Shabbat Archives | Rosh Yeshiva Responds

31 07, 2024

Brit Mila on Shabbat for a Baby Conceived Through IVF or IUI

July 31st, 2024|Family, Fertility, Lifecycles, Milah, Yoreh De'ah|

QUESTION

How does the Rosh Yeshiva hold regarding brit milah on Shabbat for babies conceived through IVF? What about IUI?

ANSWER

I unhesitatingly rule that it is performed on Shabbat. The gemara (Keritot 7b) explains the pasuk from Parshat Tazria – כי תזריע וילדה זכר – עד שתלד ממקום שמזרעת, namely that a mother is only tamei’a (ritually impure) from tumat leida (impurity that is created by the birth process) after vaginal birth, but not if she gave birth in any other manner. Elsewhere, based on the juxtaposition of the laws of tumat leida and brit mila, the Gemara (Shabbat 135a) connects the

2 06, 2024

Taking Tums on Shabbat

June 2nd, 2024|Choleh, Orach Chayim, Shabbat, Shulchan Arukh|

QUESTION

NY, New York

May one with mild heartburn/acid reflux take Tums on Shabbat? Are tums considered ma’akhal beri’im or refuah on Shabbat?

ANSWER

By way of introduction, Chazal established a prohibition (gazeirah) against taking medication on Shabbat because of the concern that people might grind their own medication, which was a common preparation method at the time (Shabbat 53b, Rashi s.v. gazerah). This led to the general

1 02, 2024

Traveling by Electric Scooter on Shabbat

February 1st, 2024|Choleh, Prohibitions, Shabbat, Synagogue, Technology, Tefillah|

QUESTION

Maryland

I have a congregant who can no longer walk to shul. I have discussed the option of using the Grama scooters approved by Zomet and the Star K, but they cost more than $4000. She is able to purchase a “regular” used scooter for only $400. Would the financial savings justify using a regular scooter on Shabbat (perhaps with using a shinuy)?

Do you have any advice for

Understanding One’s Personality through Zodiac Signs

5 05, 2023

Understanding One’s Personality through Zodiac Signs

May 5th, 2023|Non-Jews and Other Religions, Yoreh De'ah|

https://pixabay.com/photos/astrology-star-sign-horoscope-2792352/

QUESTION

New York

I was informed by someone that there are ways to understand one’s personality based on the zodiac signs. This involves looking at not only the astrological sign, but also the time and location of birth, as well as the position of the moon, stars, and planets. I don’t actually believe in this, but I am curious to explore it with my student who does very much believe in this.

I’m concerned about any kind of divination issurim. From my understanding, you could stop before you get to predicting the

21 03, 2023

Pesticides, Health, and Kashrut – May We Eat Foods with Pesticides?

March 21st, 2023|Kashrut, Yoreh De'ah|

QUESTION

Rochester, NY

Are there kashrut implications to pesticides in fruits and vegetables and their impact on human health?

ANSWER

No, not form a kashrut perspective. I do understand that people would like to bring certain Torah-value concerns into the kashrut conversation, such as tzaar baalei chayim (cruelty to animals), treatment of workers, additives and pesticides, etc., but

5 03, 2023

Guidance Regarding Gaps in a Mechitza – Defining the Purpose of a Mechitza

March 5th, 2023|Mechitza, Orach Chayim, Synagogue, Tefillah|

QUESTION

Chicago, IL

Kevod HaRav, do concepts like gud asik mechitztah¹ and lavud² work for mechitzot in shul? It appears that there will be a six inch gap between a section of our new mechitza and the next section. It is not in an area that is highly visible—only a few people sitting in one spot would notice it. Is this a problem?

ANSWER

If one follows the position that a mechitza functions as a

5 03, 2023

Pushing Someone in a Wheelchair to Shul on Shabbat without an Eruv

March 5th, 2023|Amirah LeGoy, Disabilities, Orach Chayim, Prohibitions, Shabbat|

QUESTION

Jerusalem, IL

Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igrot Moshe OH 4:90) writes that in a place where there is no eruv, a person can only propel themselves or be pushed in a wheelchair by a non-Jew. We are dealing with a case of someone about whom it is not clear if they can walk on their own. Is there room for a Jew to push this person to shul?

ANSWER

If you can do it with a shinuy, or have two people pushing, then it’s shevut d’shevut be’makom mitzvah (a Rabbinic prohibition coupled with another Rabbinic prohibition which is permissible for the sake of a

20 02, 2023

Attending a March for Women’s Rights on Shabbat

February 20th, 2023|Orach Chayim, Shabbat, Uvda D'Chol|

QUESTION

Paris, France

There is an important march for women’s rights in Paris on Shabbat. Several members of my shul (all women) are asking whether they may go if they are not carrying anything (there is no eruv). I am wondering whether this is really the spirit of Shabbat. Do Jews usually march on Shabbat?

ANSWER

Shabbat 150a states,

11 04, 2021

Permissibility of Praying Barefoot

April 11th, 2021|Orach Chayim, Shema and Shemoneh Esrei|

QUESTION

New England, USA

If a person has difficulty wearing a sock or shoe due to discomfort, can they daven at home barefoot? There is a medical reason they do not want to wear a sock or shoes on their foot, but they’re certainly not choleh kol HaGuf. It seems pashut that none of this would exempt the person from tefilah, and we know we can relax other rules – like someone who needs to stay in bed should still say the amidah without standing. Hagahot Maimoniyot to Hilkhot Tefillah 5 and Tosafot on Shabbat 10a consider Rava bar Rav Huna’s actions as establishing

1 01, 2021

Supportive Touch During Niddah in Case of Psychological Distress

January 1st, 2021|Niddah, Yoreh De'ah|

QUESTION

My wife is intensely emotional and can have difficulty regulating her feelings. The easiest way to bring her back to a more calm state is with an embrace. We have maintained no touching during niddah despite the obvious challenges associated with it.

The pandemic has been difficult for our family and we have managed, but with very high stress levels. Recently, we have become financially responsible for a grandparent, which is will be a long-term challenge. I’m wondering how I can best help to keep my wife grounded in the practical considerations and decisions we have to make when

12 Next

Join our WhatsApp group

Topics