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Have a question? Send it in! Questions are answered by Rabbi Bartfeld.
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#5718 – Avow the Snow Chow?
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- Q. Dear Rabbi. Following the above question, if indeed he has to recite a bracha before eating that snow, will he have to recite also the Bracha Acharona (after food blessing) when he reaches the end of his street walking? Any special conditions?
A. If he ate or drank the right amount needed, he should also recite the Bracha Acharona.
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 12/26/2025 12:35 PM |
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#5717- Watch Out When You Open Your Mouth!
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- Q. Dear Rabbi. I have friends form Panama that visit me often during the winter. Their kids are amazed, at the snowfall that for them is really unusual.
An eight year old was wondering if he opens his mouth while walking in the street and catches some snow flakes in his mouth, which he says he much enjoys, does he have to make a Bracha?
A. Shulchan Aruch (204:7) rules that only if one drinks water for one's thirst does one make a bracha. The source is found in Gemara Brochos 44a and Rambam (Brachot 8:1). Biur Halacha 204:7 s.v. HaShoteh, writes that drinking water in order to assist digestion is equivalent to drinking for thirst.
The Bracha Acharona on water also depends on whether one is thirsty or not as rules the Shulchan Aruch 204:7.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that if he enjoys the snow flakes he should recite a bracha as he would when drinking water.
See next question
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 12/26/2025 12:00 PM |
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#5716 - Remains To Be Seen
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- Q. Kevod Horav Shlit”a. As the Rov knows I give a daily Halacha shiur in our shul, and I thank you for answering the many shailos that I have sent you and to consult with Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a. Thank you so much.
We have quite a bit of unused or half burned wicks and leftover oil now from this ended Chanuka and I wonder why is our minhag not to keep the remains for next year?
A. On a similar question 1565 we wrote:
“Q. Why is it that we burn the leftover oil, half burned wicks and candles from Chanuka, but we don’t do so for the remains of Shabbath or Yom Tov candles?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a pointed to Tosafos Shabbos (44a) who asks this very question and as explained in Kehilas Yaakov (18) it is mainly due to the fact that the lights of Shabbos are for the purpose of one’s private use, and would expect to use any leftovers. therefore our sages did not impose a Issur Hana’ah or benefit prohibition on them.
Chanuka lights however are mainly lit for pirsumei nissa , or for publicizing the great miracle occurred, not for one’s use and one cannot derive any benefit from the remains, therefore, whatever is left is burned. (See Tosafos Harosh ibid. for two similar answers)
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 12/24/2025 10:09 PM |
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#5715 – Watch Those Kids!
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- Q. Dear Rov Shlit’a. Baruch Hashem we have a large family with many children and grand children that visit us for the kindling of the Menorah on Chanuka.
Since many of the children are young and keep on playing close to the candles and as much as we try to prevent it, their racing sometimes turns off some of the many menorah lights we have.
Do we have to light again those menorahs? With a Bracha?
A.Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that it is not a necessity to light the candles again. Yet it is a "Hiddur Mitzva" or an enhancing of the beauty of the Menorah lightening Mitzva>
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 12/19/2025 11:59 AM |
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#5714 – The "Daring" Dread of the Dreidl?
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- Q. Kvod Rabbenu Shlit’a is it permited to play a dreidl game and using candies instead of money? If permitted can youngsters play it on Shabbat?
A. Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a maintains it is permitted during weekdays but not during Shabbath.
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 12/19/2025 11:47 AM |
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#5713 On the Bondi Bond?
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- Q. Rabbenu Shlit’a, In our large family, we have a cousin that was injured with one of his children in the commotion of the terrorism attack on Bondi Beach in Sydney Australia. We usually make a large Chanuka party for our great family.
Does Rabbi Miller Shlit’a maintain that we should still do it this year? Can we do instead on Chanuka a memorial act? Is that permitted on Chanuka?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that it is better to dedicate a significant time to learn the Torah insights of Chanuka that give meaning to the persecution and salvation for the future embedded in the history and teachings of Chanuka.
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 12/19/2025 11:42 AM |
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#5712 – The Little Yom Kippur!
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- Q. Following my question above. I wonder, is not the day before every Rosh Chodesh named Yom Kippur Katan (“Mini Yom Kippur”) and is usually kept by many, including myself as a day of introspection and repentance for any wrongdoings during the past month?
A. Indeed Yom Kippur Katan (יום כיפור קטן) or the “Minor Day of Atonement", is a practice observed by some on the day preceding each Rosh Chodesh. The observance consists for some of fasting and supplication, but is much less rigorous than that of the real Yom Kippur.
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 12/19/2025 11:39 AM |
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#5711 - Still on the Fifth Day of Chanuka!
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- Q. Why is the night of the fifth of Chanuka so special for many of our neighbors?
A. Every night (and day) of Chanukah is a time of joy and celebration, but the fifth night holds a special place in many traditions, including Chabad. On this night, the rebbes would traditionally host family gatherings called “latke evenings.”1 It's also customary to give additional Chanukah gelt, more than on other nights.
The fifth night marks the first time more candles are lit than are left unlit, symbolizing a tipping point in bringing light into the world.
This concept ties into a famous Talmudic debate between the School of Hillel and the School of Shammai. According to the School of Hillel, we should light one candle the first night and then add a candle each night (and this is the halachah that we follow). According to the School of Shammai, we light eight candles the first night and decrease by one candle each night.
