From the Ravs Desk: Shaalos & Teshuvos on ponzi schemes

11th Nissan 1986

Yes absolutely, performing a Ponzi scheme transgress several halachic prohibitions including: 1) Geneivas Daas, as one is taking someone’s money under false pretenses of it being an investment rather than a loan. 2) Lying and not keeping one’s promise to the individual to invest the money. 3) Using the money that was lent for purposes that are not allowed. 4) Issur Ribis if both the schemer and investor are Jewish. 5) Based on the first three reasons, one can argue that it is considered like actual steeling and transgresses a negative command, being that the money of the investors are considered like a Pikadon and when the schemer uses it for other purposes such as to pay back previous lenders, then this is considered that he has stolen the Pikadon.

If one is having constant bowel movements how often should Asher Yatzar be recited?[1]

If one drank a laxative that causes diarrhea in order to constantly defecate until his stomach is clean of toxins, he is not to recite Asher Yatzar until he completes the final bowel movement.[2] [The same applies if one is suffering from a stomach flu and is having constant bowel movements, that a blessing is not recited until the constant bowel movements have ended. This applies even if one no longer feels the urge to defecate but simply knows he will do so in the very near future.[3] Certainly if one still currently feels the need to defecate he may not say Asher Yatzar until he no longer feels the need to use the bathroom.^[4] This law likewise applies to one who took medication to cleanse his bladder and is hence urinating constantly, that a blessing is only recited after the final urination.[5]]

[1] Admur 7:6; based on Halachos Ketanos 1:86 [brought in Beir Heiytiv 7:1]; and so rules Beis Oveid 7:3; Kitzur SH”A 4:6

Other Opinions: Some Poskim rule that one is to recite Asher Yatzar after each time he leaves the bathroom. [Opinion in Hagahos Hatur and so rules: Birkeiy Yosef 7:2; Kisei Eliyahu 7:3; Shalmei Tzibur 45 brought in Shaareiy Teshuvah 7:1; Zechor Leavraham; Ruach Chaim; Yad Aaron brought in Beir Heiytiv ibid; Ben Ish Chaiy Lech Licha 15; M”B 7:2; Kaf Hachaim 7:2; Piskeiy Teshuvos 7:2]  Many of these Poskim testify that the custom is to recite the blessing between each bathroom use. [Birkeiy Yosef and M”B ibid] Now although in a case of dispute by blessings we rule Safek Brachos Lihakel, nevertheless if the custom is to recite the blessing then this rule does not apply. [Ruach Chaim and Kaf Hachaim ibid] The Kerem Shlomo [brought in Kaf Hachaim ibid] rules one is to think the blessing in his mind between each use. This dispute however is only with regards to one who does not feel an urge to use the bathroom but simply has intent to do so in the near future. If however one still feels the urge to defecate then he never recites the blessing until the urge is alleviated. [Shaareiy Teshuvah ibid; M”B ibid]

[2] The reason for this is because since he did not remove his mind from defecating a second time therefore it is all considered one bathroom session. [ibid]

[3] So is proven from the Shaareiy Teshuvah 7:1 and M”B 72 which writes that only in such a case does the dispute apply. Hence Admur which rules like the Halachos Ketanos certainly refers to even such a case. Vetzaruch Iyun Gadol on the Ketzos Hashulchan 5 footnote 6 which implies that even according to Admur in such a case a blessing is recited between each bowel movement, as it is clear from the M”B that the argument is in a case that one does not feel an urge.

^[4] This applies even according to the lenient opinion mentioned in the previous footnotes, as it is forbidden to recite a blessing if one feels the need to defecate or urinate. [Shaareiy Teshuvah and M”B ibid]

[5] However according to the other Poskim mentioned above one is to say a blessing between each time if he no longer feels an urge to urinate. [Halef Licha Shlomo 2; Beir Moshe 4:5; Tzitz Eliezer 8:1;Yabia Omer 9:2; Piskeiy Teshuvos 7:2]

Is it considered Tefila Betzibur if less than ten people are in the room when six people Daven Shemoneh Esrei together, and there will be a Minyan for Chazaras Hashatz?

No. It is not considered Tefila Betzibur if there is no Tzibur in  the room during the silent Shemoneh Esrei.

No Minyan in the room during Shemoneh Esrei

Hadama and Borei Nefashos. However, some Poskim write one is to say Mezonos and Al Hamichya in such a case.

Yes. Inadequate nutrition can lead to low blood sugar, which can make you dizzy or feel faint.