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Have a question? Send it in! Questions are answered by Rabbi Bartfeld.
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#4586 Home Alone
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Q. On question 4572 regarding a frum fellow that was detained in a Central American country, and he will likely be there at least during Chanuka. Since the authorities are nowadays very antisemitic and he most likely will not be able, even with a bribe, to light the Menorah himself, and that would the first time in his life after Bar Mitzva.
This is making him very depressed. Can one stand on the jail’s parking lot outside his cell and just use laser diode rays that will shine the lights through the open window with iron bars on his wall for Chanuka lights. We assumed that in principle, he complies with the mitzva because his wife lights the menorah at home. How long and how many months can he be out of his home until it is not considered his home anymore?
A. The above question applies also to someone who is hospitalized or is new in a retirement institution.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that it truly depends in the case and there are different and variable conditions that would determine which place is now actually his home.
It should be left to the discretion of a competent Rov, that is also familiar with the case and all its details, to decide which is now the true abode of the individual involved.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 12/15/2023 11:07 AM |
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# 4585 Not an Eide’l Dreidel
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Q. My kid was given a Chanuka dreidel by a friend that has the wining letter ‘Gimel’ on everyone of its four corners, so no mater ho you spin it it will always win. Is it correct to keep such a ‘cheating’dreidel?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that it should not be kept, since it represents dishonesty and wrongful conduct and children should not play with it.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 12/15/2023 11:04 AM |
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# 4584 The Women’s Praise
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Q. Should a woman who davens shacharis every day recite Halel on Chanukeh with a brocho?
A. Poskim disagree and a woman should follow the tradition and minhag of her community or family.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 12/15/2023 11:02 AM |
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# 4583 Fix the Mix
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Q. If someone realizes after saying the brocho for Chanuka candles that they will not light since there is too much water in the glass, what should he then do, just fix them and then recite another brocho?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that he can lite the shamesh and ‘bediebed’ after the fact the brocho was not in vain. He should then add the proper other lights of the day without reciting a brocho.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 12/15/2023 11:01 AM |
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# 4582 Small Smell Test?
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Q. I live in a small condo building and my widow that is facing the street, awfully also faces the garbage cans from the building. Should I light the Menorah by that window?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that if the garbage containers are closed there is no issue if you don’t have another window.
On question 3311 regarding if someone stores in the garage smelly garbage cans, that often contain diapers too, is that garage exempt from a Mezuzah, we answered: “Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that the garbage cans should be kept inside another bigger container, that also shields and protects from the smell.
This applies even if the Mezuza is placed as usual on the outside of the garage door, since often people may say a brocho or words of Torah inside the garage.”
In reality, often people place used diapers at the garbage containers inside the house or kitchen, yet since they are wrapped, covered and don’t smell, we recite brochos next to them.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 12/15/2023 10:44 AM |
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# 4581 Most Holy Lights
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Q. Does one or his children, especially when travelling and in a hotel, have to be dressed properly in front of he lit Menorah? Can one have marital relations when facing it?
A. Remah (O.H. 275: 12) regarding Shabbos candles rules that one should cover naked young children that are in front of the candles because of ‘Bizui Mitzva’ or the shame and disgrace of the mitzva lights. The same applies to other mitzva lights such as Havdala and Chanuka candles. (Lebush, Tosefes Shabbos 16, Piskei Teshuvos 275: 4).
As far as marital relations one can’t have them in a lit room or in front of any light.
Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a pointed out that many seforim including the ones of Chabad stress that those holy ligths of Chanuka, have to be approached and addressed with much honor and great respect. Not only for the symbolism they have as utensils of the Beis Hamikdosh, but also for the great Nissim, miracles of salvation and heroism they represent.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 12/15/2023 10:42 AM |
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# 4580 Fire - Away
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Q. See question above. One must take into account that following regulations and insurance policies, no live fire should be left on inside the premises, and since people rush to go home to light their candles and must turn off the shul Menorah.
