From the Rav’s Desk: 1) Giving a speech with back to Aron 2) Lighting from flame of Yartzite candle

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  1. Question: [Sunday, 13th Kisleiv 5781]

Is it permitted for one to give a speech in a shul with his back facing the Aron kodesh?

Answer:

Yes, it is permitted to do so. Although we do not sit with our backs facing the Aron [unless the Bima is between the Aron and ones seat] nonetheless we do permit standing temporarily for the sake of the speech with one’s back facing it. Despite the above allowance, some are nevertheless stringent to stand to the side of the Aron.

 

Sources: See Michaber OC 150:5; Levush 150:5; Taz OC 150:2; YD 282:1; P”M 150 M”Z 2; 141 M”Z; Shaareiy Efraim 3 Pischeiy Shearim 9; M”B 150:14; Shaar Hatziyon 150:13; Leket Yosher p. 31; Teshuvah Meahavah 2:228; Aruch Hashulchan Y.D. 282:2; Keren Ledavid 36; Mikdash Me’at 282:4; Tzedaka Umishpat 16; Chelkas Yaakov 3:132; Minchas Yitzchak 5:78; Piskeiy Teshuvos 150:18

 

  1. Question: [Sunday, 13th Kisleiv 5781]

Is it permitted for one to light a match from a yahrzeit candle?

 

Answer:

Yes, however, the custom is to be stringent and not to benefit from it especially if it was lit in a synagogue.

 

Sources: See Shaareiy Teshuvah 154:20; M”B 154:56; Kesav Sofer O.C. 65; Kaf Hachaim 154:96; Nitei Gavriel 75:9

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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