Dose of Halacha

Question: I have just been prescribed a new pill for my asthma. It comes in a capsule made from gelatine. Is that a problem? Answer: While gelatine, unless certified as kosher , comes from non-kosher animals (or animals not shechted ) there is a machlokes as to whether it is kosher or not. R’ Chaim Ozer Grodzinski (Achiezer 2:11; 3:33:5), R’ Yechezkel Abramsky (brought in intro to Tzitz Eliezer 4), R’ Eliezer Waldenberg (Tzitz Eliezer 6:16; 10:25:20:2) and R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yabia Omer 8:YD 11) all write that one may eat gelatine even from a non-kosher source (See Shearim Metzuyanim Behalacha 47:5). However, R’ Aharon Kotler (Mishnas R’ Aharon 1:16), the Chazon Ish (YD 12:7), R’ Yitzchak Yaakov Weiss (Minchas Yitzchak 1:52; 3:147; 5:5), and R’ Moshe Sternbuch (Teshuvos Vehanhagos 2:381) all write that one can only eat gelatine from a kosher source. R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe YD 1:37, 2:23, 2:27, 2:32) writes that because of the doubt, one should not be lenient and eat ...

Question: Do I need to say a beracha on medicine? What about if I need a drink in order to swallow a pill? Answer: The Gemara (Berachos 38a) writes that one only recites a beracha on food that one eats for medical reasons if they will enjoy eating it. Likewise, the Shulchan Aruch (OC 204:7) writes that one only says a beracha before (and after) drinking water if they are doing so to quench their thirst. Thus, the Mishna Berura (204:42) writes that if one drank some water just to enable them to swallow a pill, they should not recite a beracha. However, if one drinks any other beverage, one would be required to recite a beracha. R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe OC 1:82) writes that if the medication itself tastes nice, then one should recite a beracha. Likewise, R’ Yosef Shalom Elyashiv (quoted in Rivevos Ephraim 4:54:39) maintained that if one mixed the medicine into something that tastes good, one would need to recite a beracha on it. There is a machlokes as to whether o...

Question: I find it difficult to visit my friend in hospital and so call and email her. Have I done the mitzva of bikur cholim ? Answer: Although the mitzvah to visit the sick, bikur cholim, isn’t written clearly in the Torah, the Behag (Asei 36) and Smak (47) classify it as one of the 613 mitzvos. The Tur (YD 335) writes that this mitzva includes 3 components: to pray for them, see to their needs and give them encouragement. The Beis Yosef (YD 335) writes that the primary m itzvah is to pray for the patient. According to the Rema (YD 335:4) one who visits a patient without praying for them has not properly fulfilled their obligation. R’ Moshe Feinstein ( Igros Moshe YD 1:223) and R' Yitzchak Yaakov Weiss  (Minchas Yitzchak 2:84)  write that while one can’t fulfil every component of this mitzva by calling a patient, one who can’t visit them in person still performs a mitzva by calling.  R’ Asher Weiss (Minchas Asher, Bereishis 20) disagrees. Chazal said that...