1) Jews who are incarcerated in prison, even in civil countries, are considered "captives" according to many Poskim, and one may spend more than 20% of his/her income to secure their release as it is "Pidyon Shevuyim- releasing of captives". (Psak of Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal and others)
2) Some Poskim maintain that "Pidyon Shevuyim" is only if a Jew is incarcerated "for no reason" as was common in the olden days for the authorities to put Jews behind bars for no reason other than the fact that they were jewish, but isn't very common today (Baruch Hashem as most of us live in Medinos Shel Chesed, benevolent host countries).
If one is incarcerated due to a crime he committed (stealing, tax fraud or other serious crimes) there is no Pidyon Shevuyim, as he is being rightfully punished for his actions (Psak of Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal. See also Pischei Teshuva Yoreh Deah Siman 251:1)
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER:
(Reader Submitted Questions of interest (on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topics) and my Answers taken from the Q & A page on the Halacha For Todaywebsite. For study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha. Questions can be sent to Halacha For Today)
Reader's Question:
I have a question concernig the Halacha of adding requests during Shma Koleinu: Does it have to be in Loshon Hakodesh? I once heard that tefillos in Loshon Hakodesh and yiddish(!) are preferable than in any other language... is it true? and would it be possible to know where its brought down? ?
My Answer:
Though the best language to daven is Lashon Kodesh (See Mishna Berura and Biur Halacha Siman 62 and Aruch HaShulchan Siman 101:9), Tefilos may be said in any language that you understand, as long as they are heartfelt Tefilos from the heart (See Mishna Berura Siman 122:8). This is true for all Tefilos no matter if they are B'Tzibur or B'Yechidus.
The only exception is the Aramaic language , as Tefilos may not be said in Aramaic unless one is davening B'Minyan (Therefore B'Yechidus one doesnt say Yekum Purkan, Brich Shemei or other Tefilos that were written in Aramaic).
Yiddish is no better than English or French regarding these Halachos. There are 3 categories: 1) Lashon Kodesh 2) Aramaic 3) ALL other languages.
See archives of my Halachos on Tefilah beginning with Halachos of Oct. 20 2008 for a more in depth treatment of these halachos.
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us
תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
Important Numbers
