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Have a question? Send it in! Questions are answered by Rabbi Bartfeld.

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#5369 The Feels on Meals
- Q. What is the proper way to comply with the seudot (meals) of Shabbat when it is Erev Pesach (day prior to Pesach)?

A. On question 3094 we wrote:
“On this year when Erev Pesach, coincides with Shabbos, one should daven very early including Mussaf, preferably with the Netz or sunrise. Then proceed with kiddush and washing on challa or pita and eating the first part of the meal, such as eating the fish or similar.

This should be followed by benching. You may indeed, read the Parsha, to separate between the meals, or walk outside, while being careful to wash again and eat the second meal that may include the cholent or meat, when chometz is still allowed. Since this is the second bread meal of the day, it would be considered Shalosh Seudos.

Later on the afternoon, when needed, one may eat a lesser meal of Pesach food without eating any matza or similar, which is then not permitted, and just about enough to still be able to eat with appetite at the Seder when Yom Tov begins.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a



Posted 4/4/2025 1:06 PM | Tell a Friend | Ask The Rabbi | Comments (0)


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#5368 Late or Up to Date?
– Q. Those that have the tradition of reading the Hagada on the Shabbat before Pesach, when should that be done this year (2025), when Erev Pesach is on Shabbat?

A On a similar question (3080) we wrote:
“Q. This year (5781-2021) when Erev Pesach is on Shabbat, does one read the Haggada then or is it better to read it on the prior Shabbat as the Shabbat Hagadol drasha is also preceded to Parshat Vayikra?

A. Mishna Berura (430: 2) maintains that although the Shabbos Hagadol Drosho is imparted on the prior Shabbos Vayikro, the Haggada is said on Shabbos Erev Pesach.

However, some Poskim disagree, since it will be recited a few hours later and it would take away its novelty especially from the young ones. Nitei Gavriel (Pesach 1: 5: 11).

Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit”a opinion is that one should follow his received traditions and if not known one should follow the Mishna Berura.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a



Posted 4/4/2025 1:03 PM | Tell a Friend | Ask The Rabbi | Comments (0)


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#5367 – Make Room for the Bloom!
- Q. Can one make the bracha on the fruit trees when seeing the new buds on the trees or does one have to wait until the buds turn into flowers?

A. Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 226, based on Talmud Brochos 43) mentions that the trees are giving out flowers, not just buds, as Mishna Berura (ibid. 2) also cites.
That is also the opinion oh Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a


Posted 4/4/2025 1:00 PM | Tell a Friend | Ask The Rabbi | Comments (0)


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#5366 – Up a Tree on Blessing the Tree?
- Q. See question above. I still don’t understand why we notice that so many Gedolim and Tzadikim made such a big deal and placed so much effort on getting together a significant group to recite the blessing on the trees. Why?

A. Indeed Gedolim and Tzadikim constantly have followed the opinion of the Kabalah Gedolim for the importance and transcendence of this brocho.

Halichos Shlomo (23 n. 121) mentions that Hagaon Rav S”Z Auerbcah ZT”L was extremely careful to comply with this brocho correctly. He once mentioned that since his Bar Mitzva never missed it.

Eliahu Rabba mentions that usually blessings recited for things we just see, we don’t have to place effort to look for them (storms, oceans etc.), in contrast to the brocho on the fruits of the trees, that brings the blessings of many tzadikim of all generations for a long, beautiful and healthy life.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a


Posted 4/4/2025 12:59 PM | Tell a Friend | Ask The Rabbi | Comments (0)


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#5365 – Hey Kid! Finnish your Vegetables Now!
- Q. I have always wondered, how come we make such a big deal of reciting the blessing for the fruits of trees and we totally ignore a bracha for vegetables and grain plants, that are even more essential and crucial for our survival?

A. Good question. Aruch Hashulchan (O.H. 226: 1) explains that indeed since fruits are not so essential for human survival as grains and vegetables are, vegetables are included in the brochos we constantly recite on them when we eat them. The fruits however are seen as a special extra great gift that Hashem gives us.

The above is an important Kavana or intention to keep in mind when reciting the above bracha.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a


Posted 4/4/2025 12:55 PM | Tell a Friend | Ask The Rabbi | Comments (0)


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#5364 Blessing On and Also the Shabbat!
– Q. Another tree question Dear Rabbi please. Is it better to wait until Shabbat to recite this blessing on the trees?

