From the Ravs Desk: Latest articles and Q&A [Sunday 13th Iyar 5785]

How close was the Rebbe to his brother, Yisrael Aryeh Leib?

Despite being four years apart in age and taking different life paths and interests, various testimonials show that they were quite close and fond of each other. Even as adult men they used to kbits around and would enjoy each other’s company for recreation and leisure. It’s interesting to note that while the rebbe worked as an electrical engineer in the Brooklyn Navy Yard for the sake of the war effort of World War II, and helped direct the engineering of America’s most famous warships at the time, it is said of his brother who was a giant physicist, that he was part of the team working on nuclear weapons. This latter rumor is shrouded in uncertainty as to the exact details of his involvement and on behalf of which country he was working on it for [i.e. England, Israel] although several testimonies exist of some connection he had to the nuclear project.

I accidentally ate Milchigs within six hours of being Fleishig. What is my Tikkun?

We find debate amongst the Poskim as to whether an Issur Derabanon which is done Beshogeg needs a Tikkun. Furthermore, for Ashkenazim, this is not even a rabbinical matter but a matter of custom and hence there is more reason to be lenient against requiring a Tikkun. Practically, if you desire, you can give 41 dollars or shekalim to Tzedaka, which is the numerical value of Chalav.

Sources: No need Tikkun for Derabanon Shogeg: Nesivos Hamishpat C.M. 234:3; Ashel Avraham 334; Need Tikkun for even Derabanon Shogeg: M”B 334:78; M”A 334:33; Sdei Chemed Mareches Alef Kelalim 108; Iyun Yitzchak 1 E.H. 67:4 See regarding eating dairy after meat that no need Kapara: Michaber and Rama 89:1; Daas Kedoshim 89:2; Mikdash Me’at 87:2; Kaf Hachaim 89:7; See regarding eating dairy after meat that need Kapara: Mordechai Chulin 687 and Reshimos Devarim p. 109; See in general regarding Tikkunim: Admur 334:28; Avnei Tzedek 74; Igros Kodesh 12:408; Shulchan Menachem 3:130-131; Igros Kodesh 16:247 for the first three Tikkunim mentioned. Avnei Yashpei 3:76; Lashon Chachamim 2:49;