Questions tagged [health-safety-shmira]
NOTE: For professional medical advice, please contact your physician.
154
questions
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Which American Orthodox synagogues currently enforce COVID-19 safety protocols beyond what's required by law? [closed]
Different cities and states have different COVID-19 safety protocols.
I've seen many synagogues that have one or more "extra-safe" minyanim, e.g. the city allows indoor minyanim, and the ...
0
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0answers
35 views
Is there a Halachic book on regular fasting?
I’d like to take on regular fasting for health reasons. My Rav permits this. He also permits it to weaken desire.
But there are so many contradictory opinions that are hard to reconcile in the ...
2
votes
0answers
66 views
Am I obligated to say "bless you" (or its equivalent) after someone sneezes?
The Midrash Pirkei D'Rebbi Eliezer (54) writes
המופת הרביעי, מיום שנברא העולם לא היה אדם חולה, אלא בכל מקום שהיה אדם
אם בדרך אם בשוק ועטש היתה נפשו יוצאה מנחיריו ומת, עד שבא יעקב אבינו
ובקש רחמים על ...
4
votes
2answers
291 views
Does Judaism say if you are fat you should have a diet?
Does Judaism say if you are fat you should have a diet?
Moderator's Note: As with all content on Mi Yodeya, if this question is practically relevant to you, please don't rely directly on any ...
1
vote
1answer
89 views
Is it a mitzvah to excercise? [duplicate]
Are there any sources that say it's a mitzvah to exercise- i.e., to walk around the block to keep up your health?
3
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0answers
127 views
Vaccines using aborted fetal cells
A friend of mine informed me that a few coronavirus vaccines might have used aborted fetal cells during development and/or production. What I have found by so far is that these cells were grown in ...
2
votes
1answer
88 views
Non-medical N95 / KN95 / FFP2 masks, beards, shaving, Chol Ha'moed, and the Omer
Background information
There's no longer a shortage of non-medical N95 / FFP2 masks. Anyone who wants enhanced protection against COVID can now get some. Despite some rumors to the contrary, these ...
0
votes
1answer
157 views
How often should one go to the dentist? [closed]
The Ketzos Hashulchan 126:3 discusses issues with teeth becoming a concern of protecting one's health. Do Poskim today suggest the frequency one must visit the dentist to preemptively protect one's ...
3
votes
1answer
88 views
Are there sources that discuss the proper role of mood-altering substances?
I am curious if there are any sources (halachic or hashkafic) that discuss the use of mood or personality altering substances. From Caffeine or Chamomile tea all the way to psychiatric medication, ...
3
votes
1answer
76 views
What are usual Jewish practices and doctrine for addictive substances such as alcohol and tobacco?
I live in a community where about a fourth to half of the population is Jewish and I have many friends here that all seem to have different outlooks about addictive substances. Particularly about ...
11
votes
2answers
161 views
If you take a COVID "smell test" every day, do you say a blessing on the scent?
Background
Some experts recommend that everyone test their own sense of smell once daily. This can help to screen for the novel coronavirus disease. This is because COVID often (but not always) ...
2
votes
1answer
108 views
What physical/health factors disqualify an otherwise qualified bechor from pidyon haben?
If a first-born son meets the qualifications for pidyon ha'ben (first born of his mother, born naturally, parents are both Yisroel), what physical health issues would "disqualify" the bechor ...
1
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1answer
98 views
During covid-related social distancing minyan is it better for one person to get all aliyot or multiple people at a distance?
During the current covid-19 outbreak all shuls in the United States have closed and minyanim are for the most part not being conducted. The OU recently released guidance to be used when minyanim in ...
1
vote
1answer
98 views
Diets promoted by different Rabbis throughout history
I was curious if there was any information about the sages or other known historical Rabbis who promoted diets for physical/spiritual health.
Obviously, Kosher is Kosher but did anyone ever suggest ...
2
votes
3answers
245 views
Rain in Iyar - Miracle Cure?
I remember that a few years ago, it was raining in Iyar and someone (who I believe to be a talmid chacham) told me that drinking the rain in Iyar is a powerful segulah for refuahs. Today, Rosh Chodesh ...
3
votes
2answers
286 views
If our leadership do not take disease outbreaks seriously, are they considered responsible for deaths that follow?
As of late, there has been a controversy in various Jewish communities around the world. Certain Rabbis and certain individuals have actively circumvented the preventative measures to help stop the ...
