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Have a question? Send it in! Questions are answered by Rabbi Bartfeld.
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#5286 Let Women Forget?
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Q. See questions above. As Tu Bishvat is approaching and one of the fruits traditionally eaten that we serve are olives, often people ask, (as reflected above), if it is correct to eat olives, since the Sages teach that it affects the Torah learning?
How about women who are exempt from Torah learning, are they permitted to eat olives on their salad daily?
A. See the many received questions above, that reflect the intense interest of people in consuming olives in many different common and usual ways, drinks and meals, and the various limitations to the eating avoidance of olives in our days and eating habits.
Piskei Teshuvos (O.H. 170: 18) quotes Sefer Chasisim and Magen Avrohom, Kaf Hachaim and others that permit women to eat olives and other items that are avoided by men, as they may be a source to forget their Torah learning.
Considering all the above limitations to the tradition of not eating olives in our days,
women should not be affected by the above restriction.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 2/5/2025 10:35 AM |
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#5285 Living with Olives V
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- Q. We must add the following part to the answers above.
“Does it make a different if the olives are lightly chewed or well-chewed? Does it make a difference if they are eaten by themselves or with garlic or in something (e.g. cottage cheese)?
A. The Arizal (quoted in Kaf Ha”Chayim 24:43) writes that olives cause amei haaretz to forget, but if one eats them with the right kavanah or intention, on the contrary they help one to remember. We should intend “Kel Elokim Matzpatz, which has the same Gematriya (417) as zayis, and this intention counters the forgetting power of olives.
Horav Shlomo Miller”s Shlit”a opinion is that there is no prohibition on eating olives and “roggil” could be even less than thirty days.”
We can add to the above that Sefer Hazikaron (Siach Hassodeh 2: 11) quotes from Mogen Avrohom (170: 19), similarly to the above in the name of the Arizal. He mentions that all the Tanaim and Amoraim that consumed olives, did so with the right kavanah and intention, and therefore, on the contrary it helped them remember.”
The Rov added that the above would definitely apply when eating a seudas mitzva.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 2/4/2025 9:57 PM |
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#5284 Living with Olives IV
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- Q. See question above. What is the definition of “Rogil” How often is it?
A. On question 452 and 2550 regarding the eating of olives, we wrote:
“What is meant by Rogil? How often? How many? Does it make a difference in which climate one is? What time of the month, week or day? Does eating them on Shabbos cause this forgetting as well? At a Seudas Mitzvah? In the Sukkah? As Shirayim from a Rebbe?
Sefer Hazikaron (p. 10) maintains that even eating olives once in thirty days meets the criteria, (as in Brochos 40a – on eating lentils). Others (Vein Lomo Michshol p. 345) argue that “roggil” is every day (as in Brochos 6b – on attending shul). Maim Chaim (O.H. 190) rules that even eating olives every day if the amounts are small, is not called being regular.
There is also one opinion that asserts that only black olives can cause forgetting not the green ones (Toras Yaakov 3, quoting Avrohom Ezkor).
Finally, the Arizal (quoted in Kaf Ha”Chayim 24:43) writes that olives cause amei haaretz to forget, but if one eats them with the right kavanah or intention, on the contrary they help one to remember. We should intend “Kel Elokim Matzpatz, which has the same Gematriya (417) as zayis, and this intention counters the forgetting power of olives.
Horav Shlomo Miller”s Shlit”a opinion is that there is no prohibition on eating olives and “roggil” could be even less than thirty days.
We can add to the above that Sefer Hazikaron (Siach Hassodeh 2: 11) quotes from Mogen Avrohom (170: 19), similarly to the above in the name of the Arizal. He mentions that all the Tanaim and Amoraim that consumed olives, did so with the right kavanah and intention, and therefore, on the contrary it helped them remember.”
The Rov added that the above would definitely apply when eating a seudas mitzva.”
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 2/4/2025 7:08 PM |
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#5283 Living with Olives III
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- Q. See question above. Since it is common to consume olive oil, is that also included in the prohibition above?
A. (Mor Uk”tzio 170, Kaf Hachaim 157: 27 et. al.) Poskim maintain that on the contrary, adding olive oil (which is beneficial for memory) to the olives, removes their detrimental effect (Salmas Chaim 501), However, Sefer Hazikaron (11) disagrees.
