Victor Cohen 

“Sonny” was two years old when his parents noticed that something wasn’t right. He was facing some difficult challenges, and wasn’t doing the things his peers were doing. He wasn’t speaking, and he lacked fine motor skills. His parents were determined to get him back on track, and eagerly looked forward to him starting school. But the preschool informed them that something was wrong, and that their program was not the appropriate setting for him. Sonny’s parents were shattered, and didn’t want to believe it. 

Then they heard about Reach for the Stars – a unique school for children requiring extra help with their development and education. 

“You know when your child isn’t thriving,” says Reach for the Stars’ founder, Barbara Matalon.“Yes, it is terrifying, but it can be turned around with the proper care.” 

Sonny entered Reach for the Stars and saw extraordinary progress in speech, social skills, and education. There was high transparency and a real sense of community in the progress Sonny began to make. “They held our hand and walked us through every step,” his parents recalled. 

The program was all-inclusive, going all-in to ensure that Sonny would grow up with the tools he needed to succeed. His parents explained that they received help with things like potty training and sleep training, and that staff would even come over on weekends to provide extra help. 

The school put the parents in communication with the teachers, who sent status reports every day, as well as videos of Sonny beginning to improve. And they began to see it with their own eyes, as one day, to their sheer delight, Sonny uttered a word. Soon, one word became two, two words became three, and Sonny continued to improve under the tutelage of Reach for the Stars. 

As Sonny continued to progress, Sonny’s parents tell, the Reach for the Stars team was “optimistic where they needed to be and real where they needed to be. They were very clear about everything that was going on.” Sonny’s parents believe that this approach helped immensely in their son’s journey, as it allowed them to maintain balanced, reasonable expectations for what the team could do. 

A Graduation Speech Like No Other 

Then, Reach for the Stars gave the green light for what they called a “trial run” at a mainstream school for several weeks, with Sonny’s teacher observing his progress, seeing how he would do on his own. With the help of Hashem, Sonny passed with flying colors! 

It was clear that Sonny was ready to continue his educational journey without the help of Reach for the Stars. As they did for all their graduates, Reach for the Stars set up a graduation ceremony for Sonny. They made him a small cap and gown, his teachers gave him gifts, and his parents could not have been prouder. Then Sonny himself had the highlight of the day when he gave a full speech! To see a child who started out non-verbal, now graduating with a speech, was truly amazing. Sonny officially moved into a mainstream school, where he continues to thrive until today. 

Reach for the Stars nurtures and educates our community’s children until they no longer need the school’s help. With their proven track record of success, their scientific model for advancement, and, of course, Hashem’s help, Reach for the Stars acts as a course-corrector for kids who may be having difficulties – educational, social, or with communication. Reach for the Stars aids these children and ensures they are properly prepared to continue on their journey through school and into adulthood. 

To learn more about what Reach for the Stars does, I had the privilege of interviewing its founder and several parents. We discussed the history of the organization, how its model for success works, and some of the specific ways Reach for the Stars brings out the best in its students. 

“He Just Doesn’t Fit In” 

The story of this remarkable institution begins nearly 23 years ago, when Barbara Matalon was working with Bikur Holim, a widely acclaimed organization which serves the community in many different capacities. During her time at Bikur Holim, Barbara became aware of a need which she believed was not being addressed: children requiring special help in early education. 

She recalls how parents would come with children who, for one reason or another, would not be accepted in the typical playgroup. Many of these children were non-verbal. One parent said, “I wanted to hear him say a word, even just ‘no,’ or at least look or glance to let me know that he knows I’m Mommy.” 

Unfortunately, these children faced developmental obstacles which they could not surmount. There was no appropriate educational framework for them, and there was no support system for their parents. 

“Young parents came in heartbroken,” Barbara explained. “They’d say, ‘He just doesn’t fit in. I tried him in early childhood.’ We know this can be turned around. We know this can be changed.” 

