Truth Telling to El Al Security By Rabbi Haim Jachter | May 20, 2021
An Astute Question
May we “fudge” the truth when asked by El Al security if someone has given us something to place in our luggage? After all, if a trusted relative or neighbor has given us an envelope or an article of clothing to bring to Israel, there is no security risk. Moreover, if one answers that someone did provide him with something, it may cause a delay for further investigation. Asks a TABC talmid, is it permissible to tell a “white lie” and respond that no one has given you something to place in your luggage to avoid a hassle?
Parshat Naso
During my days in yeshiva, or perhaps sometime after that, there was a joke that made its rounds within the yeshiva world and beyond.
“Do you know who Shimshon’s father was?”
“Of course! His was the husband of Eshet Mano’ach (Mano’ach’s wife)!”
The joke is not repeated because of its humor but because of the underlying difficulty that it reflects, a difficulty that puzzles the serious students of Tanach. When analyzing the story of Shimshon’s birth in Sefer Shoftim (perek 13), the haftarah that we read this week, it is clear that the central character of the story is Mrs. Manoach, the soon-to-be mother of Shimshon HaGibor. The angel of Hashem appears to her and not her husband. She, not her husband, receives the list of all the strictures that her future son would have to observe. She is given specific laws that she would have to observe, while none are given to Mano’ach. And when Mano’ach asks God to send back the “man of God” who appeared
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Our son’s rebbi thought he knew him better than we did
Mendy: Why are you encouraging our son to look into a shidduch we know isn’t for him?
Reb Yehoshua: Your son wants something different and you just won’t listen.
Pesach’s on the way,” Minna announced, one icy evening in December. I blinked.
“Pesach? We’re just about done Chanukah.” I looked at Minna questioningly. Cleaning already? It didn’t look like it, and besides, Minna was efficient, but not extreme.
She laughed. “No, no, not Pesach Pesach, I mean Pesach bein hazmanim. Yossi. Shidduchim.” She stressed the last word so I couldn’t miss the significance.
On Faith and Family: Following Yaakov’s Lead
Reflecting on the 1st anniversary of my son’s Bar Mitzvah, I’m overcome with awe by the enormity of his truly remarkable milestone. As I shared with him, remembering the roots our Forefathers planted for us will secure our future.
Is this the little boy I carried? Is this the little boy I see? I don’t remember growing older. When did he?
Sunrise, Sunset Sunrise, Sunset swiftly flow the days. Seedlings turn overnight to sunflow’rs, Blossoming even as we gaze.
What words of wisdom can I give him? How can I help to ease his way?