How much oil should be added? Halichos Shlomo (Tefiloh 2, note 103) mentions even a very small amount others disagree. Some suggest that just immersing them in olive oil is sufficient. (Shemiras Hanefesh, notes), others sustain that it does not help (Oisrei Laggefen p. 347).
See next questions.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 1/31/2025 1:25 PM |
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#5282 Living with Olives II
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- Q. See question above. What kind of olives are included in this prohibition?
A. Many Poiskim opine that the Talmud is only referring to raw or fresh olives not the ones that have been pickled or salted.
(Mor Uk”tzio 170, Kaf Hachaim 157: 27 et. al.). A few others disagree.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 1/31/2025 1:24 PM |
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#5281 Living with Olives?
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- Q. As we approach Tu Bishvat and prepare for our party that includes all the fruits that Hashem blessed us with, our large Kiruv and Ba’aley Teshuva group has many questions regarding the eating of olives that are also included.
Is it true that one should avoid eating olives since it causes the forgetting of the learned Torah?
A. On question 2930 we wrote:
“Q. The Gemara says (Horayos 13b) that one of the things that causes one to forget one’s learning is one who is “Rogil” (common) with olives. Since I do not understand the way this works, I do not even know for sure how to formulate the question. Basically, I wish to know the parameters of this statement. A smattering of my doubts involve knowing: Who would forget their learning? Anybody? Perhaps only someone who possessed a lot of learning.
To what we answered: A. On question 452 and 2550 regarding the eating of olives, we wrote: “Talmud (Horayos 13b) teaches that five things cause forgetting the Torah one has learned; one of them is eating olives regularly.
Poiskim differ whether this is an actual prohibition (Divrei Malkiel 4: 1, Hisorerus Teshuvo 367, Lehoros Nossan 1: 59. See Piskey Teshuvos 170: 18) or if it is only good advice and a recommendation (Yabia Omer Y.D. 3: 8 :4, Sefer Hazikaron - Siach Hassode, introd.)
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 1/31/2025 1:21 PM |
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#5280 No Parking Allowed
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- Q. Is one allowed to park a car in a prohibited parking spot when going to shul or doing any another mitzva. I see that often people do so, is that correct? If they do, do they comply with the intended mitzva?
After all is that not a case of a “Mitzva Hava’a B’eavera” or a mitzva done while also doing a sin that one may not comply with the mitzva at all?
A. They are indeed not permitted to park in a prohibited parking spot even when going to shul or doing any another mitzva.
However, as far as becoming a “Mitzva Hava’a B’eavera,” Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that it is not, and one complied with the mitzva.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 1/31/2025 1:17 PM |
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#5279 The Blessed Wine?
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- Q. See question above. How about someone who has a Shabbos guest that visits often and usually brings as a gift a wine bottle.
On occasions he arrives late after the host made already kiddush, (there are young kids in the family).
Then he makes for himself quietly his own kiddush. He offers the others present to drink from his special gift wine bottle. Do they have to make a brocho on this new wine? After all they already said or heard Kiddush before.
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one should follow the many Poskim that rule that one does not comply with a blessing on wine that was not present in the house at the time that the brocho was recited.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 1/31/2025 1:15 PM |
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#5278 The Brew Bracha
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- Q. When someone is taking part in a Kiddush and makes a brocho on wine and then he drinks other liquors such as beer, does one have to recite another brocho? How about a mixed drink that also contains some wine?
A. On question 3029 we wrote:
“Q. Our minhag is to drink beer at the seuda of the fruits on Tu Bishvat, since it contains barley which is one of the Seven Species that should be eaten on that day. Do you make a shehakol when you drink it, since you are supposed to drink wine at the beginning of the meal and the bracha on it would include all liquids and exempt them from a brocho. Can you make a bracha on apple sauce for shehakol then?
What is then the correct seder of the brachot on that meal?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one should not recite a brocho on the beer if he already drank wine.
He also should not recite a shehakol on the apple sauce or similar, since it may be also include in the Haetz blessing recited before on the fruits.
