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Have a question? Send it in! Questions are answered by Rabbi Bartfeld.
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#4969 Don’t Forget Not To Write
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- Q. Kevod Rabi Shlit’a. If one sends a phone email to his son to remind him to count Sefira, can he himself count that night with a brocho or has he already complied?
A. Poskim disagree if one complies the counting of Sefira by writing. Many maintain that one does not and writing is different than saying similar to just thinking the date, since the Torah mentioned “Usfartem” and that is usually done verbally. (Teshuvos RavA’ Eiger 29 – 32, Chassam Sofer 6: 19, Ksav Sofer Y.D. 106, Aruch Hashulchan 9, and others) since they compare it to one that writes the Shema or Tefilos. After all he also did not have in mind to comply.
On a similar question (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), Maharia 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.
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 sfek 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’ 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.
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Posted 5/16/2024 11:03 PM |
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#4968 Not in my Book?
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- Q. We see in the Kolel Toronto that sefarim are placed on boxes on the front of the entrance for people to take. Can one take some and give them as a present to a shul and so comply with the great mitzva that is tantamount to the writing of a SeferTorah?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that if the seforim offered are given following the tradition of a Sefer Torah donation to a shul, when usually the Sefer still belongs to the owner and is only given to the shul for the purpose of reading from it until the owner claims it back, it would indeed compare to the giving of a Sefer Torah for the primary owner. Yet, in such a case, the one collecting them may use them, but may not be able to give them away to others.
However, it is more likely that the seforim are a total donation for the one that needs them and will use them. And if he desires, since they are totally his, he may then proceed to give them to a shul following the tradition mentioned.
Horav Yaakov Hirschman Shlit”a also maintains that iy is more likely
that the donor just wants to give away completely the seforim he does
not need.
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Posted 5/16/2024 10:51 PM |
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#4967 To The Top of The Tree
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Q. You announced that there will be Birchas Hailonos on Shabbos. Does not the Ben Ish Chai and others rule not to allow Birchas Ilonos on Shabbos?
A. On question 4219 we were asked:
“Is it better to wait to recite the blessing on the new fruit of the blooming trees on Shabbos with all the family present and with more people?
On question 1708 we addressed the following similar questions: “Since the days of Nissan are over can you still say the bracha for blooming trees with Hashem’s name after Lag Baomer? Is it better to wait until Shabbath to recite it? Is it better to recite it with a minyan? Should one say it and have in mind all, as we do in kiddush?”
To what we answered: “On question 288 we wrote; This year, due to the earliness of Pesach, the blooming of trees at this latitude occurred very late on the Jewish calendar. . In regards to waiting until Shabbos on question 287 we wrote; Yalkut Yosef (Shabbos 3, 319,77) quotes some opinions that maintain that this brocho should not be recited on Shabbos either because by engaging one’s attention on the tree one might come to collect some fruit (Moed L’kol Chai 9), or by dint of a Cabalistic injunction on gathering “nitzoitzois” (spiritual sparks) from a tree on Shabbos (Kaf Hachaim 226, 4).
However most Poiskim disagree and permit reciting this brocho on Shabbos. (Yalkut Yosef ibid. – Nitei Gavriel, Pesach I, 6,7). Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that you can wait until Shabbos (avoid contemplating the tree) and recite together with a larger group “b’rov am” and have it adjoined to the count of the hundred brochos.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that although no minyan is required for reciting this brocho, since we always maintain that “Berov Am Haddras Melreh” or we honor of the King, when many are present, it would be preferred to have others join. However the Rov maintains that each one should recite his own brocho.”
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Posted 5/16/2024 10:41 PM |
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#4966 The Total Eternal Tune
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Q. Rov you mentioned recently (question 4960) that it is a very valuable to recite the complete Shira of Oz Yashir every day since Zohar says that it brings the forgiveness to all our sins. Does that actually mean to sing it with a tune?
A. On question 135 regarding reciting the Shira with joy during a time of Aveilus, we wrote: “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 cantillations.
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.)
