Ask the Rabbi

Question: Is it possible to give two of one’s children the same name? I’ve seen this more than once where a later-born child was given the same Hebrew name as an older sibling, however their English names are different. A Reader Los Angeles, California

Question: Was Saul actually our first king or was it Moses, as some claim? And if Moses was our first king, why was Samuel later critical of Israel for requesting a king? Menachem (Via E-Mail)

Question: Was Saul actually our first king or was it Moses, as some claim? And if Moses was our first king, why was Samuel later critical of Israel for requesting a king? Menachem Via email

Question: I notice that in some synagogues that I visit on Shabbat, some people do not fold their tallitot but rather leave them in their place unfolded. Yet I do see that the majority of people do fold their tallit and put it away. I actually asked one person why he doesn’t fold it and put it away neatly. He responded that really one is not allowed to do so. I would appreciate if you would clarify this matter. Consequently, when in a hotel am I allowed to let room service in to make the beds on Shabbat morning? I. Hager Brooklyn, NY

Question: I notice that in some synagogues that I visit on Shabbat, some people do not fold their tallitot but rather leave them in their place unfolded. Yet I do see that the majority of people do fold their tallit and put it away. I actually asked one person why he doesn’t fold it and put it away neatly. He responded that really one is not allowed to do so. I would appreciate if you would clarify this matter. Consequently, when in a hotel am I allowed to let room service in to make the beds on Shabbat morning? I. Hager Brooklyn, NY

Question: May a cheresh, a deaf mute, who exhibits other signs of intelligence, be included in a minyan? I live in a small town where this is a very relevant question, where we struggle to put together a minyan. Are there any halachic implications for including such a person? Name Withheld Small Town, USA

Question: May a cheresh, a deaf-mute, who exhibits other signs of intelligence, be included in a minyan? I live in a small town where this is a very relevant question, where we struggle to put together a minyan. Are there any halachic implications for including such a person? Name Withheld Small Town, USA

Question: How is one to choose between these two nursing homes, both of which have the advantage of being conveniently located? A Reader

Dear Rabbi Klass, It has been a while now that a number of countries, where Jews reside, have outlawed Shechita – Jewish ritual slaughter. Especially disturbing is what is happening now in Greece and Belgium, since they portray Shechita as being cruel. What are we as Jews to do? Is there any recourse for us in this matter so fundamental to our people? M. Goldblum Via e-mail

Dear Rabbi Klass, It has been a while now that a number of countries, where Jews reside, have outlawed shechita – Jewish ritual slaughter. Especially disturbing is what is happening now in Greece and Belgium, since they portray shechita as being cruel. What are we as Jews to do? Is there any recourse for us in this matter so fundamental to our people? M. Goldblum Via e-mail

Dear Rabbi Klass, It has been a while now that a number of countries, where Jews reside, have outlawed shechita – Jewish ritual slaughter. Especially disturbing is what is happening now in Greece and Belgium, since they portray shechita as being cruel. What are we as Jews to do? Is there any recourse for us in this matter so fundamental to our people? M. Goldblum Via e-mail

Dear Rabbi Klass, It has been a while now that several countries where Jews reside have outlawed shechita – Jewish ritual slaughter. Especially disturbing is what is happening now in Greece and Belgium, since they portray shechita as being cruel. What are we as Jews to do? Is there any recourse for us in this matter so fundamental to our people? M. Goldblum Via e-mail

Question: We learn that the proper placement is by the side of the outside door, but if there is danger one may place them on his table inside the house. If the danger is that hostile gentiles might persecute him, isn’t there the same worry if the menorah is placed indoors?... How would one light in such a circumstance? Menachem Via e-mail

Question: If the tefillah begins with an exact minyan – a quorum of ten – and some individuals insist they have to leave, what is to be done, may the tefillah continue as though there was still a minyan? Is there any solution? Zelig Aronson Via email

Question: If the tefillah begins with an exact minyan and some individuals insist they have to leave, what is to be done – May the tefillah continue as though there were still a minyan? Is there any solution? Zelig Aronson Via email

