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#600 Pray As They Go
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Q. There are two organizations here in Eretz Yisroel, one called; Elef LaMateh, and the other; The Shmirah Project.
Basically, their intent is to match Israeli soldiers with Avreichim and bachurim learning. Each Avreich and Bachur who volunteers, receives the name of a specific soldier (his name and his mother's name) that he takes responsibility to daven for and learn specially for so that in the merit of the tefillos and learning, that soldier will merit to return home alive and well.
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that it is a great mitzva to pray, learn Torah and accomplish mitzvos for the benefit of all our brethren B'nay Yisroel in times of peril and need, especially for those who put their life in harm's way to save and protect others.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 8/8/2014 2:32 PM |
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#599 Slip Up Must Go Back
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Q. The shliach tzibur on mincha of Shabbos forgot to say the third brocho of ato kodosh and began with ato echod, after a few sentences when called to attention he went back to ato kodosh. Given that the first three brochos are considered like one, did he have to restart shemone esreh from the beginning?
A. Remah (O.H. 114: 6) rules indeed that the first three brochos are considered as one. Mishna Berura (ibid. 34) restricts the above to reciting the wrong ending such as hakel hakadosh instead of hamelech hakadosh or any other wrong brocho ending but not to a mistake in the middle of the brocho. On a similar shaile, Imrei Yosher (2: 9: 11) opines that if one ended the third brocho with Chonen Hadoas instead of Hakel Hakadosh , he should return to the beginning of the Amida.
However, Maharsham (4: 148) quoting Shoel Umeshiv (I: 3" 171) in an analogous question where Hakel Hakadosh was substituted erroneously with Mekadesh Hashabbos, maintains that you only have to return to the beginning of Ata Kadosh. He argues that this is not considered a mistaken ending because he actually thought that he was already in the middle brocho. He adds another reason namely, that finishing with the wrong brocho is like not saying anything at all and he is considered as not having ended the brocho. An erroneous Hakel Hakadosh is different since it is the normal ending of the brocho.
Maadanei Yom Tov (P. 49) also rules, in a case where the mistake was on the ending of the last brocho (Sim Shalom) to return only to the beginning of that last brocho (he also mentions as reasons; Tircho Detziburo and sofek brochos). A similar psak is to be found in Tzitz Eliezer (12: 10).
Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a also maintains that you don't have to return to the beginning of Shmone Ezre. This seems to be the common custom in most communities today
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 8/8/2014 2:32 PM |
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#598 No Work And No Play
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Q. Our daughter works at a day summer camp it is mainly secular but some of the participants are frum. Can she work on Tisha Beav, given that she would loose her wages for that day?
A. Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 554: 22) mentions two traditions in regards to working on Tisha B'av. Remoh and Biur Halocho (ibid.) rule that today it is the generalized custom not to do any work until chatzos (mid-day). However, work that if not done will create a loss (Dovor H'ovud) is permitted as in Chol Hamoed (Shulchan Aruch ibid. 23).
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that although it is not a Dovor H'ovud for your daughter unless there is a possibility that she may loose her position, it is for the campers who will lack their person in charge. Besides there may not be any melochos involved, if they can abstain from writing, drawing or similar activities.
Moreover, the reason work is prohibited is to avoid disregarding and ignoring the mourning of the Churban Bais Hamikdosh. Since this is a Jewish summer camp, albeit secular, teachings and stories of the meaning of the day could be included in the program, especially if there are some frum attendants.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 8/8/2014 2:31 PM |
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#597 A Came Out in the Wash Shaileh
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Q. So we're going out of town for a simcha immediately after Tisha b'av (after netz minyan on Wednesday). The bar mitzva is Wednesday night. Would my cleaning lady then be allowed to do our laundry on Monday or on Tisha B'av after chatzos so that we have what to wear on our trip? (I won't be staying by family; we are being put up, so I don't really feel comfortable asking to use their machines)
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that in need it is best to launder Motzei Tisha Beav even if you do it yourself instead of using a Gentile on Tisha Beav, erev Tisha Beav or during the week when Tisha Beav occurs. If that cannot be done, it would then be better to launder using a Gentile on the week prior to Shabbos Chazon. Any laundering is restricted to what you actually need and cannot be postponed until after Tisha Beav.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 8/1/2014 2:48 PM |
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#596 Car Caring in the Nine Days of Mourning
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#596 Car Caring in the Nine Days of Mourning
Q. If there is a sale on a new car that will not be available after Tisha Beav, can you give a deposit and sign the purchase agreement during the nine days if you take possession of the car after Tisha Beav?