Our community rightly takes pride in the way it strives to take care of everything, and to support fellow members dealing with all kinds of hardships. At that time, though, it seemed that parents of struggling young children had nowhere to go. They were saying things like, “I cry with him, since I don’t know if he is crying because he’s hungry, in pain, or just wants something and doesn’t know how to tell me. I just hold him and cry.” 

Parents needed a solution, an institution that could help their children turn into the stars that they knew they could become. No parents want to see their children “warehoused,” with their developmental and educational issues swept under the rug.  

Together with a team of parents, and a friend named Nancy Levy, Barbara set out to research schools around the east coast that had shown signs of success in reversing challenging conditions which would generally bar students from acceptance in mainstream schools. Upon completing their research, the group drafted a plan and opened a Sunday respite program for struggling young children in the community. From there, they proceeded to lay the groundwork for a full-fledged schooling program, which, in 2005, became Reach for the Stars. This program was designed to ensure that the children would make real, enduring progress, turning whatever challenges they may have had into areas of strength and hope. Ever since its founding, Reach for the Stars has been a beacon of light for our community, and a source of inspiration, through the profound impact that it has had on so many of our precious children’s lives. 

A Proven Model of Success 

The institution’s model is built around three key elements in the process of helping the child to succeed: 

1. Reach for the Stars has a 1:1 student-to-teacher ratio, and all teachers are professionally trained. The institution does not hire paras or aides, and brings in only top-level professionals to work with its students. 
2. The school is in session 12 months a year, recognizing that these youngsters require consistent care and attention, no less in the summer than during the rest of the year. 
3. Reach for the Stars follows a scientifically-based approach, while adapting the formula individually to each student, as every child is unique with unique challenges and unique needs. The formula must also be repeatable, in a way that allows the student to effectively develop the skills he or she needs to develop. 

“Mikey” is a current student at Reach for the Stars, and a particularly shining example of how far its students can go. He was non-verbal, and had trouble understanding concepts and communicating with those around him. His parents brought him to a therapist, but unfortunately, he did not progress. Then, they decided to send him to Reach for the Stars, and Mikey began to see exponential progress.  

“I couldn’t get over how he had a teacher for each area!” Mikey’s mother enthused, marveling at the fact that each subject is handled by a different staff member. These professionals give the children under their care daily speech therapy, occupational therapy, behavioral therapy, ABA therapy, academic help, and social skills training. With this approach, Reach for the Stars ensures that no stone goes unturned.  

“We only use the best professionals in each field,” said Barbara. 

Mikey’s case exemplifies the lengths that Reach for the Stars is willing to go to ensure each student’s wellbeing and achievement.  

“He wouldn’t eat anything that wasn’t crunchy,” Mikey’s mother says, “so he was put on their feeding therapy program.” The feeding therapist taught Mikey to be able to eat other foods. 

The school evaluates each child to determine all his or her various challenges, and then adapts its  program to target the particular areas of hardship. This is where the 1:1 ratio comes into play, allowing each child to receive the professional attention that he or she needs. 

Baruch Hashem, Mikey made enormous progress in his development and in overcoming his challenges. He became more loving and verbal.  

“He used to not want to play with anyone, but now, he loves to play with people!” his mother jubilantly reports. With Hashem’s help, he will continue to progress and ultimately graduate. 

The parents whom I interviewed all gave the same advice: start the process at a young age.  

“The more you hide it, the tougher it ends up being,” one parent warned. “Do everything you can do for your child, and be vocal about it. Know that everything comes from Hashem, and your job is to do the best you can. And, most importantly, love your child.” 

Going the Extra Mile 

Typically, when you leave school or work at the end of the day, it doesn’t follow you home. Once you leave the doctor’s office, the doctor doesn’t show up at your house later. Not so with Reach for the Stars!  

In their commitment to “look at the whole child,” the staff of Reach for the Stars offer extra services on the weekends, and are available whenever parents need help. 

If, for example, a parent is afraid to take the child to the dentist alone, a therapist from Reach for the Stars accompanies the parent and child to ensure everything goes well. 

