|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
#5400 Really? - No Kidding?
|
|
|
- Q. Kvodo Shlit’a. Last year I saw in our neighborhood a group of Chasidim standing outside their Shtivel by the rain with their mouths open and letting drops of rainfall in them.
Very surprised I asked them what were they doing and they told me that it is a Segula for Refuah Shleima. Could that be correct?
A. Indeed Imrei Pinchas 305 and other Seforim of Chasidim mention this unusual tradition.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 5/2/2025 1:12 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#5399 Watch the Matza Shemura?
|
|
|
- Q. Is there importance to eat Matza Shemura of Shabbos after Pesach. How about during the week?
A. There are different Minhagim and traditions by different groups, mainly of Chasisdim. Karlin, Belz etc. maintains only on Shabbos. See also Nitei Gavriel 38: 102. for other traditions.
See question 2638
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that one should maintain his family Minhagim.
Horav Yaakov Hirschman Shlit”a noted to look into eating Matza on Pesach Sheni. (See indeed our past and future shailos of Pesach Sheni).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 5/2/2025 1:10 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#5398 Who's Counting?
|
|
|
- Q. Dearest Rov Shlit”a. I overheard someone asking in Shul to a friend, “Is it today so many days to the Omer”, and the friend answered “Yes it is”, can they still count then with a bracha?
A. Kaf Hachaim 61, Nitei Gavriel 37: 9 and other Poskim rule they can.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is similar.
Horav Yaakov Hirschman Shlit”a noted that this shaila applies only to the fellow asking. The one answering did not count at all!
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 5/2/2025 1:07 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#5397 A Count that Does Not Count!
|
|
|
- Q. If a Baal Teshuva counts in Hebrew but does not understand what he is saying. Does he comply with the mitzva? Can he continue counting then with translation?
A. If he counted in Hebrew and did not understand what he was saying it just does not count and he has lost the brocho. However, he should now continue to count without a brocho.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 5/2/2025 1:05 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#5396 Early to Vote – Be Wise and Rise!
|
|
|
- Q. Kvod Horav Shlit’a. I was wondering, since as the Rov wrote as there is a mitzva to vote, is there also a mitzva of “Zerizin Makdimin Lemitzvot” or one has to comply with this mitzva a.s.a.p. before doing other work?
A. Horav Dovid Pam Shlit”a maintains that there is no “Zerizin Makdimin Lemitzvos” involved in this particular case. However other Rabbis mentioned that it does apply, and one should vote early and as correct as possible.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 5/2/2025 1:02 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#5395 Earliest Convenience?
|
|
|
- Q. When counting Sefira is it better to attend an earlier minyan for Maariv which is on the proper time required, or wait to ones regular late minyan after his learning and count Sefira then?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a maintains that it is better to count early.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 5/2/2025 12:59 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#5394 A Singing & Dancing Party?
|
|
|
Q. Dear Rov Shlit”a, If someone is invited to an engagement party during the beginning of Sefira, before Rosh Chodesh Iyar and they arranged a most beautiful meal. Is it correct to assume that this people will start the prohibitive traditions only after Rosh Chodesh Iyar and begin dancing and singing?
A. As mentioned by Poskim (See Shulchan Aruch. Mishna Berura and other Poskim O.H. 493.).
Mishna Berura (ibid.) rules that although it is permitted to celebrate at the above time an engagement party, however one should avoid dancing then.
However other Poskim permit and when one can assume that the people are greatly celebrating as they arranged a most beautiful meal, this group likely will start the prohibitive traditions only after Rosh Chodesh Iyar begins
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 5/2/2025 12:56 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#5393 What Truly Counts - The Past or Future?
|
|
|
Q. My dear young son asked me recently why we count Sefira for the days past after Pesach. Would it not make more sense to count the days before Shavuot we still have, so we can prepare for Kabalat Hatorah properly? At what age does one have to teach children to count the Omer?
A. Medresh Raba (Shemos 3: 12) mentions that the whole purpose of Yetzias Mitzraim (leaving Egypt) as mentioned in the above pasuk was to receive the Torah. The people then asked Moshe Rabenu when is that great moment that gives significance to the terrible solitude and spiritual impoverishment we are so long suffering now going to happen? And Moshe answered at the end of fifty days. So they began counting then and in that form of the greatest hope, desire and anticipation for that incredibly great future.
