|
|
|
|
Have a question? Send it in! Questions are answered by Rabbi Bartfeld.
|
|
|
|
|
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
|
|
|
|
|
#149 - attending a friend’s Sholom Zochor during Shloshim
|
|
|
Q. May an oveil attend his best friend's sholom zochor during shloshim?
A. Yes he may if he does not linger and just enters and says Mazel Tov. He may also drink a L’chaim, say Divrey Brocho and then leave.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
|
|
|
|
|

Posted 3/30/2012 11:26 AM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#148 - Bedikas Chometz on property being sold for Pesach.
|
|
|
Q. We are going to spend Pesach in another town, but we may be leaving our home on the morning of erev Pesach (Friday). If we make an early mechirah of the complete house to avoid having to clean the house and do bedikah, can we still stay in the house Thursday night, after it was already sold?
Should we / or would it be better to leave our house on Thursday and sleep at a hotel on the way to avoid any issues with the bedikah?
And if we leave on a Thursday, is it OK to leave in the afternoon, or should I wait until the evening, do the bedikah on one room in the house to fulfill my personal obligation of bedikah, and then leave?
If I leave on Thursday afternoon, how do I fulfill my personal obligation of bedikah chametz?
If I do the bedika on Thursday evening and then leave, should I take the chamets with me to do the burning of the chametz it in the morning?
Thank you
A) Poiskim offer different opinions in regards to Bedikas Chometz for someone who sells his entire dwelling before midday on the eve of Pesach (as is the custom to do with a regular Mechiras Chometz). There are those who maintain that even though at the onset of the Pesach prohibitions the property will not be his anymore, since at the beginning of the night of the fourteen of Nissan it still belongs to him he is obliged to do Bedika (Mekor Chaim 436,4 - Chaye Adam 119,8 - Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 110.6 et al.). Many other Poiskim exempt the Bedika (Chasam Sofer O.C. 121- Eishel Avraham 433 - Tzemach Tzedek 47 et al.), Nitey Gavriel (Pesach 1 27,1) mentions that the practice is to be lenient, however some are Machmir to make a Mechira Mukdemes, which is a selling that takes effect prior to the beginning of the fourteen.
In your own particular case, you don’t have to go through the expense of staying in a hotel. Rather it would be advisable to do two things. A) an early selling, but exempt one room that you do not include in the selling at all and where you are going to do the Bedika on the night of the fourteen with a Brocho. B) You will also specify in your contract an added condition, namely, that you want to still have use of your dwelling until you leave Friday morning at whatever time that may be. If you decide to leave on Thursday afternoon, you will not require this added second condition, but you will do the Bedika the night before (Wednesday) without a brocho in the room you exempted from the sale. Yes it will be advisable to take with you the remainders of the chometz, for you to burn at your new location at the proper time.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
|
|
|
|
|

Posted 3/27/2012 4:51 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#147 - Minimum amount of money in Canadian funds to be considered Matanos Laevyonim
|
|
|
Q. What is the minimum amount of money in Canadian funds to be considered matanot laevyonim today? Thank you.
A. Mishneh Beruroh (694,2) writes in the name of the Ritvo that even a prutah is enough for gifts for the poor, but one should preferable give an amount that the poor could really benefit from on Purim, whether money or food.
Shaarei Teshuvoh (ibid. 1, in the name of Chida, and many other Poiskim) advises to give enough to purchase three egg volumes of bread.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that as of today (5772), a Canadian dollar would suffice, as you can purchase with it a bread roll to match that amount. This includes the now popular one dollar vouchers, even though the receiver obtains a little less than a dollar on exchange.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
|
|
|
|
|

Posted 3/7/2012 4:14 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#146 - Fulfilling the mitzvah of drinking on Purim through prescription drugs.
|
|
|
Q. During Purim, can a patient on prescription drugs become inebriated by them and fulfill the mitzvah of drinking on Purim, since he cannot drink wine or any alcohol at all?
A. Many Poskim (Rashi Megila 7a - Rambam Megila 2,15 et al.) insist that wine should be the beverage used, as the miracles of Purim occurred by reason of a wine banquet. However, many others totally omit the mention of wine and permit any alcoholic beverage (see Hisorerus Teshuvo 3,491 - Mishne Halochos 5,83 - Piskey Teshuvos 695,3). For someone who finds drinking wine difficult, Poskim recommend drinking some wine and then following with other alcoholic beverages.
It stands to reason that a prescription drug that has a similar effect of creating joy, is comparable to all other alcoholic beverages. In this particular case, it could be advisable for the patient, with his doctor’s approval to take his prescription drugs and fall asleep afterwards, as recommended by the Remoh (O.C. 695,2).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
|
|
|
|
|

