She’eilos U’Teshuvos Mi’maamakim

Can a Kohein who served another religion duchen after doing Teshuva -v2 #2 by Rabbi Aaron Cohen

admin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 11:46:58 -0400

The obligation to protect and bury pages of Seforim that were subject to degradation -v1 #30 by Rabbi Aaron Cohen

admin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 11:13:49 -0400

Birchas Hagomel when one's life is spared but there is continued danger -v1 #7 by Rabbi Aaron Cohen

admin — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 11:13:53 -0400

Taking one's life to avoid suffering - v1 #6 by Rabbi Aaron Cohen

admin — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 09:20:32 -0400

The 6th of Cheshvan, 5702 (October 27, 1941), was but two days prior to the liquidation of the Kovno ghetto. One of the respected members of the community approached Rav Oshry with a heart-rending shaila. He was certain that he and the member of his family would be killed, and the Nazis would likely make him watch as they murdered his family. He would certainly suffer a painful death as well. Would it be permitted for him to take his own life to avoid this physical and emotional suffering?

Siddur Kiddushin when the bride might not be able to go to the Mikveh - analysis of Lifnei Iver - v1 #4 by Rabbi Aaron Cohen

admin — Sun, 12 Jul 2020 16:36:35 -0400

On the 12th of Tishrei, 5702 (October 3, 1941), a rumor spread that the Nazis were planning to round up and murder widowed women, whose husbands had already been killed by the Germans. These women sought to marry quickly in order to avoid this threat. However, there was no Mikveh in the Kovno ghetto, and the question arose as to whether being Mesader Kiddushin for these couples would be considered Lifnei Iver, placing a stumbling block that would result in transgression.

Eating non-kosher to avoid eventual self-danger in the future - is this considered Pikuach Nefesh - v1 #2 by Rabbi Aaron Cohen

admin — Fri, 10 Jul 2020 12:50:37 -0400

Using an incandescent bulb for Neros Shabbos & Havdala- v1 #11 by R' Aaron Cohen

admin — Wed, 18 Jul 2018 08:00:00 -0400

The Jews in the Kovno Ghetto did not have the means to acquire conventional candles or oil for Shabbos candles and Havdala. Could they fulfill the Mitzva of Neros Shabbos and Borei Me’orei Ha’aish on Motzei Shabbos through incandescent electric bulbs?

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Can a deaf mute count in a Minyan & receive an Aliya - v3 #2 by R' Aaron Cohen

admin — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 08:00:00 -0400

Rav Oshry presents a heart-wrenching question posed by R’ Moshe ben R’ Aryeh, who davened in Rav Oshry’s Bais Medrash. While on a work detail, he looked for potatoes and vegetables growing in the fields to give some nourishment to the starving Jews working with him. The Germans caught and beat him mercilessly, causing him to lose his hearing and speech faculties. He maintained his cognitive abilities. Could he be counted in a Minyan? Could he receive an Aliya to the Torah?

Bishul on Shabbos in the Kovno ghetto - v1 #5 by R' Aaron Cohen

admin — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 08:00:57 -0400

A student of Rav Oshry by the name of Yaakov, was given the opportunity to work in the kitchen where food was prepared for the Jews. This would allow Yaakov to avoid the excruciating work that Jews were subject to, and would also give him greater access to food, which would increase his chances of survival. Would he be able to work in the kitchen even though he would be forced to cook on Shabbos? And, if he was allowed to cook the food on Shabbos, was he allowed to eat it?

Erasing the numbers tatooed on one's arm - v4 #22 by R' Aaron Cohen

admin — Sun, 15 Jul 2018 08:00:05 -0400

A young Jewish woman who survived the Holocaust was haunted by the horrors that she had experienced. Was she allowed to erase the numbers that the Nazis had tattooed onto her arm, in order to put these terrifying events behind her?

Reference Material (pdf)