Igros Moshe (Y.D. II #44):Question Concerning the widow of a talmid chachom who had a position as masghiach of kashrus and with his death she is destitute and has no way of providing for herself or her children. She is a modest woman and truly G-d fearing as well as being smart, understanding and responsible. She can relied upon and in fact was working under her husband’s supervision and that was her parnossa until he died. You want to know my view as to whether she can now serve i as a mashgiach? Answer From the aspect of believability, a women is fully believed concerning prohibitions. The basic law is that a single witness is believed for prohibitions. However some sources indicate that women are only believed for Rabbinic prohibitions. Tosfos explains that tasks which require great effort or matters she can’t control she is not believed. But that is only for matters which are presumed prohibited. Therefore supervising kashrus means she prevents people from eating that which is prohibited from food which is not presumed to be forbidden she is to be believed even if the food is not in her control. It has been standard practice in every generation to hire women to cook and buy meat and other foods and rely on them that it is kosher. . In conclusuion from the aspect of believability there is no problem that this women can serve as mashgiach since she is established as good woman with solid knowledge and understanding as the job requires. Howver there is a problem from a different aspect. The Rambam states clearly that all positions of authority in Judaism can only be males. I don’t know the source for the Rambam’s ruling. The Sifrei that is cited by the Kesef Mishna and others only states that the ruler must be a male king and not a female queen but no mention is made that all positions of authority must be male. It must be that the Rambam decided that on his own. . It is reasonable to say that a kashrus supervisor is considered a position of authority as Rashi notes that a supervisor over weights and measures is considered an appointment of authority since both positions require opposition to deviations from standards. Consequently the Rambam would prohibit a woman being appointed as mashgiach. . However it seems to me that not everyone agrees with the Rambam. The Chinuch and Tosfos seem to disagree as do Rashi and the Ran Thus it is not clear what the halachic status of the Rambam’s view is. Consequently in the case of great need such as the livelihood of this widow and her children one can rely on those that disagree with the Rambam and appoint her as mashgiach to replace her husband. However there is a way to appoint her which doesn’t conflict with the Rambam. If she is officially hired by a rabbi and is thus while she is not the official boss but she does the actual work and therefore she has no actual authority which is totally given to her boss.
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Disagree with Rav Moshe
Igros Moshe (O.C. I #109): This that you apologize for disagreeing with me in a halachic issue – this is totally unnecessary. That is because this is the way of Torah that it is necessary to establish the truth. Chas v’shalom to silence one who disagrees with you – whether he is being more lenient or more strict. [While there is a discussion about disagreeing in a formal court session Sanhedrin 36 where the court is deciding on the guilt or innocence…] it is not a problem to disagree with the gadol (greatest scholar) when he is saying something in the course of teaching the material or even if he is making a practical halachic ruling but he is not part of a formal court. We see this in many places in the gemora where students question their teacher’s view. … It is obvious in these cases the rulings were not part of a formal court session. Furthermore it is apparent that there is no one today who has the status of gadol for this law that no one can disagree with him… Therefore even if you consider me to be a gadol – it is permitted to disagree with me and consequently it is required that you express your opinion and there is no need to apologize. Nevertheless regarding the halachic question that was raised, my view -that I wrote that it is prohibited - is the correct one.
Igros Moshe (YD II #45): This that you apologize because you disagree with my reasoning and my position. I don’t know why you think you need to apologize. There is an absolute need for everyone to clarify the truth according to his own understanding whether that is a more lenient or strict position and even if it disagrees with the views of his teacher (rav) and surely those who are not considered his teacher. Look at what I wrote already in greater detail in Igros Moshe O.C. I #109): If you are perhaps apologizing because of possibly expressing yourself disrespectfully, but anyone who knows me knows that I am Thank G-d not concerned with what anyone says against me and surely not the words of a Torah scholar.
Donald Trump was once a registered Democrat and party donor. So why did he jump ship? - A man of principle- the power principle
The former Republican president was once a registered Democrat and even donated money to Kamala Harris. Here's a look back at how Donald Trump's political affiliations have changed over time, and why.
But before they were political rivals, Trump was actually one of Harris' financial donors.
State records show that Trump donated US$6,000 ($9,107) in total to the then-California attorney-general's campaign — US$5,000 ($7,589) in September 2011 after she was first elected, and another US$1,000 ($1,518) in 2013.
At the time of both donations to Harris' campaign, Trump was registered as a Republican.
The former president wasn't the only member of his family contributing money to Harris; his eldest daughter Ivanka donated US$2,000 ($3,036) in 2014 to her re-election campaign.
Trump first registered as a member of the Republican Party in 1987. But records show that since then he's changed his party affiliation five times.