“On Saturdays and Sundays they are part of our family!” one parent marveled, explaining how the school truly goes above and beyond for her child. 

The level of care provided by Reach for the Stars can only be described as unprecedented, with the staff going as far as they possibly can to help these children succeed. 

Reach for the Stars takes their children on various kinds of excursions where they are challenged to apply the skills they learn in their therapy sessions in real-life settings. Mikey’s mother describes that on these trips, “they teach him how to leave a place he really likes – even though he doesn’t want to.” The school also runs groups to give children social opportunities. Many of the children have considerable difficulty socializing, and need to learn this critical skill. The school offers different groups to engage each child’s interest; sports, cooking, reading, gymnastics and music. These groups broaden the children’s interests and give them the opportunity to socialize with their peers. 

The ultimate goal of Reach for the Stars is for their students to not need them. Once a child reaches that point, when he or she can attend a mainstream school, the child graduates with a beautiful graduation ceremony. The mission of Reach for the Stars has then been successfully completed.  

Through close monitoring, limitlessly devoted care, and an emphasis on building the right skills for each child, Reach for the Stars’ state-of-the-art program has given hope to hundreds of families over the past 20 years. They have succeeded in helping so many youngsters bridge the gaps between them and their peers so they could receive a mainstream education and blossom. Children who began their journey in the care of Reach for the Starts, facing various difficult challenges, have gone on to attain incredible heights. 

If you have a struggling young child, Reach for the Stars can help your child progress, learn, and shine brightly – and the earlier the child begins, the easier the journey to success will be. For more information, please contact Reach for the Stars

Jenna Ashkenazie  

While it may seem that flip phones are now scarce, with limited models, this is not actually so! Flip phones are coming back into style, so finding a good flip phone that fits into your family’s beliefs and budget is now a great option. Let’s take a look at some examples of what is out there.  

Cat S22 Flip 

For example, take the Cat S22 Flip. This phone costs about $63 pre-tax, and offers a  touchscreen, is water resistant, and has internet connection. Its  long battery life allows you to use the phone for approximately 48 hours before needing a full recharge. This phone allows you to access nearly all apps, such as banking apps, and even Spotify and YouTube. However, users report that this phone runs a little slower than the average smartphone, and it is not compatible with CDMA carriers such as Verizon, Boost, or Sprint.  

Nokia 2720 Flip 

Another great choice is the Nokia 2720 Flip. This phone can last approximately 28 days on a single charge, and is extremely durable. Pricing ranges from $45 to $115 making this a phone worth the investment. This phone can connect to the internet, and even comes with apps such as WhatsApp and Facebook pre-downloaded. The greatest feature of this phone, however, is the safety button. Press the button on the side of the phone and an emergency text message is sent to local authorities in your location, and an emergency message will be sent to the five emergency contacts listed in your address book. This is an excellent safety feature. This phone comes in red, gray, and black.  

Nokia 2780 Flip 

A more affordable Nokia option is the Nokia 2780 Flip, which runs about $41 on Amazon. It is available in red and blue, and boasts a battery life of up to 18 days, and is compatibility with almost all phone carriers, such as Verizon, T-Mobile, Cricket, and more. This phone has real time text, larger buttons, and hearing aid compatibility. Additionally, caller ID shows up on the screen without you having to open the phone. While this phone does have internet connection, it is easy to block data usage and put parental controls on the WIFI, which can prevent the use of unwanted apps. 

Easyfone Prime A-1 

If you are looking for a phone with no internet support, the Easyfone Prime A-1 pro is a great option. For about $90, the phone provides all the basic functions, such as call and text, without all the excess social media apps and browsers. It is compatible with phone carriers such as T-Mobile and MetroPCS. It is not compatible with CDMA networks such as Verizon and Sprint. This phone is great for senior citizens who do not want the extra functions, and for children whose parents do not want them to have access to the extra functions. The phone also comes with an SOS button that sends an emergency text to the numbers on the emergency contact list, if needed. This phone is also Bluetooth and hearing aid compatible, enabling you to use your Bluetooth or hearing aids to listen to the radio that is compatible with the phone, or simply to answer phone calls.  

