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#4965 An Enlightening Shaila
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Q. Can a bochur (unmarried one) light the Shabbos candles before the plag, daven Mincha and then after plag recite the brocho on the candles?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one should not light Shabbos candles berfore plag. Rather one should daven an early Mincha in the afternoon and then procede to light Shabbos candles after plag and then go to shul to recite Kabbolas Shabbos.
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Posted 5/16/2024 8:38 PM |
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#4964 A Gentle Shailah
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Q. Is a Gentile permitted to pray in Schul?
A. Poskim write that the entrance of Gentiles to a shul should be avoided as much as possible (Yigal Yaakov O.H. 20, Piskei Teshuvos 151:6).
However, Yabia Omer Y.D. (3: 15) permits in need and when there is benefit, to let tourists enter a shul. Yet the Aron Hakodesh should not be opened for them to show the Sifrei Torah.
Similarly, Poskim permit the entrance of security guards, cleaning and maintenance crews as required.
They also permit the occasional address of political leaders for the benefit of the community and the keeping of Darkei Shalom and peace.
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Posted 5/13/2024 4:19 PM |
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#4963 Searching for the Search
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- Q. Is there a way to search through the "Ask the Rabbi" Q&A? I'm pretty good at searching a database, and why do I need to bother the busy Rabbonim with questions that have already been asked.
A. Go to Bais Dov Yosef website. Bais Dov Yosef Cong. (). There is a search facility available.
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Posted 5/12/2024 9:44 AM |
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#4962 The Al-day Good Way of AI
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- Q. Dear Rabbi. I have been reading your new technology and science shailot and I greatly appreciate your handling and keeping in touch of the constantly changing world we live in.
I have a question regarding my elderly father. He is connected and serviced by a AI computer that B’H basically and promptly takes care of many of his needs and contacts the family when necessary.
My question is regarding counting sefira. Can the AI read the sefira of the day and my father repeats the bracha and the counting with it word by word?
A. Indeed, Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that if he repeats everything word by word, it is similar as reading it from a sidur and he complies with the mitzva, The same would apply to the Shema and other parts of davening. The computer has to be set to constantly follow up with his response and condition.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
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Posted 5/10/2024 12:34 PM |
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#4961 A Real Bigwig?
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Q. As far as I know women are permitted to trim the hairs of their wigs during Sefira days. Does the same apply to men that wear a wig?
A. On question 101 regarding trimming and fixing a wig during the 3 weeks, we wrote:
“Nitei Gavriel (Bein Hametzorim 21,5) permits trimming and fixing a wig even when one is wearing it, until the beginning of the nine days.
(However, in his Bar Mitzva Seifer 22,21, he further permits the above for the mother of the Bar Mitzva bochur, before the week of Tisha B’av itself). Shevet Hakehosee (O.C. 150 ) seems to allow it at all times.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that it is permitted before the nine days begin.”
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that if a man is permitted to wear that wig as is common in our days, the same would apply.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
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Posted 5/9/2024 11:04 PM |
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#4960 The Most Splendid Daily Permited Song
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Q. It is known that if one sings the shira of Oz Yashir said every day during Shacharis, Hashem will forgive his sins. Does that have to be the complete shira?
A. Indeed, the Zohar quoted by the Mishna Berura (51: 17) teaches that most important and essential principle.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one should indeed sing it complete. (without disturbing others).
It finishes at the verse “Hashem Imloch Leolam Vaed.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
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Posted 5/9/2024 11:01 PM |
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#4959 Most Beautiful Permitted Music?
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- Q. Can one use during Sefira a music toy box that plays sweet beautiful child music that puts our baby to sleep? Our other kids greatly enjoy it and dance when it is played. Is that permitted?.
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that it is permitted since it is really indeed only toy music.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
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Posted 5/9/2024 10:55 PM |
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#4958 A Writing about Writing
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Q. Rov. As per our call a few days ago: I contacted the big Printing House of the Jewish information and they told me that the shuls explained that they cannot accept my Gematria sefer because it has pasukim in it. Even though I comment out the name of Hashem please find out from Rav Miller Shlit”a what to do to get the printing house to agree to print for me.
A. Please get in touch with me and iy’H I will try to explain to you how to get around your predicament and be able to print your important Sefer.
The writing and printing of a Sefer on Torah topics is most important, since one can comply, following the opinion of Poskim, the most essential mitzva of writing a Sefer Torah itself (see introduction to my Responsa Sefer Minchas Aviv).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
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Posted 5/9/2024 10:53 PM |
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#4957 Have we Learned Already How to Count?
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Q. We have a debate in our new created minyan as to which is the most correct way to count Sefira. Most mentioned that the use the most common counting by saying Laomer. Yet we have a small group that recites Baomer, What is the correct thing to do?
A. Indeed Poskim disagree at what is the correct nusach or tradition to use. Many Rishonim quote “Laomer” (Beer Heitev 8, Sheloh, Pri Megodim in Eishel Avrohom 5, Shaarei Torah 8, etc.).