On question 3114 regarding the Shira of women we wrote: Historically women sang the Shira as mentioned in Parshas Beshalach (15: 20,21) “Miriam, the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women came out after her with timbrels and with dances. And Miriam called out to them, Sing to Hashem.” It does seem to be that it was actual singing with a tune.
We also added that Should a man who came late to davening and omitted the Shira to be able to daven with the minyan, say the shira after davening with great simcha. Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 52) rules that one who missed Pesukei Dezimra before the Amida should recite them after. It is reasonable that he has to recite the Shira in a way similar to before.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is similar.
Horav Yaakov Hirschman Shlit”a maintains that the shira above does
not have to be sung, since Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 51: 9) mentions only
that Mizmor Letodah has to be said in a song, since all other musical
chapters will be annuled in the future with the exception of that
Mizmor,
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Posted 5/16/2024 10:19 PM |
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#4965 An Enlightening Shaila
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Q. Can a bochur (unmarried one) light the Shabbos candles before the plag, daven Mincha and then after plag recite the brocho on the candles?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one should not light Shabbos candles berfore plag. Rather one should daven an early Mincha in the afternoon and then procede to light Shabbos candles after plag and then go to shul to recite Kabbolas Shabbos.
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Posted 5/16/2024 8:38 PM |
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#4964 A Gentle Shailah
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Q. Is a Gentile permitted to pray in Schul?
A. Poskim write that the entrance of Gentiles to a shul should be avoided as much as possible (Yigal Yaakov O.H. 20, Piskei Teshuvos 151:6).
However, Yabia Omer Y.D. (3: 15) permits in need and when there is benefit, to let tourists enter a shul. Yet the Aron Hakodesh should not be opened for them to show the Sifrei Torah.
Similarly, Poskim permit the entrance of security guards, cleaning and maintenance crews as required.
They also permit the occasional address of political leaders for the benefit of the community and the keeping of Darkei Shalom and peace.
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Posted 5/13/2024 4:19 PM |
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#4963 Searching for the Search
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- Q. Is there a way to search through the "Ask the Rabbi" Q&A? I'm pretty good at searching a database, and why do I need to bother the busy Rabbonim with questions that have already been asked.
A. Go to Bais Dov Yosef website. Bais Dov Yosef Cong. (). There is a search facility available.
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Posted 5/12/2024 9:44 AM |
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#4962 The Al-day Good Way of AI
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- Q. Dear Rabbi. I have been reading your new technology and science shailot and I greatly appreciate your handling and keeping in touch of the constantly changing world we live in.
I have a question regarding my elderly father. He is connected and serviced by a AI computer that B’H basically and promptly takes care of many of his needs and contacts the family when necessary.
My question is regarding counting sefira. Can the AI read the sefira of the day and my father repeats the bracha and the counting with it word by word?
A. Indeed, Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that if he repeats everything word by word, it is similar as reading it from a sidur and he complies with the mitzva, The same would apply to the Shema and other parts of davening. The computer has to be set to constantly follow up with his response and condition.
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 5/10/2024 12:34 PM |
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#4961 A Real Bigwig?
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Q. As far as I know women are permitted to trim the hairs of their wigs during Sefira days. Does the same apply to men that wear a wig?
A. On question 101 regarding trimming and fixing a wig during the 3 weeks, we wrote:
“Nitei Gavriel (Bein Hametzorim 21,5) permits trimming and fixing a wig even when one is wearing it, until the beginning of the nine days.
(However, in his Bar Mitzva Seifer 22,21, he further permits the above for the mother of the Bar Mitzva bochur, before the week of Tisha B’av itself). Shevet Hakehosee (O.C. 150 ) seems to allow it at all times.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that it is permitted before the nine days begin.”
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that if a man is permitted to wear that wig as is common in our days, the same would apply.
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 5/9/2024 11:04 PM |
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#4960 The Most Splendid Daily Permited Song
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Q. It is known that if one sings the shira of Oz Yashir said every day during Shacharis, Hashem will forgive his sins. Does that have to be the complete shira?
A. Indeed, the Zohar quoted by the Mishna Berura (51: 17) teaches that most important and essential principle.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one should indeed sing it complete. (without disturbing others).
