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Have a question? Send it in! Questions are answered by Rabbi Bartfeld.
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#76 - Storing Chumetz in a Refrigerator over Pesach.
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Q. Can I store sold Chumetz in my refrigerator over Pesach?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that if it is chometz gomur it should not be stored even if sold, if it is only in a mixture or kitniyos it is permitted if totally wrapped, separated and labelled.
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Posted 4/18/2011 1:21 AM |
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#75 - Voting during Chol Hamoad
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Q. Can I vote in the upcoming elections during Chol Hamoad?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller"s Shlit"a opinion is that you can vote with a Shinui if you could not have voted before or after Peisach.
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Posted 4/18/2011 1:18 AM |
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#74 - Discarding Chumetz in Commercial Garbage Containers
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Q. Large garbage containers that belong to a Jewish landlord, and they will be emptied only during Pesach, can the landlord place his own discarded Chometz into them on Erev Pesach.
A. If the waste containers belong to the landlord, he should also rent them out. Then he could place he's own discarded chometz before Pesach on them, as the containers and the property are not in his domain.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 4/15/2011 1:40 PM |
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#73 - Rental Property Returned During Pesach
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Q. Dear Rabbi, If someone owns a rental property and a Gentile tenant returns his unit during Pesach, and it contains a sizable amount of abandoned chometz, what should he do? How should he clean it for the next tenant?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is to rent out to a Gentile, in the Mechiras Chometz process, the complete rental facility for the Pesach period. This is necessary even though the chometz does not belong to the landlord, as he never had the intention to acquire it. However the departing tenant could have been Jewish and the remaining chometz, could be considered "chomtzoi shel Isroel birshus Isroel", or chometz that is owned by a Jew and is now in the property of the Jewish landlord. This is prohibited according to the Gr"a, Beis Meir and other authorities. The landlord should also instruct the superintendent or a gentile worker beforehand to clean and prepare the unit when the tenant returns it. Although he rented out the entire facility, it is understood in the agreement that he can still enter it and do what is necessary for its upkeep, as he is to return to it shortly.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a.
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Posted 4/15/2011 1:35 PM |
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#72 - Kashering Glass for Pessach
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Q. I understand it is possible to kasher glass which has not come into contact with hot food by soaking in water for 3 days and changing the water every day. Does it have to be soaked on the outside as well as the inside? Does the water have to be changed at the same time every day? Last time, I soaked it in a bathtub. If I do this, does all the water have to be 100% emptied and what if some items fell over, leaving an air bubble?
A. There are different opinions in regards to kashering glass utensils for Pesach. The Mechaver in O.C. 451,26 requires only good cleaning and rinsing, as glass does not absorb. For Ashkenazim, Remoh (ibid.) is stringent, and he considers glass made from sand, to be similar to earthenware utensils, that can't be koshered. Mishne Berurah (ibid. 156) advises to acquire new glass utensils for Pesach when possible. If new glasses are not an option, milui veirui, could be done. This implies filling their inside only completely with water, keeping each time the water for at least 24 hours, (regardless of the time of day), and then emptying them totally and replacing with fresh water. When done thrice, it would render them kosher, especially if they were not used hot. You could shorten the process by kashering in a boiling pot, if you are not afraid that the glass utensils may crack. (M'adanei Shmuel on Kitzur Sh.A. 116-35, Sdei Chemed 4,5,30).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a.
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Posted 4/15/2011 1:31 PM |
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#71 - Extending Shabbos
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Q. I cannot find anything about the subject of how long I may extend my shabbat? May I end shabbat (with maariv and havdala) at midnight for example? Is this discussed anywhere?
A. You can extend Shabbos until close to Chatzois (midnight), if you leave enough time, for praying Maariv and eating the Melaveh Malkah Seudah. Both should be carried out, primarily soon after the end of Shabbos or before midnight. It is only after the fact that you can do them until daybreak . (See O.C. 235,3 – Yisod Veshoresh Hoavodo, Megale Amukois).
Seifer Nishmas Shabbos quotes, the Arizal's opinion that the holiness of Shabbos does not depart until midnight. This also relates to until when should one wear Bigdey (clothing of) Shabbos. (See Mogen Avrohom 262,2)
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 4/13/2011 11:20 PM |
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#70 - What is one supposed to do after the seder with the wine from Kosh Shel Eliyahu?