Others quote Baomer (Rema 1, Taz 3, Eliahu Rabba 7, Shulchan Aruch Horav 7, Chayei Adam 131, Hagr’a, Mharam Shik, Chazon Ish, see Nitei Gavriel 32: 5).
ArtScoll sidurim on nusach Ashkenaz maintain Baomer while on nusach Sefarad quote Laomer.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one you should follow the tradition of the majority of the attendants.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
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Posted 5/9/2024 10:49 PM |
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#4956 First Come, First Served?
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Q. See question above. How about reciting the Birchos Hashachar (the morning blessings recited before korbanot), can they be said after the Tefila?
A. Poskim disagree. HoRav S’Z Auerbach Zt’l maintains that they are even more important than Pesukei Dezimra besides Baruch Sheomar and Ishtabach. (Siach Halacha 5).
However Ishei Yisroel 36, opines that the could be recited after the Tefila, and that seems to be the general accepted tradition.
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Posted 5/8/2024 4:51 PM |
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#4955 Skip a Beat?
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Q.Hello Rav, when the Tur and Shulchan Aruch O.C. 1:4 write that it is preferable to pray a little with Kavana than to pray a lot without Kavana, What parts of davening is he referring to? I had always assumed this applied to the sections of the siddur before "Baruch She'amar" and that you would only skip parts of Pezukei D'zirma (PDZ) (Baruch She'amar to Yishtabach) if needed to catch up with the minyan to start the Amidah together.
So I would have thought that if it takes me 7 minutes to say PZD quickly and I only have 7 minutes to keep up with the minyan, it would be proper to say the whole thing quickly and not skip. My friend argues that its "better to daven less with more kavana" applies to PZD as well, and if time is limited it would be better to pick a few parts of PZD to say with greater kavanah and skip the rest.
His proof is that the original PZD is much smaller and was added to AND that ashkenazim have more added in between "baruch She'amar" and "Yishtabach" than sepharim and nusach s'farad (especially on Shabbat where all the extra tehillim are added in there!). What is the actual halacha? Thanks!
A. Sha’arei Teshuva (O.H. 52: 1) rules that one that is used to daven slowly with Kavanah and intention, and even when he arrives at the beginning of davening if he prays together with the Tzibur he will loose his special Kavanah, should see that at least Borchu and Kedusha he should answer when he is between the Mizmorim he is saying.
Obviously, a person who has that posseses such great behavior, should arrive early enough to davening to be able to recite the Amida with the Tzibur.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that indeed if one can’t say the Psukei Dezimra properly he should skip some of them when in need.
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Posted 5/8/2024 4:45 PM |
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#4954 Hayom Chamisho Yomim BeMayo?
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- Q. Estimado Rabino - Hashem lo Bendiga- As you well know in our Spanish group there are some that celebrate Cinco de Mayo (the fifth day of May) and make a party for the family and kids and friends getting together and playing games. Is there a Halacha problem with it?
A. Cinco de Mayo is indeed a special day for Mexicans. In 1862, when Mexico was barely 40 years old as an independent country, it was invaded by maybe the most powerful military at the time: the French Imperial Army.
Since the US was in the middle of a Civil War, Emperor Napoleon saw it as a perfect opportunity to take over. His goal was to conquer Mexico City and create a huge empire that eventually would take over all the Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America.
Luckily, on May 5 when the French army arrived to Puebla, it came across a well-organized army, formed mostly by Indigenous people who were willing to defend Mexico at all costs. It resulted in an unexpected victory that saved Mexico from a brutal conquer.
The triumph over the better equipped and more numerous French troops was an enormous emotional boost for the Mexican soldiers led by Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza (from Rab. Google)
As mentioned in a number of Shailos our sages encouraged us to pray for the peace of the land (Pirkei Avos 3: 2, see question 2251). Since the above celebration is not a religious holiday at all, there is no reason not to enjoy the day.
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Posted 5/6/2024 11:26 AM |
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#4953 Many Are so Few?
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Q. See question 4946 above. How many is the minimum of people present at the time of davening for the davening to be counted as Berov Am so that one should try to daven at the sametime they do?
A. Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a. Mainains that it is not halachically Brov Am unless at least three people are present together.
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Posted 5/5/2024 5:30 PM |
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#4952 Really?
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Q. Is there a reason for the strange tradition that many a shul have that one must scream out ka’eylah! when the ba’al koreh reads that maftir part?
A. It could be that it is done to stress that it is not a repetition of the same word and thus should be read separately. It may also emphasize that as the Yom Tov advances and becomes continual and repetitive, one should keep the original joy of novelty and simcha one felt when reading it first time.
However, care should be taken that after the loud scream of “ka’eylah” by the congregants, the reader from the Torah, should also repeat the word slowly an correctly, since it is after all part of the Torah reading.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
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Posted 5/3/2024 1:10 PM |
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#4951 Best for Those Who Wait
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- Q. Can the counting of the omer be said on Friday night after maariv if it is not yet the time one finishes Shabbat.
