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Have a question? Send it in! Questions are answered by Rabbi Bartfeld.
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#5088 The True Honoring of One’s Father
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Q. They are selling at our large shul the important Haftara of Shabbat Nachamu. As they are a number of Yohrzait candidates that would like to read , yet I have also yohrzait for my father ZT”L then, How important is it really?
A. Horav Yaakov Hirschman Shlit’a maintains, that it is better to donate that money in the name of your father zt”l, for the support of the needy ones who are learning Torah.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 8/15/2024 11:42 PM |
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#5087 The Sooner the Better
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Q. I’m getting married next week for a third time, with a chupa done in a small Shul. Is it best to wait until after T'u Beav is over, or is it sufficient just after Shabbat Nachamu or even after the Tenth of Av?
A. Horav Yaakov Hirschman Shlit"a and the rest of our Rabbonim maintain that the sooner the better, since “Zerizim Makdimin Lemitzvos” (The agile and nimble are fast and early in performing miyzvos)
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 8/15/2024 11:12 PM |
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#5086 The Last Drink?
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- Q. Can one drink diluted fruit juice at the Seudas Hamafsekes (last meal before fasting begins)? It is very helpful for me. Can one take then a Lechaim zip?
A. Some Poskim permit drinking coffee or tea at the Seudas Hamafsekes (Shaarei Teshuva 552: 1), similarly some Poskim permit diluted juice in need. However, Poskim prohibit any alcoholic drinks.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
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Posted 8/15/2024 10:49 PM |
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#5085 – Sure Care to Cure?
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- Q. Rabbi I need help urgent. Never in my life (B”H), I had to take any medicine on a day of fasting. Now I need to take antibiotics. Which is the best Halacha way to swallow them on Tisha Beav? (need urgent answer!).
A. Firstly consult with your doctor, since you may be able to space the intake of the antibiotics in a way that you could avoid most of them during Tisha Beav. The pills that you must take, can if possible just be wrapped slightly with some minute paper tissue. Many Poskim maintain that just swallowing them with a minimum of necessary water if need be, is an accepted procedure.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
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Posted 8/15/2024 10:22 PM |
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#5084 Fastest Fasting
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- Q. I’am a mother and B’H I have several young children. For serving my children on Tisha Beav fasting day, can I just taste a bit of the food and then spit it out, just to see if it is not too salty or too sweet?
A. Horav Yaakov Hirschman Shlit’a suggested that it is better if the children taste a bit of it, and then you go ahead and feed them as required.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
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Posted 8/15/2024 10:08 PM |
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#5083 Kashes on Ashes?
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- Q. Does one have to dip only the bread at the Seudas Hamafsekes (last meal before fasting begins) in ashes or one should also put some ashes on the single cooked food permitted, commonly a hard boiled egg?
Can one deep the bread on excessive salt?
A. Rema mentions only dipping the bread in ashes, but other Poskim record a custom of dipping the cooked food as well; see Dirshu Mishnah Berurah 552:16 n.e. note 13.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
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Posted 8/15/2024 9:59 PM |
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#5082 We Welcome the Well Wear?
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- Q. A good friend left his raincoat in shul during last week or maybe it was on Friday night. I found it. Can I wear it home on a the early sunny Shabbos afternoon to return it to him, or should I be concerned that people will laugh at me and I might just take it off and come to carry on Shabbath? (No Eiruv here yet).
A. For the great mitzva of returning a lost item, our Rabbonim maintain that in our days, when people as is, do and wear strange items, it could be done. If possible you may better bring it back to its owner after davening Maariv, at the end of Shabbos.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
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Posted 8/15/2024 10:14 AM |
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#5081 Say How You Can See
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- Q. My wife went to the eye doctor because she was having vision problems. The doctor gave her a new prescription for her lenses and she ordered a set of new frames and lenses. For various reasons she couldn’t pick up the new pair of glasses until today, Erev Shabbos Chazon. Is it acceptable for my wife to get the glasses and wear them before or on Tisha B’Av?
b) Could she also wear them even if they were unusually beautifully decorated and elegant?
c) How about similar needed sun glasses?