It finishes at the verse “Hashem Imloch Leolam Vaed.
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 5/9/2024 11:01 PM |
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#4959 Most Beautiful Permitted Music?
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- Q. Can one use during Sefira a music toy box that plays sweet beautiful child music that puts our baby to sleep? Our other kids greatly enjoy it and dance when it is played. Is that permitted?.
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that it is permitted since it is really indeed only toy music.
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 5/9/2024 10:55 PM |
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#4958 A Writing about Writing
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Q. Rov. As per our call a few days ago: I contacted the big Printing House of the Jewish information and they told me that the shuls explained that they cannot accept my Gematria sefer because it has pasukim in it. Even though I comment out the name of Hashem please find out from Rav Miller Shlit”a what to do to get the printing house to agree to print for me.
A. Please get in touch with me and iy’H I will try to explain to you how to get around your predicament and be able to print your important Sefer.
The writing and printing of a Sefer on Torah topics is most important, since one can comply, following the opinion of Poskim, the most essential mitzva of writing a Sefer Torah itself (see introduction to my Responsa Sefer Minchas Aviv).
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 5/9/2024 10:53 PM |
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#4957 Have we Learned Already How to Count?
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Q. We have a debate in our new created minyan as to which is the most correct way to count Sefira. Most mentioned that the use the most common counting by saying Laomer. Yet we have a small group that recites Baomer, What is the correct thing to do?
A. Indeed Poskim disagree at what is the correct nusach or tradition to use. Many Rishonim quote “Laomer” (Beer Heitev 8, Sheloh, Pri Megodim in Eishel Avrohom 5, Shaarei Torah 8, etc.).
Others quote Baomer (Rema 1, Taz 3, Eliahu Rabba 7, Shulchan Aruch Horav 7, Chayei Adam 131, Hagr’a, Mharam Shik, Chazon Ish, see Nitei Gavriel 32: 5).
ArtScoll sidurim on nusach Ashkenaz maintain Baomer while on nusach Sefarad quote Laomer.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one you should follow the tradition of the majority of the attendants.
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 5/9/2024 10:49 PM |
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#4956 First Come, First Served?
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Q. See question above. How about reciting the Birchos Hashachar (the morning blessings recited before korbanot), can they be said after the Tefila?
A. Poskim disagree. HoRav S’Z Auerbach Zt’l maintains that they are even more important than Pesukei Dezimra besides Baruch Sheomar and Ishtabach. (Siach Halacha 5).
However Ishei Yisroel 36, opines that the could be recited after the Tefila, and that seems to be the general accepted tradition.
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Posted 5/8/2024 4:51 PM |
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#4955 Skip a Beat?
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Q.Hello Rav, when the Tur and Shulchan Aruch O.C. 1:4 write that it is preferable to pray a little with Kavana than to pray a lot without Kavana, What parts of davening is he referring to? I had always assumed this applied to the sections of the siddur before "Baruch She'amar" and that you would only skip parts of Pezukei D'zirma (PDZ) (Baruch She'amar to Yishtabach) if needed to catch up with the minyan to start the Amidah together.
So I would have thought that if it takes me 7 minutes to say PZD quickly and I only have 7 minutes to keep up with the minyan, it would be proper to say the whole thing quickly and not skip. My friend argues that its "better to daven less with more kavana" applies to PZD as well, and if time is limited it would be better to pick a few parts of PZD to say with greater kavanah and skip the rest.
His proof is that the original PZD is much smaller and was added to AND that ashkenazim have more added in between "baruch She'amar" and "Yishtabach" than sepharim and nusach s'farad (especially on Shabbat where all the extra tehillim are added in there!). What is the actual halacha? Thanks!
A. Sha’arei Teshuva (O.H. 52: 1) rules that one that is used to daven slowly with Kavanah and intention, and even when he arrives at the beginning of davening if he prays together with the Tzibur he will loose his special Kavanah, should see that at least Borchu and Kedusha he should answer when he is between the Mizmorim he is saying.
