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Counting Jewish People: Difference between revisions
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# | ==General== | ||
# | # There’s a prohibition to count Jewish people. <Ref> The Aynayim LeMishpat (Brachot 62b) who says that there’s no prohibition nowadays based on Rabbenu Chananel in Brachot, however, the Sh”t Tzitz Eliezer 7:3 (Chapter 1 section 2) strongly disagrees in explanation of the Gemara. All achronim agree that there’s still a prohibition in effect nowadays including the Magan Avraham 156:2, Gra (Aderet Eliyahu Parshat Ki Tisa). </ref> According to most authorities this prohibition is a biblical command. <Ref>Sh”t Tzitz Eliezer 7:3 (Chapter 1 section 1) </ref> | ||
==Permissible ways== | |||
===By means of something else=== | |||
# Counting through something else like counting the fingers of people is only permitted for a serious need or need of a mitzvah. <ref>S”t Tzitz Eliezer 7:3:8, Seridei Esh 1:140, Sh”t Shevet HaLevi 1:34 </ref> | |||
===For a mitzvah=== | |||
# The prohibition applies even counting for a mitzvah. <ref>Magan Avraham 156:2 </ref> | |||
# The minhag is to allow counting for a mitzvah using the פסוק of Hoshiyah Et Amecha…הושיעה את עמך וברך את נחלתך ורעם ונשאם עד העולם in order to count for a minyan. <Ref>Kitzur S”A 15:3, Piskei Teshuvot 156:24, and Minchat Asher Parshat Bamidbar (Siman 1) </ref> | |||
===In thought=== | |||
# Many poskim permit counting in one’s thought (by looking and counting in one’s head without making any motions) for a mitzvah or any need. <Ref>Yalkut Yosef (Piskei DeZimrah 55 note 2, Sherit Yosef vol 2 pg 93) permits counting for a minyan in one’s mind. Sh"t Tzitz Eliezer 7:3:8, Minchat Asher (Bamidbar 1) in name of the Kaf HaChaim Sofer and Kaf HaChaim Palagi permit. However, Etz Yosef (Yoma 22b; quoted by Piskei Teshuvot 156:24) is strict. </ref> | |||
==Other examples== | |||
# Numbering Jewish graves is prohibited, however it’s permissible to number each section assuming that there’s different number of graves in each section. <Ref>Sh”t Igrot Moshe Y”D 2:117(2) </ref> | |||
# It’s a problem of counting Jewish people for people or children standing in a line for each one to say his number. <Ref> Shevet HaLevi 1:34 </ref> | # It’s a problem of counting Jewish people for people or children standing in a line for each one to say his number. <Ref> Shevet HaLevi 1:34 </ref> | ||
# Counting Jewish names on a list is a dispute. <Ref>Chatan Sofer (Y”D 106) in name of his father the חתם סופר who says that it’s forbidden Deoritta. </ref> | |||
==The census== | |||
# Participating in the Israeli consenus is permissible. <Ref>Sh”t Shevet HaLevi O”C 9:35, Sh”t Mishpatei Uziel 4:2 </ref> | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
