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Have a question? Send it in! Questions are answered by Rabbi Bartfeld.
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#724 Pointless Tosefes?
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Q. I would like to know the rav's opinion, if a person can daven Mincha erev Shabbos in such a way that by the time he finishes, it will already be after shkia?
How would one fulfill the mitzvah of tosefes shabbos, which requires a verbal statement of accepting Shabbos at least 2 minutes before shkia?
A. Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 261: 4) rules that after answering borchu on erev Shabbos one already accepts Shabbos on himself even if is still clearly daytime and is prohibited in performing any of the melochos.. Shaarei Teshuva (ibid. 1) quoting Dagul Mervava presents two degrees of acceptance of tosefes Shabbos. One is limited to the taking on the prohibitions of doing melochos. The other is receiving fully the holiness of Shabbos, usually accepted when answering borchu or by reciting the tefilos of Shabbos (see Mishna Berura ibid.)
In the case you presented, Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a advises to accept tosefes Shabbos before Tefilas Mincha, only in regards to the prohibition of melochos, thus permitting still the reciting of Mincha. Immediately after ending the amida, although it is already after the beginning of the shkia, he should receive the tosefes of complete kedushas Shabbos.
Undoubtedly it is better to be mekabel the full Kedushas Shabbos properly before sunset. (Whether kabolas tosefes Shabbos requires a verbal statement or after the fact one complies with thought only, see Mishna Berura 553: 3)
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”
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Posted 2/19/2015 4:35 PM |
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#723 Pareve Chale?
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Q. If I cut bread with a clean (from the dishwasher) fleishig knife can I eat that bread with cheese?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that if the fleishig knife is scrubbed, washed and visibly clean it can be used to cut bread to be latter consumed with dairy products.
He related that in his own family, his father zt”l would after cutting the chalah and passing portions to all present, remove the chalah from the fleishig Shabbos table. Later, being careful that hands were clean, they would further cut portions as needed. This was done to permit the remaining chalah for every use.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a
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Posted 2/19/2015 4:29 PM |
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#722 Blended Family Benching
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Q. When someone from a blended family is benching, does Ves Zarrei include children from a spouses previous marriage? If not, should some other text be said or do the spouses children get omitted?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one with a blended family (both remarried spouses have children of their own) should recite; Horachaman hu yivarech es Ishti (or Ba’ali) ve’es zarenu, (May the merciful one bless my spouse and our children). This is correct since the one that raises someone's child is considered like his parent.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a
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Posted 2/19/2015 4:28 PM |
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# 721 Mistakenly Heavenly?
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Q. Shalom u'bracha:
Recently I purchased 2 items that the store failed to charge me.
The first was in Marshalls. I put on the register counter several items, to which the register person scans the bar code, and then bags it for you. When I got home I checked the receipt and realized that they didn’t charge me. Am I mechuyev to go back to the store and have them find the item to scan (I don’t have the bar code from the item anymore)
Second question: on a similar note, I ordered an item online from target. When I went to the local store to pick it up, they told me to wait until the purchase went through on their end. It took some time, and then they told me it went through and I can go. The next day I got a "cancellation email" that the order was not picked up and they refunded me the purchase price. Do I have to go back to the store and have them recharge me?
Thanks so much.
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit"a opinion is that if a Kidush Hashem can be accomplished by returning the uncharged merchandise, it should be done.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a
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Posted 2/19/2015 4:25 PM |
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#720 A Message From The Pigeons
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Q. We have a pigeon problem in our Shul/Beis Medrash. The pigeons stroll in during the all-day study sessions and camp out in the alcove inside the dome and above the Aron Kodesh. They also stroll around the floor, seemingly unafraid of anyone. I understand that it is warmer inside than outside and that may attract them, but we even installed devices that are meant to emit sounds that should scare them away, yet to no avail.
We are considering possibilities that G-d is trying to send us some sort of mussar message with their presence and their tenacity that we haven't yet arrived at.
Could the Rabbi suggest some constructive courses of action or some areas of Torah that we might strengthen that may be the idea that G-d is trying to get across to us.