A. Yes, it is all permitted.
D) See question above:
Can women wear jewelry on Tisha B’Av.?
A.
Poskim maintain that if possible it should be avoided, also some
Poskim opine, during
all the nine
days. (Eishel Avrohom (Butatch), Piskei Teshuvos (551).)
Rabbi
A. Bartfeld as revised by,
Horav Yaakov Hirschman,
Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and
Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 8/12/2024 5:13 PM |
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#5080 Our Best Friends
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Q. Rabbi. Is it true what I heard, that you mentioned that the only real AI entity, that has and will ever exist as an independent entity is the Beth Hamikdash? How could you say something like that???
A. Indeed you heard well, but not completely so, and I wrote it this week in “That is my Answer” as follows.
At the beginning of Pashas Pikudey the word Mishkan is written twice. Rashi explains that this alludes to the two Temples, which were taken as security or mashkon during their two destructions for Israel’s iniquities.
The Temples were taken as a collateral for Israel’s sins, and were destroyed so our nation would survive. As the sages say: Hashem’s anger was consumed with the burning of the lumber and stones of the Bais Hamikdosh. In essence we only survived, because the Beis Hamikdosh sacrificed itself and gave us their life.
However, how little we remember, how faded have the memories become, how pathetic are our feelings. And then we hear the cry of our prophets, an echo of ancient times questioning; “Eicho,” How did we survive? Do we remember why we are alive?
The Mishkan and Beis Hamikdash were our truly greatest friends. They were not as a we know other subjects of kedusha are. The highest one, a Sefer Torah, is not an entity in itself with its own mind and having the attributes of a living, self caring and communicating entity. Yet the Mishkan an the Beis Hamikdosh actually were.
When you entered, all doubts of Emuna were obviously forgotten as you saw in front of you the incredible great constant miracles of Hashem’s presence. Even more you truly felt the holiness and presence of Hashem, you heard the music and the songs that penetrated into your hearth and mind and any doubts of Emuna just simply disappeared. Your sins were forgiven and your tefilos were listened by Hashem and help promptly came.
But more so, the Mishkan communicated and told us were to go and then camp, and were not. The Beis Hamikdosh closed its own gates and performed many miracles such as cleaning and absorbing ashes and communicating in many ways to those who entered.
They were not human entities, but they were independent with their own mind. However, AI as we know is only an extension of a human and his program, as it has many programmed limitations for security etc., and as we wrote, it cannot be therefore used during Shabbos as it is after all our extended doing.
What incredibly great and friends were the Mishkan and Beis Hamikdosh always, as they really independently cared for our nation and people in all ways and situations and sacrificed themselves for us. The Mishkan and Beis Hamikdash were indeed the most smart and powerful, non human beings and creations, that sacrificed and gave away their life and existence, so we could survive.
That is why we should truly mourn and cry for them and hope and wait for their prompt return, soon, very soon!!!
Rabbi
A. Bartfeld as revised by,
Horav Yaakov Hirschman,
Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and
Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 8/11/2024 11:51 AM |
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5079 The Happy Comming Days
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Q. A kallah is getting married right after Tisha B’av. These days the custom is to make personalized sweaters for the kallah and her family/friends. Is it permitted to decorate sweaters with “iron on” letters during the Nine Days?
A. Mishna Berura (551: 14) permits the making of clothing during the Nine Days, for a wedding that will take place after Tisha Beav. See also Piskei Teshuvos (ibid, n 58) quoting Betzel Hachochmo who permits the buying of clothing for a wedding during the Nine Days, if the necessary fixing time for them is needed then. So it would be in your case.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
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Posted 8/9/2024 11:51 AM |
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#5078 Ponds to Ponder
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- Q. Dear Rov, can one use rivers or ponds for immersion of new utensils?
A. On a similar question (2023) we were asked;
“Lekavod Harav Shlit’a, during these times where access to some of the keilim mikva were restricted, there has been various opinions regarding the status of ponds and rivers. For example there is a pond on Centre street and Yonge street as well as Clark and Dufferin. Would we be able to tovel dishes in such a place where we can’t fully know how it came about, and if yes can one make a bracha?”
