The obligation to test for the Tay-Sachs gene

Hi,

"Since it is easy to check, one should realize that failure to check one's self would be like closing one's eyes before that which one could see. G-d forbid, such an event would cause the child's parents extraordinary pain, and so it would be appropriate for a man who wished to wed a woman to test himself. It would be good to publicize this in newspapers and other media, to alert people that there is such a test."

כיון שעתה נעשה זה באופן קל לבדוק יש לדון שאם אינו בודק את עצמו הוא כסגירת העינים לראות מה שאפשר לראות, ומכיון שאם ח"ו אירע דבר כזה הוא להורי הילד צער גדול מאד מן הראוי למי שצריך לישא אשה לבדוק את עצמו. ולכן טוב לפרסם הדבר ע"י עתונים ואופנים שידעו העולם שאיכא בדיקה כזו. 

(Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Even haEzer 4:10)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Going without a yarmulka at work

Hi,

"In the matter of a person who needs to find work, and must meet with the heads of the office. He is told that he will have to remove his hat from his head and sit bareheaded, without a kippah, also known as a yarmulka. If he were to wear his kippah, they would not hire him. Further, the person who has been working to get him this position says he will be personally harmed for having presented this person as a candidate… 

"Further, the candidate needs this job for his living there in Denver; he cannot find work with people who will not care about his kippah…

"It appears, in my humble opinion, that as far as law most opinions agree that refusal to walk bareheaded in public is an act of piety… and since it has become universal Jewish practice, it is no weaker than any of the customs of the holy Jewish nation. However, it is no stronger than any of the Torah’s actual active commandments, and the law is that in a case of great loss, one is not obligated in an active commandment.

"There is also the view of the Turei Zahav that a prohibition against being bareheaded applies here, because bareheadedness is the practice of the nations. In that case, it is a prohibition, and any potential financial loss does not override the prohibition! But there are those who disagree with the Turei Zahav…and in a case of great loss, like this, one may depend on them."

(Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:2)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Create Purim!

Hi,

The Jews in the time of Purim accepted upon themselves "to make these days of Purim into days of feasting and joy, and sending portions of food to each other, and giving gifts to the needy." (Esther 9:22)

Purim is not a "natural" Yom Tov (holiday); it is up to us to make Purim into a Yom Tov, through our mitzvot of the day, and through our joy and recognition of the Divine miracle which saved us on the original Purim.

(Based on Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 5:20)

Have a great day,

Mordechai

The origin of clothing

Hi,

"They [Adam and Chavah, pre-sin] did not need to wear clothes for the sake of privacy, for all of the parts of the body were sacred. It was only after the sin that they descended from their level, and then bashfulness about one's limbs became relevant as the draw toward sin became more powerful."

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 2:60)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Welcoming special needs children in the synagogue

Hi,

"When they come to the synagogue, the congregation must greet them pleasantly, even when they cannot learn with the community. They must see to it that such children answer “Amen” and Kedushah, saying it with them so that they will do what they can, and so as to honor their parents. This has value for the children themselves as they fulfill whatever they can, as even walking to synagogue is a mitzvah, and they can kiss the Torah scroll."

(Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:29)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Voting, per Rabbi Moshe Feinstein

Hello,

Please note that I expect not to be able to send out these daily emails between today and next Sunday, as I will be on the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley's trip to Israel. The next daily email, Gd-willing, will be Sunday November 9.

I am reproducing here Rabbi Moshe Feinstein's 1984 endorsement of voting in American elections:

On reaching the shores of the United States, Jews found a safe haven. The rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights have allowed us the freedom to practice our religion without interference and to live in this republic in safety.

A fundamental principle of Judaism is hakaras hatov -- recognizing benefits afforded us and giving expression to our appreciation. Therefore, it is incumbent upon each Jewish citizen to participate in the democratic system which safeguards the freedoms we enjoy. The most fundamental responsibility incumbent on each individual is to register and to vote.

Therefore, I urge all members of the Jewish community to fulfill their obligations by registering as soon as possible, and by voting. By this, we can express our appreciation and contribute to the continued security of our community.

Have a great day and week,
Mordechai