Yoma Archives | Rosh Yeshiva Responds

12 07, 2024

Remedies for Pregnant Woman with Low Platelets Containing Brandy or Snake Venom

July 12th, 2024|Kashrut, Science and Medical Ethics, Yoreh De'ah|

QUESTION

Berkley, CA

A pregnant woman in her third trimester with low platelets has been recommended two remedies by her midwife. The first remedy (https://www.taprootmedicine.org/shop/p/strongwomansyrup) contains brandy.

The second remedy is a homeopathic product that may contain snake venom. The midwife believes that if it contains any actual snake substance, it would be in a very small amount due to the nature of homeopathy.

Can she take either of these remedies?

ANSWER

Even before considering the fact that this woman is a choleh (a person who is ill), there are good reasons to permit either of these concoctions.

Regarding the remedy containing brandy:
Brandy is fermented wine, so

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 04, 2018

May My Toddler Drink Milk When She is Eating Meat or Is Treif Food Bad For Your Soul?

April 12th, 2018|Kashrut|

QUESTION:

My daughter recently turned one year old. For children of her age, it is recommended that they consume 16 ounces of whole milk a day. It is hard to get my daughter to drink milk when she is not eating. May I still give her milk when we are having meat for dinner?

ANSWER:

As a general rule, a parent need not prevent her very young toddler from doing acts that would be halakhically prohibited as an adult. There is an obligation of hinukh, educating and habituating our children to do mitzvot and observe the prohibitions (but see Tosafot Yeshanim, Yoma 82a,

Mikveh During Aveilut

26 07, 2016

Mikveh During Aveilut

July 26th, 2016|Aveilut, Niddah|

Question:

לגרסה העברית לחצו כאן /Read this teshuva in Hebrew

I am currently sitting shiva for my mother a”h. I am also currently in niddah and my mikveh night would be tomorrow night. I know that during shiva I’m not allowed to have sex with my husband but I wanted to know if I could go to the mikveh so that we can hug and touch, at least in a non-sexual way. I could really use a hug from my husband and his reassuring touch during this time. Would we also be allowed to sleep in

14 01, 2011

Brain Death and Organ Donation

January 14th, 2011|Science and Medical Ethics|

What the halakhic debate around organ donation is all about?

It is unquestionably a mitzvah of pikuach nefesh, saving of life, to give organs after one’s death. There are times where up to 8 lives can be saved with the organs from one body. While a person does not fulfill mitzvot after death, signing an organ donor card, or a living will is a mitzvah in that it is an act that will lead to the giving of life to others.

When some rabbis come out against organ donation, it is not

Two Stages of Marriage

12 02, 2010

Two Stages of Marriage

February 12th, 2010|Marriage and Family|

As is well known, there are two stages of marriage, kiddushin and nissuin. Kiddushin is referred to in the Torah as erusin, and nissuin is referred to as either kicha, taking (“Who is the man who has betrothed a woman and not taken her” – Deut 20:7) or beulat ba’al, a woman who has had sex with her husband (see Deut 22:22-23). The first stage is the formal, legal status of the marriage, with all its halakhic implications to the outside world (she is considered a married woman and the laws of adultery apply), whereas the latter is the actualized

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