1
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0answers
102 views
Priestly blessing with split minyan
This morning, a member of our synagogue raised an interesting question. Assume a congregation in Israel, which has to split the minyan in two in order to comply with precautionary measures due to the ...
0
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2answers
159 views
Rabbis giving advice which contradicts expert medical opinion
I have read many stories of great Rabbis, historically and in today's times, who have given people medical advice which was in direct contradiction to the advice given by expert medical professionals. ...
2
votes
0answers
122 views
Epidemics and public torah study
In the current pandemic, there seem to be diverse opinions, both of medical/government officials and of religious leaders regarding communal gatherings for religious services. For example, some shuls ...
7
votes
1answer
855 views
R' Akiva Eiger and the epidemic
A rav mentioned it to me that R' Akiva Eiger got an award from the Prussian king, because during an epidemic in Posen he, in accordance with the doctors and the authorities, required the strict ...
11
votes
2answers
405 views
Who is counted in an "outdoor minyan" defined? How should the minyan be run?
An outdoor minyan is one possible attempt to deal with a public health instruction aimed at preventing spreading infections, such as keeping 6 feet from another person and avoiding indoor gatherings.
...
0
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0answers
340 views
What is the Torah perspective on our response to coronavirus? [duplicate]
What spiritual response does daas Torah (Rabbonim, Gedolim, etc.) suggest we should utilize in facing coronavirus?
For instance, Rav Yisroel Reisman (Ki Sisa 5780) mentioned saying פיטום הקטורת and ...
1
vote
1answer
133 views
How do you write an amulet
The internet has many examples of Jewish amulets. I would like to know how, step by step, amulet is written. I understand there may be different formula for different amulets but I assume the general ...
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0answers
22 views
Halachic view on the order of personal effort vs prayers
In my previous question "yaakov-preceded-his-effort-to-a-prayer" we see that Yaakov, hearing the bad news preferred to make the effort first and daven later.
It made me think: this happens to me a ...
5
votes
2answers
2k views
Oil in Shabbos Candles Caught Fire - What to Do?
My wife recently switched from using wax candles to oil in glass cups when lighting for Shabbat. The cups were about half water, half oil. She put some floating wicks in and lit them the way she ...
2
votes
4answers
302 views
Please advise me on how to avoid staying up too late at night
Despite following the sleep-hygiene advice I found on secular websites (e.g.: establish a proper sleeping schedule meaning don't stay awake too late, not using electronic devices which emit blue light,...
2
votes
0answers
84 views
If you're not overweight, can you still use a food scale and an app to count calories during Chol Ha'moed?
Background
During Chol Ha'moed, more food than usual is available. The relevant science suggests that, when there's a lot of food variety available in our homes, we're more likely to overeat. Still, ...
2
votes
2answers
93 views
Undergoing experimental surgery
Is it permitted for a patient with a terminal illness to accept a dangerous experimental surgery? (Every case is different and requires CYLOR, but I'm just curious about the two sides of the argument -...
0
votes
2answers
164 views
Tzitzis and Teeth?
Rabbi Moishe Dovid Lebovits, author of the Halachically Speaking series, is coming out with a book on Teeth and Dentistry in Halacha. In the flyer advertising the book (pdf link), there is a list of ...
1
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0answers
122 views
Is there a tefilah/segulah requesting that bowel and intestine should work?
My brother-in-law is critically ill in ICU and some of his organs have stopped working.
My sister whatsapped me this morning:
"Intestines not working. Abdomen so Swollen. Cannot take in any feeds. ...
3
votes
5answers
599 views
Why there was no railing on the 5m high Mizbeach?
While looking at drawings of the Temple's Altar, I was impressed by its dimensions: up to 5m (16ft) high and 15m (100ft) wide. Here's a pretty truthful depiction (courtesy of WIKI) that gives an idea ...
0
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0answers
113 views
Have there been notable Rabbinical opinions on hemp derived CBD oil for personal health?
Marijuana politics is getting complicated in the west with more and more countries legalizing the stuff for both medicinal and personal use.
My question has less to do with Marijuana and more to do ...
2
votes
2answers
94 views
Halachic difference between a medicine and a supplement?
Dietary supplements are a huge industry right now. Many people are taking a variety of vitamins, nutrients, and herbs in the same way they would take a prescription from a doctor.
The problem with ...
6
votes
1answer
151 views
Why "מַה שֶּׁשָּׁתִינוּ יִהְיֶה לִרְפוּאָה"?