Question: Does one wash one’s hands in the bathroom with soap and water, or is it required to pour [fresh] water from a vessel with handles three times on each hand alternatingly? I have heard it said that a vessel is used only in the morning. A Reader New York, NY

Question: Does one wash one’s hands in the bathroom with soap and water, or is it required to pour [fresh] water from a vessel with handles three times on each hand alternatingly? I have heard it said that a vessel is used only in the morning. A Reader New York, NY

Question: Does one wash one’s hands in the bathroom with soap and water, or is it required to pour [fresh] water from a vessel with handles three times on each hand alternately? I have heard it said that a vessel is used only in the morning. A Reader New York, NY

Question: Why do we say Shalom Aleichem at Kiddush Levana, when we bless the new moon, and why do we do so three times? Is it because we have not seen a new moon for a whole month? Can you explain a little more about this mitzvah? Ira Warshansky Philadelphia, PA

Question: Why do we say Shalom Aleichem at Kiddush Levana, when we bless the new moon, and why do we do so three times? Is it because we have not seen a new moon for a whole month? Can you explain a little more about this mitzvah? Ira Warshansky Philadelphia, PA

Question: Why do we say Shalom Aleichem at Kiddush Levana, when we bless the new moon, and why do we do so three times? Is it because we have not seen a new moon for a whole month? Can you explain a little more about this mitzvah? Ira Warshansky Philadelphia, PA

Question: Is it possible to explain the verse “[All this is] because Abraham listened to My voice, minded My mandate, My commandments, My decrees and My teachings (Genesis 26:5)?” The latter three terms are in the plural. Rashi explains “teachings” as referring to both the Written Torah and the Oral Torah. However, if the commandments and decrees are manifold, is it possible that there are many Torahs? Moshe Jakobowitz Via e-mail

Question: Is decorating the Sukkah part of the mitzvah, or does the mitzvah only require the Sukkah itself? Moshe Jakobowitz Brooklyn, NY

Question: Is decorating the sukkah part of the mitzvah, or does the mitzvah only require the sukkah itself? Moshe Jakobowitz Brooklyn, NY

Question: My synagogue is Orthodox in practice; however, many of our members are ignorant of basic Halachot. In fact, many members attend only occasionally, even while they support generously. Every year at Yom Kippur time the congregation swells to its limit. Our Rabbi and leadership seem to ignore the fact that many people travel to the synagogue by car on the holiest day of the year. What could be done? Anonymous Via email

Question: I have read in the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch that an individual praying without a minyan does not recite the Selichot written in Aramaic. What is the reason? Moshe Jakobowitz Brooklyn, NY

Dear Rabbi Klass, I have read in the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch that an individual praying without a minyan does not recite the Selichot written in Aramaic. What is the reason? Moshe Jakobowitz Brooklyn, NY

In a previous issue, reader Leonard Ziegler referred to a Daf Yomi Highlights column (January 15, 2021) that explained how Yitzchak was able to bless Yaakov by saying: “May Hashem grant you the blessings of Avraham” (even though one is forbidden from using a parent’s first name) because “Avraham” itself is a “respectful title.”

Your explanation would explain why it was proper for him to use the name Avraham (presumably one is not permitted to call a grandparent by a first name just as one is forbidden to call a parent by his first name) but it seems Yitzchak is no more a respectful title any than other name, so how did Yaakov use his father’s first name twice? Leonard Ziegler Via email

Dear Rabbi Klass: I hope this finds you well. In a recent Daf Yomi Highlights column (JP 1-15-21), you explain that Yitzchak was able to bless Yaakov by saying: “May Hashem grant you the blessings of Avraham” even though one is forbidden from using a parent’s first name, since the name Avraham itself is a “respectful title.” But this raises the question: How could Yaakov say to Yosef: “The G-d before whom my fathers Avraham and Yitzchak walked... bless the lads ... and may my name be declared upon them, and the names of my forefathers Avraham and Yitzchak.” (Bereishis 48:15-16). Your explanation would explain why it was proper for him to use the name Avraham (presumably one is not permitted to call a grandparent by a first name just as one is forbidden to call a parent by his first name) but it seems Yitzchak is no more a respectful title than other name, so how could Yaakov use his father’s first name twice? Leonard Ziegler Via email