Posted 3/7/2012 4:12 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#145 - Eating after the fast before hearing Megilah
|
|
|
Q. A woman that because of her need to care for her children attends Megilah reading late at 9.00 PM, can she eat before?
A. Shulchan Oruch (O.C. 652,2) prohibits eating before one complies with a mitzvah. Mishnah Berurah (ibid, 7) permits in need drinking small amounts or eating a snack that is not bread or mezonos.
It is advisable in such a case for one to ask someone else to remind him/her to attend the Megilah reading. (Mishna Berurah (692,16 - Nitey Gavriel Purim 11,6).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
|
|
|
|
|

Posted 3/7/2012 4:07 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#144 - Listening to Torah tapes while fixing bathroom tiles.
|
|
|
Q. I do occasionally home repair work. Can I work in a bathroom fixing tiles, which may take a few hours, while listening to a Torah tape? I have not yet completed my conversion to Judaism. Thanks.
A. Poiskim write that if the bathroom is already in use, as it seems from your question, you cannot listen to a Torah tape while working inside, as you would be thinking Torah thoughts in an undesirable location. (Be'er Moishe 6, 108, 4 – Be'er Sorim 36).
It is noteworthy to mention that Horav Ovadia Yosef Shlit"a (Yavia Omer 5,11 – Halichos Oilom 1, p.119) permits listening to tapes or liturgical music while taking a bath on a private bathroom that has no toilet present. According to his view you would be permitted to listen to Torah tapes while working in such a location.
However, Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is to be always particularly respectful on the holiness of the Torah, regardless whether one has completed his conversion or not.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
|
|
|
|
|

Posted 3/7/2012 4:04 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#143 - If needed, can parents do the chalakah before a child turns three?
|
|
|
Q) If a toddler is going to be three years on chol hamoed, can his parents do the chalakah before Pesach if needed, as there are visiting family?
A) There are different traditions in regards to the extent of time one should wait until the first hair cutting of a youngster. Some authors mention nine months (Heichal Avoidas Hashem 2,179), some two years (Peulas Hatzadik 3, 236). Orchois Rabeinu mentions that the Steipler Gaon ZT"L was lenient with his grand children after two years. Most common, however, is three years.(Maharam Brisk, Afraksta Deaniyo 161, et al.)
When in need, as for the comfort of the child) it could be done before the completion of full three years. When the three years finish during Sefirah or Chol Hamoed Pesach, one could preempt the Chalakah before Pesach. Nitey Gavriel, Tigalachas Hayelodim ch. 2 & 3)
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
|
|
|
|
|

Posted 3/7/2012 3:59 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#142 - Wearing a Kitl during Shono Rishonoh
|
|
|
Q) A choson is in his shono rishoino who makes his own seider, is he permitted to wear a kittl if he wants to?
A) M'kadesh Yisroel (Pesach 315) quotes Maharam Shick (O.C. 28) who endeavors to find a reason why some do not wear the Kitl during the first year after their wedding. He suggests that since on optimal circumstances, the choson should be married by eighteen years, and at that time he is not yet subject to punishments by the Hand of Heaven, there is no grounds for wearing a Kitl. However that does not apply to many today. He also mentions that the tradition of many Chasidim is to put on the Kitl on the first year, as one mayor rationale for using a kitl, is to resemble a Kohen when engaged in the Avodah of the Bais Hamikdosh, and Shono Rishonoh would not be an altering factor.
Hagodas Mibais Levy (From Horav Voshner shlit"a, p.57) mentions that the custom is to be lenient and wear the Kitl. See also Birur Halocho (quoted in Yemey Pesach p.194) that the one who wears it during the first year we let him do so.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
|
|
|
|
|