A. In regards to waiting until Shabbos on question 287, we wrote; Yalkut Yosef (Shabbos 3, 319,77) quotes some opinions that maintain that this bracha should not be recited on Shabbos either because by engaging one’s attention on the tree, one might come to collect some fruits (Moed L’kol Chai 9), or by dint of a Cabalistic injunction on gathering “nitzoitzois,” (spiritual sparks) from a tree on Shabbos (Kaf Hachaim 226, 4).

However, most Poiskim disagree, permit and recommend reciting this bracha on Shabbos. (Yalkut Yosef ibid. – Nitey Gavriel, Pesach I, 6,7).

Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that you can and should wait until Shabbos, then avoid contemplating extensively the tree and recite the bracha together with a larger group “b’rov am” which will remind you or the children not to cut some fruits from the tree.

This brocho also reminds people of the blessings, great delightful feeling, flavors and natural life beauty that Hashem gives us and it is therefore included in the Biblical mitzva of Oneg Shabbos (enjoying Shabbos). It also adds to the count of the hundred brochos that are required on Shabbos.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a



Posted 4/4/2025 12:47 PM | Tell a Friend | Ask The Rabbi | Comments (0)


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#5363 An Inyan for a Minyan?
- Q. I have seen that in some shuls a minyan gathers to recite the bracha on the trees. Do you really require a minyan?

A. No minyan is required. However, Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a mentioned that since we usually maintain that “Berov Am Haddras Meleh” or we honor the King, when many are present, it would be preferred to have many others also join.

Besides, it is not uncommon for individuals to forget reciting this once a year blessing, that has great importance and relevance, and a minyan helps.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a


Posted 4/4/2025 12:44 PM | Tell a Friend | Ask The Rabbi | Comments (0)


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#5362 A Blooming Shaila!
- Q. In Gibraltar, they are saying Bircat Ha’ilanot after minchah today! When should we say it?

A. On question 288 we wrote; “This year, due to the earliness of Pesach, the blooming of trees at this latitude occurred very late on the Jewish calendar.

Although “the days of Nisan” are mentioned in regards to reciting birchas hailonos (Brochos 43b – Shulchan Oruch O.H. 226, 1), Poiskim maintain that when required it could be said earlier on Adar (Kerem Shlomo 226,1 – Shulchan Hatohor ibid. – Bais Hayotzer 12 et al.) or after Nisan. (Chasam Sofer , hagoos O.H. 226 – Zichron Yehuda – Magid Taaluma 43b – Nitey Gavriel, Pesach I, 6, 5) and even on Sivan (Aruch Hashulchan ibid. – Nitey Gavriel ibid, see also question 83 on this forum).
.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a


Posted 4/4/2025 12:41 PM | Tell a Friend | Ask The Rabbi | Comments (0)


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#5361 - Searching a Good Hotel?
- Q. Dear Rov Shlit’a. You know us well as I daven often in your shul. This is the first year, due to health issues that we will spending Pesach in a Hotel, and I have a number of questions. Do I have to do Bedikas Chametz in the hotel room?

A. Thanks for contacting me and I’m sure you have or will have other shailes. Please check Frum Toronto or our website.

On question 745 we wrote:
“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 Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a


Posted 3/30/2025 11:20 AM | Tell a Friend | Ask The Rabbi | Comments (0)


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#5360 The "No Mas Atlas of Muchas Tortillas"
- Q. Estimado Honorable Rabino. Are tortillas made of corn that is kitnioth permited when care is taken to make them and bake the as one would do with Matza Shemurah?

Why should Kitniot that is only prohibited by the Ashkenazi tradition be different than wheat itself used for making the Matza Shemurah?

A. On question 61 we wrote:

“Q. Can Ashkenazim eat during Pessach corn bread, such as tortillas, that were prepared with all the care of processing Matza?

A. There are many Poiskim who permit eating kitnios that were baked with all the stringencies normally applied to the preparation of matza.

They argue that the lesser prohibition, (kitnios), cannot be more severe than the principal chometz biblical proscription (Maharsha”k in Korban Pesach 153,1 and Yosef Daas 8, Chayei Adam, klal 127,1). And if the five types of grain can be prepared not to ferment, certainly so can be done with kitnios. Beer Itzchok (11) mentions that it was customary to bake matzos from kitnios that were inspected properly before Pesach.

