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- Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions
Answer: It is an honor to learn Torah with people, all the more so with a soldier for whom Halacha is front and center. We will discuss principles and address some scenarios.
Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions (657)
Rabbi Daniel Mann
563 - Ask the Rabbi: Barchu Later than the Normal End of Tefilla
564 - Ask the Rabbi: Accepting Shabbat Early during Army Service.
565 - Ask the Rabbi: Basketball Swap?
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Logically, making Shabbat early when the need to do melacha is expected during tosefet Shabbat is like setting up the need by entering the ship. It is unclear how high the chance of doing melacha needs to be for this to apply. In most cases, it depends if one has a shift or an operation at that time.
One pertinent question is why you are considering accepting Shabbat early. On a weekly basis, few men actively accept Shabbat early, in the way that [Ashkenazi] women do with candle lighting (see Shulchan Aruch and Rama, OC 263:10). Men do not accept Shabbat at that time (and must not if they need to daven Mincha). Some make a declaration of accepting Shabbat after Mincha, but this is not mainstream practice or required according to most poskim (see Yabia Omer VII, OC 34; Living the Halachic Process III, C-4). Rather, tosefet Shabbat is fulfilled by refraining from melacha at least a few minutes before bein hashemashot. It is detrimental to actively accept Shabbat when there is a good chance one would need to do melachot in those minutes.
The question is if soldiers want to accept Shabbat early to enable davening Ma’ariv (with a minyan), Kiddush, and/or a seuda before a shift? Based on the above, entering the situation requires that it includes facilitating a mitzva. What counts as a mitzva? The Tur (OC 248) cites Rabbeinu Tam that a business trip counts as a mitzva, whereas a pleasure trip is a non-mitzva. Many require a real mitzva, such as traveling to making aliya. The Shulchan Aruch (OC 248:4) rules like the stringent approach, but the Rama says that some follow Rabbeinu Tam, and they should not be criticized.
According to the approach that one needs a real mitzva, it is unclear whether doing the mitzvot of Shabbat during tosefet in a case that he can do the mitzvot in a non-optimal way (e.g., later, without a minyan, with cold food, while tired) counts. The policy of the IDF Rabbinate is that one should not accept Shabbat early if he can fulfill the mitzvot of the night after the shift. If not, one should eat his meal before the shift as a weekday meal and have a minor meal after returning from the shift. This reflects the correct general approach that one being exacting in avoiding melacha on Shabbat, even under extenuating circumstances, is more crucial than ideal fulfillment of the positive mitzvot of the day under such circumstances.
Such a general policy is for standard cases. Circumstances vary, both concerning halachic distinctions and practical concerns of the "army-on-Shabbat experience." We would expect an expert army chaplain (as a high-ranking one told me) to weigh the specifics of a given case to determine if it fits the general guidelines or whether accepting Shabbat early might be worthwhile.
Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions Ask the Rabbi: Having a Non-Jew Build a Sukka and Assemble Arba’a Minim
Rabbis in Midrash
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Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
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(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
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Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
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Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
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Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