How long do the candles of the shul or beth midrash have to remain lighted before the last person leaving can turn them off?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that one should try to keep the normal half an hour. In need one may in a shul only turn off after 15 minutes.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 12/15/2023 10:39 AM |
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# 4579 Right Light @ Right Time
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Q. In a shul where they daven Mincha right before the Shekia (sunset) followed by Maariv, when is the best time to light the Menorah. Between Mincha and Maariv or after Maariv?
A. Most communities and shuln light before Ma’ariv after the Shekia.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 12/15/2023 10:36 AM |
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# 4578 Uncovering the Uncovered
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Q. Dear Rov and friend. I have a decorated container for the Chanuka oil that has a cover, yet it is open at the pouring end as common hot water or coffee pouring vessels are. If the oil stays on there overnight is that considered oil Meguleh (uncovered)?
A. On question 2969 regarding if one can use olive oil that was left uncovered overnight for lighting the Chanuka menorah, and Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that after the fact, one can use it. Now, many have a tradition that they fill the cups of the menorah with oil, and then after enough time has elapsed, they turn off the lights and save the oil for tomorrow. Would not that make that leftover oil on the menorah overnight disqualified at least lechatchila (on the onset)?
We answered: In a Prior question 682, the Rov was more lenient and ruled that one can you use oil for Chanuka lighting that was left uncovered overnight for a number of reasons. Firstly Poskim disagree whether in our days we should discard certain liquids that were left uncovered or Mashkim Megulim. The main reason for their prohibition is the possibility of their contamination by poisonous snakes (Avoda Zara 30a, Chulin 9b) and since that rarely occurs in our populated cities, we are lenient (Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 116:1, Mishna Berura 160: 23.) However, some Poskim do remain stringent (Pri Chodosh and Pri Toar, quoted by Birkei Yosef and Aruch ha-Shulchan Y.D. 116:1.) There are other issues of ruach ra’ah or a spirit of impurity involved in liquids left uncovered .
It is important to know that when Mashkim Megulim are prohibited they may be so even when left uncovered and unsupervised for a short time, not only overnight.
Poskim also differ if prohibited or non-kosher oil can be used for Chanuka lights and many are lenient (Sdei Chemed – M. Chanuka 14, Kaf Hachaim 673: 11, Beis Shlomo O.H. 10: 108). Others are stringent (Sefer Hachaim quoted by Daas Torah 673).
However the main reason that oil left uncovered is undoubtedly permitted is that there is no Mashkim Megulim issue on oil, since snakes don't drink from it (Chulin 49b, Bais Yosef Y.D. 116, Yemei Chanuka p. 71).
The Rov further added, that once it was placed in the menorah and lighted, it is not considered liquid food and therefore not affected.
The same would apply to the oil left in the cups overnight.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 12/15/2023 10:33 AM |
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#4577 Chanuka Gelt Means a Velt
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Q. I was visiting a dear modern friend and witnessed something really strange. He lit the first day a great beautiful Menorah, but around it he placed all kinds of gifts for his kids. Is that permitted?
The practice of giving gifts during Christmas time, according to Christian tradition, is symbolic of the presentation of the gifts by the Three Wise Men to their infant deity. So, indeed, why is there a tradition to give gifts or money to children during Chanukah, should it not be prohibited because it is after all the tradition of the other religions to do so at this time of the year during their holidays?
A. On question 688 we wrote:
“When exactly did the tradition of distributing Chanuka gelt, D’mei Chanuka or small monetary gifts to children began, is hard to tell. However Derech Sicha (190) mentions that the source for this tradition is the Mogen Avrohom (beginning of 670) who mentions that Chanuka was a special time for collection of Tzdaka for the poor, including their children. He adds that his Father the Steipler Gaon zt”l use to distribute them on the night of the fifth light of Chanuka, since it never coincides with Shabbos. Kaf Hachaim (670: 4) also mentions this tradition.
Otzreinu Hayoshon p. 82, states that it was an ancient Yerushalaim custom for the talmidim of the Talmud Torah to collect on the eight day, for a Zoz Chanuka banquet.