To what we answered:
“Although it may be that the Oakbank Pond (Centre and Yonge) and Marita Payne Pond (Clark and Dufferin) are not truly natural ponds, Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that since they are fed by rainwater and the water in them is clean and does not flow out constantly (zochalin), they are acceptable for tevilas kelim with a brocho.”
Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a added that one has to be careful not to toivel when raining.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon
Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
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Posted 8/9/2024 11:48 AM |
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#5077 Zoning Shabbos Chazon
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- Q. Shalom LaRav Shlit’a. Is it true what some maintain that we should increase on Shabbos Chazon Simcha, happiness and joy more than any other regular Shabbos? Why not the contrary?
A. Indeed, that is the opinion of Likutei Shlomo quoted by Nitei Gavriel (27: 4: p. 163) .
He also adds that some make a point to celebrate even in those Nine Days the making of a Siyum, as it says: “Pikudei Hashem Yeshorim Mesamchei Lev” (The Mitzvos of Hashem are straightforward and they bring joy to the heart).
The reason given is that this Simcha Shel Mitzva, shows our deep believe that all the acts of Hashem, our Compassionate Father, even the grievous and heartbreaking ones, are acts of deep kindness and ”Gam Zu Letovo,” they are all only for good and kindness.
However, the above is also avoided by many, who are not of a Chasidic background.
Horav Yaakov Hirschman Shlit’a added that one has to have these concepts in a correct mind, and not use them as an excuse to negate the mourning of the Nine Days.
Yet, it may be best to serve Hashem with joy and great hope for a Geulah Dleima very soon.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
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Posted 8/9/2024 11:40 AM |
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#5076 Room for the Not Yet Frum?
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Q. Is it ok for a woman to be included in the kiddush and homotzi of a man who isn't shomer Shabbat yet? What about havdala?
A. The above should be avoided as it is possible that the man is not yet a proper believer in Hashem and his Torah. Since he does not keep Shabbos yet. His brochos woul in principle then be likely in vain.
On question 1641 regarding Kiddush for a not yet frum visitor, we wrote:
“Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that indeed you can not be motzy or have someone comply with a mitzva by listening from another, if the listener does not understand the basic meaning of what is happening. Although he does not have to understand the translation of all the words being said aloud for his sake, he does have to comprehend and believe in the fundamentals and purpose and reason of what is being recited.”
See also question 533 regarding the blessing of “baruch sheptarani” recited by a non-religious yet father on the Bar Mitzva of his son.
Horav Yaakov Hirschman Shlit’a added that if the Bar Mitzva boy is not going to be an observant Yid, there is no meaning and purpose to this brocho. On the contrary, by reciting it, the father is only adding punishment to himself.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
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Posted 8/9/2024 11:28 AM |
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#5075 Clothing for Mourning
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- Q. How long do I have to wear my freshly laundered clothes before the 9 days? Can I just leave them unfolded on the bed instead?
A. Poskim write that one hour is enough. Some maintain that one may wear a few pieces at the same time. Others are of the opinion that a few hours are necessary (Piskei Teshuvos 551: 17).
Others permit if they are placed on the ground for a similar period of time. (ibid.) Nitei Gavriel (1: 34: 10) adds that there should be some recognition on the clothing that it is not a newly fresh washed item.
Kovetz Halohos (11: 29) maintains that the clothing should be placed on the floor that has not been recently cleaned, so it would loose its status of being really clean. (see note 30 there).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
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Posted 8/9/2024 11:25 AM |
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#5074 The Ma’aseh on Ma’aser
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- Q. How does one calculate tzeddaka on the sale of a house? I'm assuming that some expenses could be deducted such as mortgage and taxes and maintenance but not consumables such as gas and electricity. Would paying tuition for my kids be considered tzedaka? What about their weddings? Do I have to give all of the tzedakah at once or can I invest some of it and spread out the payments?
Does it matter if the kids go to a university or a Jewish school?
A. On question 475 ; “Paying Tuition with Maaser Money” we wrote:
“Q. Am I allowed to give my maaser money to my parents so that they can use it for my tuition? Thank you
To what we answered: "See Shulchan Aruch and Remoh (C.M. 207: 2 and Nesivos Hamishpot ibid. 2), in regards to whom do the wages of a working girl, still at home and supported by the father, belong. Assuming the most likely scenario that the father willingly gives away his rights to those wages to his daughter.
Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a suggest that when the father could afford to pay the tuition, it is best for the daughter to donate the maser monies directly to the institution and request from them if they would kindly and benevolently, from their own free will, deduct that amount from her tuition or agree that they would accept monies that were raised on their behalf as tuition.
The reason being is that you cannot use maser money for payments you are already obligated to compensate, as the Chofetz Chaim in Ahavas Chessed (Ch. 19) writes because “it is like paying one’s own debts from maaser funds”.
Although girls schooling and tuition was in former years seen as optional since in Halacha there is no inherent parental obligation to educate girls in a school, that is not the case today (Igrois Moishe Y.D. 2: 113), therefore giving your maser money to your parents may not be of help as they can not use it for paying your tuition (assuming they are able to pay tuition).
See also the following questions; 357- Calculating Maaser on a mortgage, 3332 - The Giving Answer and 2537- Help Is Here.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
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Posted 8/9/2024 11:20 AM |
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#5073 Have Something to Eat?
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Q. (As the Rov well knows…), I can't eat fish and only limited dairy products, so can I eat chicken during the 9 days?
A. The answer to this Shaila depends on the assessment of your doctor familiar with your condition and in contact with a dietitian and nutrition expert. There are also other sources for necessary proteins as needed.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
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Posted 8/9/2024 11:16 AM |
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#5072 – What’s In a Name?
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Q. Rabenu Shlit’a. We have a non- Jewish worker that is from Mexico and uses the name “Jesus.” Is it proper and correct to call him by that name and mention it constantly?
A. You may, with his permission and appreciation, call him with another title or name that carries admiration and recognition, that he will accept without creating any conflict.
(Someone sugested to just call him “Sus”, yet one should be careful in our days, as he may easily find out or be told the translation of that word).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
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Posted 8/9/2024 11:13 AM |
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#5071 Strict Strait Start
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- Q. Hello Rov. Tonight is Rosh Chodesh Av and the start of the Nine Days. Is it possible for someone who can only daven with a minyan at an early maariv minyan after Plag, do so expressing that he is not accepting the restriction of eating meat until the shekiah, so he can have a meat meal then?
A. As with the receiving of Shabbos, once you daven Maariv after plag it is considered as being already Shabbos and you are not allowed to do any prohibited works, the same would apply in this case and one should not eat meat anymore.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
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Posted 8/6/2024 10:23 PM |
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#5070 Avoid the Beaten Track?
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Q.Dear Rov Shlit’a. As the situation in Israel seems to be lately so dangerous, is there a reason to restrict again the travel there as we did during some of the recent years? What is Horav Millers Shlit’a opinion?
A. I did ask Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a this morning (Friday) the above question, and he told me that if a person has the proper intention and complies with a necessary mitzva when traveling, he can assume and have trust in Hashem that Shluchei Mitzva or the one's engaged in it will not be harmed.
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Posted 8/4/2024 5:49 PM |
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# 5069 – Your Other AI Self?
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Q. Moreinu Shlit’a. You have taught us that using a robot that possesses artificial intelligence, even if it performs a prohibition or does a mitzva it is basically the same as if you have done it yourself, because they are programmed by humans and follow our commands.
My Shailah is that my grandfather who is at least hopefully only temporarily paralyzed, but would like so much as he always did to hold a lulav and esrog on Sukot. Could he use a robot that he controls as his extended self? Could he also make then a brocho?
A. Horav Yaakov Hirschman Shlit”a mentioned that although it needs further elaboration, however holding the Lulav is a mitzva one does personally (Mitzva Shebegufo) and you can not have an agent or Shaliach perform it for you, similar to having someone else or a robot don Tefilin in your behalf.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is similar, that although technically and even on certain aspects of Halacha it is considered as if the robot is an extension of oneself, it is not so in reality and therefore when the Torah requires that the Tefilin or the Lulav and Esrog should be taken or placed on the human body, the robot does not qualify as such.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
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Posted 8/2/2024 1:28 PM |
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Important Numbers
