Volume 12 Number 01
Produced: Mon Feb 28 19:20:19 1994
Subjects Discussed In This Issue:
correct hebrew spelling
[Joseph P. Wetstein]
Cremation
[Steven Edell]
Falsification of Halacha
[Eli Turkel]
Fax Machines on Shabbat
[Steven Friedell]
Hebrew sentence with 27 letters
[Steven Friedell]
Kodesh Hakodashim
[Uri Meth]
Kodesh HaKodashim
[Ezra Rosenfeld]
Mishloach Manot
[Jay Denkberg]
Mitasek with a Downed Eruv
[Yosef Bechhofer]
Mormon Software
[Alon Kronenberg]
Tachanun on 16 of Adar in Yerushalayim
[Jerrold Landau]
Ten Commandments
[Jay Denkberg]
Yeshiva University Archives On-Line?
[Etan Shalom Diamond]
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From: <jpw@...> (Joseph P. Wetstein)
Date: Sun, 27 Feb 94 15:47:29 -0500
Subject: correct hebrew spelling
I am looking for the correct English (from Hebrew) spelling
(transliteration) of the name Avraham Pritzul. He is an individual who
has written extensively in the field of Ancient Hebrew Manuscripts and
Hebraic Paleography.
Thanks,
Yossi Wetstein
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From: Steven Edell <edell@...>
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 94 13:18:30 -0500
Subject: Cremation
Hi, all-
I debated whether to send this anonymous or not but decided it would be
more helpful to me not to. So, here goes (and I'm sorry this is so close
to Purim, but..)
My Mom, "ad 120", is dying of cancer. She has literally weeks to live
according to the doctors. And she decided a long time ago, that when the
time comes, that she wants to be cremated.
I discussed this with her when I visited her 2 years ago & will gently
raise the subject this coming week (Feb 28 - Mar 9) while again visiting her.
She lives near San Francisco.
Rabbi Auerbach, Shlita, has told me in response to a Shaila [question]
that I'm not ALLOWED to have kria'a [the traditional cutting of garments
when your close relative dies], and also not Shiva'a [the seven-day
mourning period]. I can say mourner's kaddish, grow a beard, not go to
parties, etc, as these things are not dependent on any one particular
person passing away [ie, anyone who wants to say kaddish - and has
permission from their parents, if they are still alive - is able to do so].
Anyone out there with similar a similar experience? Can someone help me
find a way around the ruling [ie, I tried asking if I didn't know that
she was cremated, but was told that in this day & age, a simple phone
call can ascertain that], or steer me to material that could help me
change my Mom's mind? Or, finally, something that will help ME come to
grips with this situation.
Thank you all very much.
Steven Edell, Computer Manager Internet:<edell@...>
United Israel Appeal, Inc <uio@...>
(United Israel Office) **ALL PERSONAL** Voice: 972-2-255513
Jerusalem, Israel **OPINIONS HERE!** Fax : 972-2-247261
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From: <turkel@...> (Eli Turkel)
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 1994 12:41:08 -0500
Subject: Falsification of Halacha
The subject brought up by Aryeh Frimer reminds me of a related question
that I once heard. The question is what a judge should do if he is
threatened with murder if he does not judge in favor of a participant who
would normally lose the court case. From what I remember some aharonim rule
that this is not one of the three sins that one is required to die for and
so the judge should give an incorrect ruling to save his own life. Others
disagree on the grounds that allows every mafia figure to win his cases
by threatining the judge and this would destroy the Torah.
<turkel@...>
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From: Steven Friedell <friedell@...>
Date: Mon, 28 Feb 94 9:12:30 EST
Subject: Fax Machines on Shabbat
Is there any problem with leaving one's fax machine on over shabbat? Is
there any problem with sending a fax on Friday from the states to Israel
where it will be received on Shabbat? Thanks. -Steve Friedell
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From: Steven Friedell <friedell@...>
Date: Sun, 27 Feb 94 18:29:16 EST
Subject: Hebrew sentence with 27 letters
A Biblical verse containing all 22 letters and all 5 finals is Zephania 3:8.
--Steve Friedell
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From: <umeth@...> (Uri Meth)
Date: Sun, 27 Feb 94 11:44:19 EST
Subject: RE: Kodesh Hakodashim
In v11n98 Gina Samstein asks the following:
>My son asked me the following question. Can anyone help me out.
>Nowadays we do not enter the area where the mosque is near the Kottel.
>My understanding is that it might be the area of Kodesh Hakodashim.
>Why is it still holy if the Aron is no longer there?
Since I am work and do not have any sources with me I will not be able to
supply a complete answer, but I hope the following will do.
The Mishna in Masechet Midot states that towards the end of the First
Bais Hamikdash (Temple) the Aron was no longer in the Bais Hamikdash.
The Mishna states an argument as to where it was. One opinion is that
it was taken away to Egypt by Pharoh Nechai (I believe), (thus the story
of Indiana Jones "Raiders of the Lost Ark" in Egypt). The other opinion
in the Mishna is that it is hidden somewhere under Har Habayit (the
Temple Mount). This is supported by a Gemara (I don't know where) [I'm
pretty sure it is a Mishna in Masechet (Tractate) Shekolim. Mod.] which
relates that a Kohan working in the Temple noticed that some of the
stones lining the floor on the Temple Mount were not in perfect
alignment. He went to show someone this, assuming that this was a
hiding place for something, and before he was able to relate this
information he died. Whichever opinion is correct, it is a fact, that
the Aron was not in the Kodesh Hakodashim sometime towards the end of
the first Temple. It has been "lost" since then.
