1) Although when it comes to Pikuach Nefesh, a danger or threat to a Jew's life, the Torah mandates that we transgress the laws of the Torah in order to save the life, there are exceptions to this rule.
When it comes to the three cardinal sins, Avodah Zarah (serving foreign gods), Gilui Arayos (acts of sexual immorality) and Shefichas Damim (murdering another human), we are required to choose death [Al Kidush Hashem] rather than transgress.
This mandate is referred to in Halacha as "Yaharog V'Al Ya'avor, [allow yourself to] be killed rather than transgress"
Being that Gilui Arayos is one of the three and being that improper touching is an extension of Gilui Arayos, Chazal thus teach us that one should rather be killed than allow himself to transgress a sin of sexual immorality, even if only the prohibition of Negiah, touching [a prohibited] female [Derech Chibah, for the purposes of pleasure, love or to get close to her] (Not only is the above Halacha according to the ruling of the Rambam (Sefer Hamitzvos Lav 353) who considers improper touching as the actual prohibition (Lo Ta'aseh) of Gilui Arayos, but even according to the ruling of the Ramban (Hasagos on Sefer Hamitzvos ibid.) who considers improper touching as Abizrahu D'Gilui Arayos, i.e. an extension of the Lo Ta'aseh but not the Lo Ta'aseh itself, he still considers it D'Oraysa enough to mandate Yaharog V'Al Ya'avor. The Ramban writes this explicitly in his Sefer Toras haAdam, Sha'ar Hamichush Dibur Hamaschil U'Linyan Avoda Zarah V'Gilui Arayos. See also Shach Yoreh Deah 157:10 and Birchei Yosef from the Chida to Shulchan Aruch ibid. See also Kreina D'Igrasa from the Steipler Zatzal page 163)
2) No Jew has a license to Chas V'shalom be lenient in these matters, and a competent Rav must be consulted for Halacha L'Ma'aseh before any form of touching between the genders is deemed necessary and permissible. (See Pischei Teshuva Even HaEzer Siman 21:3)
We shall, B'Ezras Hashem, discuss this Halacha and some common examples of it that many are often faced with and how to deal with them, tomorrow.
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers.
These Q&A are taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Gmail.com
Reader's Question:
I wanted to ask you about the new (and exciting for many, nebach, unfortunately) trend of "Half Shabbos" whereas people keep full Shabbos but are texting throughout the day (hence "half Shabbos"). What's the halacha here?
Answer:
There is no such thing as half Shabbos. Keeping Shabbos 99% is desecrating it 100%.
Using any electronic devices on Shabbos is strictly prohibited, possibly even D'Oraysa as using electricity (where internal circuits are connected and completed ) involves melachos of Aish, Boneh, Soser and Molid to name a few. (See Chazon Ish Orach Chaim Siman 50:9)
Again, there is no valid halachic permissibilty to text or otherwise use a cell phone on Shabbos Chas V'Shalom (besides in life threatening emergencies), and all who do so will ultimately have to deal with the heavenly consequences. May Hashem have mercy on His holy nation and spare them from desecrating the holy Shabbos and His holy name.
CHIZUK CORNER
This section is dedicated L'Ilui Nishmas the late Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Yaakov ben Rav Binyomin Moshe Stein Zatzal.
We will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO HalachaForToday@Gmail.com
THANK YOU AND תזכו למצות!
זכר צדיק וקדוש לברכה
I merited a long life because I never questioned Hashem's actions. When one questions Hashem, he is summoned to heaven and shown that in fact everything is perfect and just. Since I have never complained, there has been no reason to take me up to see that all of Hashem's deeds are just!
Rabbi Shimon of Yaroslav Zatzal quoted in Sefer Torah Tavlin
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