Ask The Rabbi      
9 November 1996  
Issue #125 (Parshas Chayei Sarah)
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This Issue Contains:      
1.  Bacteria in the Cafeteria
2.  A Rose By Any Other Name
3.  Answer to Yiddle Riddle
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      Dedicated by Herschel and Rachel Ainspan of White Plains, NY 
          in honor of the birth of their b'chor Shmuel Yeruchom
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Susan <mendysusan@juno.com> wrote:

>Why is yogurt with live acidopilus and bifidus cultures kosher to eat if 
>we are not allowed to eat bugs?

David Preiss <preiss@ecf.utoronto.ca> wrote:

>Why does the Torah speak of forms of life that are visible only to the 
>human eye?

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

Dear Susan & David,

Good question.  Now let me ask you one:  Why are we allowed to breathe?  
Zillions of microorganisms are floating around in the air, and we swallow 
some with every breath.

The answer is:  The Torah prohibits only bugs which can be seen by the 
naked eye.   Organisms seen only with the aid of a microscope are kosher.

The logic is this:  The Torah was given to human beings, not angels.  Its 
laws are geared to normal human experience.  Bugs we see in `real life' are 
forbidden.  `Invisible' ones -- which seem like they exist only in a 
laboratory -- are not forbidden.

When improved microscopes brought improved awareness of microscopic 
organisms, some people suggested that perhaps we should filter our water to 
avoid consuming the organisms.  A renowned rabbi responded: "If you give a 
nickel to charity while holding it under a magnifying glass, do you get 
credit as though you gave a dime?"

Speaking of germs:  Three amoebae are sitting on a park bench.  Suddenly, 
one of them jumps up and runs off.
"Hey! Where did Harry go?" one asks the other.
"Guess he had to split."  (Thanks to E.C.S.)

Sources:
o  Aruch Hashulchan, Yoreh De'ah 84:6

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Josh Kaplan <jokaplan@vassar.edu> wrote:

>Are all men with the last name KAPLAN kohens?

* * * * * * * * * *

Dear Josh Kaplan:

Often, people named Kaplan are kohanim.  This name is said to mean "Kohen 
Ploni" -- "So-and-so the Kohen."  Katz, another name common for kohanim, 
means "Kohen Tzedek" -- "Righteous Kohen."

But having a name like Kaplan or Katz isn't proof of being a kohen.  Two of 
my best friends are named Kaplan, and neither one is a kohen.  In fact, I 
know someone named Cohen who is not a kohen!

A kohen is a male descendant of Aharon, Moses's brother.  If you have a 
family tradition that you are a kohen, and that family members were called 
to the Torah as kohanim, then you need check no further.

If there is no family tradition, other evidence is required.  For instance, 
an ancestor's gravestone inscription.  Someone who can't determine his 
father's personal status is automatically considered a Yisrael.

Try looking up long lost relatives, and ask them.  If you are like many 
people, you may very well have relatives here in Israel, Russia or 
elsewhere whom you don't even know.

=========================================================================== 

Yiddle Riddle:

Last week we asked:  If a tree falls in a forest, and there's nobody around 
to hear it, does it make a noise?
Answer: Yes, it makes a noise.  The verse says, "There is no speaker, and 
no words, without their voice being heard."  (Psalms 19:4)  Even if no 
creature hears the noise, Hashem hears it.
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