OHR SOMAYACH'S ASK THE RABBI 
Issue #256, November 27, 1999 
Parshat Vayishlach
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In this issue:
UNKOSHER KRITTERS
TRAFFIC THEOLOGY
YIDDLE RIDDLE
PUBLIC DOMAIN
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UNKOSHER KRITTERS

Name@Withheld wrote:

Dear Rabbi,

It is wonderful to see all the real-life examples where you have 
answered someone's questions about day-to-day issues.  I have a 
question, from my husband who is too shy to ask.  He is not Orthodox 
in habit, but has some issues about which he is very strict.  One of these 
issues is respect for G-d and Torah.  At the (Name@Withheld) 
company where he works, the "dress code" is primarily jeans and T-
shirts.  The company culture is such that people pride themselves on 
wearing unusual and/or colorful shirts from past jobs or from their 
hobbies.  Since my husband is a scuba diver, he has many shirts that 
depict treif (non-kosher) sea creatures such as crabs, anemones, 
dolphins, etc.  He thinks he should not wear such a shirt on Mondays or 
Thursdays, since wearing a picture of a non-kosher creature would 
show disrespect on a day that the Torah is read.  Can you confirm this, 
or ease his mind on the issue?  I recall a past question about the beaver-
fur hats (shtreimels?) worn by some Orthodox men on Shabbat.  Surely 
if wearing the skin of a non-kosher animal is permitted on Shabbat, 
wearing a picture of a non-kosher animal would not be an issue.

Dear Name@Withheld,
	
First of all, I think the fact that this bothers your husband shows a 
wonderful sensitivity on his part.  As far as I am aware, however, there 
is no prohibition of wearing pictures of non-kosher animals on one's 
clothing -- even on days that the Torah is read.  In fact, right now I'm 
wearing a tie that has what looks like little dolphins on it (I thought it 
was paisley when I bought it.)
	
Speaking of non-kosher animals, did you hear about the recent case of 
an ape that escaped from the Bronx Zoo?  They searched for him 
everywhere, and they announced his disappearance on radio, TV, 
newspapers, and Internet.  At last, he was discovered in the New York 
Public Library.  Zoo officials were summoned.  They found the ape 
sitting at a desk peering intently at two books open before him.  One 
book was the Bible; the other written by Darwin.  The zookeepers asked 
the ape what he was doing.  The ape replied, "I'm trying to figure out 
whether I am my brother's keeper or whether I am my keeper's 
brother."

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

TRAFFIC THEOLOGY 

Dr. Michael A. Goldenhersh from Jerusalem wrote:

Dear Rabbi,

According to halacha, Jewish law, is it an obligation to obey all traffic 
laws without exception?  This refers both to drivers and pedestrians.  
For example, is it forbidden according to halacha to cross on a red light, 
when it is clear that no vehicles are approaching?  Must one worry that 
others will learn from his behavior, and cross also when crossing is 
dangerous?

Dr. Michael A Goldenhersh,
	
I asked your questions to a noted halachic authority in Jerusalem.  He 
responded that you must observe traffic laws for two reasons:  One is 
the concept of Dina d'malchuta dina, that the law of the land prevails.  
Secondly, other people (children) can learn from your actions, so 
disobeying the laws could bring others into danger.
	
However, the definition of "breaking the law" depends on the way the 
law is enforced.  If the authorities are not so strict for instance, if they 
won't fine you for going 60 in a 55 mph zone, it would be halachically 
permitted to go 60.  (We don't advocate that you do so; and we're not 
saying you don't have to pay the fine if you do get fined for doing so.)
	
I personally am very meticulous about obeying all the traffic laws.  For 
example, when I'm driving down the highway and I pass the sign that 
says "State Police," I immediately state "Police."

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YIDDLE RIDDLE

How many times did Joshua's troops encircle the city of Jericho?

Answer next week...

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


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