Dose of Halacha

Question: I asked my rav about fasting on shiva asar betammuz and he told me that I should not fast. I then went and asked a second rav and he told me that I should. What should I have done? Answer: The Gemara (Avoda Zara 7a) teaches that after asking one Rabbi whether something is permissible, and being told that it is prohibited, one may not approach a second Rabbi to ask him if it is permissible. Elsewhere, the Gemara (Nidda 20b) teaches that one Rabbi may not give a different ruling to one who had previously asked another Rabbi. There are different reasons given for this prohibition. Rashi (Nidda 20b) explains that the second Rabbi must act respectfully towards the first Rabbi. Tosafos (Nidda 20b) adds the prohibition is specifically on the Rabbi. However, other poskim understand that the prohibition is primarily on the one asking. The Rosh (Avoda Zara 1:3) and Raavad (quoted by the Ran, Avoda Zara 7a) explains that when the first Rabbi paskens that an item is assur , i...

Question: After consultation with my Doctor and Rabbi, I will not be fasting on Tisha B'Av or the other Rabbinical fasts. As one of the few kohanim in my Shul , I often get an aliya. Can I receive an aliya ? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (OC 566:6) writes that the practice is that one who is not fasting should not receive an aliya on Tisha B'Av. The Magen Avraham (566:8) argues that if the taanis falls on a Monday or Thursday, one may be called up during Shacharis, as there would have been leining that day, regardless. Nevertheless, the Mishna Berura (566:19) notes that other acharonim maintain that one who is not fasting should not receive an aliya even on Monday or Thursday. Following a personal incident when he had to eat, the Chasam Sofer (OC 157) writes that this halacha does not apply on Tisha B’Av. Just as one does not go looking for a kohen who has not eaten bread to lead the bentching, so too we are not obligated to honour a kohen who is not fasting with t...

Question: I find it very uncomfortable to wear wool tzitzis in the Summer. Can I wear cotton or polyester ones instead? Answer: The Gemara (Menachos 39b) cites a machlokes as to whether the obligation to attach tzitzis to a silk garment is mideoraisa or miderabanan. Rambam (Tzitzis 3:1, 2) and the Shulchan Aruch (OC 9:1) write that only wool and linen garments are obligated mideoraisa, while the Rema writes that all garments are obligated mideoraisa. The Levush (10:4) and Shulchan Aruch Harav (OC 10:7) explain that a non-woven garment is not considered to be a begged . While Ashkenazim generally follow the Rema, the Shulchan Aruch Harav (OC 9:4) and the Mishna Berura (9:5) write that it is best to wear wool tzitzis in order to fulfil the mitzva according to all opinions . R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Halichos Shlomo, Tefilla 3:n25) adds that one fulfils the mitzva even if one is a little uncomfortable wearing them in the Summer (See Teshuvos Vehanhagos 1:18). R’ Moshe Fe...