However there are other Poiskim that consider the prohibition of kitnios to be an original decree and therefore they are forbidden in any presentation or way of preparation, even when eaten raw. (Maamar Mordechai 32 – Tzofnas Paaneach 2,42 - Mor Uketzio), so too is the opinion of Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a”.

Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a also maintains that everyone should avoid eating tortillas during Pesach.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a


Posted 3/28/2025 11:52 AM | Tell a Friend | Ask The Rabbi | Comments (0)


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#5359 A Blessed Sale?
- Q. Someone that is traveling away for Pesach and will be selling the complete house with all the food included on a transaction that will take place, as organized by a competent Rabbi before the night of the 14th or Erev Pesach begins, so he will not be liable at all to do any Bedikas Chametz (Chametz search) in his house.

I wonder, is there a point to leave out of the sell deal, at least one room, to comply in it the mitzva of Bedikas Chametz, that according to Kabala and Hassidic sefarim brings great holiness and blessings to the house?

A. On question 2574 (Early Pesach Sale) we wrote:

“Q. Kvod Horav. We normally sell our entire house for Pesach. We go away and I just lock everything up and sell.

Someone asked me this year if her married kids could stay in my house because she doesn’t have room for them. I really want to help her but I’m not able to clean my entire house and I don’t want to throw out my food. Is there a way for me to help her? lease let me know, Thank you!

A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one may lock up the kitchen, dining room, family room, basement, garage etc., and sell them with a mechira mukdemes (early sell, see questions 68, 148 and 744), thus avoiding also the bedikas chometz search on those areas. One would be exempt from the sale only the areas needed to enter and the bedrooms used by the guest.

The rooms and areas locked out and to be sold, should be taped closed with significant strips of noticeable tape and plastic sheets, from top to bottom on their entrances, thus also preventing children from entering them. Notices should be placed on them, mentioning that those areas were sold and are out of bounds.”

Following the above procedure (last instructions are not needed) as you may just leave one well defined room out of the sale contract, and perform there the chametz search, without a bracha and thus acquire the much wanted blessing on the house.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a



Posted 3/28/2025 11:38 AM | Tell a Friend | Ask The Rabbi | Comments (0)


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#5358 All Menchen Must Have Intention!
- Q. If as Poskim write that one complies with the mitzva of “Tashbisu” or destroying the chometz already thirty days before Pesach, then one should have the intention of complying with this mitzva when eating bread and other chometz during that time, is that correct? After all it is a Biblical mitzva and requires proper intention.

A. On question 3615 we wrote: “Poskim disagree. Rema (O.H. 485: 1) rules that if one burns the chametz on the night after the Bedika, one complies with the mitzva of destroying the chametz.

Chok Yaakov (ibid.), Mishna Berura (5) quote Maharik that since on the fourteen of Nissan, no chometz will be extant, even if the destruction of it was done during the prior thirty days, one has kept the mitzva when that day arrives.

Horav Shmuel Kamenetzky Shlit’a (Kovetz Halochos – Pesach 1: 4: n: 5) indeed writes that following the opinion of the Minchas Chinuch that the mitzva of Tashbisu or destroying the chametz is a positive command, one indeed complies with the mitzva whenever one eats chametz during those thirty days.

Horav Shlomo Miller”s opinion is that it depends on the different Halacha opinions. Yet it would be definitely very beneficial and rewarding to have such intention.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a



Posted 3/28/2025 11:33 AM | Tell a Friend | Ask The Rabbi | Comments (0)


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#5357 Very Busy with Sushi?
- Q. See above question. As we already asking about sushi what is the correct brocho on sushi. We have heard different opinions. What is Horav Shlomo Shlit’a opinion?

A. On question 3495 we wrote:

"Q. What is Horav Miller’s latest opinion on the bracha on sushi?

A. On question 367 we wrote: The popular kosher Sushi we most commonly consume consists of cooked vinegared rice sushi-meshi combined with other ingredients, usually raw or partially raw fish, as tuna or salmon or occasionally avocado or other vegetables as center fillings.

Contemporary Poiskim maintain very different opinions as to what brocho one should recite.

Divrei Pinchos (Horav Pinchas Mayers, siman 22) rules the brocho to be Shehakol.

