ASK THE VEBBE REBBE
From the Virtual Desk of the OU Vebbe Rebbe

The Orthodox Union – via its website – fields questions of all types in the areas of kashrut, Jewish law and values. Some of the questions are answered by Eretz Hemdah, the Institute for Advanced Jewish Studies, Jerusalem, founded by HaRav Shaul Yisraeli, zt"l to prepare rabbanim and dayanim to serve the National Religious community in Israel and abroad. The Ask the Rabbi project is a joint venture of the OU, Yerushalayim Network, Eretz Hemdah... and the Israel Center. The following is a Q&A from Eretz Hemdah...

Question: What is the law about fasting if the Torah is dropped?
Answer: The custom to fast if a Torah is dropped is found in Magen Avraham (44:5) in the name name of Mishp’tei Shmuel. The gemara (Moed Katan 26a) states that one must rip his garment if he sees a Torah or tefillin being burnt. When it is only dropped, the custom suffices with fasting.
There are various opinions as to who is obligated to fast and for how long. Most rule that only he who dropped the Torah must fast (see Tzitz Eliezer 5:1). Others say that while only he who dropped tefillin fasts because of his negligence, all who were present when a Sefer Torah fell share a collective negligence and must fast (Imrei Aish, quoted ibid.). Some even add that the whole community should fast (Divrei Chayim, quoted B’er Moshe IV:86) as it may be a bad omen for the status of the whole community.

As to the number of fast days, most opinions state that one day is sufficient, but others suggest MON-THU-MON or even 40 days or more.

We suggest as follows. The person who dropped the Torah should fast MON-THU-MON. If it is difficult for him, he can also “redeem” his fast with tzedakah (while trying to fast at least once) to be given to help poor couples to marry or to support Torah study. It is also proper to give money to beautify the Torah which fell. Onlookers should fast one day, and if this is difficult, they can redeem it with tzedakah. (See Tzitz Eliezer and B’er Moshe (quoted above) and Igrot Moshe (OC 3:3). 

This “Ask the Rabbi” Q&A is part of this week’s Hemdat Yamim, the parsha sheet published by Eretz Hemdah. You can read this section or the entire Hemdat Yamim at www.ou.org or www.eretzhemdah.org. If you would like to receive Hemdat Yamim by e-mail, on a weekly basis, please send an e-mail to lists@eretzhemdah.org with the message Join Hemdatya. Please leave the subject blank.

To say that science is anti-religious is to say that the moon is anti-sun. The only science that is anti-religious is that which says that the moon is made of green cheese. (Shraga Siverstein in A Candle by Day)

Hasidic Wisdom from the book by Simcha Raz (Elkins/Elkins)
The brothers Shimon and Levi zealously pursued Heavenly deeds. Yet Yaakov still said of them: “Cursed be their anger”.
- Rabbi Naftali of Ropshitz

I am very suspicious of minor transgressions, which are considered less severe. When you stick a needle into the flesh of living beings, it will pierce them and cause great pain. But if you prod them with a thicker rod, it does not hurt as much.
- Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk

Rite and Reason by Shmuel Pinchas Gelbard
Q It is customary that the garments worn on Rosh Chodesh should be more festive than those worn on regular weekdays (GR"A) (and on Shabbat-Rosh Chodesh, maybe a bit more special than on a regular Shabbat - PC)

A The Torah (Bamidbar 10:10) says: “And on your Festivals and the first day of your new months..." Rosh Chodesh is compared to Festivals when special clothing is to be worn. (Ta"Z) [For this same reason, some have the custom to light additional candles in shul at Maariv of Rosh Chodesh.]

A The pasuk (B'reishit 45:22) says: "...and to Binyamin he gave... and five suits of clothes." The word CHAMEISH (five) is spelled CHET-MEM-SHIN. These three letters represent the initials of the words CHODESH, MO'ED, SHABBAT. We derive from here the custom of wearing Festival clothing on Rosh Chodesh. Re last week's Q&A about Challa, CZ writes that CHALLA means loaf, whereas LECHEM means bread, so that CHALLA is the more appropriate term for the Shabbat breads anyway. He does agree that the term serves as a good reminder to make sure Challa was taken.
RITE and REASON is available at local Sfarim stores, in the original Hebrew as well as in English translation. It makes a great gift... even for yourself!

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