Chidushei Harim (Pneniney Hachasidut p. 49) explains that the source is the posuk (Mishlei 3: 16) “Length of days is in its right hand; in its left hand are riches and honor”. The right hand is a reference to the Mezuza, which is placed on the right side as you access an entrance. Since the Torah (in the daily Shema) rewards with a lengthy life the one who upholds this mitzvah, it follows that the mitzvah of the menora, which is placed on the left side, will be compensated with wealth and honor. Hence, the symbolic Chanuka gelt. He further adds, that the mitzvah of the mezuza is primarily an obligation of the inhabitants of the house (chovas hadar), while the menora’s purpose is pirsumei nissa or the exposure of the miracle to the street. Normally Parnassah and monetary funds are obtained in the commercial outside world, hence the custom of Chanuka gelt.
Shaarei Halacha Uminhag 283, p. 280) explains that the Yevanim and Hellenists prohibited Torah learning specially by the youngsters. When they were defeated, the teaching of the young restarted. Rambam (H. Teshuva 10: 5) mentions that the beginning of teaching of the young should be encouraged by small monetary gifts.
Yair Neri (p.146) quotes the Avnei Nezer’s reason. This is based on the premise that Chanuka’s traditions should be similar to the ones of Pesach. On the Seder night we give out of candies, nuts and sweets to children to enhance their interest and keep them awake, so too in Chanuka we enhance and create interest and the necessary Pirsumei Nissa.
Yogel Yaakov (p. 184) provides one more rationale He explains that in regards to a fast day, the Talmud (Brachot 6b) avers that; the reward for a fast day is the tzdaka given to the poor. Since there was a saving of monies by the abstention of eating. Those saved food funds should be donated to the needy. By the same token, since on Chanuka the miracle provided a saving of oil, those funds are now symbolically given to children.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that, although many reasons are given for Chanuka gelt, it is only a custom and not a mitzvah, therefore there is no need for Hatoras Nedarim. The monies could be given on Chanuka via an agent or in need after the festivity.
On question 691 Shift the Chanuka Gelt to Chanuka Gift? We wrote:
Q. Thank you so much for your fast response On Q. 688, (Chanuka Gelt means a Velt). Why is it not prohibited to give Chanukkah gelt or presents, since after all it is a Chok Hoamim tradition during their holiday?
A. Avnei Yashfe (O.H. 129: 2) addresses this question and he asserts that the prohibition of “not following their edicts” applies, as the Maharik (88) and Remah (Y.D. 178:1) maintain, only to statutes that don’t have a valid reason or benefit. As amply explained in answer 688 there are many reasons for Chanuka Gelt. The main one being that Chanuka is a time for joy and happiness, so we also share it with the young ones.
Although that is true of Chanuka gelt, there is no early-established tradition to give gifts. One may argue that the proper present will bestow greater joy and happiness to a child than a few coins. After all a gift is Shove Kesef, and is therefore tantamount to money and should be permitted.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that it is better to give money to comply with the minhag, but presents are also permitted.
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Posted 12/11/2023 8:17 PM |
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# 4576 Women On Time
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Q. See question 4571 above regarding women's compliance on the Chanuka mitzva. A group of single women, that partake once a week to a Hashkafa shiur around the time of lighting the Menorah candles, can they still maintain on that day the important shiur?
A. Just like men in the case of a similar situation, can have a secure monitor, supervising and reminding them to lite the Menorah, so are women also permitted to do.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 12/10/2023 11:07 AM |
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# 4575 A Happy Koshern Yom Tov
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Q. Does one have to use Kosher olive oil for Chanukah candles?
A. In principle it is not needed. Yet, Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a, mentioned that since it is most common in our days, the adding of products, chemicals and even other oils in small quantities, therefore certified kosher oil should be used. Since it attest that at least the origins of the oil are indeed only pure olive oil without any adulteration,
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 12/8/2023 12:14 PM |
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# 4574 – Rich or Beautiful?
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Q. Dear Morenu Horav. If someone has an option to use a very beautiful and large silver plated menorah or just a small oldish and kind of ugly but real silver very expensive menorah. Which is the preferable one?
A. There are different opinions in similar situations as to what is better and accepted to choose and follow for complying with a mitzva. Nominally, is it the most valuable and money precious object, or the most beautiful one to the eye.