A. In general pigeons are seen as a good omen as they are compared to B'nay Yisroel who are also dedicated completely to Hashem and have only one partner for life. (Tanchuma - Tetzaveh 8, See Baal Haturim –Tazriah 12: 6) They protect themselves with their wings a the Jewish nation does with their mitzvos (Brochos 53b, Shabbos 49a.) They are also the most persecuted of birds and therefore kosher for the altar (See Bava Kama 93a and Midrash Devarim 7: 6) they readily offer themselves for Kidush Hashem (Tanchuma – Bamidbar 27) See also Sotta 10b and Tikuney Zohar 21
However, there is concern on raising and rearing doves or pigeons on one's home. (Sefer Hasgulos of Rav Chaim Vital 4: 27, Tzavoas Rabbi Yehuda Hachosid add. 8, Kaf Hachaim Y.D. 116, Mekavtziel 33 p. 501)
Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a advises to place a bird feeder with some shelter at a distance outside of the shul.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 2/13/2015 12:11 AM |
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#719 Alien Shaileh II
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Q. Re- Question 711, An Alien Shaileh. You quote; “Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson Zt"l, the Lubavitcher Rebbe mentioned "One who declares that there is no life besides on earth is limiting the Creator's abilities." (Sichas Hashavua Shoftim 5749) Does that mean that the Lubavitcher Rebbe zt'l actually believed that extraterrestrials exist? Are they more sources for his opinion? (I couldn't find the one you quoted)
A. I consulted with Rabbi Meir Wagner Shlit"a and he provided me with the following information:
In the Scientific Journal "Mind Over Matter" it is brought down that the Lubavitcher Rebbe ob"m addressed this topic in private audiences on two occasions, and the individuals who were in yechidus later wrote of the exchange.
One was Professor Herman Branover, a refusenik from Russia who specialized in the field of magnetohydrodynamics and had a research and development company in Israel in addition to authoring dozens of articles and books on the unapologetic convergence of Torah and science. He asked the Rebbe if according to the Torah there is the possibility that there exists other civilizations besides on earth. The Rebbe replied that there are sources in Torah that mention the possibility of extraterrestrial life forms. [He quoted some of the sources that the Rov mentions, particularly "Maroz".] However, civilizations which would mean intelligent life forms, are a different story. According to the Torah, a defining quality of intelligent life is the presence of free choice. The existence of free choice and man's ability to use it is only possible by virtue of the Torah. Therefore, if we were to assume that there was intelligent life somewhere else in the universe, they would have to have Torah. That is impossible. They cannot have their own Torah, since the Torah is truth and there can only be one truth. It is also impossible to assume that they have our Torah, for the story of how the Torah was given to the Jewish People here on earth is described in the Torah in great detail.
In other words, the Torah's viewpoint is that it is possible that life exists elsewhere in the universe, but societies of intelligent or human-like life do not exist anywhere but on earth.
A second was Professor Velvel Greene, a Chabad Baal Teshuva from Minnesota, who was an exobilogist for NASA. He was a pioneer in their search for life on Mars, and was once told by an Orthodox Rabbi that his work was forbidden as it was in contravention to Torah. When he asked the Rebbe about this he was told, "One who declares that there is no life besides on Earth is placing a limit on the Creator's abilities as it were."
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a.
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Posted 2/13/2015 12:10 AM |
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#718 Ironic Clothing?
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Q. And if so (that they were redeemed on the merit of not changing their clothing), how did the Jews leave Egypt wearing borrowed Egyptian clothing, that seems ironic?
A. Mefarshim address this question and they answer that the posuk (Shemos 3:22) states "Each woman shall borrow from her neighbor and from the dweller in her house silver and gold objects and garments, and you shall place them on your sons and on your daughters, and you shall empty out Egypt." The fact that the text says; and you shall place them and not; they shall wear them, indicates that they only carried them as an adornment (Likutey Eish p. 85 quoting the Shinaver Rebbe, Siach Sholomo p.193.) Alternatively, that is why they used them only for their children, as they were of a smaller size and were therefore properly covered. Alternatively, they had them fixed and altered to fit them correctly (Levush Yosef p. 39 quoting Divrey Yechezkel.)
Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a explained that some particular garments, such as capes, mantles and shawls etc, were not exclusive used by the Egyptians, but were universally worn and were also of a modest design.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 2/13/2015 12:06 AM |
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#717 Redress For Not Changing Their Dress
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Q. What is the source that the Jewish people were redeemed in the merit of not changing their clothing?
A. The source seems to be Midrashic. The following sources are widely quoted as the origin for this well-known aphorism; Shemos Rabba 1:28, Vaykra Rabba 32, Shir Hashirim 4: 12, Psikta Beshalach 6: 6, Shochar Tov 114, etc. However a check on them will reveal that although they quote the preserving of names and language as factors for the redemption, the garments are not mentioned at all. A perush on the above-mentioned Pesikta (published by the Mekitzei Nirdomim Society, P. 219 n. 66) indeed vehemently claims that; "this was never said by our sages".
Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a advised to consult the Torah Shleima Chumash and indeed in the Miluim on Shemos 3, he also wonders about the source for this widespread adage, and mentions that it is to be found on Midrash Lekach Tov, which is also known as Pesikta Zutressa (Devarim 26: 5.) A check there reveals that although it does mention that their garments were different from the Egyptians, nothing is said about that being a factor in the Geula. Torah Shleima on Vaera (Miluim 2) mentions different versions of the text of the midrashim that may be the elusive source. (See Veani BeHashem Atzapeh p. 207 – 208)
On the same Pesikta and from the Pesach Hagada on the above posuk (Devarim 26: 5) He went down to Egypt and sojourned there with a small number of people, and there, he became a great, mighty, and numerous nation; this teaches that they were distinguished (metzuyanim) there. Meforshim explain that they maintained their distinguished apparel. (Torah Shlemah ibid, Vayechi Yosef p. 27, Birchas Yosef 12 et. al.)
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 2/13/2015 12:05 AM |
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#716 Fraudster Second Maser
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Q. If this (the tzedaka given to a collector who turned out to be a fraud and a con) was part of my maser money, do I have to compensate or does it count?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that you do not have to replace the ma'aser money, as this is similar to one giving his terumah or ma'aser rishon to an Yisroel, and informing him of the nature of the gift. It places now the onus on the recipient to convey the produce to the proper Cohen or Levy. In this case the fraudulent collector has now the obligation to pass on the tzedaka to the poor.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 2/13/2015 12:01 AM |
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#715 Matan L'Con
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Q. If I gave tzdaka to a collector who turned out to be a fraud and a con, did I do a mitzva?
A. Poskim disagree whether giving tzedaka to a wicked or immoral individual is considered a mitzvah or no. Yad Remah (Bava Basra 9b,) deduces from the incident of Prophet Yirmiyahu (18: 23, Bava Kama 16b)) praying that the people of Anassoth even when they are prepared to do charity, Hashem should cause them to stumble and donate to the unworthy, that no reward is forthcoming for that charity.
Sefer Chasidim (61) adds that not only a mitzvah was not done, but also it would be considered an actual offense, since he is supporting undeserving and sinful individuals.
However, Gilyoney Hashas (Bava Kama 16b) deduces from Rabbenu Yonah's permission to feed individuals who did not wash Netilas Yodaim, that one does comply with the mitzvah. Similarly, Nimukey Yosef (ibid.) maintains that if the givers intentions were to correctly observe the mitzvah, and he was unaware of the unworthy condition of the recipient, he complies with the mitzva.
The Chidah (Rosh Dovid, Shoftim) maintains that the above depends on the disagreement between Rabbi Meir and Rabbi Yehudah (Kidushin 36a) whether if Bnay Yisroel in a state of no compliance with the mitzvos are still called Bonim or Hasem's Children.
Meromey Sade (ibid.) distinguishes between wicked or immoral people and individuals who fraudulently represent themselves as poor when they are not. Since you are not actually giving tzedaka to a poor man.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that the giver complies with the mitzvah in the sense of someone who wanted to do a mitzvah and then he accidentally was not able to fulfill his wish (Kidushin 40a)
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 2/12/2015 11:53 PM |
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#714 Oichlin Lanolin?
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Q. The Gemarah in Bechoros 6b says that I would have thought milk is Aver Min Hachai if not for the posik.
What is the status of lanolin oil, the oil is of sheep's wool; may I use it on my lips, dishes etc?
A. Shach (Y.D. 81: 12) , P'ri Toar (ibid. 9) and other Poskim maintain that the prohibition of Ever Min Hachai and Yotze applies only to the meat itself. The lubricant Lanolin is extracted from the wool grease yielded from the wash when cleaning and preparing the wool. Adding the fact that the original secretion extract is unsuitable for human or even animal consumption (See Achiezer 2: 11,) therefore many Poskim permit its use. However, there are to be found in the market Kosher Lanolin and a further derivative from it; vitamin D3.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that there are enough lenient factors involved to permit the use of Lanolin.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 2/12/2015 11:50 PM |
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#713 A Blessed Aliyah?
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Q. When making Aliyah is there a Bracha for the Mitzvah of Yishuv Eretz Yisrael?
If yes, which Bracha and when should it be recited?