The right seder of the brochos should be Hamotzi or Mezonos (for wheat products), Hagefen for the wine, Haetz on olives, followed by dates, grapes, figs and pomegranates. Then recite a Shehakol on a piece of fish or similar and include the beer.
The Rov emphasized that one should keep the minhagim and traditions of his family and community.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 1/31/2025 1:12 PM |
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#5277 Listening To the Shema!
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- Q. I always wondered why in the most important reading of the Shema, that we repeat a number of times every day begins in a singular form, yet it ends in plural?
A. It could well be that the beginning of Shema Yisroel is addressing eternally each singular individual of all our nation, yet the last chapter is directed to our whole and complete nation together.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 1/31/2025 1:07 PM |
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#5276 Fruits For All?
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- Q. Dear Rov Shlit”a. I and many women in my family and friends take part on a Seuda of Tu Bihvat or eat the assorted fruits on Tu Bihvat as men do. Yet I wonder: Why are women required to comply with that Minhag and tradition, after all it should be a “Mitzvat Aseh Shehazman Gramah” (a positive command that depends on a specific time), and women should be exempt?
A. Indeed, Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 17: 2) rules that regarding the mitzva of tzitzis women are exempt as it is time depended, since it applies only during the day time. Yet in principle if they want to wear them they would be allowed to recite the blessing. Nonetheless, since it would seem arrogant and making oneself self-important, women don’t wear them.
However, regarding other time depending family mitzvos, such as seating in a Suka together with the family, when their presence is important and welcomed, they should join all. (Oruch Hashulchan 640: 1, and others).
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that for those who maintain the tradition of celebrating a Seuda on Tu Bihvat, women should also join as a family.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 1/31/2025 1:05 PM |
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#5275 Women On Time?
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- See question above Q. Is it okay (as a woman) to skip davening in the morning so I can be part of a large group of women who say tehillim together and do mincha later in the day when I have less time pressure?
If this on line group is saying Yishtabach without Hashem's name because they already said it earlier in the day, is it a problem when they end it with amen v'amen?
A. As mentioned above, a woman should not skip or delay her davening in the morning at all, (just as men do). The Tehilim can be recited later as needed. Everyone should train themselves to go to rest on time and get up as needed and required by Halacha.
Saying “amen v'amen” is not prohibited when it is just quoted as a pasuk.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 1/31/2025 1:03 PM |
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#5274 The Torah Blessing Women
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- Q. Sometimes I am so pressed for time that I'm not sure what to do first. First of all, I start work at 7 am. I often have a (women) support group meeting at 6:30 am and there are people who say words of Torah. How early can I say morning brachas?
Can I just say Birkat HaTorah and do the morning blessings later when I have a break from work? But firstly, are women also obliged to recite Birkat HaTorah before they learn or teach others?
A. On question 4939 we wrote: “Although Poskim disagree if women have to recite the blessing for the Torah, since after all they have to learn the laws that apply to them. They also daven and hence recite words of Torah and are also encouraged to learn the written Torah parts.
Following the above Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 47: 14) rules that women recite Birchas Hatorah and according to the Levush they may even recite the brocho for men. However, most Poskim maintain that they are not obliged to recite that brocho. Still some recommend they should. (see Piskei Teshuvos 47: 18).
Our Rabbonim maintain that you should recite Birchas Hatorah as soon as you get up with the other brochos. In need you should getup earlier and recithe them all.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 1/31/2025 1:00 PM |
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#5273: Need an Answer?
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Q. Do the above answers apply also in Canada?
A. It would certainly depend to whom you are addressing and their particular viewpoint. There is practically a rainbow of different views and usually shuls, organizations and individuals have their own specific and particular viewpoint.
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Posted 1/26/2025 6:15 PM |
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#5272: Trump Up Trump?
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Q. Some people in your (New York) friendly shul want to offer a kiddush this Shabbos to celebrate the victory of Donald Trump is that a correct thing to do?
A. On a similar recent question (5050) we wrote:
Q. Dear Rabbi. This week we were witnesses to the attempted murder of President Donald Trump as his truly miraculous salvation. Since he has been and is a very great friend of Israel and the Jewish community, some people in our shul want to serve a kiddush this coming Shabbat as an act to thank Hashem for his salvation. What is your opinion Rav?
