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- Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions
Answer: An onen (a close relative of a deceased prior to burial) is exempt from performing positive mitzvot (Berachot 17b) and should not perform them (Tosafot ad loc., based on Yerushalmi, Berachot 3:1; Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 71:1). An onen must not violate Torah-level or Rabbinic negative commandments. It is not obvious whether certain situations relate to positive or negative mitzvot (see Pitchei Teshuva, Yoreh Deah 341:4,6 regarding eating without beracha or netillat yadayim, doing bedikat chametz).
There are opinions that we do not prevent an onen who will not take part in the critical preparations for the burial from fulfilling mitzvot (see Shulchan Aruch ibid.). Many assume that in a place with a chevra kaddisha, the onen is not critically needed (see Panim Meirot II:150; Yalkut Yosef OC 71:16). Nevertheless, we instruct the standard onen not to do mitzvot.
Havdala accomplishes two things: 1. It expresses a proper perspective on the transition from Shabbat to weekdays; 2. It permits doing melacha after Shabbat (Shulchan Aruch, OC 299:1,10). #1 is a positive mitzva, from which an onen is exempt, but arguably removing the prohibition on melacha (#2) is a matter of the negative and should apply to an onen. Nevertheless, the Shulchan Aruch (YD 341:2) rules that an onen makes Havdala only after the burial. Da’at Torah (to YD 341:2) explains that we presume that the prohibition on melacha emerges from the requirement to make Havdala first. Therefore, if he is exempt from Havdala, the prohibition does not exist.
Some sources state that one does not make Havdala but that it remains prohibited to do melacha in matters not connected enough to the burial. For example, Chayim B’yad 125.81 says that the mourners do not do kri’ah on their garments until after the burial and Havdala. While we do not accept this opinion, several poskim (see Shemirat Shabbat K’hilchata 64:26) recommend the compromise of reciting "Baruch hamavdil bein kodesh l’chol," which always makes melacha permitted (see Shulchan Aruch and Rama, OC 299:10). This is best done without intention to thereby perform a "mini-mitzva" of Havdala, but just to remove, if necessary, the prohibition of melacha.
Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions (654)
Rabbi Daniel Mann
573 - Ask the Rabbi: A Child Removing a Suction-Held Divider on Shabbat
574 - Ask the Rabbi: When Should an Onen Recite Havdala?
575 - Ask the Rabbi: Hanging and Using Hammocks on Shabbat
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However, these poskim discussed b’di’eved – if one already heard Havdala from another with the intention of both that you fulfill the mitzva. According to the standard opinions (see Beit David, ibid.), an onen should not listen with intent to be yotzei because it fulfills the mitzva of Havdala. (It is a good question (see Shemirat Shabbat K’hilchata ibid.) why poskim do not recommend doing "early Havdala" (see Shulchan Aruch, OC 293:3).)
Therefore, we recommend waiting until after the funeral for Havdala. All of you brought merit to your father’s neshama by handling the halachic challenges as best as you knew.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
