Ask The Rabbi

Ask The Rabbi

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Cursed?

Years ago my husband put his hand on a mezuzah and cursed me and our children. Since then my children and I have had some health issues, but he has suffered the worst . A heart tumor caused him to have a stroke leaving him paralyzed on one side and with difficulty speaking. Could the terrible thing he did cause what has happened to us?

Halachic authorities state, based on the words of the Alter Rebbe, (4:2),”Regarding the evil in the morning before ritual hand-washing, (Netilas Yadayim,) one may not touch food,” but small children are allowed to. So just as it is permissible for a small child to eat before having washed his hands, it is permissible to use food that was placed under a child’s bed. The evil spirit rests only because of holiness, and the G-dly soul finishes entering the body at the age of Bar/Bat Mitzva. It is also permissible to use food touched by a non-Jew, and by a child who has not yet reached Bar/Bat Mitzvah but did not yet do the ritual handwashing.

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