In October 1999, he joined the Independence Party of New York.
Not long after, he declared himself a potential candidate for the Reform Party's presidential nomination for the 2000 election. The Independence Party of New York was at that time the state affiliate of the national Reform Party.
Then in 2001, Trump became a Democrat — and remained one for eight years.
In a 2004 interview with CNN, he said that "in many cases" he identified more as a Democrat than Republican.
"It just seems that the economy does better under the Democrats than the Republicans," he said.
Despite his praise for the Democrats, Trump returned to the Republican Party in 2012 and has remained a member since.
Trump has always been "ideologically inconsistent" on most issues, according to Emma Shortis, a senior researcher in international and security affairs at public policy think tank The Australia Institute.
"The through line is always his desire to access power and access elite circles," she said.
"He's always been pretty desperate to be validated by the American elite, as often as disdainful as he is of them, he wants access to that … so every time I think Trump has changed, you can explain that change by that desire for power, and elite access."
At the time of Trump's donations to Harris' campaign, he was facing a class action about whether Trump University had defrauded its students.
Voting Rav Moshe Feinstein
Letter (October 1984) On reaching the shores of the United States; Jews found a safe haven. The rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and 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.
AI is coming to skin cancer detection
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2025/04/07/ai-is-coming-skin-cancer-detection/
A future where artificial intelligence will guide skin cancer detection is in sight, experts say, even as human care remains essential.
“The whole ecosystem has really matured and we are now past the hype and the big media headlines,” says Ivy Lee, a Los Angeles-based dermatologist who chairs the Augmented Intelligence Committee at the American Academy of Dermatology.
As of now the gold standard is to get an annual skin check with a dermatologist, Lee says. And if you notice any new or changing spots, you should see your dermatologist or physician.
Cracks appear among Trump’s cheerleaders amid market turmoil
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/04/07/trump-tariff-reaction/
As the world reels from President Donald Trump’s trade war, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon is alerting shareholders that the tariffs will “slow down growth.” Podcaster Ben Shapiro is warning that the president’s vision of international trade is “mistaken.” And Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is advising that the tariff strategy carries “enormous risk.”
Shapiro, who initially supported Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the Republican presidential primary before switching his support to Trump, spent much of his recent episodes highlighting the flaws in Trump’s tariff push to his audience.
“The president’s vision of international trade is, I’m sorry to say, mistaken,” he said this week on “The Ben Shapiro Show.” “So this is a massive tax increase on American consumers. That’s what it is. And it is designed to be so,” he said, adding that it is “probably unconstitutional … one of the biggest tax increases on consumers in history,” which he said was “predicated on a bad idea of how international trade works.”
'A little miracle': First baby born in UK to woman with transplanted womb
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c78jd517z87o
A "miracle" baby girl has become the first child in the UK to be born to a mother using a donated womb.
The baby's mum, Grace Davidson, 36, was born without a functioning uterus, and received her sister's womb in 2023 – in what was then the UK's only successful womb transplant.
MAGA Rolls Out Bonkers New Justification for Trump’s Trade War
https://www.thedailybeast.com/maga-rolls-out-bonkers-new-justification-for-trumps-trade-war/
Right-wingers from the fringe to Fox News are rolling out a new argument in favor of Trump’s tariffs—that they will help boost America’s masculinity.
Donald Trump’s claim that “jobs and factories will come roaring back” due to his steep tariffs has been welcomed by some right-wing commentators who have argued that it will be a needed improvement for American workers’ masculinity.
As one prominent right-wing influencer wrote in a now-deleted X post: “you do not solve low birth rates by giving money to women, you solve low birth rates by taking money away from women.”
“Fertility is a solved problem and tracks differential status between men and women,” another wrote, seemingly endorsing the theory.
Whether the tariffs will end up creating any of these blue collar jobs at all, however, is unclear.
Democrats demand answers over book removals at military service academies
The academy said the removal was to comply “with all directives outlined in Executive Orders issued by the President.”
The letters sent by the Democrats say the review focused on books that had topics relating to “gender ideology” and “discriminatory equity ideology.”
“If true, this is a blatant attack on the First Amendment and a clear effort to suppress academic freedom and rigor at the United States Naval Academy. Moreover, this reported book ban — or any similar efforts that may be ongoing at the United States Military Academy — displays an alarming return to McCarthy-era censorship,” the representatives wrote.
