- Halacha
- General Questions
Israeli Army
Question
I just watched a documentary (in Hebrew) on the extremely terrible condition of base food in Israel. After tests on the food, many, many dangerous viruses were found in the food (from multiple different bases), one of which was life threatening. Is it even permitted to eat this food?
Answer
Healthy eating is very important, but it's also important to put things in proper perspective. Having spent many years both in the Israeli army and in various yeshivot, I, and probably everyone, can attest to the fact that most yeshiva kitchens have a much less healthy diet, & are considerably less sanitary and are obviously subject to much less outside scrutiny and health-testing than army kitchens. That doesn't mean you shouldn't learn in yeshiva nor eat yeshivah food, but that its cleanliness should be supervised. In addition, journalists, especially in Israel, can generally only publish articles if they reveal something surprising and negative, so you should regulate yourself to critical reading and take what the (generally leftist) press writes with "a grain of salt", especially when dealing with issues of nationalism and religion. That doesn't mean you shouldn't check it out, and correct that which needs improvement, but if you are looking for an excuse not to serve in the IDF, this recent criticism pales in comparison to the super-important mitzva of serving God and the Nation of Israel (in the worst possible case, bring your own food to the army or to the yeshiva!). Always remember that one of the most important rules in halacha, is to keep things in proportion and priority.
Gifts and new clothes during the year of mourning
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | Cheshvan 3, 5771

charity organization illegal forms
Rabbi David Sperling | Adar 3, 5781

Explaining the term "Litvish"
Rabbi Chaim Tabasky | 17 Cheshvan 5766

When does the Jewish day begin?
Rabbi David Sperling | Nisan 10, 5775

Rabbi Ari Shvat
Lectures at various yeshivot, michlalot and midrashot. Has published many books & Torani articles and is in charge of Rav Kook’s archives.

A Day is a thousand years
Adar I 23, 5771

Bircat baalat habayit 2
Adar I 23, 5771

Keeping non-definite chametz and staying in a dorm
Nisan 3, 5771

Fasting or giving Tzedaka on seeing Sefer Torah fallen
Shevat 7, 5771

Mezzuzah for Non Jew
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 18, 5773
Jewelry for men
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | Adar 21, 5770

Mekubalim
Rabbi David Sperling | Av 17, 5775

Yiddish to Hebrew Name
Various Rabbis | Shevat 3, 5768

Talmud
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Shevat 4, 5783

How can someone change their community?
Rabbi David Sperling | Shevat 11, 5783
Praying with people placing Tefillin on forehead?
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | Shevat 9, 5783