If no, why not since most Poskim agree you are Mekayam the Mitzvah
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that you follow the p'sak of most Poskim that maintain that no such brocho is mentioned anywhere and there is no tradition to recite it.
Horav I. Zilberstein Shlit"a (Avnei Chein p.169) mentions that his brother in law Horav Chaim Kanievsky Shlit"a explained to him that we don't recite a brocho on mitzvos that we do constantly, such as the six mitzvos temidios. Yshuv Eretz Yisroel would be similar.
Brocho Mitzion (p. 9) after also mentioning the above reason presents a novel idea. Based on the principle of the Aruch Hashulchan (CH.M. 427: 10) that our sages did not institute a brocho on mitzvos which are sichlios or based on reason and good sense. These mitzvos people would ordinarily perform them without being ordained to do so, such as tzedaka or repaying a loan etc. He claims that Yishuv Eretz Yisroel qualifies as such, since any people tend naturally to settle and reside in their own ancestral land and strive to build it and protect it.
Birchas Ha'aretz (p. 427) conveys an interesting principle. Mitzvos that are primarily done by mainly deriving material benefit or attaining a physical pleasure, such as eating a seuda on Shabbos, Yom Tov or Erev Yom Kippur we don't recite a brocho. He proposes that Yishuv Eretz Yisroel is similar. However, he questions why the eating of matzo or korbonos does require a brocho and explains that the mitzvo is in the many details involved in the proper compliance of such mitzvos.
Birchas Hamitzvos Ketikunon (p. 384) and Rivavos Efraim (4: 44) add an additional perspective by stating that we actually do recite a brocho for Yishuv Eretz Yisroel every time we say Birchas Hamozon or Al Hamichiyo.
However, Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a pointed out that the above brocho is a blessing of hoda'a and gratitude, not a brocho on a mitzvah.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 2/12/2015 11:48 PM |
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#712 A Very Alien Shaile
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Q. What bracha if any would you do if you saw an alien?
A. See prior answer. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that in the unlikely event that you may come in contact with an extraterrestrial creature, no brocho would be recited, since our sages did not institute such a blessing.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a.
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Posted 1/16/2015 2:10 PM |
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#711 An Alien Shaile
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Q. What is Horav Miller's opinion in regards to intelligent life in other planets? Does the Torah accept it as a possibility?
A. Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan Zt"l (The A.K. Reader) mentions that one of the first to discuss the question of extraterrestrial life in general was Rabbi Chasdai Crescas (Or Hashem 4:2). After a lengthy discussion, he comes to the conclusion that there is nothing in Jewish theology to preclude the existence of life on other worlds. As possible evidence for extraterrestrial life, he quotes the Talmudic teaching (Avoda Zara 3b) that "God flies through 18,000 worlds." Since they require His providence, we may assume that they are inhabited.
The exact opposite opinion is that of Rabbi Yosef Albo, author of the "Ikkarim." He states that since the universe was created for the sake of man, no other creature can exist possessing free will. Since any extraterrestrial life would neither have free will nor be able to serve a creature having free will (as terrestrial animals and plants serve a terrestrial man), they would have no reason for existing and therefore be totally superfluous. One could bring some support to the second opinion from the Talmudic teaching that every land where it was not decreed for man to live was never subsequently inhabited. However, here again, it is not absolute proof, since this may only refer to our planet.
Between these two extremes, we find the opinion of the Sefer Habris who states that extraterrestrial life does exist, but that it does not possess free will. The latter is the exclusive possession of man, for whom the universe was created. The 18,000 worlds mentioned earlier, in his opinion, are inhabited physical worlds. The proof that he brings for his thesis is most ingenious. In the song of Deborah, we find the verse, "Cursed is Meroz... cursed are its inhabitants" (Judges 5:23). In the Talmud, we find the opinion that Meroz is the name of a star. According to this opinion, the fact that Scripture states, "Cursed is Meroz... cursed are its inhabitants" is clear proof from the words of our Sages for extraterrestrial life. (Excerpts quoted by Torah org.)
Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson Zt"l, the Lubavitcher Rebbe mentioned "One who declares that there is no life besides on earth is limiting the Creator's abilities." (Sichas Hashavua Shoftim 5749)
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that although many contemporary scientists believe that it is only a matter of time until extraterrestrial life is discovered, that is not the Torah view. There is indeed an extreme large number of stars in the universe (10 x 18 power according to Rabbi Kaplan understanding of Talmudic and Midrashic sources, contemporary estimates from astronomers vary between 10 x 21 to 10 x 24 approximately,) however, any likelihood for the development of intelligent life on the planets they may contain would reasonably be similar to the chances of that happening on planet Earth. That probability is mathematically non-existent for believers in the truth of the Torah. It would require the will of Hashem to create such life. From what we understand from our Torah, no clear indication or need for their existence is mentioned.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a.
