From the Ravs Desk: Latest articles and Q&A [Sunday 12th Sivan 5785]

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Recent Q&A

Does giving charity to paupers of my city in the Diaspora take precedence over giving charity to paupers living in Israel?[1]

Yes, the accepted approach in the Poskim[2] is to prioritize the paupers of one’s locality for the distribution of charity, over those of another city, including even a city in Israel. Now, while there are authorities[3] which argue that the paupers of Israel always take precedence even over the paupers of one’s own city, practically, since if one does not provide for the local paupers they will have nothing to survive, therefore they are to receive precedence.

[1] See Michaber Y.D. 251:3; Shevet Halevi 5:135-2; Shaarei Tzedek 7:26; Pesakim Uteshuvos 251:6

[2] Shach 251:6; Bach 251

[3] See Birkeiy Yosef 251:2 in name of Kneses Hagedola; Yosef Ometz 19; Peas Hashulchan 2:29; Mishpat Tzedek 2:1; Leket Yosher 2:48; Tanya Igeres Hakodesh 9 p. 114a

Chassidus Articles

The lesson from Tohu – When too much spirituality is catastrophic:[1]

One of the famous doctrines of the wisdom of Kabbalah is the world of Tohu and its eventual destruction and shattering of vessels that took place. The world of Tohu represented the divine service of Ratzo, which is spiritual ecstasy and passion to a level that is above and beyond one’s capability. The world of Tohu contained intense divine revelation but little receptacles to be able to handle such intense force, hence leading to its destruction. This concept can also be found down below within man’s service of God, as when man takes upon himself too much spirituality, more than his body or soul can handle, it leads to a destruction of his vessels. Historically, this occurred to three of the great sages who entered Pardes and could not handle the revelation of mysticism that they were exposed to, which led to their demise. One of them became insane, while another one left the Jewish religion, while the third one actually died.[2] [From this, it can be inferred that small, manageable resolutions in spiritual practice are preferable to overly ambitious ones. Many well-intentioned resolutions fail because they exceed a person’s capabilities at the time. Incremental growth is more sustainable than large leaps that may lead to failure. It is better to grow in small steps that  will be lasting then taking large strides that will cause one to fall. As the saying goes “Tafasta Meruba Lo Tafasta/Grasp all, lose all.”.[3]” Hence, doing too much spiritually can be just as catastrophic as doing too little in spirituality.]

[1] Sefer Hamamrim 5668 p. 52-53

[2] Chagiga 14b

[3] Rosh Hashanah 4b; Yuma 80a; Sukkah 5a; Sifra Metzora Parshas Zavim 5:7 in name of Rebbe Akiva

Halacha Articles

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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