Igros Moshe (OC II #80) Question: There is a large building in which most of the space is rented for offices which are used on Shabbos and Yom Tov and there is an elevator operated by a non Jew. Now the owner wants to change this so the elevator is self service Is this change prohibited because it is causing Jews to sin? Answer Before the elevator was operated by the non Jew there was no concern for lifnei Ivair since there were other offices elsewhere that could be rented. And thus it was only a question of allowing sin and the Magan Avraham says this is not a problem since most use does not involve sin. However now that a non Jew has been hired to run the elevator and it would require a major effort for the tenants and might be impossiuble to move elsewhere it is now a problem of lifnai ivair if you switch to self service and thus it seems it should be prohibited. However I have shown regarding Sheviis that whenever the work involved can be sometimes prohibited and other times permitted it is permitted to sell a field or an animal that will sometimes be involved in sin but not all the time. Thus it is not viewed as causing or supporting of allowing sin. But merely being a minor causation that sin is done and this is not prohibited. However while I was inclined to permit based on this reasoning I didn’t actually pasken that it was permitted since I couldn’t find anyone who actually ruled according to this principle. Nevertheless if not permitting will result in a large financial losss it can be relied on to permit. Even the use of the non Jew violates a Rabbinic prohibition if he is acting entirely because he was hired to work for the owner. It is better that he work primarily for himself. For example if he get paid a specific amount for each trip and thus the prohibition is not caused by the owner
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Elevator Shabbos
Lashon Harah Teacher asks student to tattle on others?
Igros Moshe (YD II #103) Question Can a teacher to tell a student to inform on misbehavior of other students?Answer: This is a repulsive and disgusting thing because it minimizes the seriousness of lashon harah. If this is merely to chastise them for the sake of Heaven because this might improve their behavior then it is possibly permitted. However that is only when the student volunteers to tell the teacher the information but not when the teacher commands him to tell. We are not on the level that this information can possibly be considered as given for pure motivation (for the sake of Heaven) even for adults and surely not with children.
Igros Moshe (YD IV #30.1) Question The teacher's request that students inform on other students is obviously because the teacher thinks the information is needed to benefit the students so why is that disgusting and causes lashon harah to be minimized? This is what the Chofetz Chaim permits Answer I had written this would be pernitted if done for pure motivation but this is true only if the informer spontaneously gives the information but not when the teacher commands it and because of the fear of punishment. In addition it should be possible to correct the misbehavior without demanding the serious sin of lashon harah to know the identity of the one who misbehaved.
Review of The Beys Din System Today by R’ Ari Marburger (published in Dialogue) -[ Kaminetsky-Greenblatt Heter]
Psak Halacha Regarding attempts to pass “Death with Dignity”
Psak Halacha Regarding attempts to pass “Death with Dignity” legislation: The chiyuv (Torah injunction) of “Lo sa'amod al dam re’echa”, obligates everyone to do what he or she can, to help prevent assisted suicide and/or euthanasia. Allowing the legalization of “assisted suicide”, even if this particular law in practice would only result in assisting a suicide and not euthanasia, is to allow shefichas-domim (bloodshed). Furthermore even rendering such actions not being subject to prosecution, is allowing shefichas-domim (bloodshed), al achas kama vekama (how much more so), in cases of assisted suicide leading to euthanasia. Voting on the basis of this issue. This obligation would include: 1) Thus, when voting for any public official, this issue must be considered as top priority, certainly overriding financial considerations, government programs, etc. By voting for people who support these laws, we become accountable for their actions. This ruling would still apply even if these laws were to be passed, we would still be forbidden to vote for legislators who voted for these laws. This is the most important way to fulfill our obligation. 2) Urging one’s legislators to vote against these bills, if and when they arise[1] and to urge the governor to veto such bill, were it to pass the legislature. 