Posted 3/7/2012 3:54 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#141 - Mezuzahs for small rooms with counters.
|
|
|
Q. As we move to new office headquarters, we have a couple of rooms where we are in doubt of the necessity for a mezuza, because of the small size of the rooms. My rough estimates: Call office: 98 sq ft, but these area is being reduced by counters and cabinets attached to the walls (totalling 48 sq ft) that further reduce the usable area to only 50 sq. ft. The other is a servery that is 45 sq. ft. including area occupied by counter or 33 sq. ft. not including area occupied by counter. Thanks
A. Shulchan Oruch (Y.D. 286,13) rules that a room with an area of less than four square amos is exempt from the mitzvah of mezuzah. There are different opinions as to the equivalent of an amo in our standard measurements. Rav Chaim Noeh's opinion is 49-cm. Which would require a room of 1.92m x 1.92m (6' 3.5" x 6' 3.5") or 3.69sq.m. Chazon Ish estimation is; 2.32m x 2.32m (7' 7.33" x 7' 7.33") or 5.39 sq.m.
In regards to counters and cabinets attached to walls or floors, Poiskim differ in their opinions, if they reduce the required minimum area necessary for a mezuzah, as they are useful for the room and could be seen as part of it. (Kvias Mezuzah Kehalacha ch.2 – Kuntres Hamezuzah p.68, Birur Halacha 223).
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that if the room is less than 6' by 6', no Mezuzah is needed. More than that, if the area includes the attached counters and cabinets, he recommends that a Mezuzah should be placed without a brocho.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
|
|
|
|
|

Posted 3/2/2012 2:05 AM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#140 - Grandparents naming a child.
|
|
|
Q. My granddaughter was born a couple of days ago and I want to know can my husband go to shul and name her. My daughter and son-in-law go to Conservative and are going to name her in a month's time?
A. Poiskim and minhogim disagree as to which one of the parents has the right to name a newborn and which is then the correct future sequence to follow (Ramban, Daas Zkenim Bereishis 38,4 – Shaar Hamilah 80, et al.). However, they all agree, that giving a name is the prerogative of the parents only.
There are different traditions as to when to give the name to a daughter. They vary from immediately, first Krias Hatorah, the first Shabbos, two Shabbosim or to waiting a month, as the lunar cycle is symbolic of females, (see Seifer Habris Ch. 6 – Minchas Ytzchok 4, et al.), most prevalent is the first occasion of the reading of the Torah or waiting for the first Shabbos.
A grandparent could name the baby, with the consent of the parents and acting on their behalf.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
|
|
|
|
|

Posted 2/24/2012 1:20 AM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#139 - An Ovel after Shloshim joining a group trip to visit and pray at Kvorim
|
|
|
Q. Can an ovel after shloshim join a group trip that is to travel in Europe to visit and pray at the kvorim of prominent Tzadikim.
A. Shulchan Oruch (Y.D. 380,25) forbids long business trips, as they are very conspicuous and a large group of travelers usually rejoices along the way. (See: Mourning in Halachah 38,6).
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that, if this trip is dedicated for the purpose of visiting and davening by the kvorim of Tzadikim and it is a Torah learning experience too, an ovel is permitted to join.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
|
|
|
|
|

Posted 2/22/2012 12:56 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#138 - Do Parsha sheets require Genizah
|
|
|
Q. I'm cleaning out my room and I found a bunch of parsha sheets in English that I had collected on my desk over the weeks. Am I allowed to put these with the regular recycling or do I have to put them in genizah. The parsha sheets are specifically the one put out by lubavitch and the translation of Shabbat b'Shabbato. I also have a couple booklets put out by Yeshiva University for the Holidays.
A. Shevet Halevy (Y.D. 162,2) writes that dedicated sections of Divrei Torah written in newspapers, whether published in Hebrew or English, require genizah.
Ginzei Hakodesh (Ch. 14) quotes different opinions expressed by recent Poiskim in regards to parsha sheets and the like.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is, that if it is a one time use publication and it is not normally stored or saved, one can if in need, dispose of it by inserting it inside a bag and placing it in the recyclables. Booklets, however, that are more permanent, should be send to the Genizah.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a.
|
|
|
|
|

Posted 2/22/2012 12:53 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#137 - Pesach Shevah Brochos
|
|
|
Q. If a couple are married on the Sunday before Pesach and there are no further Shevah Brochos on the following weekdays, can one say Shevah Brochos on the two Seder nights (Friday and Shabbos) of that week?
A. Poskim agree that there is no obligation to perform all sheva brochos (Yam Shel Shlomo, Kesuvos 1,12, Maharil, Rav P’olim E.H. 4,6, Aruch Hashulchan O.C. 640,14 -et al.), and they mention different traditions in that respect, doing all sheva brochos is the most widespread.
When sheva brochos are recited during the Pesach Seder, in order to avoid adding more cups to the mitzvah of drinking only four cups and at the same time circumventing the predicament of bundling many mitzvos together (which belittles them), a number of practices have been suggested.
Darkei Moishe (473,4) suggests that the mezamen should use his cup when leading bentching, while the sheva brochos should be recited on the groom’s cup, (for that matter any other cup). Igrois Moishe (E.H. 95) recommends following this opinion.
Mishne Halocho's (11, 382) counsel is that the chosson himself should not recite any of the sheva brochos, even if his cup is being used.
Chida (Chaim Shoal 74,13) advices to do bentching and sheva brochos on the same cup.
Kaf Hachaim (479, 3 quoting Birchos Maim) opines that one of the attendants should lead bentching, while another recites sheva brochos on his own cup, then the one who leads says, "bore pri hagofen" on his cup.
Yavet'z (Hagadah on his Sidur) maintains that two cups should be used, and the one of sheva brochos should be kept for use as the fourth cup.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is to follow Igrois Moishe's decision quoted above.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
|
|
|
|
|