Sefer Hachinuch (Mitzva 306) explains that the Sefira represents the strong desire of our nation and preparation for Kabalat Hatorah. Similar to one expecting to receive the greatest prize and award desired, especially when one wants to run away or fix the most terrible past.
It also establishes the principle that the fixing of the past is essential for the planing to a great future time.
If the child understands the basics of the above, he should already count.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 5/2/2025 12:53 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#5392 Give a Blessing to Your Grandfather!
|
|
|
- Q. See question above. Although I know that the counting has to be natural without any speaking implements, and often he can still do it after resting, can the bracha be said for him by one of us?
A. Indeed, if his counting is correct, it may be easier for others to recite the brocho and for the grandfather and for him just to answer omein. As is, it is better to comply the mitzva with others present.
Horav K. Ochs Shlit"a added that if he’s able to count on his own why shouldn’t he make the bracha 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
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 5/2/2025 12:49 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#5391 Let the Voice Be Heard!
|
|
|
- Q. Dear Rabeinu. As the Rov knows my elderly father has already trouble speaking. Can he count Sefira when his voice is hardly heard? How loud does it have to be for him to comply with the mitzva? Can we place a small speaking amplifier he often uses to communicate when he counts?
A. Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 62:3 rules that in order to comply with the Mitzva of Krias Shema it is not enough to just move ones lips, but actually to provide some sound that could be heard.
Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a maintains that after the fact, even if it can be heard slightly by one close without any amplifiers one complies with the readings or sayings.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 5/2/2025 12:37 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#5390 Early to Vote – Be Wise and Rise!
|
|
|
- Q. Kvod Horav Shlit’a. I was wondering, since as the Rov wrote as there is a mitzva to vote, is there also a mitzva of “Zerizin Makdimin Lemitzvot” or one has to comply with this mitzva a.s.a.p. before doing other work?
A. Horav Dovid Pam Shlit”a maintains that there is no “Zerizin Makdimin Lemitzvos” involved in this particular case. However other Rabbis mentioned that it does apply, and one should vote early and as correct as possible.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 4/28/2025 11:15 AM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#5389 Eternal Scriptures?
|
|
|
– Q. See question above. Will that apply for the complete Omer period?
A. We also wrote on question 785 the following:
“However if the day has passed, and he did not repeat verbally the count, Poskim maintain that he can still count the rest of the days with a brocho. The reason being that this situation constitutes a double doubt or s’fek sfeko to be lenient. That is maybe the Halacha follows the opinion that after missing one day you have not lost the mitzvah, and even if you did, maybe writing is indeed the same as saying. (Mekadesh Yisroel – Sefirah 31, Mitzvas Sefiras Haome 44).
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that although for many mitzvos and prohibitions the writing on a screen may be considered only temporary or even not writing at all, (See question 383 in this forum in regards to erasing Hashem’s name from a screen, see also question 465 and 466 in regards to e-readers) however, as far as sefira is concerned it is deemed to be writing and the ruling above would prevail. Therefore the person writing the twitter would be able to count the rest of the days with a brocho.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 4/25/2025 1:01 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#5388 Just Write What is Right?
|
|
|
– Q. See question above. Dear Rabbi. Can one then just write the day of the Omer on a paper?
A. On Teshuva 785 we wrote;
“Q. During sefira I twitter a reminder in the early night to the members of our college students group to count sefira. It has happened that I have forgotten to count myself later on when I miss mariv in shul. Would I be yotze just with the writing of that twitter on my i-phone, if I intended that in case I forget later that should count?
A. Poskim disagree if writing is tantamount to speaking in regards to counting sefira. Kol Eliahu (30), Ksav Sofer (Y.D. 106) quoting Chasam Sofer, rule that even if writing is not generally equal to talking, in regards to counting sefira it is. Conversely, Birkei Yosef (489: 14), Mahari Asad (Y.D. 316), maintain the opposite. Even if writing is by and large considered like verbalizing, in sefira it is not since the Torah requests counting. (See also Teshuvos Rabi Akiva Eiger 29 and 30).
Since Poskim disagree, one who counted by writing should if able, count again articulating the count without a brocho, or someone else who has not yet counted should recite the brocho for him.
(See following questions).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 4/25/2025 12:56 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#5387 Figure Counting Fingers?
|
|
|
– Q. I know that one should not answer when asked by a friend when it is already time to count the Omer what day it is, since when answering it would be as if one counted and would loose the possibility of reciting a bracha. Can one just show with the fingers of the hand how many days it is?