Obviously, a person who has that posseses such great behavior, should arrive early enough to davening to be able to recite the Amida with the Tzibur.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that indeed if one can’t say the Psukei Dezimra properly he should skip some of them when in need.
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Posted 5/8/2024 4:45 PM |
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#4954 Hayom Chamisho Yomim BeMayo?
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- Q. Estimado Rabino - Hashem lo Bendiga- As you well know in our Spanish group there are some that celebrate Cinco de Mayo (the fifth day of May) and make a party for the family and kids and friends getting together and playing games. Is there a Halacha problem with it?
A. Cinco de Mayo is indeed a special day for Mexicans. In 1862, when Mexico was barely 40 years old as an independent country, it was invaded by maybe the most powerful military at the time: the French Imperial Army.
Since the US was in the middle of a Civil War, Emperor Napoleon saw it as a perfect opportunity to take over. His goal was to conquer Mexico City and create a huge empire that eventually would take over all the Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America.
Luckily, on May 5 when the French army arrived to Puebla, it came across a well-organized army, formed mostly by Indigenous people who were willing to defend Mexico at all costs. It resulted in an unexpected victory that saved Mexico from a brutal conquer.
The triumph over the better equipped and more numerous French troops was an enormous emotional boost for the Mexican soldiers led by Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza (from Rab. Google)
As mentioned in a number of Shailos our sages encouraged us to pray for the peace of the land (Pirkei Avos 3: 2, see question 2251). Since the above celebration is not a religious holiday at all, there is no reason not to enjoy the day.
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Posted 5/6/2024 11:26 AM |
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#4953 Many Are so Few?
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Q. See question 4946 above. How many is the minimum of people present at the time of davening for the davening to be counted as Berov Am so that one should try to daven at the sametime they do?
A. Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a. Mainains that it is not halachically Brov Am unless at least three people are present together.
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Posted 5/5/2024 5:30 PM |
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#4952 Really?
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Q. Is there a reason for the strange tradition that many a shul have that one must scream out ka’eylah! when the ba’al koreh reads that maftir part?
A. It could be that it is done to stress that it is not a repetition of the same word and thus should be read separately. It may also emphasize that as the Yom Tov advances and becomes continual and repetitive, one should keep the original joy of novelty and simcha one felt when reading it first time.
However, care should be taken that after the loud scream of “ka’eylah” by the congregants, the reader from the Torah, should also repeat the word slowly an correctly, since it is after all part of the Torah reading.
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 5/3/2024 1:10 PM |
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#4951 Best for Those Who Wait
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- Q. Can the counting of the omer be said on Friday night after maariv if it is not yet the time one finishes Shabbat.
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one should wait, as one does in such an occasion regarding the reciting of the “Shema” and after that recite the Omer with 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 5/3/2024 1:07 PM |
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#4950 Face the Music
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Q. During the Sefira weeks for one who is very careful with listening to music, can he sit and learn in a Bet Midrash where there is a fellow who sings nice tunes when he learns?
A. On question 1390 regarding if one can listen to tapes of chazanos of tefilos, during the three weeks, when interested in knowing the nusach and the nigunim, as when one davens for the amud on Shabbos or Yomim Noraim, we wrote:
“Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that in principle if they are not melodies of simcha and joy, rather the normal nigunim that a chazan or a baal tefila sing by the amud, that express more sentiment, fervor and emotion than happiness and delight, they are permitted to listen to or sing even during the tefilos of the nine days, especially if one’s intention is only for learning them.
The fact is that even on Tisha Beav we do sing Keli-Tzion. See question 104, 1305 and 281 in regards to classical music during Sefira and Bein Hametzorim, where we mentioned the Rov’s opinion that; it is likely that while listening to a symphony, the motif may change and parts of it may meet the criteria of the mood markings of allegro, animato, or giocoso.
It is therefore advisable to refrain from listening to all music, unless needed for therapeutic purposes. Similarly, (and lehavdil too) when listening to chazonus, the nigunim may change suddenly to happy and joyful to be avoided songs.”
Therefore, in our case since the singing is done as part of the learning of Torah, it is permitted.
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 5/3/2024 1:05 PM |
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Important Numbers