Bishul Kli Shlishi
Igros Moshe (OC IV #74.4) Question Should one be concerned for the view of the Chaye Adam that everyone agrees that a kli sheini cooks if it is hot to burn the hand (yad nekeves). Furthermore to be concerned also that a kli shlishi cooks when it is that hot? Answer It is impossible to know what the accepted practice is in this issue since we are strict with everything because we are concerned it might cook since there are things that cook in a kli sheini that we don’t know and thus this distinction is not relevant on a practical level. Concerning a hot kli shlishi (yad nekeves) it is not relevant since we are lenient and simple assume that nothing is cooked in a kli shlishi. However we should not learn from this to be lenient for a kli sheini. It is possible that even the Chaye Adam would rule that there is no prohibition for a kli shlishi even if very hot (yad nekeves) But it is not clear there is such a thing.
Igros Moshe (OC IV #74.16) I personally am strict for myself and don’t put instant coffee or sugar in a kli shlishi however according to halacha there is no need to be strict
Igros Moshe (OC IV #74.17) Question Is it permitted to place uncooked salt in a kli shilishi? Answer In my humble opinion as I have written before we don’t find that any cooks in a kli shlishi. Salt is is viewed l’chumra to be cooked when placed in a kli sheini so obviously it is not viewed even l’chumra to be cooked in a kli shlishi especially when the law is clear that salt is permitted even in a kli rishon.
Igros Moshe (OC IV #74.18) Tavlin is permitted in kli sheini onion is considered tavlin according to Aruch HaShulchan while the Taz prohibits it. Because there is a question whether onion and garlic are tavlin that is permitted in a kli sheini it is best to be strict like the Taz but only because there are things that cook in a kli sheini that we don’t know about. Nonetheless there is no problem with a kli shlishi. Lemon is prohibited in a kli sheini but is permitted in a kli shlishi. Concerning coffee and cocoa they are considered tavlin and can be placed in a kli sheini according to the Mishna which says tavlin can be placed in a kli sheini since they won’t be cooked. I am surprised by the Aruch HaShulchan who is strict not to put them in a kli sheini or kli shlishi. The Mishna Berura prohibits coffee in a kli sheini because there are things which are cooked by a kli sheini. However the Mishna clear excludes Tavlin from being cooked in a kli sheini. This makes sense for tea leaves not to consider them as tavlin since they don’t give flavor but just color, however coffee and cocoa are clearly tavlin and therefore their question is puzzling. The best approach is to be strict with a kli sheini but to permit putting them in a kli shlishi.
US Naval Academy removed books about the Holocaust, antisemitism ahead of Hegseth visit
https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-849275
At the same time as the US Naval Academy removed a display honoring Jewish female graduates ahead of a visit from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, it also removed books about the Holocaust and antisemitism.
The books, which also covered the history of white supremacy in the United States, were among nearly 400 removed ahead of the visit last week.
The order to remove the books, most of which focused on topics like race, diversity, and gender, appeared to come at the behest of Hegseth himself. The Pentagon chief, whose initiatives against diversity, equity, and inclusion programming have already led to the removal of other Holocaust remembrance content from the Defense Department’s digital platforms, sent a memo to the Maryland school instructing it to comply with larger anti-” woke” purges at the department.
Monday, April 7, 2025
Even Trump Sycophant Maria Bartiromo Is Questioning His Tariff ‘Debacle’
https://www.thedailybeast.com/even-trumps-most-loyal-fox-news-fan-trashes-his-tariffs-debacle/
Fox Business Network host Maria Bartiromo admits that President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs have caused a “debacle.”
Reacting to the news on Mornings With Maria, the host asked if Congress should step in as the markets reel.
“My question to you on this tariff debacle is, should Congress be involved?” she asked Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer.
The White House’s “Rapid Response 47” account on X shared the clip of Bartiromo’s interview but cut out her question that called the tariff fallout a “debacle.”
Bartiromo still touts her pro-Trump views on air. On Friday, she even claimed that any big downturn in the economy would be “Joe Biden’s recession.”
RFK Jr. Touts Bogus Measles Treatment Hours After Burying 8-Year-Old Child
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. touted the work of two controversial “healers” Sunday—just hours after advocating for vaccinations and attending the funeral of a child who died as part of a measles outbreak taking over Texas.
Kennedy has also claimed that vitamin A and cod liver oil are effective treatments for measles. So bold were Kennedy’s claims, they forced the American Medical Association to release a statement last month urging: “As parents, our instinct is to do everything we can to keep our children safe. In the case of measles–a highly contagious disease that can cause severe health problems—that means getting your children vaccinated today. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is extraordinarily safe and effective."
Trump Orders Four Mile Military Parade for his 79th Birthday
https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-orders-four-mile-military-parade-for-his-79th-birthday/
President Donald Trump is making plans for a military parade in Washington, D.C., on his 79th birthday, according to a report.
The display of military might will march around four miles from the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia, to the White House, the D.C. source told the publication.
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