Horav Heinemann Shlit”a maintains that one should recite Mezonos on the rice, as well as the appropriate Brocho on the filling. The nori (the edible seaweed is secondary to the rice and other ingredients, and does not require a brocho (Rabbi Mordechai Frankel, Director – Star K Institue of Halacha).

A similar opinion is to be found on Din – Beis Hora”ah (dinonline.org): “If the fish is clearly recognizable, it a piece of fish should be separated from the mixture, and two berachos should be made, mezonos for the rice, and shehakol for the fish. However, if the fish cannot be clearly discerned, it is sufficient to recite mezonos on the mixture”.

Quoted in the name of Horav Mandelbaum author of Vezos Habracha, is that the bracha should be dictated by the largest ingredient by volume, usually the rice which is Mezonos. (Berachot.org).

Rabbi J. Blass (Rabbi of Neve Tzuf and Rosh Kollel of Ratzon Yehuda, also agrees to Mezonos (Yeshiva.org)

The brocho of Mezonos is also mentioned in the name of Reb Simcha Bunim Cohen Shlit”a of Lakewood.(TLS, Feb 2010).

Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a opinion is that the correct brocho is Shehakol.”
Recently however, Horav Shlomo Miller Shlita voiced an added opinion that it is better to recite the proper brocho of each item, on a separate piece of food that carries the same blessing.”

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a



Posted 3/28/2025 11:27 AM | Tell a Friend | Ask The Rabbi | Comments (0)


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#5356 A Kashi on the Sushi?
- Q. Dear Rabbi Shlit’a. We have a great family of friends that need to be invited for Peisach and are having a difficult time getting an invitation. We would love to invite them and their children.

An issue is that they are Sepharadim and usually the children are very used to eating sushi. Is it permitted for us, who don’t eat rice on Peisach to serve them sushi in special plates?

A. As mentioned in question above, when eating at a separate part of the table, with a different table cloth and disposable plates in need it could be allowed.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a


Posted 3/28/2025 11:21 AM | Tell a Friend | Ask The Rabbi | Comments (0)


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#5355 The Brocho of Gebrochts?
- Q. We usually invite guest for the Peisach Seder that may not be very Frum yet, as we are trying to be mekarev them while complying with the mitzva of Hachnasat Orchim.

It is not unusual to see our guest dip the matza or place pieces of it in the soup or other liquids.

Is there a problem for us to continue using those dishes, since we are carefull not to eat “gebrochts” (matza made wet)?

A. On question 52 we wrote:

“ Q. I’m planning to spend Pesach in a hotel that maintains an excellent kashrus supervision and are careful with gebrochts.

On prior occasions I have noticed that many of my co-guests, who don’t have that minhag, place pieces of their matzo on their soup. Should that be a concern for me because of the shared dishes? How about when we invite someone to the Seider and he does the same?

A. Some hotels encourage their clients to ask the waiters for disposable soup bowls and spoons if they want to put matzo in their soup.

If this is not your case or instructions are not being followed, Horav Shlomo Millers Shlit’a advices that it would depend on the particular minhag one has in regards to utensils.

He then added that considering the numerous other serious shailos common in hotels, (such as the rings on food-handlers hands when touching hot wet foods without gloves), this concern may be the least of his problems.

As far as inviting guest who eat gebrochts, there is an interesting approach of Rabbi Yehoshua Noibirt (Moriah Y. 27- 11,12), where he points out that in regards to Pas Akum, if it is of better quality than Pas Isroel, and if the guest eats it, it is permitted even for the Baal Habais too, for this complete seudah in honour of his guest. (OC. 168,5).

Then again, he points out, the guest are not allowed to impose their lenient status on the Baal Habaith. In practice this last point should be followed.” See also question 4924.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a



Posted 3/28/2025 11:17 AM | Tell a Friend | Ask The Rabbi | Comments (0)


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#5354 Invite the Real Hero?
- Q. Kvod Rabbenu Shlit”a. We are preparing for the Pesach seder and the guest we want to invite and we are considering our choices.

Is it a greater mitzva to invite a bochur who learns in Yeshiva and is already very learned and likely a future great Talmid Chacham and Torah teacher, or maybe better invite a friend of the family who is also very frum, yet he lost an arm when he was an Israeli sodier defending our people.

