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- Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions
Answer: We start with sources (including a thorough teshuva by the Machazeh Eliyahu 5-6), from which we gleaned many of our sources. However, we must also think in terms of common practice and feasibility.
The halachic issues are exposing holy articles to private parts and to excrement. Regarding the former, the pasuk (Devarim 23:15) requires separation between uncovered private parts and holy things (see Shabbat 150a). The gemara (Shabbat 120b) says that one upon whose flesh Hashem’s Name is written may not bathe because it is forbidden to stand naked in front of the Name of Hashem. The Magen Avraham (45:2) extends this prohibition to wearing tefillin or bringing Torah texts into a place where people are undressed. The Shemirat Shabbat K’hilchata (24:30) says based on this that one may not erect a partition before holy sefarim on Shabbat to allow removing a baby’s diaper because it is a halachically necessary wall.
However, there are strong grounds to distinguish between an adult and a baby. While the Shulchan Aruch (OC 75:4) forbids reciting Kri’at Shema before the private parts of a young child, the Rama (ad loc.) permits it until the age of 3 for a girl and 9 for a boy. Even those who forbid it, do so as a chumra l’chatichila (Mishna Berura 75:5) because of its impact on one’s thoughts (not as an objective erva), and this should not be a problem for holy articles (see Radbaz V,1028; Machazeh Eliyahu ibid.). While the Rama (OC 275:12) cites a minhag not to leave a naked child before Shabbat candles because of disgrace to the mitzva, it is illogical to apply the minhag to changing a diaper. (When Shabbat candles alone provided light, were parents expected to change diapers in the dark?!!).
The other issue is the excrement in the diaper. (Only at the age of several months is a baby’s stool problematically unseemly – Shulchan Aruch, OC 81:1.) One is forbidden to bring holy things such as tefillin into a bathroom (Shulchan Aruch, OC 43:1). However, the problem is likely not the excrement itself, but the status of the place and/or the possibility he will relieve himself while there. Indeed, the Magen Avraham (43:11) permits (when necessary) going into alleyways with excrement with tefillin on. It is also more lenient when the exposure of the holy article to the unseemly matter is passing (Be’ur Halacha to 43:5; Shut Ramah Mipanu 59). The Machazeh Eliyahu (ibid.) proves that the exposure is not forbidden from the fact it is permitted to urinate with tefillin on if it is not in a set bathroom (Shulchan Aruch ibid.), even though sources indicate that is at least as bad as exposure to excrement.
Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions (654)
Rabbi Daniel Mann
595 - Ask the Rabbi: Wrong Beracha on Tefillin Shel Yad
596 - Ask the Rabbi: Changing Diapers in the Proximity of Sefarim
597 - Ask the Rabbi: Switching Mantels Back on Shabbat
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What will one following stringent opinions do about mezuzot? Shemirat Shabbat K’hilchata (ibid.) presents a not-simple leniency – the wrapping of the mezuza, which many anyway do, counts as a separation. We believe that the stringency is unnecessary in the first place, as above. Furthermore, the way our houses now have sefarim, Torah-based wall hangings, etc. all over the place makes it impractical to be machmir regarding changing diapers, and it also makes the encounter not offensive. It is not surprising that the broad practice is to not require precautions when changing diapers in regular areas. We hope our homes are blessed with several children and many sefarim and that changing diapers does not cause undue difficulty.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
