Ask The Rabbi
29 November 1997 
Issue #169 (Parashat Toldos)
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This publication is available in HTML format at
http://www.ohr.org.il/ask/ask169.htm
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This Issue Contains:
1. Subway Psalms          5. Tokyo Tips
2. Lulav Leftovers        6. Yiddle Riddle
3. An Exceptional Rule    7.  Public Domain
4. Minyan Motivation
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Staave, New York NY <Staave@aol.com> wrote:

>Is it OK to say Tehillim [Psalms] on the subway?  Do I have to say the 
>words loud enough so I can hear them?

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

Dear Staave,

It's a great idea to "elevate the subway" by saying Tehillim.  By doing so, 
you fulfill the commandment "And you shall speak (words of Torah) as you 
travel along the way."  Also, the merit of Torah study protects you from 
the many dangers of travel (especially on the NY subway).  But you must 
make sure of two things when saying Tehillim:
The area around you must be clean of any droppings, uncomfortable odors, 
and the like.
You aren't facing towards anyone indecently clad.

You don't have to say them out loud, a whisper is adequate.

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Burt Falkenstein <BNOHOW@aol.com>from the Bronx, NY wrote:

>Dear Rabbi,
>
>Now that Succot is over what does one do with the etrog and luvav?  I 
>noticed in my shul that the lulav is placed on top of the aron kodesh 
>[Holy Ark]?  There's also one member of our congregation who collects them 
>to make some sort of pie, (I think).  Could you kindly reply with an 
>explanation?  Thank you.

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

Dear Burt Falkenstein,

I've never heard of lulav pie!  You probably mean etrog pie.  I know people 
who make etrog jam and etrog liqueur.  I have a jar of etrog jam in my 
fridge.  (It's an acquired taste!)

Since the lulav and etrog were used for a mitzvah they should be treated 
with respect.  Ideally, they should be used for another mitzvah.  Many 
people save their lulav until Passover and then use it to burn the chametz.  
Some people stick cloves into their etrog and use it as the fragrance spice 
at havdallah.

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Randy Wohl <rwohl@ndc.co.il> wrote:

>Quick question, I hope:  Where in the Talmud does it say, "Every rule has 
>an exception" or, equivalently, "There is no rule without an exception?"  
>Thank you.

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

Dear Randy Wohl,

There's an expression in the Talmud:  "Ain lemadin min haklalot" -- "One 
may not draw inferences from general rules (stated in the Talmud)."  This 
is because there might be exceptions to the stated rule.  I don't know if 
this is exactly what you're looking for, but it's the closest thing I could 
find.

By the way, if it's a rule that "there's an exception to every rule," then 
it too must have an exception; i.e., there must be some rules without 
exceptions!

Sources:
o  Eruvin 27a, see Massoret Hashas 

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[Name withheld] from Bogota, Colombia wrote:

>Dear Rabbi,
>
>Although living in a city with three or so synagogues (located in South 
>America), I find it difficult to drag myself to shul.  What would be a 
>suitable argument to put myself to it apart from the ones that are so 
>common (you shouldn't separate from the community, prayer is more 
>appropriate in a minyan, etc.).  I would appreciate your feedback to this 
>point that is important to me.

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

Dear [Name Withheld],

Like anything you want to do but find difficult, you've got to start by 
`tricking' yourself into it.

Here's an idea I've found helpful:  Find a study partner.  Arrange to meet 
in your synagogue and study Torah together before the morning prayers (for 
even as little as 10 minutes).  The obligation to your study partner, and 
the embarrassment felt for missing your appointment, will help get you 
there.

Become more involved in the `technical' side of shul.  Get the key to the 
shul and be the one responsible for opening up in the morning.  Be the 
gabbai who calls people up to the Torah, or who's responsible for getting 
someone to lead the services.  Lead the services yourself.  Becoming 
involved will make you feel more part of and responsible to the community.

Set aside ten minutes a day to study a book that explains the prayers.  
Understanding the prayers will make praying a meaningful experience.

When you're in the synagogue, look at yourself as being the tenth person in 
the minyan even if there are hundreds of people present!  Why?  Let me 
explain with a story:

A town decides to have a party.  In order to supply wine for the party, 
they place an empty barrel in the town square and ask everyone to bring a 
glass of wine and pour it into the barrel.  One of the inhabitants decides 
to bring a glass of water:  "After all," he thinks "will anyone be able to 
tell if there is one glass of water in a barrel full of wine?"  On the day 
of the party, everyone comes to the square, dressed in their finest, ready 
to begin the festivities only to find that the whole barrel is full of 
water!

If everyone were to rely on the others to make up the minyan, chances are 
that there would be no minyan at all.

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

Kenny Broodo <BROKE@gardere.com> wrote:

>Dear Rabbi,
>
>My sister-in-law and brother-in-law and their new baby girl just made a 
>temporary move to Tokyo to start their business careers.  I would very 
>much appreciate knowing of any Jewish resources available to them in Tokyo 
>or elsewhere in Japan.  Thank you.

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

Dear Kenny Broodo,

Japan?  I am sending you a list of the communities that I got from Jeff 
Seidel's "The Jewish Traveler's Resource Guide 1997."  I wish them the best 
of luck.

Tokyo - City Code: (3)
Jewish Community of Japan
Rabbi Jim Lebeau
8-8 Hiroo, 3 Chome, Shibuya-hu, 150
Tokyo, Japan
Phone: 3400-2559 Fax: 3400-1827
e-mail:  marcia.greenman-lebeau@iac-online.com

Kobe - City Code: (78)
The Jewish Community of Kansai
No. 12/12 Kitano-cho, 4-Chome
Chuo-ku, Kobe, Japan
Phone: 221-7236, 241-3440 Fax: 242-7254

Bruce M. Benson,
Secretary of Jewish Community of Kansai
3-1-17 Kitano Cho
Chuo-Ku, Kobe-Shi  F650, Japan
Phone: 222-3950, 221-6188
Mikve on premises
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Yiddle Riddle

Jack Stroh, East Brunswick, NJ <jackst@erols.com> wrote:

Here is a riddle I am submitting from my father-in-law Stanley Chazan and 
my daughter Aviva Stroh:  "Name 6 couples mentioned in Tanach whose first 
names start with the same letter in Hebrew."

Answer next week

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THE PUBLIC DOMAIN
Comments, quibbles, and reactions 
concerning previous "Ask-the-Rabbi" features.

I thought your piece on Godzilla and Bambi was brilliant.
                                       Jonathan Clare <jclare@actcom.co.il>

You unnecessarily put down the person who asked about the Shabbat-light 
covering device.  I think you used unnecessary sarcasm (couldn't you find 
anything better than Bambi vs. Godzillah?)  Although I've never heard of 
the device mentioned, I have heard of Shabbat elevators, etc.  I think 
their application violates the spirit of the Torah.  I know several Rabbis 
(very Orthodox) that agree with me.  The questioner might have used the 
wrong word ("comic") but your reaction sounded to me much more defensive 
than objective.
                                           Noe Feldman <swraza@MCI2000.com>

In reference to your article in the Ohrnet about pronouncing Hashem's name 
whilst singing Shabbat zemirot, I would like to suggest why some people are 
particular to avoid saying Hashem's name.  The reason is, often after 
beginning a tune, a parent might see a child falling off a chair, or 
spilling a drink, so the parent might call out "careful" or "watch it."  
You can use your imagination for other examples.  In order to be on the 
safe side, some people never pronounce Hashem's name in a zemer.  Sing well 
and Gut Shabbos!
             Binyomin Freilich "M & S Schoemann" <schoeman@netmedia.net.il>

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