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Q. What is one supposed to do after the seder with the wine from Kosh Shel Eliyahu?
A. Sefer Chag Hamatzos (35,22) quotes a number of Authorities (Hagodas Chakal Itzchok – Beer Yehuda et. al.) that report the minhag of pouring the Kois shel Eliohu, after reciting Shfoich Chamoscho, into the cups of the participants. They will use it then for the 4th. Kois.
Minhogey Hasam Soifer (10,7), using the same approach of "adding another Mitzva, to the one already done", advises leaving the cup covered until the next morning and using it for the Kidush of the day.
Seifer Vayaged Moishe (30), combines both traditions. After Shfoich Chamoscho the remains are poured into the cups. Then the Kois Shel Eliahu is replenished and left for Kidush Hayom.
Nitey Gavriel, however, mentions the opinion of R.S.B. of Lubavitch and Rav Yakov Landa Zt"l (Rab"d of Bnei Brak), of pouring it back into the bottle, after adding a bit of wine to the cup, (for non-pogum purposes). The opinion of Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a is also to pour it back into the bottle, when it can't be saved for Kidush Hayom.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a.
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Posted 4/13/2011 11:16 PM |
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#69 - Making a Bracha on Inventions and Machines.
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If you see a great invention or a super computing machine do you have to make a Bracha?
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that the customary brocho recited when encountering a great sage of the nations, (Blessed be the One who imparted from His wisdom to creatures of flesh and blood), could be said without Shem Umalchus, (not mentioning Hashems names), when witnessing the fruit and creations of their wisdom.
Rabbi. A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shilt”a
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Posted 4/8/2011 4:04 PM |
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#68 - Bedikat Chametz Before Traveling to Eretz Yisroel
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Q. Shalom Dear Rabbi, I will be traveling next week to Israel for Pesach, I'm planning to sell my chametz in Israel, do I still have to make Bedikat Chametz, prior to my leaving?
A. Mishne Berurah 436,32 quotes two opinions in regards to searching on the night of the 14 of Nissan, the rooms that are to be sold tomorrow. Mekor Chaim and Chaye Odom argue that Bedikah should be done, since at that evening, the rooms will not be sold yet. Binyan Olom 20, disagrees, given that he will comply with the Mitzva of eradicating the chometz by selling it next day. He mentions also the lenient opinion of the Chasam Soifer 131, when he does actual Bedikah in the rooms not sold. He cites the Eishel Arohom that concurs. Mishne Berurah concludes that we can't object to the ones that are lenient; but it is preferable to do the sale on the 13, prior to the beginning of the night we are obliged to do Bedikah.
Horav Shlomo Miller's opinion is that it if the chometz is sold in Israel on the 14, or in Toronto on the 13 of Nissan, (Mechira Mukdemes), no Bedikah is needed in Toronto prior to traveling, as one is to be performed at the proper time in Israel. It would still be advisable, if possible, to do a Mechira Mukdemes (on the 13) in Israel. The early selling on the 13 in Toronto, actually occurs on the 14, due to the difference in time zones.
Rabbi. A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller shilt"a.
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Posted 4/8/2011 4:01 PM |
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#67 - Saying Kadish for Several Neshamot at once.
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Q. A person who is already saying Kadish for his father-in-law, (as there are no sons), was asked to recite Kadish for another recently deceased relative, who does not have anyone to say Kadish in her name. Can he accept this additional commitment and now recite Kadish for two Neshamot instead of one at the same time?
If it is permitted to say Kadish for two, does he have to be matir neder?
A. Many Poiskim agree that one Kadish could be said for a number of deceased (Rana"ch 1,77 – Gesher Hachaim 1, 326,7 – Kol Bo p.376, Tzitz Eliezer 7,49, et al.). However Igrois Moishe (Y.D. 254) and Doivev Meishorim (2,14) at least partially disagree. The fact that no contracts or monetary rewards are involved in this case is also favorable. Igros Moishe (ibid.) advises that at least one Kadish a day should be dedicated to each niftar. So too is the opinion of Horav Shloimo Miller Shlit"a. He recommends thinking in advance for whom this kadish is to be recited; the rest should be said with the intention for both.
