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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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Hillel Kovacs
Rabbi Yosef Sprung