Yerushalmi (Yuma 6/1) mentions that regarding the he verses tell us (16:7-10) “And he (Aharon, the Cohen Gadol) shall take the two goats…and shall cast upon the two goats lots: one for Hashem, and the other lot for Azazel. And Aharon shall present the goat upon which the lot for Hashem fell, and make it into a sin offering. But the goat on which the lot fell for Azazel shall be set alive before Hashem, to make atonement over him, to send him away for Azazel into the wilderness.”
Our Sages say: (Baba Basra 4a); One who has not seen Herod’s building has never seen a beautiful building in his life. The Gemara asks: With what did he build it? Rabba said: With stones of white and green marble [umarmara]tones sent out an edge a bit and drew in an edge a bit, so that they would better receive and hold the plaster.
He considered covering it with gold, but the Rabbis said to him: Leave it, and do not cover it, since it is more beautiful this way, as it looks like the waves of the sea.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 12/8/2023 12:08 PM |
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# 4573 Meet Your Match
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Q. Can one light with a match the olive oil candles of a Chanuka Menorah, that also has the middle shamash light in an oil container and thus cannot physically be moved and used for lighting the rest of the candles, just use matches for them?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that he should not light a match each time as would be the normal way to do, since one cannot keep the same match for all, as it would burn him. To maintain the original light and fire being used, the Rov recommends to light the additional match needed by using the fire of the already lighted shamash,
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 12/8/2023 12:06 PM |
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# 4572 A Ray of Hope
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Q. Querido Rabino; A friend of us has been detained in a Central American country, and although all efforts were and are done, he will likely be there at least during Chanuka. The authorities are nowadays very antisemitic and he most likely will not be able, even with a bribe, to light the Menorah himself, and that would the first time in his life after Bar Mitzva. This is making him very depressed.
Can one stand on the jail’s parking lot outside his cell and just use laser diode rays that will shine the lights through the open window with iron bars on his wall for Chanuka lights?
A. As mentioned on question 4565 above, one cannot comply with a laser beam ray the mitzva of Chanuka lights. Since as you said that he is being already included in a group of people lighting and thus he complies with that the mitzva, the added procedure should be done in order to relieve his suffering and show the caring of his friends.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 12/8/2023 12:04 PM |
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# 4571 Enlightening Women
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Q. Do single women have to light the Menorah?
A. On question 1542 we wrote:
“Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 675: 3) rules that women are obliged on the mitzva of ner Chanuka, since they were also included in the miracle of its deliverance. Although, Rema (671: 2) writes that the minhag is that all members of the household light their own menorah, Mishna Berura (ibid. 9), excludes women since Ishto kegufo, she constitutes a single entity with her husband. Chasam Sofer (Shabbos 21b) adds that since the mitzva on the onset was to light by the door to the street, our sages instituted that out of a sense of modesty, it was proper the husband should light.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a and other Poskims’ opinion is that when there is no husband, she has to light for herself in her own home, and not by a neighbour. She may however, if she does not desire to make her own brocho, ask a neighbour to recite the brocho in her home. (Being careful to avoid yichud issues ”“ See Kerem Shlomo 31).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 12/8/2023 12:02 PM |
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# 4570 No Minority Rights?
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– Q. Rov Shlit’a. If someone is missing a bit of olive oil to fill a cup on the Menorah, can one use a small quantity of common oil that following an Halachic mechanism of ‘Bitul Berav’ will become nullified in the majority, and be considered as being all olive oil?
A. Poskim disagree. Some maintain that the added bit of oil will become ‘Batel Berov’ or annulled and be part of the majority (Pischei Olam on Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (Chanuka), Eishel Avrohom (693), Chasam Sofer) and others.
However, Peninei Chanuka (p. 144) following the opinion of Oneg Yom Tov (4) maintains that ‘Battel Berov’ can only annul and remove a state of prohibition from the item being mixed into a majority. It cannot acquire and gain a new status of positive new and different conditions and credentials it did not posses before, such as becoming olive oil for the Menorah.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 12/8/2023 12:00 PM |
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# 4569 Travelling Light
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Q. As a travelling salesman I will be, Hashem willing travelling widely during Chanuka and likely will be at an airport during the time of lighting the menorah. Can I light at the airport in a permitted place for smoking?
