Rabbi Yosef Sprung
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]...
Guide to Hilchos for Cholim – Part 3
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...
Eating Matza in the Hospital on Erev Pesach sheChal b’Shabbos
When Erev Pesach falls on Shabbos, most Jewish households eat regular Challa for the Shabbos Seudos, taking care to prevent Chametz from scattering in the house and ensuring that all leftovers are discarded. Typically...
Half-Flesh, Half-Earth
There has been extensive discussion of the implications of Halachic rulings by Chazal that were grounded in the scientific understanding of their time but have since been contradicted by modern scientific...
No Smoking Allowed – Even on Purim
The Phenomeno An unfortunate Purim “custom” of smoking regular or e-cigarettes has taken root among some young Bnei Torah. This is perceived to be part of the Purim celebration or as an accessory to costumes, granting...
Remember! Parshas Zachor for Cholim
The Mitzvos of Chodesh Adar and Purim start with the reading of the four special Parshiyos, among them Parshas Zachor, which is read on the Shabbos preceding Purim. Most opinions maintain that the obligation to hear...
Piskei haGaon Rav Asher Weiss Shlit”a On Hearing Aids and Other Auditory Devices
For the benefit of the public, R’ Yaakov Nirenberg Shlit”a, a member of the Beis Medrash, has compiled a summary of several as-yet unpublished rulings from haGaon Rav Asher Weiss Shlit”a concerning the use of hearing...
Analog and Digital Hearing Aids on Shabbos
The Gedolei haPoskim debate the permissibility of using hearing aids on Shabbos, even if they were activated before Shabbos.[1] Some prohibit both using these devices and speaking to a person who is wearing them since...
Bitachon and Refua: Exploring the Approaches of the Rishonim
The Heter for a physician to heal is derived from the Pasuk: “He need only give [compensation] for his loss of work and he shall surely heal (v’Rapo Y’rapei)”. This is discussed at great length in the Rishonim and...
From the Rabbi’s Desk: (Leil) Shabbos Breakfast
Question: Dear Rabbi Sprung, This year Asara b’Teves falls on a Friday. Is it Halachically acceptable to break my fast with a light meal of cake and coffee rather than a full Seudas Shabbos? Answer: The fast of Asara...
It’s All About the Timing
There is an obligation Min haTorah to recite Krias Shema twice daily, once in the morning and again in the evening. The Gemara in Brachos (4b)adds: R’ Yehoshua ben Levi said, “Although one recited Krias Shema in Shul...
Chanuka for the (Physically) Challenged
Even if a person cannot light the Neiros without assistance, he may recite the Bracha if he performs the lighting himself, even if somebody holds and guides his hand. However, if he cannot do it on his own (for example...
Double Jeopardy?
Although there is no Issur to marry a widow me’Ikar haDin (provided that it is at least ninety days from the date of her husband’s death[1] – see Shulchan Aruch E.H. 123:1), Kabbalistic sources relate that...
Disputed Danger
An important principle in Hilchos Dayanim is, “Ein l’Dayan Ela Ma she’Einav Ro’os” – a Dayan can only rule based on the facts in front of him and what he believes to be correct. There are several ramifications, the most...
From the Rabbi’s Desk: Hiring Aides and Caregivers for Parents
Question: Our father has been hospitalized for an extended period and we have been taking shifts to be by his side to assist him. This has become a great burden and we are considering hiring a caregiver to be with him...
Sweet Brachos
The Shulchan Aruch rules (O.C. 196:1): A person who eats a forbidden food – though it may only be Asur mid’Rabbanan – cannot be included in a Zimun, nor does he recite a Bracha on the food before or after. According to...
From the Rabbi’s Desk: Is There a Doctor In the Sukkah?
Dear Rabbi Sprung, I am an anesthesiologist, and when I am on-call, I divide my time between the various operating rooms in the hospital and the delivery rooms. As the leader of the on-call team, I direct a group of...