To what we answered: Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that a kiddush in shul should be better avoided. Yet a similar seudas mitzva as a siyum, could be done on a hall outside the shul and you can invite and publicize it, with the representing US authorities available and necessary.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 1/24/2025 12:09 PM |
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#5271: Pray Tell the Pray
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- Q. Kvod Horav is one watching the inauguration of President Donald Trump (or similar) allowed to listen to the prayers of the priests involved?
A. Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Dovid Pam Shlit’a maintain that one should not listen to them.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 1/24/2025 12:07 PM |
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#5270: Beyond the Grave
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Q. See question above. Is that the best that could be done in such a sensitive and very embarrassing situation?
A. With Hashem’s help, I suggested to the family a valuable and effective burial solution which would not only apply to them and the burial place, but also to all others in future generations.
Indeed do firstly what we directed on the answer above. Then write and explain all about the Matzeiva, but not on it, the true proven reality of what happened, and why that Tzadik is buried there, and have the above information publicized and widely available, not only for the family but for all.
I remembered then again a most important and necessary task and undertaking in our days and lives.
Each one of us must write a Matzeiva for ourselves while we are still alive.
Not in a stone that not many will actually read, but in our days in the most accessible recommended media, that became so easy to do and distribute in our times. We can and must tell to our dear children, family members, friends and others, the most important stories and truly valuable and interesting happenings, purposes and reasons of our lives and what we have accomplished and achieved.
This is in reality, the true Matzeiva for each one of us, is not a stone in the cemetery that very few ever even read or see.
This new Matzeiva just described is indeed truly priceless, and very worthy, since in our days, it will easily tell our real story and will become the true monument of our lives. Yet most importantly, it will serve for our descendants not only as a historical document, but also as a guide to understand the past, and help create for them a better future, by changing their lives for the better.
And even far more, as likely it is for many of us who search for great, good, interesting and beautiful stories to tell others, it probable will contain indeed some great remarkable narratives, that then they could and could be used to bring others close to Hashem as well. That is the real true monumental Matzeiva for our dear departed in our days.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 1/24/2025 12:04 PM |
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#5269: A Very Grave Grave!
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- Q. A few days ago we were asked a Shailah about a great Tzadik and Talmid Chacham who bought some years ago a few Kevarim (burial places) for himself and family in a section where his rebetzin, and most of his family members were already buried. Since he was a Cohen, the burial place he chose was next to the end of site and close to the entrance of the cemetery.
Recently, after years went by, he lamentably became aware of very significant changes in his dear Holy cemetery. Now, surprise, surprise! The very next section, closest to his chosen burial place, became a real anti-religious section.
Very sadly, he realized that his most precious chosen holy burial site, was now tragically right next to the burial place acquired by a totally anti-religious activist and even Yom Kippur desecrating individual. He was terribly affected and in pain by this undesirable situation. What could be done?
A. Facing such a critically painful situation, one of the options we suggested was to build an underground brick wall between the burial sites, which would not contradict with the funeral accepted laws of the site, and then add some plants and shrubs between the two sites. Yet that seems a poor answer. (see next question).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 1/24/2025 12:00 PM |
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#5268 The End of All Films?
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- Q. See question above. Should one email a copy of the film first to the ones involved and asked them if they mind, for others to see them? Or should we assume that since they came and knew they were likely being filmed, so they don’t really care? Is that not what has basically been done until now by almost all?
A. See answer above on the opinion of Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a.
More is to be written soon.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 1/24/2025 11:56 AM |
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#5267: A Popcorn Film?
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Q. Dear Rabbi. It is very common and accustomed to play for family and friends gathering after a wedding, Bar mitzva or any simcha, the films that where taken then.
I’m often worried that if there are on those films some images that may be detrimental or even a bit embarrassing for the ones that were filmed, they should not be shown and should even be be destroyed, since one may be transgressing on the most serious Lashon Hora’a transgressions?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that the films are questionable as is, since they contain the names of Hashem on the blessings and should therefore be avoided.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 1/24/2025 11:54 AM |
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Important Numbers