LIVELY Jitterbug Flip 2 

Another affordable flip phone without internet is the LIVELY Jitterbug Flip2. This phone sells for about $48 on Amazon, and boasts a long-lasting battery, and easy to use features, such as a large screen, a powerful speaker, big buttons, and a simple list-based menu. Although it does not have internet connectivity, it is capable of connecting to the Amazon Alexa, making it even simpler to call and text. The one downside to this phone it is that it is only compatible with the LIVELY phone carrier service. However, the carrier does include unlimited talk and text, and 24/7 LIVELY customer service. Like many of the other flip phones, it also has an emergency button that alerts an Urgent Response agent who will quickly assess the situation and provide the help needed. 

QUESTION:   

Dear Rabbi Ali,  

I have been married for eight years. My wife is a wonderful person, I can’t deny that.  We do struggle in one area though, which is the source of tremendous frustration. My wife has frequent rages, where she will yell and scream. The “infractions” that I have done to warrant these lashings are very insignificant. For example, if she says to take out the garbage and I tell her, “I’ll get to it in a few minutes,” she goes into a fit, many times in front of the kids, which pains me so much. She does mention often that she is depressed and unhappy with herself. When I mention to her to seek help, she gets very defensive. Rabbi, I do feel hopeless. Is there anything that I can do to get her the help that she needs? 

Thank you in advance… 

R’ ALI’S RESPONSE:  

There are multiple points that you bring up however, I would like to discuss one point. Many times, people are looking for practical tips and ideas. In your situation, you basically want to know how to get your wife the help that she needs. However, many times a few perspective changes can alleviate a lot of frustration. We should stop with the all-or-nothing mentality and realize that every little bit of clarity and change is tremendous, as I will explain. Maybe you will be able to get her the help that she desperately needs and maybe you won’t, but if we can bring you to a place that’s below your “boiling point,” well, then you won’t be boiling. 

First, I’d like to mention your attitude towards your wife. I’m sure you mean well as do many others in your situation. However, if she tells you that she is going through some serious emotional issues, there is no reason to become defensive or even be moved by her outbursts. Many times, people will tell me that their spouse is suffering from something emotionally, and on the other hand they get frustrated as to how they are being treated. To be as blunt as possible, it’s not you, it’s her. Stop getting defensive and just be there for her. If you understand that it’s not you, there’s nothing to be defensive about. 

The truth is, this concept applies in healthy marriages to some extent. When a spouse is emotionally charged and venting, there’s really no need to get frustrated or angry. Recognize that they are going through something right now. It could be a hard day at work or with the children, or any number of things. Most of the time they are not yelling and screaming to engage in a logical debate. To be clear, you are never justified for “losing your cool,” or saying negative things to your spouse or to anyone. The prohibition of ona’at devarim is mentioned in the Torah and therefore we must be very careful with everyone’s feelings. I admit, restraining oneself takes work, but this is what we’re here for. I’ve seen so many heroes overcome some tough marital challenges. I believe you can do it as well.  

As for the emotional status of your wife, there’s something that’s extremely important to think about. There’s a lot that you can do to help her emotional state even without or before she gets help. I know from experience and logic, that a husband who “plays his cards right” can minimize a lot of his wife’s emotional distress. How so? Many times there are other issues contributing to her frustration. It could be that she doesn’t feel understood. On top of her emotional issue, she now has a husband who not only doesn’t “get her,” but she may also feel that her husband thinks that she is crazy. This is very painful. If you would be there for her when she’s yelling at you and putting you down, you can minimize her frustration. “I see that you’re very upset. I feel terrible. I’m here for you.” As Rabbi Avigdor Miller, zt”l, said, those words, or something similar, are like a balm on a wound. 

 This is a sensitive topic and should be discussed with a competent professional. The ideas here are food for thought and should in no way be a substitute for professional advice. 