3) Helping in efforts to repeal such laws, in areas[2] where such legislation was already passed. Even a few votes can make a major difference, both by legislators and the public—sometimes the vote of a single legislator can decide the fate of these laws—as is evidenced by the recent vote in the New Jersey State Assembly (in November 2014), where an assisted suicide bill was passed by just one vote. We have seen in several recent races in Jewish neighborhoods, that even a handful of votes can make the difference in the outcome of the election[3] . Furthermore, some legislators keep track of the calls that are made to their offices on particular controversial issues, and vote according to their results. May the Creator of all life grace us with the merit to save innocent lives, fulfilling our role as an or legoyim (light unto the nations). In that merit, may we help usher in the Final Redemption by Moshiach Tzidkeinu. Rabbonim are listed alphabetically. Mordechai Chaim Auerbach Boruch Hirschfeld Avrohom Reich Monsey Ahavas Yisroel, Cleveland Hatzolas Yisroel < Eliyahu Ben-Haim Zalman Leib Hollander Dovid Ribiat RIETS/Kehillah Yotzei Mashad Khal Nachlas Moshe, Spring Valley, NY mechaber "The 39 Melochos" < Haim Benoliel Shmuel Kamenetsky Yosef Yitzchok Rosenfeld Bnai Yosef/Mikdash Melech Talmudical Academy of Philadelphia Monsey Dometz Gad Bouskila Yosef Meir Kantor Chaim Schabes Netivot Israel Cong. Agudath Israel of Monsey Knesses Yisroel Yitzchok M. Braun Elya Nota Katz Dovid Schustal Shaaray Zion Stamford Yeshiva Bais Medrash Govoha, Lakewood Shlomo Breslauer Eliezer Langer Yaakov Shulman Bais Tefiloh Cong. Israel, Poughkeepsie, NY Talmud Torah of Flatbush Eliyahu Brog Yeshaye Gedalye Kaufman Moshe Silberberg Bais Yisroel Hisachdus Moetz, Kruleh Dometz Shuvu/mechaber “Zichron Tzvi Meir” Simcha Bunim Cohen Amram Klein Moshe Soloveitchik Khal Ateres Yeshaya Ungvar Chicago Yitzchok Cohen Shloime Ben Zion Kokis Yitzchok Sorotzkin Yeshiva University RIETS Zichron Mordechai Mesivta of Lakewood Moshe Donnebaum Grainom Lazewnik Tzvi Steinberg Hechel Hatorah/Adas Yisroel/Melbourne Khal Adar Gbir Kahal Zera Avraham, Denver Michoel Elias Philip Lefkowitz Shlomo Stern Kehilas Yisroel, Spring Valley Jackson, NJ; mult. congregations in US, UK & Canada Debreciner Rov Eytan Feiner Moshe Tuvia Lieff Elazar Mayer Teitz Kneseth Israel, (The White Shul) Far Rockaway Agudath Israel Bais Binyomin Chief Rabbi of Elizabeth, NJ Menachem Fisher Shmuel Miller Elya Ber Wachtfogel Vien Monsey Yeshiva Bais Yisroel Yeshiva of South Fallsburg Noson Yermia Goldstein Avrohom Yaakov Nelkenbaum Boruch Hersh Waldman mechaber of “Migdalos Noson” Mirrer Yeshiva Siach Yitzchok, Suffern Avrohom Gordimer Yechiel Perr Moshe Weissman Coalition for Jewish Values Yeshiva of Far Rockaway Ohel Moshe Shmuel Gorelick Steven Pruzansky Benjamin Yudin Mesivta Ohel Torah Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck Shomrei Torah, Fair Lawn, NJ Moshe Green Aaron Rakeffet-Rothkoff Yeruchum Zeilberger Yeshivah D'Monsey YU Gruss Kollel Stamford Yeshiva Yisroel Dovid Harfenes Gavriel Zinner Yisroel Vehazmanim Nitei Gavriel Institutions are listed for identification purposes only. [1] as is currently in New Jersey [2] such as Washington state and Oregon [3] most noticeably (demonstrated) in the Senate election between David Storobin and Lew Fidler, where Storobin won by less than 20 votes. Sponsored by Jews for Torah Values jewsfortorahvalues@gmail.com
RFK Jr.’s Wish Is Coming True: Everybody’s Getting Measles
https://www.thedailybeast.com/rfk-jrs-wish-is-coming-true-everybodys-getting-measles/
RFK Jr.’s vision for America is rapidly becoming reality, with the number of measles cases skyrocketing across the country, bringing the number of confirmed cases to a total of 884.
According to data published by the CDC on Friday, there have been 884 cases of measles reported across 29 states, including Alaska, California, Hawaii, Illinois, New York and Texas.
Just last month, the Health and Human Services Secretary appeared to argue in an interview with Sean Hannity that natural immunity was the best defense against the highly infectious disease. In other words, Kennedy believes that it would be great if everyone got measles.
Murdoch Paper Gives Trump Dire Warning to Mark His 100 Days
https://www.thedailybeast.com/murdoch-paper-gives-trump-dire-warning-to-mark-his-100-days/
The Rupert Murdoch-owned Wall Street Journal has warned Donald Trump that a “major reset” is needed if his second term is to be successful.
The paper’s editorial board claimed the execution of some of the president’s priorities “hasn’t matched” his promises and warned that he will “fail unless he heeds the warnings” in an opinion piece published Monday.
While Trump adhered to more mainstream Republican policy objectives in his first term, the op-ed concluded, “This term he is indulging his trade and foreign-policy obsessions, and the early results are negative.”
“He’ll fail unless he heeds the warnings.”
At 100 Days, Trump 2.0 Is in Trouble
Presidential second terms are rarely successful, and on the evidence of his first 100 days Donald Trump’s won’t be different. The President needs a major reset if he wants to rescue his final years from the economic and foreign-policy shocks he has unleashed.
There’s no denying his energy or ambition. Mr. Trump is pressing ahead on multiple fronts, and he has had some success. His expansion of U.S. energy production is proceeding well and is much needed after the Biden war on fossil fuels. He has ended the border crisis in short order.
Russia Launches Massive Ukraine Attacks After Trump Tells Putin To Stop
https://www.newsweek.com/russia-drone-attack-ukraine-trump-putin-2064914
Russia has launched its largest wave of strikes on Ukraine since Thursday, when President Donald Trump urged his Russian counterpart to halt attacks on Moscow's neighbor, according to an independent investigative Russian news outlet.
