Parashat HashavuaSeries'LibraryPiskei Din (Hebrew)Test YourselfAs life IY"H starts getting back to (semi) normal, the chance to again cruise the world is on the horizon. Some things to know: It is permissible nowadays to board a ship anytime before Shabbat, as modern ships rarely cause sea-sickness, which would disrupt one’s Oneg Shabbat. However, it is strictly prohibited by all poskim to join a cruise that sails over Shabbat IF the majority of passengers are Jewish, which is almost always the case regarding ships that embark from Israel. Only if the ship docks for the 25 hours of Shabbat would it be permissible to go. We don’t do an erev chatzerot on-board because passengers have no ownership of the vessel (in fact, it would be a bracha l’vatala). It is permissible to carry while on board; but leaving the ship over Shabbat, while technically allowed, is complex due to issues of carrying & t’chum & is not recommended. Some poskim allow using a key-card to enter cabins on Shabbat; others suggest taping the door so it locks only from the inside.
The people fasted for a number of days, however no rain fell. Then Rabbi Tanchuma went and spoke to them. He said, “My children, fill yourselves with compassion for one another, and the Holy One, blessed be He, will be filled with compassion for you.”
"The day of rainfall is as great as the day on which heaven and earth were created." The sages liken rain to the creation of the world: Just as the expression "gevura," might, is used in relation to Creation, so is it used in relation to rainfall.
After the destruction of the First Temple, the Prophets and the Sages of Israel legislated fasting on the Tenth of Tevet, for it was on that day that Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon, and his legions placed Jerusalem under siege.