David Gordon 

Imagine the scenario: the mass attack against Israel came from all sides, coordinated by Iran. Lebanon fired tens of thousands of missiles, and sent combat units across the border. Syria, Yemen, and Iraq sent missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles aimed at Isrrael’s heartland. Meanwhile from Gaza, Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad followed, firing so many missiles, as to overwhelm the Iron Dome. Roads, electrical grides, communication systems, army bases, and airports were all destroyed. 

This was the doomsday scenario that never happened – at least not yet. Dr. Mordechai Kedar, a Middle East scholar and lecturer in the Department of Arabic at Bar- Ilan University,  predicted this tragic scenario six months before October 7th. Dr. Kedar is also a research fellow at the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies at Bar-Ilan and is the Vice President of “NEWS-RAEL – Pro Israeli Dynamic Feed,” a news site about the Middle East. 

Iran’s Plan and Hamas’s Departure 

“The Iranian plan was a barrage to destroy Israel within a week,” Kedar told Community Magazine.  But Hamas went rogue on October 7th.  

Hamas was directed to wait until the order came from Iran for a coordinated assault. The Islamic Republic wanted to attack when their nuclear capability was ready, to deter any retaliation.  

When 200 senior Israeli Air Force fighter pilots froze their active reserve duty (meaning they would not serve if called for reserve duty)  to protest proposed judicial reforms in March 2023, Hamas recognized this as a strong sign of the deep fissure in Israeli society and decided to capitalize on Israel’s weakness.  

Kedar cited that the infighting and mass demonstrations “destroyed the image of Israel as a powerful country” to its neighbors. “It [the discord in Israeli society] inflated the Jihad glands in the bodies of our neighbors. They went out in the streets to celebrate. ‘No fighters, no pilots!’ It encouraged them to start the war.” Hamas was just looking for the right time, and, although some say that the Nova music festival was not even on Hamas’s radar, the festival came as a welcome opportunity for Hamas – thousands of unarmed partygoers in one place.  

At the same time, Hamas sought to derail negotiations to bring about normalization between Israel and the Saudis. According to Kedar, the result of that normalization would have been a kind of peace-making domino effect: Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Mauritania, Tunisia, Mali, Chad, and Niger, would have followed suit, also normalizing relations with Israel, “mainly because of the American goodies.” But that would have diverted attention from the Palestinian cause, Kedar said – that would have been unacceptable to Hamas. 

Hamas’s Aspirations 

The plan, then, was to kidnap hundreds of Israelis, with the expectation that Israel would swap them for many more Palestinian prisoners. In 2011 a single IDF soldier, Gilad Shalit, was exchanged for 1,027 prisoners, almost all Palestinians and Arab Israelis, including prisoners who had killed Israelis in terrorist attacks. The anticipated trade-math was exhilarating. Clearly, the Palestinians miscalculated the aftermath. 

Still, Jihadists believe that the destruction and civilian casualties are the cost necessary to destroy Israel, Kedar said. The Koran preaches that dying for Islam is praiseworthy, and therefore, “the tantrum over civilians killed is for the foreign media. It’s good PR.” 

According to Kedar, the entire conflict centers around the notion that Israel stands opposed to radical Islam, because they believed that Islam was supposed to have replaced Judaism and Christianity. “And this is why the war was called the Al-Aqsa Flood, because when Jews are alive and praying, it means there’s a resurrection of Judaism, and something they cannot fathom.” 

Kedar is an expert on Islamist groups, and Middle East affairs. He served 25 years in the Israel Defense Forces intelligence, specializing in Arab political discourse and media, and Islamic groups. Having written scores of articles on Arab politics, Kedar often appears in the media, providing analysis and commentary on Middle Eastern affairs.  

Consideration of Clans 

And now, in the struggle to determine a workable plan in the twelve months since Operation Swords of Iron launched, Kedar proposes splitting Gaza and the Palestinian Authority along its clan lines, administered by their own communities. The words “clans,” or” tribes,” he believes, should not conjure up only negative connotations.  The social construct of clans is embedded strongly into Arab culture. If the clans were  split up and had their own autonomy, this would avert conflicts between the clans, and Israel. “It fits the culture of the Middle East, because it fits the clan mentality.”   

