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#756 The Matzav of an Early Matzeva
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Q. Can someone order and place a matzeva on his and his wife’s kever while they are still alive? They are afraid that their children may not comply with their wishes. Can they also include their names?
A. It is an established tradition observed by many to acquire while alive a final resting place. Midrash (Vayikra Rabba 5: 5) quotes Rabi Eliezer that a person should have a foothold in the Bais Hakvaroth so he should merit to be buried there. This kever acquisition is not seen as a detrimental “siman” but rather an auspicious one. (See Maharam Mintz 18 and others.)
There are different minhagim in regards to the relationship of the kever-owner and his future burial place as far as visiting, praying or even inviting guest and offering a “tikun’ on site (See; Shaarei Yerushalaim p. 73, quoting the Tzava’ah of Rabi Yehuda HeChasid)
Poskim differ as far as the correctness of purchasing and placing a matzeva while one is alive. Tziun L’nefesh Chayo (21) quoted by Chaye Moshe (p. 269) permits even the inscription of the name.
Kuntres Eitz Chaim (Bobov ,6: p. 146, Birurey Halocho by Rav Chaim Rotter) mentions indeed this particular shaileh, in regards to individuals that cannot rely on their children for complying in a proper matzeva placement and prepare the stone including names and other inscriptions. He, like other Poskim, compares it to Avshalom’s matzeva erected while he was still alive. (Shmuel 2:18:18) However, he mentions that the Arizal would not permit placement of the matzeva.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that while one can prepare the kever itself, the tachrichim one should avoid purchasing and inscribing the stone, as indeed Avshalom’s end was inauspicious.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miler Shlit”a
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Posted 4/17/2015 5:02 PM |
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#755 Don’t Leave the Leaven?
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Don’t Leave the Leaven?
Q. My question on Fleishmann's (aka baking) yeast - I use this to ferment apple and grape juice. Can I assume that I don't have to sell the wine due to chametz (I'm not planning on using it for Pesach)?
If I do need to sell it and let's say the grape juice is not mevushal - would it create Stam Yanum - if no goy actually touches it?
A. Rabbi Tsvi Heber (Director of Community Kosher – COR) answered to our query: “Baker’s yeast is not chometz and could be owned on Pesach. But it cannot be consumed on Pesach.” So the yeast itself and other non-chometz foods that were fermented by it do not have to be sold. However, even if they were to be sold, it would not prohibit the wine thus fermented. Only what was actually touched or moved by a Gentile may be prohibited. (Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 123: 1)
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Posted 4/1/2015 10:38 PM |
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#754 Sale While Stock Lasts
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Q. If I buy more chometz after making the Rav my agent to sell my chometz, will the new chometz be included in my sale or is it a davar shelo ba l'olam regarding my original agreement with the Rav?
Q. (Similar)- If I buy a bottle of whiskey after I make the Rav my shaliach to sell my chometz, will the whiskey also be sold to the Goy? Will it be assur after Pesach?
A. Nitey Gavriel (Pesach 1: 40: 13) quotes Bigdei Yesha (4) and other Poskim that on the onset one cannot name an agent to effect on something that is not yet in his possession. Poskim recommend, to contact the Rabbi who is acting as his agent and inform him so he will include the new acquired chometz items in the sale. (See also Mechiras Chometz Kehilchoso p.21.) After the fact the chometz is permitted.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a
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Posted 3/31/2015 1:52 PM |
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#753 The Gentle Gentile
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Q. If the door of the hotel room closed on you (the tape placed to stop locking fell) can you ask a Gentile to open the door on Shabbos?
If by mistake you left your medicine on a bag inside the safe box in your room can you ask a Gentile to open it on Shabbos?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that you can ask a Gentile, in case of major need indirectly to open the door or the safe as this may be a “shvus d’shvus” (double Rabbinical prohibition,) in pressing need which is permitted.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a
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Posted 3/27/2015 5:36 PM |
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#752 Can't Hold the Candle to the Cell Phone Light?
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Q. If you forgot your flashlight and can’t use matches or a candle for searching chometz in a hotel and the table lamp is too heavy and cumbersome, besides the electric cord does not reach far, can you use your cell phone light?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is, being that we are not considering the intense lighting of the flashlight app, which some new mobiles have, but rather the common screen glow of a regular cell phone, it depends on the phone and it’s settings. If it is bright enough to read by or to properly examine an area close by, being at least similar to the illumination provided by a candle, it can be used. He recommends in that case, turning off the bright room lights, if they diminish the illuminating effect.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a
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Posted 3/25/2015 4:05 PM |
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#751 Bible Bilbul
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Q. Someone that due to flight cancellation had to stay overnight in a hotel and did not have any seforim with him, can he use the old testament of the bible provided to learn Torah or go over the parsha? Can he at least look up a translation? Can he keep it in the room or should he ask front desk to remove it?
R. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that one should not use a Christian bible to learn Torah even if the translation is correct (see question 729 in this forum.) It does not have to be taken out of the room if it remains inside the drawer or dresser.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a
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Posted 3/20/2015 2:47 PM |
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#750 Areas of Enlightenment
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Areas of Enlightenment
Q. When staying Shabbos or Yom Tov in a hotel, management usually provides a designated safe area with specially protected tables for lighting the Shabbos or Yom Tov candles. Although that area may be in a well-transited section close to the dining room, is it correct to light there with a brocho or better to use electric lights in the room?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that when you turn on the electric lights in your hotel room, to be left on during Shabbos or Yom Tov, you should do it right before going for hadlokas neros in the designated areas. Then when you recite the brochos there on the candles, have in mind the electric lights left in the room.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a
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Posted 3/20/2015 2:44 PM |
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#749 Key Tov?
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Q. Which is the best way to go (when staying Shabbos in a hotel) with the keyless electronic lock on the door?
A. On Shabbos or Yom Tov you cannot use the electronic card key. Horav Shlomo Miller’s opinion is that you should either place duct tape or a magnetic strip on the metal lock to avoid the door locking. Some hotels will provide the above but will also request that the guest should waive the hotel’s responsibility for lost or stolen property from the room. Other hotels provide a bicycle lock chain or other similar temporary locks.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a
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Posted 3/17/2015 10:36 PM |
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#748 Bar the Mini Bar
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Q What do you have to do (when attending a Pesach hotel) with the food and liquor on the room fridge?
A. Minchas Shlomo (2 p. 237) rules that since the hotel guest is generally responsible for the contents of the fridge as he has to pay for them if they are used or go missing, he would transgress on the chometz prohibition. Therefore he should request the hotel administration to empty out the fridge contents as soon as he arrives.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is to be stringent since the guest could be held responsible. He also suggests that if the administrators refuse to empty the fridge or will not be able to do so on time before the prohibition of chometz begins on Erev Pesach, he should ask them to lock or seal the fridge, and he should declare that he does not accept any responsibility for the contents.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a
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Posted 3/17/2015 10:32 PM |
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#747 Making Sense of Sensors
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Q. What is one to do with the sensors (when staying Shabbos in a hotel) in the room and at the balcony door?
A. If the motion sensors (they could be standing separately or be integrated into the thermostat) are to avoid the air conditioner/heater from going on or for turning off lights when the guest is out of his room, and would therefore turn them back on when he returns, they would have to be disabled before the onset of Shabbos or Yom Tov. This should preferably be done by the staff or can be usually achieved by temporarily taping a piece of aluminum foil or even just paper on the front of the sensor (contributed by Sinai Security Services.) The same will apply to the balcony door if one wants to open or close it during Shabbos. Other sensors such as smoke alarms or security devices should not be tempered with and are permitted
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a
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Posted 3/17/2015 10:28 PM |
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#746 Have a Light?
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Q. When doing bedikas chometz at the Pesach hotel can one say the brocho if searching only with a flashlight? If no flashlight available, can one use the table movable electric cfl light with an extension cord?
A. Many Poskim permit using a flashlight for bedikas chometz as it is more useful and practical than a candle. (Sheorim Hametzuyonim Behalocho 71: 4, Nitey Gavriel – Pesach 1: 17: 19, Shmateso D’Moishe p.348 relates that HoRav Moishe Feinstein zt”l used a flashlight himself in his later years.) It would certainly be recommended in a hotel where lighting matches in the rooms may not be allowed.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that you can use the movable desk or table lamps available in the room if you don’t have a flashlight. If the light is too bright he recommends keeping the shade on, or to partially cover the light bulb with cardboard or similar material thus avoiding one of the “avuka” effects by directing the light towards the area searched.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a
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Posted 3/13/2015 5:02 PM |
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#745 Are You Searching a Good Pesach Hotel?
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Q. If you are going to spend Pesach in a hotel, do you have to search your hotel room for chometz? When do you do the bedika? Do you make a brocho? What to do if you arrive after midday on Erev Pesach?
A. Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 437: 1) rules that if someone rents a house before Pesach, if he takes possession (by receiving the keys) before the beginning of the fourteenth day of Nisan and eve of Pesach (the night prior to the seder night.) he has to search the rented premises with a brocho. However in regards to an hotel room Poskim disagree if he is obligated to search for chometz, as this is not an ordinary property rental, since he can be easily transferred to another room and management also maintains an extended control of the premises (Kinyan Torah 1: 120.) Another reason is that the rooms are cleaned everyday and do not have a chazaka or presumption of containing chometz. Other Poskim maintain that the room should be searched with a brocho, if possession took place before the fourteenth (Sidur Pesach Kehilchoso 12: 8, Piskei Trshuvos 427: 1)
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that they should be searched without a brocho unless the guest brings with him pieces of chometz (one of them should be more than a kezais) to be hidden before the bedika. (It is recommended to utilize the same pieces of chometz used on the search at home, see prior question)
All luggage, bags, the pockets of clothing and the car (if there is,) should also then be searched
If he arrived after the time when the prohibition began or during Chol Hamoed, some Poskim maintain that he should do a bedika (Piskei Teshuvos ibid.) with a brocho. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is to search without a brocho
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a
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Posted 3/13/2015 3:58 PM |
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#744 A Burning Shaile
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Q. If you will not be at home during Pesach, and you do an early Bedika , when do you burn the found chometz?
A. The found chametz to be burned could be set ablaze that same night or in the morning before traveling. (Pri Megadim 445, Piskei Teshuvot 436: 1) Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a recommends taking it with and burn it at the Pesach hotel on the eve of Pesach (Friday), since a bracha would then be recited and it could also be used for bedikas chometz in the hotel room.
If he will be leaving home after nightfall of the eve of Pesach (Thursday night,) if he has time to do a proper search, he should proceed with the bedika after nightfall and then travel. The search will then be a standard bedika done at the correct time with a bracha.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a
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Posted 3/13/2015 3:42 PM |
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#743 Early Chometz Nullification
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Q. f you will not be at home during Pesach, and you do an early bedika, (see prior question) when and how do you do the Bitul Chametz?
A. After finishing the search he should recite the declaration of Bitul Chametz or nullification of chametz using the following text:
כל חמירא וחמיעא דאיכא בביתא הדין, דלא חזיתיה ודלא בערתיה לבטיל ולהוי הפקר כעפרא דארעא
meaning, "All chametz or leaven in this house (Bebeita Hadein) that I have not seen, and have not destroyed, shall be nullified and become ownerless, like the dust of the earth. (Sha’ar Hatzion 436: 5) The reason is that he is only annulling the chametz he is not going to use anymore in his home, and he will repeat the declaration next night after searching the room in the hotel. He should place the chometz found in a separate secure place.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a
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Posted 3/13/2015 3:29 PM |
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# 742 Searching for not Cleaning
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Q. Is there a way to avoid the cleaning and searching the whole house, if you are going away for Pesach and will not be there at all?
A. Due to the difficulties involved when owning a large house to completely and properly clean and search the property for Pesach and that being one of the reasons for people of age or having other impediments, to travel to a Pesach hotel, Poskim permit the following. The home can be sold, together with the customary sell of the chametz. The owner must explicitly inform the Rabbi of that fact and clearly include the property in the document. This sell exempts the homeowner from having to search. (Mishna Berura 436: 32.) However, in order not to completely eliminate the mitzvah of Bedikat Chametz, Poskim recommend that he should retain one room not to be sold that is easy to clean properly and by following the procedure outlined above comply the mitzvah of Bedikat Chametz on that room.
Since the transfer of the chametz takes effect on the eve of Pesach in the morning hours, after the mitzvah of bedika has already started, Poskim recommend selling the property (to the Gentile) the day prior (Thursday) before nightfall (ibid.) There are today indeed Rabbis who offer the option of an early sale of the chametz, for those who will be traveling to another location for Pesach. This transfer takes effect before the onset of the mitzvah of bedikat chametz. (Piskei Teshuvot 436: 3)
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a
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Posted 3/11/2015 11:21 PM |
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# 741 A Pesach Travelers Guide
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A Pesach Travelers Guide
Dear Rabbi Bartfeld re our conversation on writing a brief guide for the most common questions that people have when traveling to a hotel for Pesach; the following are some of the most common concerns.
When and how to do the searching of the chometz, both at home and/or in the hotel? There are many gray areas were people are unclear. Do they have to search at home before they leave if they are not going to be there during Yom Tov? Does it matter when they leave? What if you forgot and it is already Erev Yom Tov?
