In Toras haAdam (Inyan haSakana), the Ramban discusses a physician’s exemption from liability for errors that occur during medical treatment: [The exemption] was only granted to a Baki (an expert) who knows the wisdom and the practice [of medicine]...
According to the American Psychiatric Association, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is defined as “a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development, present in...
In Hilchos Nida, the Shulchan Aruch rules (Y.D. 197:2): “If her husband is in town, it is a Mitzva for her to Tovel on time, to avoid abstaining from Pru uR’vu for even one night.” The Gemara (Nida 30a and Yoma 8a) records a Machlokes Tana’im as to...
Both Sukkos and Simchas Torah are associated with series of seven that culminate with Dovid haMelech.[1] On Shavuos, we read Megilas Rus that recounts the events leading to the birth of Dovid haMelech. The roots of this story occurred thousands of...
On Simchas Torah, the Minhag is to call every person up to the Torah for an Aliya, including children. Those too young to recite the Brachos themselves are called up together for Kol haNe’arim...
Halachos and Minhagim of Tishrei:Guidelines for Hospital Patients, Visitors, and Staff – Part III[1] The First Night of Sukkos On Leil Yom...
A. General Guidelines Medical tests to determine whether a Choleh can fast A patientin a state of Safek Pikuach Nefesh can sometimes clarify whether he can fast safely through medical testing before Yom Kippur. For...
Aseres Yemei Teshuva Slichos[2] The ideal time to say Slichos is from Chatzos haLaila until Alos haShachar. If someone cannot recite them then, he should do so in the morning. Bedieved, Slichos can be recited...
Question: Dear Rabbi Sprung, I work the morning shift and must arrive very early at the hospital. It is impossible to attend the entire recitation of Slichos in Shul, and even if I Daven alone, I can only recite some of...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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Rabbi Yosef Sprung
הרב ישראל מאיר מלכה