A. Mishna Berura (489: 20) rules that even if one answered with a number without saying “Today is” followed by the number he is still permitted to recite the bracha, obviously the same applies when one just show with the fingers of the hand how many days it is. See following questions.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 4/25/2025 12:49 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#5386 - A Keynote on Vote
|
|
|
A Keynote on Vote – Q. Kevodo Shlit”a. As you know, I’m a very busy corporation lawyer and I also travel often to other countries as required by my position. Time for voting is now in Canada and I may have to cancel some important activities to be able to vote correctly. How important or necessary is in Halacha the mitzva to vote on the Government elections?
A. Your question should firstly be addressed to Elections Canada, that provides plenty facilities for those traveling abroad for advance voting and also ways of reaching the proper communications necessary when traveling.
As far as the importance of voting, we once wrote on question 561 “A Mitzvah to Vote” the following:
A. It is quite common in times of elections, specially in Israel for the Gedolim or recognized community leaders to voice their Halachic opinion as to the obligation to vote for a certain candidate or party.
However, this obligation belongs to the realm of promoting the observance of the mitzvos of the Torah, not as a required mitzvah per se. (Much has been written about the permissibility of joining Israeli elections. See Hilchos Medinah ch. 3, from Horav E. Y. Waldenberg Zt”l, Horav Nissim Karelitz Shlit’a explaining the Chazon Ish position – Vezorach Hashemesh p. 408, Vehoemes Eid Leatzmo 13, et. al.)
In countries where vote is compulsory (and often enforced,) as in most of Latin- America, Australia, Greece etc., voting would be a Halachic obligation based on “Dinah D’malchusah” or the obligation to comply with the law of the land. (Nedorim 28a, Bava Kama 113b etc. Shulchan Aruch C.M. 369: 8).
In Canada, to vote is a right and not obligatory (Section 3 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms).
Yet the Novi Yermiyahu (29: 5-7) encouraged the Babylonian exiles to “Build houses and dwell [therein], and plant gardens and eat their produce. – And seek the peace of the city where I (Hashem) have exiled you and pray for it -, for in its peace you shall have peace.” Certainly a successful and truthful democracy is essential for peace.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that indeed exercising our right to vote is advisable and recommended.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 4/22/2025 4:43 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#5385 Passover Forever?
|
|
|
Q. Dear Rabbi. We are away with our children for the last days of Pesach and we will return home on the night after Pesach. Is it permitted for me and my wife to eat kosher lepesach food we will bring home including matzos, since we can’t remove the Pesach utensils then?
A. On a similar question (2636) we wrote:
"Q. An elderly couple, has difficulty in removing all the Pesach utensils and packing them in boxes, as well as returning the chometz dishes and other needed equipment. The help they need will only be with them this Monday.
Can they extend their Pesach, eating matzos only, from Friday until Monday? Why is this not prohibited as seating inside the Suka on Motzei Yom Tov is? Do they have to do anything special?
A. Maase Rav (185) relates that the tradition of the Gaon of Vilna was to eat chometz immediately after the end of Pesach and would avoid consuming matza, that one can comply with it the mitzva of matza. The intention was to show that his eating of matza during Pesach was solely done with the intention of keeping the mitzva, and not for the good taste of the matza.
It is also reported that the Tzanzer Rebbe and others would put effort on reciting havdala at the end of Pesach with beer.
However, Maharil (H. Pesach p. 19) quotes that in the home of the Maharash , there was no chometz on Motzei Pesach and they ate matzos
.
Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a explained, that eating inside the suka after the end of the Yom Tov is not prohibited, if one does not have any intention in keeping a mitzva.
(Otherwise, he may be transgressing the prohibition of B’al Tosiff, or adding to the mitzva when not required).
The same would apply to eating matza after Pesach.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 4/22/2025 12:26 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#5384 Every Bite Counts
|
|
|
– Q. See above question: If one is not obliged, does one comply with a mitzva if he even eats just matza?
A. On question 2136, we wrote:
Q. (Re- questions 2122-23). To clarify – regarding the opinion of the Vilna Gaon that it is a mitzvah to eat matzah all seven days of Pesach, does this meant that one fulfills a mitzvah with every kezayis consumed, or that one fulfills one mitzvah per day that he eats matzah?