A. On question 1556 we were asked: “I was stranded in an airport during Chanuka, and I had to stay there overnight while waiting for the next available flight. Since I live alone, I didn’t have anyone to contact and light in my home for me. Should I have bought a flashlight and turned it on in the corner of the airport where I was “camping”¯ out?”
To what w answered: “In principle Horav Shlomo Miller’s opinion is that one should avoid at all costs traveling during Chanuka outside of town, since there are many issues involved that can affect the compliance of the mitzva.
On question 1227 in regards to lighting the menora for someone who is totally homeless and sleeps on a bench in the park, we wrote; “Poskim disagree whether some type of minimal dwelling is needed for the mitzva of ner Chanuka. Rashi’s (Shabbos 23a, d,h, Haroeh) opinion is quoted in Igrois Moishe (Y.D. 3: 14: 5) who deduces from Rashi that one sleeping outside, without any shelter, as when sleeping on the desert’s sand, is exempt from ner Chanuka. Tosafos (Suka 46a) quotes two reasons why our sages instituted a special bracha for seeing the lights of Chanuka, (birchas haroeh), one of them is that it was acted for satisfying the need of those who don’t have any dwelling.
Peninei Chanuka (p. 56) quotes Horav Eliashuv’s zt”¯l opinion that soldiers sleeping in tents less that four by four amos, have to light with a brocho, if they are is at least ten tefachim high. Otherwise the tents are not considered a dwelling at all. Ner Ish Ubeisoi (4: 16 n. 34) quotes also Horav Eliashuv’s zt”¯l ruling that when kindling in a tent without any walls, no brocho should be recited. He seems also to agree that some minimal dwelling is required. Avnei Yashfa (O.H. 5: 94: 2) agrees.
However, Tsitz Eliezer (15: 29) and Beis Sheorim (362) seem to disagree and even soldiers in their trenches should light. Adnei Paz (O.H. 3: 143) and others, after quoting the different opinions of the Rishonim and Poskim, rule that one without any abode, should try to make a shaliach or agent light for him if possible, either way he should light outside without a brocho.Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is similar.”
On question 414 regarding lighting in a hospital we wrote; “Most Poskim rule that you should not recite a brocho on an electric menorah since it lacks a proper wick and therefore does not conform with the definition of “hadloko” or lighting. It also lacks an existing fuel supply, since the necessary electricity is not stored but rather it is constantly being generated. (Bais Yitzchok Y.D. 1: 120 & 2: 130, Levushey Mordechai 3: 59, Yaskil Avdi 3: 17, Nitey Gavriel ”“ Chanuka 18: 23 et. al.).
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”¯a opinion is likewise, but he permits, when no other possibility exist to light with a brocho on a battery powered electric menorah. The best solution would be for you to name a shliach and have the agent light at your home, if anyone is living there.”
Since any lighting on the airport will be done anyway without a brocho, if you can acquire an old time tungsten filament bulb flashlight, It would be best.”
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 12/8/2023 11:58 AM |
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# 4568 Feel at Home?
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Q. How come we have brochos for all the four senses as seeing, hearing, smelling, and tasting, yet there is no brocho for the fifth one or feeling?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that feelings are actually there, and constitute the most important and essential feelings involved in marriage and the creation of a family. They carry and involve, as we know, plenty brochos and blessings.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 12/8/2023 11:54 AM |
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# 4567 Not a Man of the Cloth?
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Q. See question above. As the Rov mentioned, one complies with an additional or many great mitzvos wearing another taalis kattan. If that is the case, why do we not find Rabbonim and even Gedolim wearing more or many Taaleisim Ketanim? Should not all of us do so?
A. It could well be that in order to comply with the mitzva, one has to feel comfortable and enjoy wearing it.
During summer days or even in our winter heated homes and work places, it may be bothersome and annoying, and one may not only resent and dislike the additional clothing and thus not have the right intention now, even for the original one he was wearing. Besides, the many threads and cords of the additional taalis kattan, may likely entangle, twist and snarl with the original ones, thus creating complicated issues for the compliance of the mitzva.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 12/8/2023 11:52 AM |
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Important Numbers
