Rosh Yeshiva Responds
Rabbi Linzer answers halakhic questions from rabbis and community members

25 11, 2020

Pidyon HaBen over Zoom

November 25th, 2020|Birth, Yoreh De'ah|

QUESTION

Maryland, USA

It seems it should be totally mutar to do a Pidyon HaBen on Zoom because many Acharonim say that shelichut can work (Rav Yosef Zvi Rimon says as much). That said, I have a family that wants the kohen to be someone they know who lives in Israel (in some ways, taking advantage of the Zoom situation!). The kohen happens to currently be in America, but in a few days is going back to Israel. May they send him the coins (or something worth that amount) now while he is in America with

24 11, 2020

Planning for Going into Labor on Shabbat

November 24th, 2020|Birth, Choleh, Orach Chayim, Prohibitions|

QUESTION

Midwest, USA

Curious about a woman who goes into labor on Shabbat. Clearly we allow her husband to drive to the hospital with her. Would we allow him to do this if he was driving separately? What about other support people who are part of her “birth plan” (like a mother or sister)? What about someone like a doula, who is not part of the medical team, but is a trained support person who the woman is expecting to be there? (Let’s assume everyone is Jewish.)

ANSWER