A. On question 100 on this forum we wrote: "Igrois Moishe's (O.C. 3, 80) opinion is that if the car is a pleasure vehicle, one should avoid acquiring it during the 3 weeks, as he has to pronounce the brocho of Sheheheyonu when taking possession. However if it's primary use is as a business vehicle, like a truck or van, it would be permitted. Darchei Hoiroho (Bein Hametzorim 14) permits buying a car for a family man until Rosh Chodesh. (see also Ribabos Efroim 3,3).
Horav Shlomo Miller's opinion is that if one takes delivery of the vehicle after Tisha B'av it is permitted until the nine days begin, as no brocho will be recited yet."
Also it should be noted that there is no prohibition to recite Hatov Vehameitiv during the three weeks, and one may therefore make a purchase that will benefit a group of people. However, during the Nine Days any purchase that provides enough joy to qualify as "Binyan Shel Simcho" should be avoided and no Hatov Vehameitiv should be recited. (Igrois Moishe ibid.).
When this could not be achieved before the Nine Days, Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that in case of need one may still sign a purchase contract. However, he should condition his signature on the contract and the deposit of monies, to only agreeing to purchase the car in the near future, not actually buying it and owing it now. Therefore until he takes possession of the automobile the ownership will remain in the hands of the vendor.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a.
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Posted 7/31/2014 1:17 PM |
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#595 Pressure Washing in the Nine Days of Mourning
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Q. Can you wash with a pressure washer a deck or the outside walls during the nine days?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that the Nine Days should be dedicated essentially to the mourning of the Bais Hamikdosh and what we should do to bring about the Geula. Having said that, if there is a need to pressure wash a deck or outside walls (as in a cottage) it is permitted since it is not included on the laundering prohibition.
(See also question 337 in this forum permitting washing a car during the Nine Days)
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a.
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Posted 7/31/2014 1:16 PM |
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#594 Carpet Cleaning in the Nine Days of Mourning
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#594 Carpet Cleaning in the Nine Days of Mourning
Q. Can you ask a maid to wash the carpets or curtains during the nine days?
A. Although you may vacuum clean a carpet during the Nine Days, even a Gentile should not wash them. The same applies to curtains (Nitey Gavriel Ben Hametzorim 1: 35: 20, Shoshanas Yisroel 4: 9)
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a.
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Posted 7/31/2014 1:15 PM |
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#593 Fixing Clothing in the Nine Days of Mourning
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Q. I have a simcha immediately following the nine days. I bought a dress that requires lengthening and the slit to be closed in order to make it tznius. Am I allowed to give it to a goy to fix during the nine days if I won't be able to do it after Tisha b'av?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that in need it is permitted. It should be done before the week of Tisha B'av.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a.
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Posted 7/31/2014 1:13 PM |
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#592 Ironing in the Nine Days of Mourning
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#592 Ironing in the Nine Days of Mourning
Q. What about ironing? She does that as well. Most of the clothing that needs to be ironed is for Shabbos, but there are some weekday clothes as well. Is she permitted to do the ones for Shabbos? Do I have to specifically tell her not to do the weekday ones or could I just let her do whatever she normally does, as she is in charge of it and I never get involved?
Thank you!!
A. On question 334 on this forum we mention: Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 551: 3) includes ironing in the prohibition of laundering. This applies from Rosh Chodesh Av onwards for the followers of Ashkenazi traditions, even if the clothing will not be used until after the nine days.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that when no clean clothing is available at all for Shabbos, you may launder and iron the minimum that is essentially needed.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a.
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Posted 7/31/2014 1:12 PM |
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#591 Laundering in the Nine Days of Mourning
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Q. My cleaning lady is completely in charge of doing the laundry in my home during the week.
I have small children and older children. Do I need to tell her that she is not allowed to do the adults laundry, or could she just do her thing and the adults and older children just won't wear freshly laundered clothes? I will definitely need the laundry for the younger kids.
Is there a difference between this week and next week (when Tisha b'av actually falls?)