Mark Carney Wins Canada's Federal Election as Trump's Shadow Looms - Trump runs the worls?!
https://www.newsweek.com/canada-prime-minister-election-results-mark-carney-wins-2065366
Although the election was initially expected to tilt in favor of the Conservative Party, Trump turned the tables by taunting Trudeau as "Governor Trudeau" and imposing steep tariffs on the U.S.'s closest trading partner, leading to a surge in popularity for Trudeau, Carney and the Liberal Party.
Monday, April 28, 2025
‘I Run the Country and the World’
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2025/06/trump-second-term-comeback/682573/
Donald Trump believes he’s invincible. But the cracks are beginning to show.
Aharon's sons why did they die?
Ksav Sofer (Vayikra 10:1): And they offered before G‑d an unauthorized fire which He had not commanded them. Question: The Tanchuma (Achrei Mos #8) says that Aaron’s sons died because they didn’t get married and didn’t have children. Furthermore it says that they walked behind Moshe and Aaron and said, “When are these old men going to die so that we can take over the leadership of the community?” It is necessary to understand this medrash since it does not seem to fit in with the Torah which gives the explicit reason for their death as being punishment for offering an unauthorized fire before G‑d? It is also astounding that these righteous men - who were in fact greater than Moshe and Aaron according to Rashi (10:3) – should transgress G‑d’s command and not fulfill the mitzva of having children and also that they would speak in such an arrogant manner – “when are these old men going to die?” Answer: It appears to me that the reason that they didn’t get married is that they saw that Moshe’s children did not turn out properly as is well known. If Moshe’s sons were not fit then they felt that a lesson could be learned that surely would apply to the masses. They ascribed the failure of Moshe’s children to the fact that Moshe was constantly preoccupied with the problems of the community and therefore he didn’t have the ability to properly supervise his children. (We see a similar judgment of Chazal regarding the children of Shmuel who did not go in his righteous path because he was constantly involved with community problems.) In contrast Aaron’s sons were great tzadikim because Aaron was not so much preoccupied with the community and thus was successfully able to supervise his children. On the other hand Aaron himself never reached Moshe’s spiritual level because his energy was devoted to his family. Being aware of this they decided that the best solution to the inherent contradiction between serving the needs of the community and the needs of the family - was not to get married. They were fully aware that with the death of Moshe and Aaron they would become the leaders of the community. They reasoned that if they had children they would not be able to supervise them properly and they would end up going in the wrong path. Or if they took the path of Aaron and properly supervised their children – then they would not be able to devote the needed time to leading the community. Consequently they decided the best way to serve G‑d and His people was not to get married. We need to add two other aspects from the medrash regarding their following after Moshe and Aaron and saying “When are they going to die?” It doesn’t mean chas v’shalom that they were looking forward to their deaths or that they were discussing between themselves that when they would die they would become the leaders. The medrash means to describe that they were concerned with understanding what Moshe and Aaron lacked. Moshe was very concerned with the needs of the community and therefore he had children who were not good. Aaron who supervised his children did not have so much time for the community and therefore he did not have the merit of serving the masses so much. Therefore Aaron’s sons concluded that they should get married. In truth they erred in this conclusion. Because “what business did they have with G-d’s secrets.” Their job was not to second guess what G-d wanted. Their job was to fulfill His mitzvos which clearly commanded them to have children. (We find a similar mistaken understanding described in Berachos (10a) concerning King Chezkiyahu. He also didn’t have children because he knew through the power of prophesy that his children would be wicked. However this was a mistake and his father-in-law, the prophet Yeshayahu, was sent to him with the message,”You will die now in this world and you will not have any portion in the next world because you didn’t have children.” Yeshayahu rejected Chezkiyahu’s justification that his children would be wicked people by saying, “What business do you have with G-d’s secrets?”). Thus we see that Aaron’s had a strong passion for loving G‑d and His people and therefore they decided that to be successful as leaders and serving G-d it was best not to have children. This in fact was the “unauthorized fire” which they had not received from G-d. They in fact had not been commanded to lead the people in a manner that differed from Moshe – but they were required to fulfill G‑d’s commandments and get married and have children. Thus this mistaken idea was the “unauthorized fire” and it was the reason why they died. So even though their motivation was for the sake of Heaven it was a mistake. This is my explanation and I think it is very correct.
Radio by Hatzala on the Sabbath
Shabbos save life of Goy
Trump Reveals Russia's 'Pretty Big Concession' in Peace Talks with Ukraine
https://www.newsweek.com/trump-reveals-russias-pretty-big-concession-peace-talks-ukraine-2063802
President Donald Trump asserted Thursday that Russia has already made a "pretty big concession" in the war against Ukraine by not attempting to seize the entire country. The president also said that Russia's willingness to engage in peace talks that could "stop the war" is a concession.
Trump's assertion has been met with strong resistance from Ukraine and many European nations, who argue that merely halting a full-scale land grab hardly qualifies as a meaningful concession.