Tomorrow

[debka_notion]

Tomorrow off I go to Syracuse for my first ever rabbinical student in residence sort of thing. Wish me luck- I am starting to get a bit nervous...

Comments

[shirei-shibolim.livejournal.com]

Given the distance you'll be traveling, a processed fish would be advisable. You can get a nice fillet of smoked trout at the Westside Market on 110th St. If anyone at airport security asks why you need it in your carry-on, just explain that you're a rabbinical student.

(If you're concerned there won't be any refrigeration available for an extended period, salt cod is acceptable bedei`avad.)

[debka-notion.livejournal.com]

Is this some new (or revived Talmudic) ritual to go along with tfillat haderekh that I don't know about?

I think refridgeration here is just fine- it's upstate NY, I could always just put it outside. My hostess' roommate's dog might be more of a problem though- he's finding my crochet string appealing enough as is...

[shirei-shibolim.livejournal.com]

No no no, it's just a precaution to make sure you have a fish with which to hit someone, should the need arise. The ideal practice is certainly to use a live fish, and the Talisker Rebbe (zikhrono levilbul) was makpid to carry a small fish tank at all times to make sure this was possible under any circumstance. That said, most poskim allow processed fish lekhathila as long as it's visually identifiable as fish by a katan of average seafaring ability.

[debka-notion.livejournal.com]

Is a paper fish ok b'dieved? What if it's really well drawn and lifelike? What about a model that the person being hit doesn't realize isn't a real fish?

Can I put my fish tank on wheels? How about the katan? Does the katan need to have a boat accessible?

[shirei-shibolim.livejournal.com]

Is a paper fish ok b'dieved? What if it's really well drawn and lifelike? What about a model that the person being hit doesn't realize isn't a real fish?

The CJLS has ruled that if all possible avenues for acquiring real fish have been exhausted, one may use a paper fish. However, one should not say the berakha ("... vetzivvanu `al diyyug hasho'el").

Can I put my fish tank on wheels?

Arye Leyb of Bowmore used a tank on wheels.

How about the katan? Does the katan need to have a boat accessible?

Halakhically, no. However, the mekubbalim relate the oniya to hesed, and hesed corresponds to... well, nobody knows. Right around here they pass out from too much Scotch and imitation herring.