Some Sephardim have this toward the end of the after-meal prayer:
מַה שֶּׁאָכַלְנוּ יִהְיֶה לְשָׂבְעָה וּמַה שֶּׁשָּׁתִינוּ יִהְיֶה לִרְפוּאָה
In my own, loose translation:
May what we ate be ...
3
votes
0answers
45 views
Vaccinating and religious exemption [duplicate]
Unfortunately, there is a measles outbreak in some east coast cities where some parents refused to vaccinate their children claiming religious exemption.
Since the situation has been declared an ...
0
votes
2answers
135 views
If meat is proven carcinogenic - would it be permissible to eat meat?
Based on research by many parties, including the World Health Organization, it appears that some processed (and red) meats are (or may be) carcinogenic. For example, in this article on the WHO's ...
3
votes
1answer
182 views
Would popping pimples be considered "etching" the flesh in the sense that it can sometimes leave scarring?
I was curious if there was a decision which relates to pimples specifically.
Pimple popping and skin care have become a major topic on many parts of the internet. You typically see people using ...
1
vote
1answer
159 views
Can you kill person A to protect yourself from B?
So it's really difficult to think of a practical example of this, but imagine there were some scenario in which, G-d forbid, you needed to kill a non-guilty party in self-defense. If one were in this ...
2
votes
2answers
211 views
Drink fresh water after Shabbos coming from Miriam's well?
Taamei Haminhagim 423 explains the custom of women to draw water immediately when they hear “Borchu” after Shabbos. In short it says,
In Agada it says that the Well of Miriam which is in the sea ...
3
votes
1answer
197 views
How did the Cohanim walk around the Mizbeach?
I'm finding it very difficult indeed to understand how the Cohanim walked around the Mizbeach on a ledge which was only one Amoh wide but was also six Amos above the floor... Seems to me that they'd ...
-2
votes
2answers
240 views
Why are junk foods, which are poor for your health, certified kosher?
Why do rabbis allow hechsherim on junk food and other foods which are clearly bad for you health? Many products are clearly not good for you such as soda pop, baked goods with trans fats, food with ...
1
vote
2answers
65 views
Releasing terrorists in exchange for remains of past victims
What would be a halachik justification for mediating a deal involving releasing terrorists, who may well murder more victims, in exchange for remains of past victims?
Related: Why is the head of the ...
5
votes
2answers
579 views
What level of danger is required for HaGomel?
The Gemara says that four have to say Hagomel:
One who went overseas
One who went into a desert.
One who was [deathly] ill.
One who was in prison [on a capital crime].
To what level of danger must ...
5
votes
0answers
82 views
Does one say this prayer for medical procedures on a procedure that gives guidance rather than help?
Shulchan Aruch (OC 230:4, as explained by Magen Avraham ibid. :6) paskens that when one undergoes a medical procedure he should say the following prayer:
יהי רצון מלפניך ה׳ אלקי שיהא עסק זה לי ...
4
votes
1answer
101 views
Why do we refer to HaShem as a Rofei Chinam?
Shulchan Aruch (OC 230:4, as explained by Magen Avraham ibid. :6) paskens that when one undergoes a medical procedure he should say the following prayer:
יהי רצון מלפניך ה׳ אלקי שיהא עסק זה לי ...
2
votes
1answer
191 views
Air purifier with LED sensor on Shabbat
Would one be allowed to use an air purifier with an LED smell indicator sensor on Shabbat if bringing in odors near the purifier with outside food or other odorous things could or most surely would ...
4
votes
1answer
174 views
Non-Jews touching Jews For Medical Care in an Emergency [duplicate]
I come from a family of female nurses (Christian.) Would it be allowed for them to give aid or help to the Orthodox community in an emergency since hand shaking is not allowed - we would not want to ...
2
votes
0answers
48 views
Health blessing
where does it say in Gemara (I remember it was in the gemara) that the main blessing we get from HaShem is health, because w/o it we can't enjoy the other blessings?
0
votes
1answer
146 views
Looking for a kosher hot plate for Shabbos and Yom Tov
Does anyone know of a kosher hot plate that can be safely left on for the duration of Shabbos, Yom Tov, or a 3 day Shabbos and Yom Tov and will not become a fire hazard?
Every product should be and ...
-1
votes
1answer
580 views
What is the Hebrew pasuk for "your body is a temple"
What is the Hebrew pasuk for "your body is a temple"/your body is G-D's resting and is holy it needs to be nourished, etc.?
I am not sure exactly what the phrase is in English but I know its ...
