1) It is prohibited [for a Jew] to fix an Eiruv that requires repair on Shabbos.
This includes inserting or straightening the polls as well as tying on or fixing the strings or any other aspect of repair, and doing these actions is a prohibition of Boneh.
2) In certain situations where not repairing the Eiruv may lead to many people unsuspectingly carrying on Shabbos, it is permissible to request a non-Jew to repair the Eiruv. (See Mishna Berura Siman 276:25.)
Of course, a Rav must be consulted for Halacha L'Ma'aseh before requesting this of the non-Jew.
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers.
These Q&A are taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Gmail.com
Reader's Question:
I was raised to believe that Al Pi Halacha, tattoos are forbidden.
In fact I learned that if someone had a tattoo, in order to be buried in a Jewish cemetery it had to be removed ( I understand a very painful process) before they died.
My son maintains that this is not Halacha. He cited the numbers that Nazis YM"S tattooed on the Jews in the concentration camps.
Please tell me-what are the facts?
Answer:
Although tattoos are forbidden according to halacha (see Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah Siman 180), there is no halacha that I am aware of that forbids one with a tattoo from being buried al pi halacha in a Jewish cemetery, especially if the tattoo in question was acquired against his will (like in the case of the Nazis Yemach Shemam) or at a time in a person's life before he/she was Chozer B'Teshuvah.
CHIZUK CORNER
This section is dedicated L'Ilui Nishmas the late Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Yaakov ben Rav Binyomin Moshe Stein Zatzal.
We will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO HalachaForToday@Gmail.com
THANK YOU AND תזכו למצות!
זכר צדיק וקדוש לברכה
Here is a small inspiring story about HaRav Yisroel Meir Kagan,
Zatzal, the holy Chofetz Chaim.
Once, a burly, gruff looking, man who had served in the Russian army,
entered a Jewish Inn and ordered a meal. When Jewish boys were drafted,
it was usually the end of Yiddishkeit, religious observance, for them.
The army brainwashed them to worship Mother Russia rather than G-d. He
plopped himself down and ate in a most disgusting manner - stuffing an
entire chicken down his mouth. It was revolting that this man, a Jew,
could conduct himself in so repulsive a manner.
The innkeeper and the others present were sickened and embarrassed by
this display; though none dared say anything.
The Chofetz Chaim happened to be a guest at that Inn. He saw the young man and slowly approached him. Everyone wondered, what would the Chofetz Chaim possibly say to this man.
What could he say?
Surely this oaf would not listen to any rebuke, even from such a holy man.
The Chofetz Chaim asked the man, "Is it true that you served in the
Russian army?" "Yes," snorted the man, bracing his defenses for the
oncoming tongue-lashing he was fully expecting.
"Tell me," began the Chofetz Chaim, "How did you manage to keep your
Jewish identity in those circumstances? So many Jewish boys entered the
army, only to eventually give up their Judaism. They are forced to
serve for 25 years without any kosher food, Jewish holidays, or any
other vestige of Judaism. Yet, when you could have easily gone to any Inn, you chose a
Jewish one. You still identify as a Jew. I don't know if I could have
done what you did. You are an inspiration. Where did you find the
strength?"
The soldier, caught off guard and clearly moved, looked straight at the
Chofetz Chaim, "It was so hard, they did everything to pound it out of
us - to make us denounce and forget that we were Jews."
The Chofetz Chaim responded, "It is a miracle that you made it through. Now you can begin to learn the Torah and observe mitzvos (religious duties) that you were deprived
of all these years."
"But Rebbi (teacher), how can I possibly do that," the soldier, now
sobbing bitterly, responded. He continued through his tears, "I want to
return to my heritage, but I am so far removed. Surely it isn't
possible for someone like me to learn."
"No," said the Chofetz Chaim, "It is still possible. It is always
possible. I can show you how."
As the soldier spoke to the Chofetz Chaim, the stones on his heart began to melt. Had the Chofetz Chaim not understood and appreciated this man's perspective, this amazing episode never would have occurred.
What did happen was: from that day on, the
former soldier began a path to repentance and as the years went by,
developed into an observant, well learned Jew.
Important Numbers
