Jumping on a Grenade to Save Lives?

Anash.org feature: Dayan Levi Yitzchok Raskin, Rov of Anash in London, explores interesting Torah questions and halachic dilemmas including bris by a reform mohel, shachris without tefillin, when to separate challa, and jumping on a grenade.

The following issues are discussed by Rabbi Raskin in this week’s episode:

1. A man whose Bris was done by a Reform Jew, need he do anything now? [1]
2. The Rebbeim were emphatic that children should be taught to read by identifying the Alef, the Komatz, and that together we have the sound O. This is: a) Halocho LeMoshe MiSinai; b) instrumental for their Yiras Shomayim. Could you please provide sources?[2]
3. I didn’t have my Tefilin in time for the Minyan for Shacharis; I expect to receive them shortly afterwards. Should I daven with the Minyan without Tefilin?[3]
4. When separating Challoh, should I wait until the dough has risen?[4]
5. I kneaded a Shiur of dough, but I wish to freeze half of it raw for next week. Should I say the brocho upon separating Challoh? [5]
6. On the 1^st day of Succos – which was Shabbos, a Jewish man dropped in saying that he’s traveling tonight/tomorrow, could he take the Lulav? Should I allow him to do so?[6]
7. I have a metal sink that has two bowls. May I designate one for meat and the other for dairy?[7]
8. Bread that is not Pas Yisroel: if I toast it, does it now become Pas Yisroel?[8]
9. I got stuck in traffic close to Shabbos. Could I get into a taxi that will take me home, continuing to drive even once it is already Shabbos? [9]
10. A group discussion of some Jewish students with their Chabad rabbi came up with the following question: Reuven sees a grenade thrown by a terrorist, headed to fall on Shimon. Is Reuven permitted to intercept the missile, thus forfeiting his own life in order to save the life of someone else? [10]
11. We have a heating cabinet. Its maximum temperature is 80°-185° Fahrenheit. May we place food inside before or during Shabbos? [11]

To listen to Panorama of Halacha on a podcast, click here.

1. [1] ראה יו”ד סי’ רסד ס”א; אבן העוזר או”ח סי’ קפט; שוע”ר שם.
2. [2] ראה נדרים לז ב; ספר המנהגים ע’ 84.
3. [3] מבואר בשוע”ר סי’ סו סי”א, על פי המג”א שם ס”ק יב.
4. [4] ראה שו”ע יו”ד סי’ שכז ס”ב וג’; שער המצות להאריז”ל פ’ שלח.
5. [5] ראה שו”ע יו”ד סי’ שכו ס”ב; פתחי תשובה שם סק”ב; שו”ת צמח צדק יו”ד סי’ רלה סוף אות ד.
6. [6] ראה פסקי תשובות סי’ תרסב סק”א והנסמן שם.
7. [7]  שו”ת ויען יוסף יו”ד ח”א סי’ מ. וע”ע שוע”ר סי’ תנא סכ”א.
8. [8] ראה שו”ת מהרי”ל סי’ קסה; מנחת יעקב ב’סולת בלולה’ ר”ס עה; פסקים ותשובות סימן קיב אות יג.
9. [9] ראה פסקי תשובות סי’ רמח הע’ 47.
10. [10] ראה אנציקלופדי’ תלמודית ערך מאבד עצמו לדעת (כרך לח ע’ ח).
11. [11] ראה שבת כהלכה פ”ו ס”א, ובכ”מ.