Posted 2/22/2012 12:27 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#136 - Tachanun by a Bris when the Mohel leaves early.
|
|
|
Q. If the Mohel left the minyan (because he had to go to a Bris), before the beginning of the repetition of the Shemone Esre, do you say Tachanun?
A. Taz (O.C. 131,10) quoted in Mishna Berura (ibid. 26) recommends that a groom should not come to Shul during the seven days after his wedding, so not to exempt the attendants from reciting Tachanun. Ridbaz (responsa 1,179) and Trumas Hadeshen 2,80) construe from this that if the Choson was in Shul during Shemone Esre but left before the beginning of Tachanun, it is recited. Toras Chaim (ibid. 7) and Eishel Avrohom advise that it is better that the Choson should attend the Minyan and exit before Tachanun. However, not all Poiskim agree, (Hilchos Ktanos 1,21- Tefiloh Kechichoso 15,12 – Rib'bos Efroim 5,8) maintain that if the groom was present at the beginning of the Amida and then left, no Tachanun is said. All this would equally apply to the presence of a Mohel.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that it is better to recite Tachanun.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
|
|
|
|
|

Posted 2/10/2012 4:56 AM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#135 - Reciting the Shira with joy during a time of Availus.
|
|
|
Q. As Shabbath Shirah approaches, we have learned that the Shirah should always be recited with great joy, as this promotes forgiveness of sins. Does one have to recite it that way in a mourners house or in the day of Tisha B'av? How about when the Avel himself is the Shliach Tzibur?
Thanks
A. Zohar (B'shalach and Terumah) and Midrash, quoted by many Poiskim, exalt the ones who recite Shiras Hayam with great joy, with detailed care, and with its cant illations. They are considered as if they experienced themselves the Exodus of Mitzraim and Hashem saves them and forgives all their sins. (Pri Chodosh, Mishna Berura 53, et. al.)
Because of the inherent requirement to recite the Shira with happiness, some Poiskim advise to refrain from saying it in a mourner's house or on the 9 of Av (Tur O.C. 559, Bais Yosef and Darchei Moshe ibid.). However, the accepted tradition is to say it including when the avel himself leads.
Meiri (Taanis 31,a) after quoting the view of the ones who don't recite Shiras Hayam, writes that he does not see any benefit in their opinion. Since all agree that the psalms of Pesukey Dezimra are said, similarly other terms of praise, inspiration and awakening for Tefilah can be equally recited.
Halacha (O.C. 223,3), states that two contradicting blessings, Sheheyanu, said in joy and Dayan Emes, said in mourning could be recited in the same occasion, as when a father dies and the son inherits his estate. We find a similar Medresh on Akeidas Ytzchok (Bereishis 22,11) that relates how tears were flowing from Avrohom Ovinus eyes, yet he performed the Akeida and followed Hashem's decree with great happiness. An analogous aphorism in the Talmud (Brochos 54a) states, that one should bless Hashem for the dreadful things in life as he blesses for the good ones. The Talmud explains that it refers to accepting them all with joy. It is obvious that a person who is in mourning can still maintain a degree of joy in his hearth.
Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a explained that a person may be in joy for having had Yetziat Mitzraim in the past and be expecting, with joy too, the future redemption, yet he may be now in a sate of temporary mourning.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
|
|
|
|
|

