3293 —דיונים הלכתיים על מנהגי נשים, אורות חנוכה חשמליים, ודיני מאכלים

B"H, 21 Shevat, 5715.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"g vavac"h iy"a nu"n Mohar Yaakov Yitzchak Zaltz

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I acknowledge receipt of your two letters from the week of Parshas Bo. At present, I do not have time to engage in Torah debate. Regarding your question whether our women follow what is brought in the Bach on Tur Yoreh Deah siman 188—not to go to the bathhouse during their days of impurity—I have not heard that they do so. The opinions on this are discussed in Darkei Teshuvah section 188:9. See also Shut Maharsham vol. 2 siman 40; Shut Maharshal Engel vol. 6 siman 97.

b) The Shut Pekudas Elazar I mentioned in my letter is by Haraha"g etc. Elazar Lau (Satmar – 5691). It discusses electricity regarding Hanukkah and similar topics; see also Mishpetei Uziel vol. 1; Kaf HaChaim siman 673; Yaskil Avdi vol. 2 Orach Chaim siman 9; HaMaasif year 9 part 8 siman 91; Shoshana (Djerba, 5715) part 10.

Blessings,

In the name of the Lubavitcher Rebbe shlita

Secretary

When reciting the kappitel of Hallel in the order of Tehillim recitation—meaning without a blessing, while sitting, without doubling verses etc.—it is as if by these changes they are clarifying that their intent is not to recite praise and Hallel but only verses. Therefore one may say all of Tehillim even though one who says Hallel daily etc. (see Magen Avraham Orach Chaim 284; Shelah tractate Tamid page 257; tzt"z to Tehillim 40:7 section 10).

Canned foods—if this removes their original form and their blessing is Shehakol—depends on common perception. It is not related to pickling as with cooked foods; follow the reason.

An old empty pot on the fire—I wonder what benefit there is in this; it actually causes damage, especially with metal ones—as can be seen clearly—and it is an explicit verse about calamity (Yechezkel 24:11: "And set it empty upon its coals so that its copper may be hot and burn... so that its filthiness may be melted in it"). What is written about this in Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim siman 318:12—there water was inside it (and if such a case was permitted, all the more so there should be no prohibition when empty since it causes damage—lest one intends to begin the process of tempering!). Therefore all poskim are concise in siman 253:3: an old empty pot—and they do not distinguish between earthenware and metal (and from what is written at the end of siman 502 regarding earthenware one could say that for metal it is even more lenient and there may be room to permit even a new one—see there).

The prohibition of healing for a non-Jew etc. is because of "Lo Sechanem" (Avodah Zarah 20a) and not because "we lower them..." since not every non-Jew falls under that rule (Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah section 158)—therefore there is no distinction whether there is danger or not. This is obvious.

Summary

This letter demonstrates how halachic questions require careful reference to sources and context. The Rebbe provides guidance on diverse issues by citing relevant authorities and clarifying practical distinctions for observant life.