News, Info & Resources for the Cleveland Orthodox Jewish Community
By Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff (RabbiKaganoff.com)
Question #1: As a child in shul, I noticed that shortly before the Shemoneh esrei was begun, some of the older European Jews would wait before reciting the words “Shirah chadasha” until the chazzan completed the entire beracha and said “Ga’al Yisrael.” They would answer “Amen” to the chazzan’s beracha, then complete the beracha themselves and begin the Shemoneh esrei. I no longer see anyone doing this. Were they following a correct procedure?
Question #1: My sister invited our family for Shabbos Chanukah, and we will be sleeping at her neighbor’s house. Where do we set up the menorahs, particularly since I do not even know the neighbor?
Question #2: My husband has a late meeting at work tonight and will not be home until very late. What should we do about kindling Chanukah lights?
Question #3: I will be attending a wedding during Chanukah that requires me to leave my house well before lighting time, and I will not return until very late. Can I kindle at the wedding, just like the lighting that takes place in shul?
Question #4: I will be spending part of Chanukah in a hotel. Where should I kindle my menorah?
By Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff (RabbiKaganoff.com)
Question #1:
“Recently I saw an advertisement saying that it was pidyon shevuyim to save a child from being raised non-Jewish. But I thought pidyon shevuyim is to free a captive, and these children are with their non-Jewish father.”
Question #2:
“Is there a mitzvah of pidyon shevuyim when someone was captured because he was doing something irresponsible or illegal?”