No hatoras nedorim is required, moreover the declaration of Kol Nidrei or Mesiras Moido'o on Erev Rosh Hashono, would make it unnecessary.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 4/1/2011 1:18 PM |
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#66 - Mechiras Chometz at Pesach Hotels Overseas.
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Q. A family is traveling to Europe to spend Pesach in a hotel there. As they are traveling with children and they plan to spend some time after Pesach traveling in Europe, they are taking with them a suitcase full of chometz products for use after Pesach. They have or will include this suitcase in the shtar mechiras chometz, and they plan to leave the sold Chometz suitcase during the Yom Tov at the storage room in the hotel. The Hotel is owned by a non-Jew - but a Jewish tour group is running the Pesach program.
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a advise is indeed to make an early echiras chometz, which is done between 3:00 - 5:00 PM Toronto time on Sunday, prior to the night of Bedikas chometz (this year) . Traveling with that suitcase would then be acceptable, assuming that at that time, the travelers would have already reached the hotel destination and deposited the suitcase for safekeeping. When selling the suitcase while still in Toronto, they would have to describe it in the shtar mechirah in a recognizable way, stating also it's location and address, so the sale takes legal effect.
It is recommendable, for the sake of proper kinyan and mechira, that they should also relinquish in favor of the buyer of the chometz, their right to the usage of the storage area where the suitcase is to be found.
The above assumes that the non-Jewish hotel owners have not rented out the complete facility to the Jewish tour-group, and they still remain the responsible party for any claims against the loss or damage of the suitcase that was given to them for safekeeping.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shloimo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 4/1/2011 1:10 PM |
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#65 - Transfering Food to a Non Jewish Patient.
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Q. Can a Jewish patient transfer a tray of Chometz food to another non-Jewish patient, laying in the next bed, during Pesach.
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that it is prohibited, as the non-Jewish patient will remain grateful for the favour done, and that constitutes a benefit. Chometz during Pesach is prohibited in benefit. He may also desire the existence (Roitze Bekiyumoi) of this particular chometz, since he will be careful not to tip the tray and spill the food. (O.C. 450 - Chashukei Chemed, Pesochim p. 190).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a.
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Posted 3/25/2011 1:18 PM |
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#64 - Serving a Non Jewish Patient Meat and Milk.
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Q. Can a nurse serve a non Jewish patient meals that contain cooked meat and milk during the year.
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that it is permitted in need only, since there are several "Sfeikos" or doubts as to the nature of the prohibition in most common cases. Probably only a Rabbinical prohibition of Basar Vehalav is involved. The preparation may not entail the required act of Bishul or cooking proscribed by Halocho. There is also doubt as to what kind of meat and milk is being used and the amounts involved. All the above will create a Sfeik Sfeiko or double doubt condition, which albeit still prohibited for consumption, would render the meal permitted for benefit.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 3/25/2011 1:15 PM |
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#63 - Serving a Non Jewish Patient Chumetz During Chol-Hamoed Pesach.
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Q. Can a nurse serve during Chol-Hamoed Pesach meals that contain Chometz to non Jewish patients.
A. It is forbidden for a Jewish nurse to prepare or serve meals that contain chometz during Pesach, even to non-Jewish patients. There are a number of prohibitions involved, such as "Mistaker B'isurei Hanoe" or deriving benefit from proscribed items and desiring their existence (O.C.450, 4 - M."B. 9), Also we should be concerned that the chometz may be eaten or tasted during the process (Mishne Berurah ibid. 21). Poiskim recommend that somebody whose occupation requires the handling or providing of chometz food, should ask for a substitute during Pesach or engage in a different task. (Igros Moishe C.M. 4, Yesodei Yeshurun 6, p. 207, Chashukei Chemed, Pesochim p. 190, see also Teshuvos Vehanhogos O.C. 299).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 3/25/2011 1:09 PM |
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#62 - Horachamon blessings after upcoming Shabbat Kiddush
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After the Bris of my son there was no proper after meal benching and we did no say the special Brachots after Bircas HaMazon - there where not enough people washing before the meal.
Question: Can we say those blessing after upcoming Shabbat Kiddush?
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is not to say the Horachamon blessings on Birchas Hamazon if not recited during the actual Bris Milah seudah.
Rabbi Abraham Bartfeld
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Posted 3/18/2011 12:27 PM |
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#61 - Kitnios prepared with all the care of processing Matza.
