheap”. If you cannot afford top quality for all of your rooms, you can save some money by asking your Rav which rooms are “questionable” as to their need of a mezuzah. You might be able to save some money by buying a lower grade of l’chatchila mezuzos for those rooms. Please pay as much as you can afford for top notch tefillin. Tefillin are forever. Make sure to take your son with you when you buy his tefillin. If he sees that there is nothing as important to you as his tefillin his Yiddishkeit and that of your future grandchildren will be given a major push in the right direction.

To SelichosGenendel-

Tznius is a very very important issue. I have three concerns about what you said:

1) Chumros (stringencies) and good policies must not be confused with halocha. Starting with the eitz ha’da’as (Tree of Knowledge) passing a chumra off as a halocha has caused a lessening of observance. There is no halocha that skirts must be 4 inches below the knee.

2) Rabbonim don’t have the ability to successfully decree those policies which they wish they could. If the rabbonim were able to fix Klal Yisroel’s issues by fiat, it would be wonderful. However, we all know that it doesn’t work that way.

3) We have to be very concerned about depriving a child of his Yiddishkeit because of his parents’ issues. Many of the leading rabbonim and roshei yeshiva would have been deprived of a Torah education if this had been the practice in Klal Yisroel. Out of respect for these Talmidei Chachomim we don’t publicize their background, but I know that many wonderful tzaddikim did not come from families that would pass muster nowadays.

“I think that anyone who speaks during davening, comes late to davening, says lashon hora, hurts someone’s feelings, or wastes even a minute from Torah learning should be put into cherem!”

In truth I think that we have to realize that the way to bring people to Torah is by demonstrating the beauty of the Torah way of life through our own actions.

Why don’t you look for a position as an assistant in a school that pays fair wages and rent an apartment with some other girls. Look for a community that has shidduch prospects, or is not to far from the large communities. You will make some money and gain experience. If you en joy teaching you might take courses so that you can move up to a full teaching position when you are ready to.

It is certainly best if you can get assistance from a Rav that you know. If you cannot – Tefillin Bet El is a good option. They have a web-site and e-mail. They have always been very helpful when I contacted them. They have a various qualities available. I suggest going for the best that you can afford. I agree with the previous poster who suggest having them fasted the “yud” with a “gid” rather than using what is called a “Chofetz Chaim Knot”. Many soferim are not favoraible inclined to using the “kesher” called the “Chofetz Chaim Knot”.

Most people go to Chevron without bullet proof buses. Just make sure that whoever you go with is familiar with the roads and the situation at the time. It is usually reasonably safe to go. If you are not familiar with the roads and the situation – please don’t go alone.

Unless you have the training to deal with missionaries, speak Yiddish or Hebrew and make believe you don’t know what they are talking about.

Or tell them that you believe in G-d, why don’t they teach people to believe in G-d. Then walk away and refuse to let them “engage you” in conversation.

It is totally irresponsible to use this type of a forum for psak halocha – and you all know that.

I believe that the practice of some people not to go around without shoes is based on a Yerushalmi. You absolutely must have the guidance of a competent rav to know when the halachos of Kibud Av v”Aim apply and when not. Some people have bee offering you incorrect information. You also need advice on how to handle issues in a manner that will preserve shalom bayis.

I am surprised that people did not mention Jules Verne. I believe that his books would be deemed appropriate by most people.

While much of “so-called” Jewish literature is neither Jewish nor literature, but rather “light reads” without the objectionable material, there are good Jewish books for those who are looking for them. May I suggest “Wildflower” and “Blue Star over Red Square”? (Parents – I suggest that you are attentive to even “Jewish” books to ascertain that they fit in with the chinuch you desire for your children. Some of the very best are still not appropriate for everyone.

If they are made of wool, it is best to dry-clean them. If they are made of cotton it is best to wash the beged by hand, and not wash the strings. The problem is that the strings are normally made of wool, which is easily damaged in the wash. When the strings must be cleaned, immerse them in ammonia and gently wash the ammonia out with lukewarm water. The solution of putting the strings in a bag also works, but does some damage to the strings.