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one should wait, as one does in such an occasion regarding the reciting of the “Shema” and after that recite the Omer with a brocho.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
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Posted 5/3/2024 1:07 PM |
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#4950 Face the Music
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Q. During the Sefira weeks for one who is very careful with listening to music, can he sit and learn in a Bet Midrash where there is a fellow who sings nice tunes when he learns?
A. On question 1390 regarding if one can listen to tapes of chazanos of tefilos, during the three weeks, when interested in knowing the nusach and the nigunim, as when one davens for the amud on Shabbos or Yomim Noraim, we wrote:
“Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that in principle if they are not melodies of simcha and joy, rather the normal nigunim that a chazan or a baal tefila sing by the amud, that express more sentiment, fervor and emotion than happiness and delight, they are permitted to listen to or sing even during the tefilos of the nine days, especially if one’s intention is only for learning them.
The fact is that even on Tisha Beav we do sing Keli-Tzion. See question 104, 1305 and 281 in regards to classical music during Sefira and Bein Hametzorim, where we mentioned the Rov’s opinion that; it is likely that while listening to a symphony, the motif may change and parts of it may meet the criteria of the mood markings of allegro, animato, or giocoso.
It is therefore advisable to refrain from listening to all music, unless needed for therapeutic purposes. Similarly, (and lehavdil too) when listening to chazonus, the nigunim may change suddenly to happy and joyful to be avoided songs.”
Therefore, in our case since the singing is done as part of the learning of Torah, it is permitted.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
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Posted 5/3/2024 1:05 PM |
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#4948 - Shtick to Your Gun
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- Q. I was davening in a shul in the States and I noticed that the fellow next to me who is very frum had in the back of the inside holding space of his shtender (personal holding pulpit) in front of him, usually used for storing his taalis and holybooks, a hidden gun.
I asked him why? And he told me here we have to be very careful and ready on this terrible times. I was wondering Kvod Horav, does that shtender become a “Bosis” (a holding and supporting base for a muktza item such as a gun and cannot be moved anymore during Shabbos? And if not, why not?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a explained that first of all the gun may not be muktza and permitted to move when needed, since after all it is a utensil of need in our times and on that location. Unless, it is an unusual weapon such as a machine-gun that is not commonly used.
Besides, even if it is a muktza item, since there are other non-muktza items inside the shtender, such as the taalis and holybooks, the shtender would be permitted to be used, as it becomes a base also for those permitted items. This being similar to the Shabbos table that supports the candles and also the chalos, wine etc.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
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Posted 5/3/2024 12:57 PM |
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#4947 How Early is Early?
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Q. I daven in an early minyan of Mincha and Maariv. It is very likely as it happened to me many times and to others, that if I don’t count then sefira I will forget later on, When is the earliest one can count sefira?
A. On question 3139 we wrote:
“Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a informed us that Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is (the Rov is out of town), that in need one may recite sefira (in Toronto at the beginning of Sefira) forty minutes after the Shekia (and on great need even thirty five minutes).
Horav
Kalman Ochs Shlit'a mentioned
that Horav Eliashiv Zt’l paskened that in Toronto you can
count lchatchilla at 30 minutes.
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Posted 5/2/2024 5:53 PM |
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#4946 We All Count when Counting Together
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Q. See question above. Since the AI or zooming counting does not seem to make a difference, is it even better to count as a group in a zoom shiur together?
A. on question 3119 we were asked the following similar question:
“We daven in our shul Maariv early after Plag and don’t count sefirah then as it is too early. I join later on a Zoom Daf and I’m trying to convince them to count at the end of the shiur, when it is already certainly night, to count Sefirah together. Is that correct?”
To what we answered:
“ It would stand to reason that it is correct, so the participants will remember to count. Besides Poskim write that on the onset it is better to count Sefiras Haomer together with a Tzibur and Rov Am or congregation (Shloh Hakadosh – Pesachim – P. Ner Mitzva, Beer Heitev 489: 20, Siddur Yaavetz and others.
Although a Zoom group does not create a minyan and one does not even have to answer amen to a brocho recited by that media, for some purposes such as a Seudas Mitzva and a siyum it is effective (See question 2721).
Horav Aharon Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that it can have the effect of davening at home without a minyan, but at the same time that others are also davening which is preferred. (See Shulchan Aruch O.H. 90: 9).
On question 3140 the Rov added: That although there are not united in one location, it is still an “Eis Rotzon” or a favorable time, since after all ‘Rov Am’ or many are doing the mitzva at that same time.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a
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Posted 5/2/2024 5:50 PM |
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#4945 My AI Counting Friend
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- Q. I attend a zoom shiur every night and the attendants can see each other usually and also debate and ask questions. At the end of the shiur, these days we count sefirah when it is already the right time.
If as usually happens I missed a shiur, yet the AI program we also have called me and reminded me and even counted with me, as I was falling asleep does that really count?
A. As mentioned in other shailos AI is not human and cannot recite a brocho for one or be part of a minyan, so only if you actually repeated the words yourself it would you would comply with the counting of sefirah,
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Posted 5/2/2024 5:45 PM |
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Important Numbers
