To the person who searched Google for “can one take a job knowing that he wont be able to daven” and ended up at my recent Rules of Chazzanut post – why are you going to Google for this? If you know that this might be a halachic issue (it most certainly is), and you are up enough on the lingo to include “daven” instead of some other word describing prayer, you should also know that if the answer to such a question is not obvious, you should not be looking on the Internet for an answer. Rather, you should speak to someone who is well-versed in the halachic issues as well as in your personal situation who will hopefully be able to give you guidance on what to do in this situation. (My own two cents: be sure to clarify whomever it is that you direct your question whether this job will prevent you from being able to daven at all, or whether you will not be able to daven with a minyan for parts or all of the daily services. Although both are problematic, the first is much more so).
October 17th, 2007 at 12:05
Three possible objections
1. Many people do not have access to a competent posek
2. Many well-regarded rabbis have published material online
3. It’s prudent to research the issues and know what you’re talking about before asking a rabbi
October 17th, 2007 at 12:09
1) If you are looking for a posek, than you don’t do it by searching for your questions
2) So?
3) Google is not the place for performing this research.
If someone knows enough and cares enough to ask the question, than I think that Googling the answer is just a sign of laziness.
October 17th, 2007 at 15:54
1. In the absence of a posek many people’s only choice is to look online for a well-known rabbi’s opinion
2. Often those rabbis are more than competent. Often they are the same people your local “posek”would ask if you asked him. Of course this depends on which type of question you are asking, some halachic issues are more impersonal than others.
3. Where else? Not everyone has an Igros Moshe in their study, or time and knowledge to research it.
I’m not saying the situation is ideal, I’m saying it’s understandable.