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Q. Can Ashkenazim eat during Pessach corn bread, such as tortilas, 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), can not 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.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 3/18/2011 12:25 PM |
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#60 - Practicing Yoga
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Q. Is one is allowed to practice yoga if all of the Hindu aspects and associations are removed?
A. Rabbinical authorities of our times have addressed the permissibility of the practice of yoga. In essence, yoga involves a blend of physical and a meditative exercises. If done in a Halachik correct fashion there is no reason why it would not be permitted, as the Lubavitcher Rebeh Zt"l pointed out on Tamuz 5739. In practice however, that may be difficult to achieve. You require the proper instructor or teaching method, one that will not engage in religious mantras, meditative ideas or names of postures that identify with an avoido-zoro or their believes, even if one does not personally believe in them.(Bemaareh Habazak 2,56). It can not be done in a mixed group as there are issues of Tznius (modesty) too.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 3/18/2011 12:23 PM |
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#59 - Serving a husband or father before a guest.
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Q. When serving food, must the wife serve her husband before a guest? What if the guest is her mother? What about when the children are serving?
A. Rambam, (Ishus 15,19) writes: "The Sages ordered that a wife should honour her husband extremely - and he should be in her eyes like a king". Even though this may be only a rabbinical obligation, it supersedes and pre-empts her biblical mitzva to honour her father and mother, since she is now by marriage, bound and obligated to her husband. (Y.D. 240, 17 - Piskei Teshuvah ibid. 20 - Ar'o D'rabonon, Kof,333 - Chabatzeles Hasharon, Ysro)
Most Poiskim's opinion is that her exemption of the mitzva of Kivud Av V'eem, is only when that benefits or is required by her husband. If he is not present or doesn't mind, she is required to honour them. (Rambam ibid. - Chinuch 33- Shach Y.D. ibid., see Tzapichis Bidbash 54)
However, the husband is ordained on the mitzva of honouring his mother in law. Many are of the opinion that this is a biblical mandate. (Igeres Hagro, Chayei Odom 67,17). Yet it is not the prerogative of a wife to compel her husband to comply with this mitzva, (as he may have valid reasons not to do so).
As far as the children are concerned, most Poiskim also opine that there is a mitzva of honouring a grandmother, (Darkei Moishe and Remoh ibid. ). Nevertheless, the mitzva of Kivud Av supersedes the honouring of a grandmother. The bottom line and most important rule for all to follow is that Sholom Bais should prevail.
Rabbi Abraham Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 3/11/2011 1:32 PM |
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#58 - Attending a Purim Seuda after Shoshim and calculating a when the Avaylos is over.
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Q. My mother was Niftar on January 11, 2011. When is the year of avaylos over for me. Second, am I allowed to go to a family Purim seuda with about 15 people (all family including cousins and their children)?
A. January 11 corresponded to the 6 of Shevat (until sunset). Avelus is only 12 months, since this is a leap year, it will end the 5 of Kislev at nightfall.
It is certainly better to invite the family to celebrate the Purim Seudah at the ovel's home as some Poiskim prohibit his attendance outside the home. (Nitey Gavriel, Avelus 2,31,4 and Purim 78,14 - Mishne Halochos 13,229).
Some Poiskim permit attendance outside the ovel's home if no music is played there. (Yalkut Yosef 695,12 - Nishmas Ysroel, Purim 371). Other Poiskim permit attendance even if music is played. (Divrei Soifrim 40, fn. 12 and 17 in the name of Chaim Shoal).
Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a permits the attendance of the ovel, if the music was not requested by him.
Rabbi A, Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 3/11/2011 1:28 PM |
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#57 - Kashruth Status of Purple, Red and White carrots
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Q. Heritage Carrots are being sold and the carrots are purple, red, and white. When I cooked with them, the purple carrot turned my soup purple. Do these carrots need a Hechsher? The package does not say that there are any added coloring, and I am not sure how the carrots have their colors. Thank you.
A. I forwarded your question to the COR, this is what Rabbi M. Lebovits answered:
From what I can see there are a species of carrot that are purple and do bleed the color when cooked. It seems that carrots do come in various colors.
Rabbi M. Lebovits, Rabbinic Coordinator
COR - Kashruth Council of Canada
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Posted 3/4/2011 1:33 PM |
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Important Numbers