Posted 2/10/2012 4:47 AM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#134 - Is a brocho recited on a special needs new born baby.
|
|
|
Q. I attended a delivery recently where the newborn had severe internal congenital organ defects. It is customary not to inform immediately the parents of the detrimental situation, as to provide opportunity for the much needed bonding with their offspring. The parents are frum and they made the required brocho. In light of the above, is a brocho recited? If not should they be then informed immediately?
A. Toras Hayoledes (37.9) argues that it is likely that one may make a brocho (Sheheyanu or Hatov Vehameitiv) on the birth of a blemished child, such as blind or missing a limb, Hashem should protect us, as he can grow up to be a great scholar or Tzadik. Furthermore, a brocho said in such situation will demonstrate, great bitochon and trust in Hashem’s decrees and one’s love for Him. However, he adds, it depends on each individuals disposition and character. He also quotes Horav Eliashiv's Shlit"a opinion, not to make a brocho on the birth of child suffering from Down’s syndrome. In this respect, Assia (journal 13, 3-4) cites different opinions of Poiskim and also addresses the predicted life-span issue of the ailing child.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that if the doctor's prognosis maintains that the child will live over thirty days, a brocho may be recited. (see Talmud Brochos 59b and O.C. 223,2 in regards to reciting a praise brocho when confronted with a parents demise and at the same time receiving his inheritance) Accordingly the attending physician may if necessary avoid informing the parents immediately, as there is no concern for an unnecessary brocho.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
|
|
|
|
|

Posted 1/31/2012 2:16 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#133 - Saying Yud Gimel Midos with a Minyan.
|
|
|
Q. Often when I daven in a minyan that says yud gimel midos during tachanun, I am unable to say it together with them, as I am still lagging behind. What is the source that 13 midos need a minyan, and is the fact that there is a minyan present reason enough to say them even if not exactly at the same time.
A. Shulchan Oruch (O.CH. 565, 5) quotes Tshubas Horashbo, that you need a minyan for reciting the 13 midois or "Traits of Compassion" they are a dovor shebekedusho (words of holiness).
Mishna Berurah (ibid. 12) writes that they could be recited without a minyan, if they are articulated as the reading of the Torah and the intention is not for prayer.
Nitey Gavriel (Rosh Hashono 11,10 – quoting Kaf Hachaim and Ben Ish Chai) states that if you begin reciting together with the minyan and they end before, you can still finish your slower recitation.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that you can begin saying yud gimel midois as long as some of the congregants are still reciting them.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
|
|
|
|
|

Posted 1/27/2012 1:15 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#132 - Re - previous shaaileh on kashering crystal glasses.
|
|
|
Q.
Is it necessary to do the whole process of filing with water and changing 3 times the water, isn't there a shortcut?
A. You may place the glasses on a boiling pot as normal kashering is done. We follow the process of Miluy Veiruy described to avoid cracking the crystal. You may place the glasses on a pot prior to heating and boiling, thus avoiding this problem. You have to take the utensils to a Mikve and immerse them without a brocho, if you are in doubt if it was done by the previous owner.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
|
|
|
|
|

Posted 1/27/2012 11:56 AM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#131 - Kashering glass and crystal.
|
|
|
Q. The previous owners of the house left us a set of glasses, some glass some crystal. They haven't been used in almost two years and I'm wondering if I can use them. Do I need to kasher them and if so how? Am I allowed to wash them in my sink or dishwasher or will that make the sink or dishwasher treif.
A. The ones made of simple glass can be used as is. The crystal glasses should be koshered by submerging them in water for three consecutive 24 hour periods (Meluy Veiruy). The water should be emptied and refilled at the end of each 24 hour cycle for a total of 72 hours. You can wash them previously to remove dust in regular sink with lukewarm (less than 45º C) water.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
|
|
|
|
|

Posted 1/16/2012 11:35 AM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#130 - Location of a Sholom Zochor.
|
|
|
Q. Does a Shalom Zochor have to be in the house where the mother and baby are, or can it be also, if needed in a friends house?
A. A number of reasons are given to the tradition of making a Sholom Zochor Seudah (meal), which many Poiskim consider a Seudas Mitzvah (Remah Y.D. 265,12). Most explain it as an expression of praise and thanksgiving to Hashem, for the newborn's gift of life and his and his mothers safe delivery (Baba Kama 80b - Tos. Ibid). Some see it as a honour given to the great mitzvah of Shabbos before carrying on with the Brith Milah. Accordingly the Sholom Zochor does not have to be in the house where the newborn is.
Some understand its origin as a manifestation of Aveluth or consolation for the child's forgetting the Torah that he had learned prenatally, and being in mourning for it (Taz, Drisha, ibid.). Others see in it an act of reminding the newborn of the oath he has taken before being born and its compliance. This would be done best in his presence.
However, whenever it is necessary the Sholom Zochor can be done in Shul or in a friend's house.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
|
|
|
|
|

Posted 1/16/2012 11:16 AM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|