From the Ravs Desk: Latest articles and Q&A [Tuesday 8th Iyar 5785]

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Recent Q&A

How was it permitted for Yaakov Avinu to kiss Rachel his first cousin, upon meeting her for the first time?

The Torah[1] relates that Yaakov Avinu hugged and kissed Rachel, his first cousin, when he first met her. The Mefarshim and Poskim deal with why he did so, and how this does not contradict the prohibition of Li Sikrav. Some Poskim[2] explain that this was the accepted form of greeting in those times, and since they were cousins it would not be viewed by anyone as an erotic act. This is similar to a doctor touching a woman for medical reasons. Others[3] say that he kissed her on her forehead, or shoulder, and not on her lips. Alternatively, she was a small girl [and not an adult].[4] Others[5] say that this was indeed a mistake on Yaakovs part and Yaakov was in truth punished for doing so. See Tanya chapter 45; Torah Or Vayeitzei and other Chassidishe Sefarim where this matter is explained according to Penimiyus Hainyanim.

[1] Bereishis 29:11

[2] Midrash Raba Vayeitzei that it was a kiss of “Kirva”; Meil Tzedaka 19; Od Yosef Chaiy Shoftim p. 151

[3] Rabbeinu Bechayeh ibid

[4] Rabbeinu Bechayeh ibid

[5] See 2nd Pirush in Midrash Raba ibid

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About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.

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