Who has priority? What is Horav Miller Shlit”a opinion?

A. It stands to reason that it would depend on other different factors including the type of people asking this question, who the attendants are and the impression and feelings necessary to raise, improve and upgrade the spiritual quality of the Pesach Seder.

An Halachic authority familiar with the situation should be consulted. Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a opinion is similar.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a



Posted 3/28/2025 11:11 AM | Tell a Friend | Ask The Rabbi | Comments (0)


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#5353 Address the Dress!
- Q. From what age on do the girls who come to shul have to be dressed with Tznius?

A. Horav Dovid Pam Shlit’a pointed out that in regards to the prohibition of reading words of holiness in front of undressed children Mishna Berura (75: 23) mentions three years of age.

However, Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a mentioned that in our case if the private parts are covered properly, and the issue is only to be dressed correctly as the older women do in shul, the age is six years.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a


Posted 3/28/2025 11:04 AM | Tell a Friend | Ask The Rabbi | Comments (0)


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#5352 One More Hagada Question?
- Q. Dear Rov, I heard that there is a special Mitzva when one is invited to a Seder on Pesach to bring your own Hagada, which is basically very similar to the ones being offered by the host. Is that true?

A. It would seem commonsense that if you trust your host with the food served, you can also trust him with the Hagadah being clean for the seder.

If the Hagada offered is easy to read for you and contains the needed instructions, translations, and interpretations, it would seem that likely your host would be pleased with you also using his Hagada.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a


Posted 3/28/2025 11:01 AM | Tell a Friend | Ask The Rabbi | Comments (0)


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#5351 Joys Of Spring?
- Q. Dearest Rabbi. As our family is traveling away for Pesach and we are staying with one of our children, when, if and how, do we have to comply with the ceremony of searching for the chamets, as we do at home every year?

A. The Gemara, Pesachim 6a, discusses whether there is an obligation to check one's property for chametz if one leaves the property before the time of bedikat chametz.

According to Rava, if one leaves prior to thirty days and does not plan on returning to that property until after Pesach, he has no obligation to perform bedikat chametz. If he leaves within thirty days of Pesach, he has an obligation to perform bedikat chametz even if he doesn't plan on returning until after Pesach.

The Gemara states that thirty days was chosen as the cutoff point based on the obligation to begin the study of the laws of Pesach thirty days prior to Pesach. [See Mishna Berurah 436:32, regarding one who is planning on selling the chametz in his home and leaving before Pesach.]

Mori Verabi Horav Hagaon R.M. Feinstein ZT"L notes that the equation between the two laws can be understood based on the idea that thirty days prior to a holiday is considered an extension of the holiday. Therefore, one is specifically obligated to perform bedikat chametz on a property that one vacates during that time, even if he doesn't plan on returning before Pesach.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a






Posted 3/23/2025 2:33 PM | Tell a Friend | Ask The Rabbi | Comments (0)


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#5350 Small Sefer – Big Reading?
- Q. In the case when one can not attend shul early enough, should one take out after davening the sefer Torah and just read it as is, without a minyan?

A. On question 4904 we wrote:

Q. Someone who is waiting in a hospital for an operation can he take with him a small sefer Torah and read Zachor by himself?

A. On question 2119 we answered to a similar question the following:
“Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 685: 7) rules that since Parshas Zachor is Biblically ordained, people living in towns with no minyan, will have to travel on this Shabbos to a place where there is one.

Rema (ibid.) adds that if they are unable to do so, they should at least read them with their proper tune.

Mishna Berura (ibid. 14) maintains that this reading should be done from a Sefer Torah. In Sha’ar Hatzion (ibid. 5) he quotes opinions in regards to the need of a minyan after the fact, when non is available.

Piskei Teshuvos (685: 2) quotes different opinions if Parshas Zachor, when omitted in the morning, could be read latter on during Shabbos afternoon with a minyan, by just calling to the Torah one person who will recite the brocho.

Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that is this case since there is no minyan to read Kerias Hatorah properly and with a brocho, it is better to read only from a chumash.

The Rov pointed out to Responsa Toras Refoel (1: 2) that maintains there may be even a Biblical prohibition to read from a Sefer Torah in unusual circumstances. See 2119”

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a




Posted 3/21/2025 11:45 AM | Tell a Friend | Ask The Rabbi | Comments (0)



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