Ask The Rabbi 
30 Sept. 1995 
Issue #78
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This edition contains:
1.  Jews in Space
2.  Sukka Shed
3.  Answer to Yiddle Riddle
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              We wish all of our readers a Ketiva v'Chatima Tova. 
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Mike Laitner of Leeds, England <IIS4MJL@ARTS-01.NOVELL.LEEDS.AC.UK> wrote:

>Is a Jew allowed to be an astronaut?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Mike Laitner,

Whether a Jew may "take up space" would take up too much space to answer 
definitively.  However, Dr. Gerald Wittenstein, a 20-yr. veteran of NASA, 
and currently CEO of International Space Systems, Inc., has researched this 
question.  Dr. Wittenstein graciously submitted the following at our 
request:

Regarding davening, it is my understanding that when orbiting the earth the 
"home base" is Houston, Mission Control.  You would pray according to the 
time in Mission Control.  The food would need Kashrut supervision.  I spoke 
to a dietician on Space Lab, who did not think this was impossible to 
overcome, if NASA would approve additional cost.

Another consideration is Tzniut (modesty).  Usually crews are composed of 
men and women in various stages of dress, and situations of physical 
contact.  The spacecraft would need separate showers and toilet 
accommodations.

Manned space flight currently does not have safety as a primary concern, 
and there have been losses of crew in flight and on the ground.  The 
technology is quite exotic, with many possible sources of failure.  This 
danger factor would have to be weighed against the commandment "be very 
careful to guard your life."

As far as learning Torah, there are allocations for private time to allow 
one to continue one's learning.

Thank you, Dr. Wittenstein.  Of course, anyone actually planning a trip to 
Pluto should consult his local Orthodox Rabbi before blastoff.  Which 
reminds me:  A man returning from the world's first Bar Mitzva on Pluto 
seemed disappointed.
"What's wrong?" asked his friend, "the band was no good?"
"The band was very good," he answered.
"The food was no good?" asked his friend.
"Out of this world!"
"Nu!  So, what was the problem?" asked his friend.
"There was no atmosphere."

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Karen Willcox from <kwillcox@brynmawr.edu> wrote:

>Could a roofless shed be made into a sukkah by adding an appropriate roof?  
>Thanks for your help!

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Karen,

Schach -- The roof of a Sukkah -- must be something that grew from the 
ground but is no longer attached to the ground.  Also, it may not be made 
from food (like sugar cane) or from an implement (like wood broken from a 
chair or bed).

These limitations apply only to the schach, but not to the walls.  
Therefore, a roofless shed can be made into a Sukkah by adding a "kosher" 
roof -- such as bamboo canes, wooden slats, or as the widespread custom in 
Israel -- palm fronds.  It's preferable that the material directly 
supporting the roof also be suitable for schach.  Therefore if the shed is 
metal you should put a piece of wood on top of the metal surface, and put 
the banches on the wood.

Source:
Shulchan Aruch O.C. 629:1,7.

Answer to Yiddle Riddle:

Question:  One day every year, the Halachot of Shabbat are different than 
the rest of the year.  What day is it?

Answer: The Shabbat during Sukkot.  On Shabbat it is forbidden to carry 
from a "private domain" to a "public domain."  Usually, a private domain 
must have at least three walls.  On the Shabbat of Sukkot, however, a 
private domain can have less.  Why?  A Sukka is valid with as few as two 
walls, plus a post as the third wall.  Since such a structure is a valid 
Sukka, therefore, it's also considered a private domain.

This is the ruling of the Tur (Orach Chaim 630).  However, the Beit Yosef 
quotes the dissenting opinion of the Rif.  The Chayei Adam (146:3) rules 
that one may rely on the Tur only in extenuating circumstances.)

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