| Rav Auerbach:
Although you are correct that the Shuchan Aruch (Yoreh Deah 240:25) rules that one is permitted to disobey his parents to learn Torah by a certain rebbi, you cannot compare that to your specific situation.
In the case of the Shulchan Aruch, the talmid knows that he has exceptional siyata diShmaya learning from that particular rebbi, and we do not know if he will have the same success somewhere else. Since there is no compelling reason for him to stay with his parents (e.g., they are not extremely sick and require his constant care), and their only argument is that they are afraid that there might be danger in the place where his rebbi is, the talmid is permitted to disobey his parents and go to yeshiva.
We cannot compare that to your case, where, boruch Hashem, there are many choshuve places to learn Torah where you live in New York, and from the way I understand your situation, this argument is not applicable. Furthermore, the issue at hand touches on pikuach nefesh, as opposed to the case of the Shulchan Aruch, where there is no actual danger in front of him. Since your parents will be very pained if you leave and seemingly put yourself into potential danger, they do have a solid argument, and it is forbidden to cause your parents this degree of pain.
You could try explaining to your parents that it is a lot safer where you are living in Yerushalayim than the areas near Gaza and in the north and the south, which they are most likely seeing on the news. If that works, fine, but if it does not work, then you should look for a place to learn in New York until the danger has subsided.
Learning Torah or Golani Brigade
Question:
I am a yungerman learning b'hasmadah in kollel in Yerushalayim. Before I entered kollel, I was in the Golani brigade of the army. Although the army would like me to enlist, because of my personal situation, I am not obligated to do so. Should I enlist in the army or stay in kollel?
Chanan
Rav Auerbach:
If there was a question of pikuach nefesh in front of you right now - there was a clearly defined person or group of people who were being threatened to be killed at this very moment - and by being in the army you would be able to save them, then you would be obligated to enlist in the army and not stand idly while your brother's blood is being spilled.
However, currently, at this stage of the war, the main goal is to create a deterrent for future attacks, and it is not considered a question of pikuach nefesh in front of you. Even though the kidnapped Jews are in a state of pikuach nefesh, right now there is nothing that any given soldier can do for them. Therefore, you are not obligated to enlist in Golani, and if you have the choice, it is a bigger deterrent for you to sit in the bais medrash and learn with hasmadah.
From Missiles in Ashkelon to Quiet in Yerushalayim
Question:
I am an elderly woman living in Ashkelon, where missiles are falling on a regular basis. I am retired and I spend most of my day reciting Tehillim and studying Torah. I have been told by my neighbors that I should really move to Yerushalayim, where things are much safer. However, my gut feeling is that since I have complete bitachon that if I stay in Ashkelon I will be spared, why should I disturb my ruchniyus by leaving my home? My question is if I am nonetheless obligated to move because of the missiles that are falling.
Thank you.
G. C.
Rav Auerbach:
I cannot answer your claim about your gut feeling and bitachon and your Tehillim, for Himmel zachin, the ways of Heaven, are beyond me. I can only tell you how the halacha views your situation.
The rule of venishmarten es nafshoseichem is that you are obligated to do whatever you can to make sure that your life is protected and that you are not in danger. Since being shelled constantly with missiles is considered life threatening, and you are in a situation of danger where you are living, if you are able to, the correct course of action is to move to Yerushalayim, where the danger is less.
Empathizing and Davening for the Kidnapped Jews as If They Were Our Own Children
Question:
To what extent are we obligated to empathize and daven for the captive Jews in Gaza?
S. B.
Rav Auerbach:
It fills my heart with the greatest pain and anguish to even think about this terrible tragedy.
You should try and feel as if your own children had been kidnapped, Rachmana litzlan. If this were the case, you would be devastated, screaming out to the Almighty in prayer, running to tzaddikim to get brachos, giving large sums of tzedakah as a merit for their freedom, and doing every possible hishtadlus that exists to get them out.
After you start to connect to the above scenario, then you should daven for these captives to be freed with a broken heart and eyes filled with tears. This is the level of empathy and prayer that a Jew must have for his fellow Jews who are being brutally tortured, and their families who are suffering so much not knowing where they are or what is happening to them. |
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