Halocho #1012 - Looking after your health and possessions – Bal Tashchis

The Torah gave permission to doctors to heal. Therefore someone who is not feeling well may not rely on a miracle, but must go see a doctor and follow his instructions.

One who ignores medical advice is not only endangering their life but is also considered to be arrogant; one should use the top expert in the field.

That said, a person needs to realize that the actual cure comes from The One Above and should pray that their doctor be a successful messenger to heal them.

The same way it’s a Mitzva to preserve one's health , so too it’s a Mitzva to look after one's possessions; not to lose, break or waste them.

One who breaks vessels, tears clothes, wastes edible food, wastes money or throws away objects that other people could use has done the Aveira of לֹא-תַשְׁחִית as it says in דְּבָרִים כ:יט:

כִּי-תָצוּר אֶל-עִיר יָמִים רַבִּים לְהִלָּחֵם עָלֶיהָ לְתָפְשָׂהּ, לֹא-תַשְׁחִית אֶת-עֵצָהּ לִנְדֹּחַ עָלָיו גַּרְזֶן--כִּי מִמֶּנּוּ תֹאכֵל, וְאֹתוֹ לֹא תִכְרֹת, כִּי הָאָדָם עֵץ הַשָּׂדֶה, לָבֹא מִפָּנֶיךָ בַּמָּצוֹר

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 192:3, 190:3

- Danny
Wednesday, 13 Tevet 5773

Halocho #710 - Asara B'Tevet on Friday

In the year 3,338 the wicked King Nebuchadnezzar laid siege against Jerusalem which culminated in the destruction of the first Bet Hamikdash, a year and a half later. As a result we will fast this Friday.

Asara B'Tevet is the only fast that can fall on a Friday. Pregnant and nursing mothers do not fast, as well as anybody unwell, after consulting with a Doctor.

Keep in mind that Mincha will be earlier than usual, since it includes the Torah Reading and Haftara for fast days.

One gets ready for Shabbat as usual:
- One may shower as usual, but one should not rinse one's mouth, if possible.
- One can cut one's nails.
- One puts on Shabbat clothing before candle lighting, which is at the regular time; 20 to 40 minutes before sunset depending on your communities custom.

However, one may not eat until after nightfall; even if one has already finished Ma'ariv prayers.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 121

- Danny
Monday, 6 Tevet 5771

P.S. Halocho-a-Day is probably going on a 2-week vacation.

Halocho #665 - May one be a Doctor?

Even though illness is divinely decreed on a person; the Torah commands the Doctors to heal,as it says in Shmot 21:19 - וְרַפֹּא יְרַפֵּא - and he shall be healed.

It's a Mitzva for experts in the medical field to heal people; there is no greater Mitzva than saving lives.

A Doctor who refuses to heal is considered a murderer - even if there are other doctors around, for some illnesses are decreed to leave only after a certain Doctor treats it.

However, somebody who is not trained to be a medical partitioner, should not try healing people, for mistreating illness is also considered murder.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 192:4
- Danny
Monday, 3 Marchesvan 5771

Halocho #664 - May one go to Doctors?

A person may not rely on miracles when it comes to health issues.

When one is not feeling well, one must consult a qualified medical practitioner.

Refusing to do so is a sign of arrogance, besides for the prohibition of endangering one's life.

One should use the best doctors one can find; yet pray to Hashem that this doctor should be His successful messenger.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 192:3
- Danny
Sunday, 2 Cheshvan 5771

Halocho #614 - Who must fast on 9 B'Av?

On 9 B'Av (from sunset today - Monday afternoon - until nightfall on Tuesday evening) almost everybody needs to fast.

Pregnant and nursing mothers need to fast on 9 B'Av even if it causes them discomfort, unless it's dangerous to their health.

When in doubt, consult your LOR (Local Orthodox Rabbi).

During the first 7 days after childbirth, a mother is not allowed to fast.

Anybody who isn't healthy should only fast for a few hours. This includes a mother between 7 and 30 days after childbirth unless she feels up to fasting. When in doubt, consult your LOR.

Children are not allowed to fast.

Those who are not fasting should limit their food intake to the bare minimum; only bread and water if possible.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 124:6

- Danny
Monday, 8 Menachem Av 5770

Halocho #599 - Who needs to fast on the 17th Tamuz?

Nearly everybody above Bar/Bat Mitzva needs to fast tomorrow - Tuesday. The fast starts at dawn and ends at nightfall.

Pregnant and nursing mothers are exempt from fasting.

Anybody who isn't healthy shouldn't fast. When in doubt, consult your LOR (Local Orthodox Rabbi).

Children are not allowed to fast.

Those who are not fasting should limit their food intake to the bare minimum; only bread and water if possible.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 121:9

- Danny
Jerusalem, Monday, 16 Tamuz 5770

Halocho # 480 - Looking after your health

The Torah gave permission to Doctors to heal and therefore someone ill may not rely on miracle, but must go see a doctor and follow his instructions.

Somebody who ignores medical advice is not only endangering his life but is also considered to be arrogant; rather he should use the top expert in the field.

That said, a person needs to realize that the actual cure comes from The One Above and should pray that his doctor be a successful messenger to heal him.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 192:3

- Danny
Monday, 11 Tevet 5770

Halocho #21 - Looking after your health

The Torah gave permission to Doctors to heal and therefore someone ill may not rely on miracle, but must go see a doctor and follow his instructions. Somebody who ignores medical advice is not only endangering his life but is also considered to be arrogant; rather he should use the top expert in the field. That said, a person needs to realize that the actual cure comes from The One Above and should pray that his doctor be a successful messenger to heal him. Source KSA 192:3

סעיף ג התורה נתנה רשות לרופא שירפא שנאמר ורפא ירפא, ולכן אין לו להחולה לסמוך על הנס, אלא חייב להתנהג בדרך העולם לקרות לרופא שירפאהו, וכבר כמה חסידי עולם נתרפאו על ידי רופאים. ומי שמונע את עצמו לקרות לרופא, שתים רעות הנהו עושה, האחת דאסור לסמוך על הנס במקום שיש סכנה, ודבר זה גורם שיזכרו עונותיו בשעת חליו, ועוד דהוי יוהרא וגיאות שסומך על צדקתו שיתרפא בדרך הנס, ויש לו לקרוא להרופא היותר מומחה, ובכל זאת לבו יהא לשמים ויבקש רחמים מאת הרופא הנאמן יתברך שמו, ואך בו יבטח לבו.