A. He fulfills a mitzva every time he eats a kezais as mentioned; “Gilyonei Hashas (Pesachim 38a) compare it to seating on the suka on the rest of the Yom Tov.”
Important to note that, as mentioned, it is not only the Gaon’s opinion, others also agree such as the Rokeach (291), Chezkuni and Eben Ezra (Mispotim 23: 15), Chasam Sofer (191) mentions that so is the opinion of the Rosh and the Ran, et. al.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a
We must add that since it is a Biblical mitzva, to comply, one must have that intention in mind when eating the matza.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 4/17/2025 4:24 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#5383 Favor the Festival Feast
|
|
|
- Q. Kevodo Shlit”a. I was told in shul that one has to eat every day of Chol Hamoed a Seuda (meal) with matza, wine and meat, is that true?
A. On question 2147 we wrote:
“A. Mishna Berura (529: 16) quotes Rambam that one is obliged on the mitzva of Simcha (joy) during Chol Hamoed as he is during Yom Tov. However in regard to kavod and oneg, honoring and experiencing pleasure there is no obligatory mitzva.
Mishna Berura (530: 1) rules that although there is no compulsion to eat a seuda with bread or matza, there is a mitzva to do so at day and also at night.
See Aruch Hashulchan (249: 7) Chut Shoni (7: 1) and Shemiras Shabbos K’ (42: n. 103) regarding a Chol Hamoed seuda on Erev Shabbos.
Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 188: 7) and Mishna Berura (ibid. 27) rule that since there is no compulsory mitzva to eat a seuda on Chol Hamoed, one does not have to repeat Birchas Hamazon if one forgot to recite yaale veyavo.”
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 4/17/2025 4:06 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#5382 The Bear Biur Chametz?
|
|
|
- Q. See question above.
Since some bears entered our ample garden, as can be seen in our security cameras recorded info, and then went on loitering the garbage containers close to the road that contain plenty of old discarded food we don’t use on Pesach, do we have to do Bedikas Chametz and search again the whole property that was accessible to them?
We asked our very competent Rabbi and he said it is not necessary, since it is most likely that if there was anything that was Chametz and still edible, the bears and other animals including birds would have already consumed it.
A. Indeed your very competent and known Rov Shlit’a is correct.
Just deposit back in the containers on the road what is next and close to them and properly seal the containers.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 4/16/2025 3:49 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#5381 A Bearly Reason for Hagomel Bentching?
|
|
|
- Q. We own in our small town, a great and large property. During this Pesach, as it commonly happens in other years, some bears entered our ample garden and then went on loitering the garbage containers close to the road that contain plenty of discarded food we don’t use on Pesach, and are placed already early on the town owned area for pick up.
We have a number of related shailos.
Firstly, this year likely attracted by the exposed garbage, some bears tried to break a window and enter the basement where some Yom Tov guest were staying, but Be’H they did not.
Do the people that were there have to recite the blessing of Hagomel? (said when being saved from a real danger).
A. On a similar question 843, we received the following:
“Q. Dear Rav Bartfeld, shlita,
Someone in our kehillah was hiking alone up a mountain out west. As he was walking, he noticed a black bear about 90 meters away from him. Black bears can be deadly, even though they are not as dangerous as grizzlies.
The wind was working in the man’s favour, so the bear didn’t pick up on the scent. He quickly descended the mountain without incident.
The man was truly petrified, and wanted to bench Gomel upon his return to safety. On the one hand, the bear didn’t attack him, and fortunately didn’t even notice him. On the other hand it could have been a dangerous or deadly encounter, chalilah if the wind would have been blowing in the opposite direction.
Would this man be obligated to bench the blessing of Hagomel? More generally, is Hagomel something which is subjective: since he felt that he was in danger, he should bench? or is there an absolute line that must be crossed before chazal would mandate blessing Hagomel?”
To what we answered:
“A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that Hagomel should not be recited unless someone was actually in danger and then saved. He further explained that being endangered could be defined as a statistically meaningful probability of being hurt.
A situation defined in Halacha as “Miut Hamotzui” a small but significant enough probability to be taken into serious consideration, (some Poskim maintain it is a ten percent probability, but other numbers are also mentioned).
The above means, that similar encounters at that distance, wind direction, and species of bears, have resulted in actual injury or trauma, which is clearly not your case.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a”
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 4/16/2025 3:44 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
Important Numbers
