העורך Editor

Here is a list of Halachic instructions for women wishing to ascend the Temple mount in French and English.

כידוע, החזון איש עודד לימוד לאחר החתונה ב”כוללים”. האם הוא התכוין שכך ננהג לעולם? הרב יצחק ברנד מבהיר.

I read that Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch said the following (while teaching the laws of this year’s Tisha Be’av, which fell out on Shabbos and was postponed to Sunday):

Our custom is to sing less Zemiros this Shabbos. But not so fewer than usual this would be noticeable, since that would be “public mourning”, forbidden on Shabbos.

The logic here seems very strange. And by “our custom” does he mean himself? Either nothing whatsoever is gained by less singing or he violates the prohibition of mourning, especially by telling us what he is doing.

Also, he must sing quite a few to be able to tell what “somewhat fewer” is…

Want to find out if your electric appliances are really Shabbos-compliant? The advanced sensors in newer refrigerators are a real concern. What about the new water meters which use sensors for every time the water faucet is opened?

Here is the number to call for information and solutions: 0722164422

See more on Wikipedia (Hebrew).

I just heard a story about Rabbi Elyashiv (no reliable source). He was asked if one may hear ‘a cappella‘ music (I don’t know if the question concerned Sefirah, Bein Hametzarim or all year round). Rabbi Elyashiv said: I don’t know what a cappella is.

So they brought in a cassette player to demonstrate. As soon as the Rabbi saw the tape he answered it is forbidden. The questioner protested: the Rabbi hasn’t even heard it yet! But Rabbi Elyashiv’s point was that the device itself qualifies as a musical instrument (“klei zemer”).