Countries where clans have their own separate autonomy are more successful. We see this in countries such as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait, that have economic stability, safety, law, and order. These countries, by no coincidence, are run by clans: al-Sabah (Kuwait), al-Thani (Qatar), al-Nahayan (Abu Dhabi), al-Saud (Saudi Arabia), al-Hashem (Jordan), and so on. Compare these to the Arab countries where the clans are in disarray, such as Syria, Libya, Lebanon, Iraq, and Iran. 

“A Palestinian state with all of the clans together would fail, because it [would exhibit] the same [type of] disease as seen in Syria,” he said.  

Kedar wrote his PhD on the Syrian attempts to convince their people of the efficacy of a single clan, and to focus on a single enemy, Israel. “It didn’t work,” Kedar said, “because interclan and religious conflict killed hundreds of thousands.” 

“If they had a minimal awareness of togetherness, they wouldn’t kill each other. 

“Every clan sees the other clan as the enemy because they are ‘not from us,’” Kedar said, adding that prejudice and discrimination is rampant in the region. 

Clans in Gaza 

This can be seen between Gazans, and Arabs in Judea and Samaria. As far back as 1994, for example, when a hundred Gazans planned to come to Judea and Samaria for university studies, none of the locals were willing to rent them a room.  

“Gazans are seen as Bedouin, people who live in the trees and in caves,” Kedar said, “and are not taken seriously. Those who live in the city view themselves as [being part of] high culture and high society.”  

Kedar says that in terms of clanship, Palestinians live in compounds, or “you might say, a community.” The word in ancient Arabic for clan and neighborhood are homonyms, he added. “If you moved across the street to another clan, it would be like you were exiled. Clans don’t intermarry.” Kedar noted that in Hebron alone there are five different clans. 

For at least eight decades, Gaza has been split into five administrative districts, without much clan overlap. Kedar’s idea is to let Gazan clans run their own affairs. 

“This could very well work – with no Hamas, which no one wants,” he said. “Otherwise, a Palestinian state could very well turn into another Hamastan.” 

In 2006, Hamas won the elections in Gaza. Hamas representatives are the majority of the legislative council of the Palestinian Authority, which prompted Mahmoud Abbas to “paralyze the council,” to maintain control. “To this day, Hamas says Abbas is illegitimate because of what he did,” Kedar states.  

It’s a struggle for many to hear conversation about clans and tribes, Kedar said, because it isn’t politically correct. “It reminds people of the Indians – it raises all kinds of conscience problems.” 

World leaders, especially those who are forming policy and donating billions in aid, operate with a Western mindset – involving innovation, reciprocal altruism, and human rights. “But this misunderstanding and ignorance of the Arab mindset isn’t just alive and kicking. It’s alive and killing.” 

Looking Ahead  

The world watches closely as to what will happen in Israel, now nearly a year since October 7th. Two daring assassinations carried out by Israel have increased tensions. Hizballah top commander Fauad Shukur (who was behind the rocket attack in the Druze village Majdal Shams where 12 children were killed while playing soccer) was killed in Beirut. Hamas’s leader Ismail Haniyeh (who travelled to Tehran to attend the inauguration ceremony of President Masoud Pezeshkian) was assassinated in Tehran. Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, agitated by the major security blunder by Tehran, has issued an order to strike Israel directly in retaliation for Haniyeh’s death.  

Will Tehran strike? Will Operation Swords of Iron conclude, and to what resolution? Or will our prayers be answered by the coming of Mashiach?  

Sandra phoned me sounding very concerned. “Rabbi, I need your help. Isaac’s hearing has declined. His hearing specialist recommends that he wears hearing aids. But he refuses to wear them! He is making our lives unnecessarily complicated! And do you know why he refuses? Because Isaac has blown the shofar for our community on Rosh Hashana for over 30 years, and he’s concerned that if he starts wearing hearing aids, he will be unable to continue doing so. Rabbi, is that true?” 