A. On question 335 in this forum we mention; Shoshanas Yisroel (p.18) quotes Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion that one should refrain a house helper from laundering during the nine days, even when she does so by her own volition. Similar psak is found in Nitey Gavriel. (1: 35: 23)
See also Nitey Gavriel (ibid 1: 35: 14, quoting Horav Moshe Feinstein zt"l) that when you launder the clothing of young children in the washing machine, you should not add the laundry of adults.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is similar and only laundering the clothing of minors (before Bar-Mitzva) is permitted when needed. In this particular year when Tisha B'av is early on the week, you should prepare their needed laundry before Shabbos and avoid washing in the week of Tisha B'av.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a.
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Posted 7/31/2014 1:11 PM |
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#590 Nine Kavim on Nine Days
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Q. I usually take a shower to comply with tisha kavim, I do this Erev Shabbos too. Can I do this during all the nine days or only in erev Shabbos? Can the water be warm?
A. Many Poskim maintain that you comply with the custom of Nine Kavim (as an alternative to Tevilas Ezra, see Mishna Berura 88: 4) by showering until that amount of water (approximately 23 to 32 liters) cascades on you. (Minchas Yitzchok 4: 21, Yaskil Avdi 7: p. 387, Taharas Yom Tov 19, Chelkas Yakov 3: 61, Minchas Oviv p. 202 et. al. However, Mishne Halochos 3: 1-7 and others disagree)
Mishna Berura (O.H. 551: 97) quoting Chaye Adam permits using hot water for washing (head, hands and feet) on erev Shabbos Chazon for one who always does so.
Eishel Avrohom, Aruch Hashulchan (ibid.), Mishpotecha L'Yaakov (40,) Nitey Gavriel (1: 42 11 and note 17) quoting Chazon Ish permit daily immersing a mikva before davening during the Nine Days, if one always immerses.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that the same applies to one who uses a shower for Tisha Kavim compliance. If he constantly observes Tisha Kavim, he would be permitted to shower with tepid water during the Nine Days. However, if he regularly omits showering on Shabbos given that the water would then be completely cold, he would not be permitted showering during the Nine Days.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a.
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Posted 7/31/2014 1:09 PM |
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#589 War's Peaceful Mi Sheverach
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Q. In a number of shuln there have been open discussions and disagreements whether to say during these difficult times the mi sheverach for the Tzahal soldiers (on Shabbat). What does Horav Miller shlita advise?
A. The most important issue in situations of disagreement in a shul is to avoid any machlokos and quarrels and to maintain and keep sholom bais. Therefore Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a suggests that you may recite a "mi sheverach" praying for all the people of Israel including our soldiers.
He also recommended that Tehilim followed by the teflah Acheinu should be recited before the beginning and after the end of Shabbos.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 7/25/2014 12:29 PM |
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#588 A Holyday Holding
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Q. I own a property in partnership with a company where one of their partners is Jewish but not observant. They prepared and signed a lease during last Shavuos. Can I co-sign this lease that was then prepared on Yom Tov and benefit from it? It is likely that the ones who prepared the lease were Non-Jewish office workers.
A. Even on Shabbos if someone performed intentionally a prohibited melocho it is only forbidden for that individual to derive benefit from it, but not for others. If a Gentile did the work, it is usually permitted after enough time went by to complete that melocho, after the end of Shabbos. (O.H. 318: 1 – 515) Therefore there is no reason not to sign and use that lease.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 7/25/2014 12:28 PM |
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#587 Pure Mitzvos
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Q. (See last question) Why only (do we have to avoid a place that can bring tuma, and therefore we don't stand under a roof) in Kidush Levanah and not while performing any other mitzva?
A. Igrois Moishe (O.H. 1: 144) questions why only in this particular mitzva we follow this custom and not anywhere else, where we rely on that most places are free of tumah. He claims that the reason mentioned by the Maharil is unknown to us. However, Sefer Kidush Levono (5: 1) explains that Kidush Levono is different since we receive the presence of the Shechina.
Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a added that the fact that this is a mitzvah that is done publicly on the streets where uncleanness is common creates a demand for additional vigilance and carefulness.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 7/25/2014 12:27 PM |
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#586 Kosher Cover
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Q. Re- question 576 on reciting Kidush Levanah inside the house. Isn't there another reason to avoid becoming tomeh if under a roof?
A. Indeed besides the reason quoted in the Mishna Berura (426: 21), that we are engaged in receiving the presence of the Shechina and it is customary to leave one's home to welcome the presence of kings, Maharil quoted in Mogen Avrohom (426: 14) mentions that the reason not to recite Kidush Levono under a roof is to avoid tumah.
