Torah

Question: May a child sit in a parent’s seat in shul?

Short Answer: A child is prohibited from sitting in a parent’s seat in shul unless the parent has switched seats and no longer sits in this seat or unless the parent doesn’t mind.

Question: Should the last names of the chasan, kallah, and witnesses be written on the kesubah?

 Short Answer: Although Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l, Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv zt”l, and Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik zt”l all thought it preferable to include the last names on the kesubah, the prevalent custom is not to include last names.

Question: Should one recite a b’rachah on the mitzvah of kibud av v’eim? If no, why not?

Short Answer: No brachah is recited on the mitzvah of kibud av v’eim. Multiple reasons are provided for this omission.

Question: Should the one who makes the Birkas Eirusin under the chupah drink from the cup, or should he just give it directly to the chasan and kallah to drink?

Short Answer: Many reasons are given to support our minhag that only the chasan and kallah drink from the cup. However, some were makpid that the reciter of the Birkas Eirusin also drinks from the cup.

Question: May the Sheva Brachos be recited through a microphone?

Short Answer: Many poskim rule that Sheva Brachos should not be recited through a microphone. However, there is a minority of poskim who allow it, and many people appear to follow this view.

Question: May an elderly rabbi who is confined to a wheelchair (and thus cannot stand up) serve as an eid kiddushin – a witness to the marriage ceremony?