This immediatly implies that during the second Temple, there was no Aron
in the Kodesh Hakodashim. The only thing in the room was the Even
Shesiyah (the stone from which we believe the world was created). This
rock protruded throught the floor for a height of three finger widths.
(This is rock that is under the Dome of the Rock, this is not a mosque.)
During the second Temple, the Kodesh Hakodashim had the same holiness as
it did during the first, even without the Aron.
In actuality, there is an argument between the Rambam and the Ridvaz as
to the holiness of the site of the whole Temple Mount region (again,
since I am at work I cannt quote the location). Since there is a
disagreement, and we don't know which is correct, we must follow the
stringent oppinion and hold that these locations still have holiness
today.
Uri Meth (215) 674-0200 (voice)
SEMCOR, Inc. (215) 443-0474 (fax)
65 West Street Road <umeth@...>
Warminster, PA 18974
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From: Ezra Rosenfeld <zomet@...>
Date: Mon, 28 Feb 1994 13:46:58 +0200 (IST)
Subject: Kodesh HaKodashim
The sanctity of the Temple Mount is not related to whether or not the
Aron (or the Beit Mikdash for that matter, see Rambam Hilchot Bet
HaBechira 6,14) is there. For further edification you might see the
article entitled "A Synagogue on the Temple Mount" by Rav Yitzchak
Shailat in "Crossroads - Halacha and the Modern World" - Volume 4.
Ezra Rosenfeld
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From: <JDENKBERG@...> (Jay Denkberg)
Date: Sun, 27 Feb 1994 02:16:41 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Mishloach Manot
Just to share how my shul does Mishloach Manot...
It's a Round Robin, with just one price, by joining you join with
everyone else who participates. One list is sent out before Pruim so
you know who has participated. After the Megilla reading everyone who
signed up picks up a basket with someone else's name and address and it
is your job to deliver the basket to that family.
This way you get to fulfill the Mitzvah, and you don't have to choose
your friends either. The shul makes some money to boot! It has become a
community event. The women have created an annual (sisterhood) event
just putting the 200+ baskets together.
Shalom,
Jay Denkberg
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From: <YOSEF_BECHHOFER@...> (Yosef Bechhofer)
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 94 13:18:00 -0500
Subject: Mitasek with a Downed Eruv
Concerning the recent discussions on MJ as to whether one must notify
someone who is carrying, unaware that an eruv is down, my great uncle
in Yerushalayim, a very reliable source, told me that the BaDaTz in
Yerushalayim does not notify their constituents when their eruv is
noticed to be down mid-Shabbos, because they have a psak from Reb
Chaim Brisker that one may rely on the heter of mitasek in such a case
(as Rabbi Broyde pointed out, Reb Chaim argues on Reb Akiva Eiger and
says that there is not even a ma'aseh aveira in cases of mitasek.
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From: Alon Kronenberg <kronenb@...>
Date: Sun, 27 Feb 1994 01:19:24 -0500
Subject: Re: Mormon Software
I would like to ask from anyone out there which specific *issur* exists
with doing bussines with people who worship avodah zara. As far as I can
remember from learning the guemara itself (a few years back) the only
issur is 3 days before their festivities b/c they will thank their idols
and it is prohibited to cause the mention of an idols name.
Alon Kronenberg |<kronenb@...>
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From: <LANDAU@...> (Jerrold Landau)
Date: Sun, 27 Feb 94 13:55:36 EST
Subject: Tachanun on 16 of Adar in Yerushalayim
For most of us Purim is now over, but in Yerushalayim (and other select
places) today is the third day of a Purim Meshulash. I was wondering if
tachanun is or is not omitted in Yerushalayim on the third day of a
Purim meshulash? Does the day have the status of Purim, or is it an
ordinary day, with the exception that two of the mitzvot of Purim
(seuda and mishloach manot), are pushed off to today? As I am a new
subscriber, this question may have already been dealt with, but, if not,
I would be interested in seeing the answer.
Jerrold Landau, Toronto, Ont.
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From: <JDENKBERG@...> (Jay Denkberg)
Date: Sun, 27 Feb 1994 02:17:51 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Ten Commandments
In this past week's parsha, the Ten Commandents are
refered to as the Aseres(t) HaDevorim (34:28). Why then to
we call it the Aseres(t) Dibros(t)?
As an aside if Devorim means things and Dibros means sayings
does anyone know how, in English they are called commandments.
Shalom,
Jay Denkberg
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From: Etan Shalom Diamond <ed16+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Date: Mon, 28 Feb 1994 15:43:26 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Yeshiva University Archives On-Line?
Does anyone know if Yeshiva University's Archives are
internet-accessible? If not, is there anyone at YU who can answer some
questions regarding the holdings of YU's archives. Also, are the
records from the RCA (Rabbinical Council of America) at YU, or at
another location?
Thank you.
Etan Diamond
Department of History
Carnegie Mellon University
<ed16@...>
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End of Volume 12 Issue 1