Poskim ponder if there is a practical difference between the reason presented by the Maharil and the one mentioned in the Mishna Berura. They suggest that the difference is whether one is allowed to recite Kidush Levono under a tree in the street. In such a case Tuma still applies since a tree is an ohel, but as far as going out to receive the Shechina, you did after all leave your home to receive the King (Yaskil Avdi 8: 38: 3, Simchas Olom 58)
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 7/25/2014 12:26 PM |
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#585 Shower Shelter Shaileh
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Q. What if one is in the shower (when the air-raid siren went off in Yerushalaim during a Hamas missile attack) Should one take some precious seconds to gain zechuyos by maximizing tznius before exiting the apartment or should one exit with just a bathrobe?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that if safety is a concern one should cover himself with a bathrobe only.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 7/17/2014 10:33 AM |
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#584 Missile Interruption
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Q. We live in Yerusholayim. About 35 minutes ago, the air-raid siren went off and we exited to a protected area. While there, Boruch Hashem, instead of getting panicky, we discussed some shailos:
What does one do if the siren goes off in middle of the Amidah? Is the threat of a missile attack as dangerous as that of a scorpion creeping up one's leg? Does it depend where in the country we are, where the missiles fall every ten minutes or every couple of days? On the other hand, every missile has an address, so the chances of getting hit or being missed should be equal everywhere.
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that the chances of being (l"o) injured from the Gaza missile attacks in Jerusalem are minimal and one should not interrupt the amida because of them.
I did hear that local Poiskim permit people that have great difficulty to concentrate in the tefilah, to interrupt and seek shelter when the air-raid siren goes off. See Mishna Berura and Biur Halacha (104: 3), and Teshuvos Vehanchogos (O.H. 35) in regards to go to another location in the middle of the amida when a child is crying.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 7/17/2014 10:33 AM |
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#583 Not so Fast
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Q. I'm taking antibiotics and I also suffer from reflux and find it hard to fast, do I have to fast on the 17 of Tamuz?
A. Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 554: 6) rules that an ill person does not have to fast on the lesser days of ta'anis since the Sages did not institute fasting in cases of illness. Mishna Berura (ibid. 11) defines ill as one that is weak and in pain, even if not in a life-threatening situation. The Poskim debate whether there is a point for one in such condition to partially fast. Some maintain (Aruch Hashulchan 554:7, Kisvei Hagrach 45, Avnei Nezer O.H. 540) that since the Sages did not institute fasting, there is no mitzvah or reason to fast part of the day or eat less than the shiur (quantity needed to transgress.) Others opine that in principle the ta'anis remains in place (Maharam Shick O.H. 289 quoting Chasam Sofer.)
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that if one is not actually in pain although he has a medical condition or disease and is taking medicine, if his illness is controlled and fasting will not aggravate the ailment, after consulting with his doctor, he can fast for as long as he does not feel sick, experiences pain or becomes weaker than expected in a day of fasting.
All Poskim agree that even when permitted to eat one should not indulge in unnecessary delicacies and culinary treats in that day (Mishna Berura ibid. 5).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a.
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Posted 7/17/2014 10:31 AM |
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#582 All is Good.
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Q. A parve soup in a meat pot, with a milk plastic ladle. no kli is ben yomo.
what is the status of the soup, pot , and ladle?
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that all are kosher (See Y.D. 94: 4)
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 7/17/2014 10:28 AM |
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#581 Fast or Feast?
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Q. Can I still shave and hear music on the night prior to the fast (of 17th of Tamuz) since the fasting begins in the morning?
A. Igrois Moshe (O.H.1: 168, 4:112) explains that whether the prohibitions of the three weeks such as shaving and avoiding marriage ceremonies apply already at the night of the seventeen of Tamuz, depends on a disagreement of Rishonim (Riff and Ba'al Hamaor) if we recite "anenu" on the maariv tefilah. He rules that in case of need one may be lenient and perform marriages.
However many Poskim disagree such as Chida in Chaim Shoal (24) in regards to not reciting Shehecheyanu from that night onwards, Maharsham (551: 2) Halichos Shlomo (13: 1) Eishel Avrohom (551) et. al.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that indeed one should begin the three week mourning period and all the traditions involved from the night of the Shiva asar betamuz onwards. (In case of great need, Sheva Brochos or Pidyon Haben, one should ask a competent Rabbi)
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Posted 7/17/2014 10:27 AM |
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Important Numbers
