Erev Rosh Hashana Some individuals have a custom to fast on Erev Rosh Hashana. Individuals who are weak or ill, however, need not fast. If one has generally observed this custom, performing Hataras Nedarim to annul the vow to fast is proper...
לא תראה את שור אחיך או את שיו נדחים והתעלמת מהם, השב תשיבם לאחיך. ואם לא קרוב אחיך אליך ולא ידעתו, ואספתו אל תוך ביתך והיה עמך עד דרוש אחיך אותו והשבותו לו. וכן תעשה לחמורו, וכן תעשה לשמלתו, וכן תעשה לכל אבדת אחיך אשר תאבד ממנו ומצאתה. לא תוכל...
By the Rabbanim of the Beis Medrash Gavoha l’Halacha u’Refua Shli’ach Tzibur 1. The Shli’ach Tzibur must stand throughout the Tefila, not just Chazaras haShatz.[1] Therefore, a weak or elderly person shouldn’t serve as Shli’ach Tzibur if he will be...
In the past month, the Charedi community in Israel experienced two tragic losses when young, unvaccinated infants died from measles infections. Unfortunately, a troubling attitude has emerged in recent years that downplays the importance of...
The effects of new medical discoveries and technologies on established Halachic principles have generated extensive debate. In certain areas, such as determining paternity or maternity through genetic testing, significant disputes remain among the...
Many nurses have asked recently about performing the newborn metabolic screening test on Shabbos. Newborn screening is intended to detect an extensive list of serious but treatable medical conditions.[1] Early diagnosis...
During this period, the question frequently emerges regarding the permissibility of listening to music for alleviating anxiety or for other therapeutic reasons. This essay will present the perspectives of various Poskim...
Five things befell our ancestors on the 17th of Tamuz… the Luchos were broken, the [daily offering of the] Korban Tamid ceased, the [walls of Jerusalem were]breached, Apostomus burned the Torah, and he set up an...
Patients receiving cancer treatment frequently experience hair loss, which can present various halachic challenges. For example, we have previously examined the permissibility of permanent eyebrow makeup in these...
A substantial portion of contemporary communication occurs through instant messaging on platforms such as WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram. Professionals in medical, emergency, and rescue services commonly use WhatsApp...
Thousands of patient meals are prepared daily in the kitchens of the Shaare Zedek Medical Center. All food preparation is conducted according to the highest Kashrus standards. Aside from ensuring the kosher status of...
One should recite Krias Shema and the Bracha of “haMapil” – Krias Shema sheAl haMita – before bed. There are Halachos associated with Krias Shema sheAl haMita that pertain to individuals who are ill or have...
Conducting human research and utilizing experimental drugs involve several aspects of Halacha, including Hilchos Shabbos and Pikuach Nefesh. Drug development invariably encompasses a phase of human trials, which is an...
There is a well-known Machlokes Rishonim as to whether the Mitzva of Sefiras haOmer is d’Oraisa or d’Rabbanan today, hinging on whether Sefira is dependent on the harvesting of the Korban haOmer that can no longer be...
Today, infant feeding practices have undergone two major transformations compared to earlier generations. First, the practice of using a “wet nurse” – a woman hired to breastfeed other women’s infants...
The Gemara states (Bava Metzia 79b): The Rabbis taught: If one hires a donkey for a man to ride on, a woman may not ride it; but if it was hired for a woman, a man may ride it. Regarding a woman, [the law applies]...
Halachos of Erev Pesach[1] Ta’anis Bechorim It is customary for male firstborns to fast on Erev Pesach.[2] Nowadays, the custom is to make or join a Siyum and partake in the Seudas Mitzva, thus exempting oneself from...
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Rabbi Yosef Sprung
הרב ישראל מאיר מלכה