We will answer Sandra’s question in three steps. Firstly, someone who is totally deaf is exempt from the mitzva to “hear the sound of the shofar,” and one who is personally exempt from the mitzva cannot blow the shofar on behalf of others (O.C., 589:2; Hazon Ovadia, Yamim Noraim, p. 125). The Beit Yosef explains (ibid) that deaf people are excluded because the mitzva is to hear the shofar, not to blow it. That is why the beracha recited prior to performing this mitzva is “to hear the sound of the shofar.” Kaf HaChaim (ibid, #6) adds that according to this reasoning, someone who is blind is obligated to listen to the shofar since he can hear, and consequently he can also blow the shofar for others.  

The second issue is how to relate to someone like Isaac, who is hard of hearing but is not totally deaf. Here, the halacha states that they are obligated to fulfil the mitzva as long as they can hear the sound of the shofar. Kaf HaChaim (ibid, #13, quoting Halachot Ketanot) goes so far as to say that this even obligates someone who can only hear with the aid of a mechanical listening device. Hacham Ovadia, zt”l,  (Yabia Omer, O.C., 7:18:2) explains that this is no different to seeing with the aid of a pair of glasses, which is halachically recognized as vision. Hence, only someone who is severely deaf and cannot hear even when the shofar is blown very loudly is exempt from the mitzva. Moreover, even somebody who can only hear when aided by a mechanical listening device is obligated to fulfil the mitzva of shofar, and consequently he can also blow the shofar for others. 

The third issue is whether electronic hearing aids are equivalent to the mechanical listening device discussed by the Kaf HaChaim. The Mishna in Rosh Hashana (27b) teaches that to fulfil the mitzva, one must hear the actual and original sound of the shofar, not its echo. By the same token, Hacham Ovadia (Yabia Omer, OC 1:19:18) rules that one does not fulfil the mitzva when hearing the shofar via a PA system, as one is not hearing the actual sound of the shofar. He writes that following a discussion with Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, they both concluded that a PA system projects an amplified electronic sound and not the original sound of the shofar, which means that one does not fulfil the mitzva by hearing the shofar over a PA system. 

Does the same concern apply to electronic hearing aids? Hacham Benzion Abba Shaul (Ohr Lezion, 4:5:16), Rabbi Auerbach (Minchat Shlomo, 9:1), and many other poskim rule that they, too, produce an echo or an electronic sound that is not the actual shofar sound. However, Hacham Ovadia (O.C., 7:18:2) rules that electronic hearing aids are equivalent to mechanical hearing devices and one may fulfil the mitzva of shofar while wearing hearing aids. The Rishon LeZion, Hacham Yitzhak Yosef, (Yalkut Yosef, Rosh Hashana, p. 397) quotes the aforementioned Minchat Shlomo, adding that Rabbi Auerbach heard from the Hazon Ish that there may be room to differentiate between hearing aids and a PA system, and to consider hearing aids a form of direct hearing.  

In conclusion, one does not fulfil the mitzvah of shofar when hearing it via a PA system. There is a difference of opinion regarding electronic hearing aids. However, since Isaac is only hard of hearing and not totally deaf, he is obligated to hear the shofar according to all opinions. I therefore advised that he remove his hearing aids while blowing the shofar for others, in order to fulfil the mitzva according to all poskim. The same applies to anyone else who is not totally deaf and wears electronic hearing aids. The hearing aids should ideally be removed when the shofar is sounded and one should stand near to the baal toke’ah if necessary. If one cannot hear the shofar without them, one should wear them and fulfil the mitzva according to Hacham Ovadia. 

Rabbi Yehuda Finchas is a worldwide expert, lecturer, and author on Medical Halacha. He heads the Torat Habayit Medical Halacha Institute. His latest book is “Brain Death in Halacha and the Tower of Babel Syndrome.” To contact Rabbi Finchas, email rabbi@torathabayit.com.