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Posted 1/16/2015 2:09 PM |
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#710 Avoiding Avonos on an Oven.
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Q. If I came to a hotel that has an oven can I turn on the oven or do I have to be concerned that there are meat and milk drippings on the oven floor?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that if you need to use a treif oven or microwave (when the kosher food is covered and properly insulated. See question 322 on this forum) you should clean first the oven from any unburned remnants of food. You do not have to be concerned for the imbedded (balua) meat and milk absorbed in the inner surfaces of the oven. Additionally they are probably either burned and inedible or completely cooked and likely there is no "bishul achar bishul" (repeated cooking).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 1/16/2015 2:03 PM |
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#709 Not the Same Without the Name
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Q. Do you repeat the bracha if you see it (the Aurora Borealis) the next night, or only after 30 days?
A. See the above response. Being that you do not recite the brocho with Hashem's name it could be said every night.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 1/16/2015 2:02 PM |
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#708 Blessing Rites on the Northern Lights
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Q. What bracha if any, do you make when watching the Aurora Borealis?
A. Although the Northern Lights is a display of one of the most striking and magnificent phenomena in nature, Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that since this event is not recorded in the Talmud or Poskim directly, one should recite Ose Maase Bereshis without the name of Hashem.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 1/16/2015 2:01 PM |
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#707 Meet the Unintentional Cooking of Milk and Meat
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Q. Is it permitted to reset a main fuse in an apartment building at dinner time. It's a Sufik D'orisa if people may have pots of Bosor B'cholov on their stoves and you are making it cooked.
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that this constitutes a case of a "dovor sheino miskaven" (an unintentional act) when at the same time it is also not a "p'sik reisha" (an unavoidable act), since it is not a certainty that someone in the building will be cooking meat together with milk at that time in a prohibited manner. When these two conditions coincide, it is permitted.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 1/16/2015 2:00 PM |
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#706 A Shower of Brochos?
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Q. Do you repeat the bracha (when seeing a meteor shower) if you see it next night, or only after 30 days?
A. When you do recite a brocho (see last question,) Mishna Berura (227: 1-2) rules that in the case of a meteor shower you only make one brocho per night. However when reciting over a comet, since it is the same astral object, you do not recite until thirty days have passed (see also Shaarei Teshuvo and Shulchan Hatahor ibid. Kaf Hachaim ibid.: 3, Otzar Halachos p. 278)
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 1/16/2015 2:00 PM |
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#705 A Small Seminar on a Falling Star and its Similar
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Q. If you see a meteor shower what bracha do you make?
A. Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 227: 1) rules that on "zikim," which is described as a star like object that shoots across the sky and leaves a trail behind, one recites "Ose Maase Bereshis" or Praised be… the One that crafted the workings of creation. Shulchan Aruch adds than one may also recite "Shekocho Ugevuroso Male Olam" or "whose force and strength engulf the universe." Mishna Berura (ibid. 1) includes the opinion that seeing a comet is similar.
Piskei Teshuvos (ibid.) quotes the view of the Mor Uktzio that meteors can be very small grains of cosmic debris that burn up in the atmosphere and mostly disintegrate before hitting Earth's surface. Meteor Showers are predictable and common, since they mostly occur when Earth crosses the tail stream of debris dispersing from a comet.
Since they can only be appreciated in locations far from the reflection of city lights and when there is no Moon, Poskim maintain that it is not customary today to recite a complete brocho with Hashem's name over them. (Piskey Teshuvos ibid. quoting Shaarei Teshuvo and Shulachan Hatahor.) However, when observing clearly the more infrequent comets themselves or when the sky is dark and the effect and magnificence of the meteor shower can be truly appreciated, one should recite the above complete blessing.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is similar. However, he adds that you only recite the brocho when the meteor is a rock of size that actually hits the Earth's surface and can distinctly and prominently be seen as it crosses the sky. Likewise, you bless only when you witness a continuous and populated meteor shower, in which a number of meteors, albeit of small size but still clearly and prominently visible traverse simultaneously through the firmament and burn out.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 1/16/2015 1:59 PM |
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Important Numbers