A. The one traveling within thirty days before Pesach must search his home the night prior to his leaving, even if he does not plan to return at all during Pesach. (Shulchan Aruch O.H. 436: 1) If he is planning to leave home before nightfall on the day prior to the eve of Pesach (e.g. first day Pesach is Shabbat and he is traveling to the hotel on Thursday day) he should do the search of chametz at his home the night prior to his departure (Wednesday night) The search is similar to the one normally done on the eve of Pesach, but one does not recite a bracha (Rema ibid. although Biur Halacha remains in doubt most Poskim agree that no bracha is recited))
If he finds it difficult to search on the night prior to his departure, as he is busy preparing for the trip, he may search on the night before (Tuesday). (Kaf Hachaim 6)
If someone forgot to search for the chametz and is already in the hotel, he should call a friend or a neighbor and name him his agent to do the search in his place. Alternatively, he may early in the morning contact a Rabbi to include his home in the sale that morning.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a
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Posted 3/11/2015 11:18 PM |
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# 740 Krum Presume on the Philtrum?
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Q. Is there a source that the indented part of the top lip that people have today is a result of the malach hitting us on the lip in order that we forget the Torah we were taught in the womb by the malach?
A. The Talmud (Nida 30b) mentions only that when the child is about to be born, a malach comes and strikes him over his mouth. It does not record anything about the indented area or philtrum that the vast majority of humans male or female, have over the upper lip and under the nose. Although it is a widespread folkloric notion, it seems unlikely to be right, since as mentioned on a prior answer; the teaching of the Torah by the angel is part of the mitzvah of learning Torah, that applies only to Jewish males. (The indented area is also present in fetuses before their birth)
As far as we can ascertain this lore does not have any basis in Talmudic or Midrashic sources. However, Maharam M’Pano in Ma’amar Yonas Elem (P. 99) mentions from Cabalistic sources an elucidation that would seem to uphold that the indentation is indeed created by the malach. (Contributed by R' I. J. Diena)
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a
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Posted 3/10/2015 12:03 AM |
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#739 Bar the Early Bar Mitzvah
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Q. My son was born bein hashmashos on Thursday yud alef cheshvan. We asked a shaila when he was born and we were told to make his bris on Friday.
B"H we are approaching his bar mitzvah. This upcoming year, yud alef cheshvan falls out on Shabbos. Is he allowed to lein and be counted for a minyan that Shabbos, our do we need to wait for the following week?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that you should wait for the second Shabbos to make the Bar Mitzvah since in order to discharge the Tefilah and reading of the Torah obligations for all present and to be the Shliach Tzibur, he has to be of age. However if he wants he can read the maftir on the prior Shabbos, given that even a minor can be called for the maftir aliya. (Megila 24a, Shulchan Aruch O.H. 282: 4)
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a
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Posted 3/9/2015 11:55 PM |
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# 738 The Cohen Spock?
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Q. Can someone give a hand salute with fingers spread like the cohanim do when they say bircas cohanim? (as Nimoy and the Vulcans )?
A. Since the Torah directed the Cohanim to be the ones to bless the Jewish nation, a non-Cohen is forbidden to join other Cohanim for the recitation (Shulchan Aruch O.H. 128: 1 Remoh, Mishna Berura, and Biur Halacha ibid.) The prohibition stands only when it is done in a similar fashion to the Cohanim’s blessing (See Piskey Teshuvot ibid.) It is a widespread popular belief that a non-Cohen should not spread the fingers of his hand in the same manner as the Cohanim do when they recite the blessing of Cohanim, (in the form of the letter Shin.) A source for this tradition is to be found in Rivavos Efraim (O.H. 1: 93) quoting the Zohar.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that if it is done only with one hand it is permitted.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a
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Posted 3/4/2015 3:25 PM |
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# 737 Ad D’lo Yoda What he Drinks
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Q. On the mitzvah of drinking on Purim does it have to be wine only? Can you drink some wine, like a cup and then other liquor?
A. Rashi (Megila 7b) explains that the drink is wine. Biur Halocho (695: 1) quoting Eliahu Rabba, mentions that the reason why we are required to drink on Purim is to commemorate the miracles that happened and those occurred at banquets where wine was imbibed. Meagley Tzedek (on Megila L. 32) avers that therefore wine only should be used, as this was the drink offered
Mata’amei Yakov (Likutim 340) compares this to Chanuka lights where olive oil is the preferred fuel, but other flammables are also acceptable. Rivavos Efraim (O.H. 8 p. 478) also seems to suggest that wine is to be used. There are also Cabalistic reasons in the ingesting of wine (Mishnas Yosef p.111, quoting the Arizal)
Others write that since the main purpose of this mitzvah is to reach the stage of “Ad Delo Yoda”, it does not matter what beverage one consumes (Inyono Shel Yom p.375, based on the Maharal.)
Orchos Rabenu (P. 78) mentions that the Steipler Gaon zt”l ruled that all liquors could be used, however, one should drink a bit of wine also. So too is the opinion of Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a, however he recommends to drink a revi'is.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a
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Posted 3/4/2015 3:22 PM |
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Important Numbers