The Rebbe explains that the Schools of Hillel and Shammai differ in their approaches to how we transform the darkness outside with the spiritual light of Chanukah.
The School of Shammai focuses on battling darkness. Thus, they advocate for a giant burst of light at the very start. Once that breakthrough occurs, subsequent battles require less intensity, and they decrease their candles accordingly.
The School of Hillel, however, prefers to increase goodness and allow evil to wither away on its own. They advocate consistently adding light, eventually influencing adversaries to willingly join the forces of light.
The fifth night is the first time when those following Hillel’s approach would have kindled more candles than their counterparts from Shammai’s House. This symbolizes the shift towards illuminating the entire darkness.
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 12/18/2025 8:46 PM |
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#5710 - The Fifth Day of Chanuka!
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- Q. Dear Rabbi Shlit’a. I often attend your shiurim and I also much appreciate the openness of your questions and answers. My question now. In a shul I often attend they make a special kiddush on the day we light the fifth candle of Chanuka. What is so special about that day and for who does it apply?
A. Although every day of Chanuka is a special time of unique joy and festivity celebration, the fifth day of Chanuka has special meaning specially for the Chasidim of Chabad.
Yet truly, the fifth night holds a special place in many different traditions. On this night, the Rebbes would traditionally host family gatherings called “latke evenings. It's also customary to give additional Chanukah gelt, more than on other nights.
A reason behind the above is that the fifth night marks the first time most lights are lit of the customary eight, thus symbolizing a prominent and changing point in the essential bringing of light into the world, represented by the Yom Tov of Chanuka.
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 12/18/2025 8:40 PM |
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#5709 – Say Cheese! on Chanuka?
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- Q. See question above. I also heard that there is a tradition to eat on Chanuka cheese, why?
A. The Book of Yehudit. (A Sefer not considered part of the 24 Books of our Bible, as also the Book of Maccabees containing the Hanukah story— both include Yehudit—the daughter of Yohanan the Kohen Gadol, and brother therefore of Matityahu in our Al HaNisim prayer on the holiday—a daring and beautiful widow, who is upset with her Jewish countrymen for not trusting G-d to deliver them from their foreign conquerors.
She goes with her loyal maid to the camp of the enemy General Holofernes, to whom she slowly ingratiates herself, promising him information on the Israelites. Gaining his trust, she is allowed access to his tent one night and feeds him salty cheese.
To quench his thirst she plies him with wine, and as he lies in a drunken stupor, she decapitates him, then takes his head back to her fearful countrymen. The Assyrians, having lost their leader, disperse, and Israel is saved.
So in her merit, we too may eat cheese.
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 12/18/2025 8:34 PM |
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#5708 – The Mater of the Milk?
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- Q. See question above. What is the reason for the tradition to drink milk or milky foods on Chanuka?
A. A reason for the custom of drinking milk or eating milk products on Chanukah is that the Hebrew word for milk, חלב, (CHoLoV) hints to the three things that the Greeks wanted to remove and abstain from the Children of Israel; Namely, the observance of the New Month, circumcision and the keeping of Shabbos.
The Greeks hoped to conquer the Jews and take over Jerusalem by enacting decrees against compliance of these three basic mitzvos.
These are represented on the three letters of milk or חלב, as follows; “Ches, Lamed and Vais”, and they are portrayed in the following three mitzvos:
The first letter ח' is part of the word חדש – Also represents the New Month. The letter ל' , as in the word מילה is represented by the second letter of חלב. The third letter, represents the ב' in the word שבת . These three basic primary mitzvos, were what the Greeks wanted to prohibit and thus destroy, in order to domain our nation.
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 12/18/2025 8:27 PM |
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#5707 – Milk the Cheese for All it is Worth!
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- Q. DEAR Rabbi Is there the minhag (tradition) to drink milk on Chanuka?
A. There is indeed a tradition to eat cheese on Chanuka as mentioned in Shulchan Aruch." (Shulchan Aruch 670:2, Rem"a; Mishnah Berurah 670:10).
See next question.
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 12/18/2025 8:12 PM |
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#5706 - The Real Chanuka Story
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- Q. Estimado Rabino. What is the source in our Bible for Chanuka?
A. There is no open source in the Five Books of the Torah, yet it is told in The Book of Yehudis . (A Sefer not considered part of the 24 Books of our Bible, as also the Book of Maccabees containing the Chanukah story— both include Yehudis —the daughter of Yohanan the Kohen Gadol, and brother therefore of Matityahu mentioned in our Al HaNisim prayer on the holiday.
She was a daring and attractive widow, who was upset with her Jewish countrymen for not trusting G-d to deliver them from their foreign conquerors. She goes with her loyal maid to the camp of the enemy general, Holofernes, to whom she slowly ingratiates herself, promising him information on the Israelites.
Gaining his trust, she is allowed access to his tent one night and feeds him salty cheese. To quench his thirst she caters him with wine, and as he lies in a drunken stupor, she decapitates him, then takes his head back to her fearful countrymen. The Assyrians, having lost their leader, disperse, and Israel is saved.
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 12/18/2025 8:09 PM |
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#5705 Take the Less Traveled Path
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- Q. Kvod Harav. Last year I had this sad experience. If on Chanuka someones overseas flight was delayed until almost daybreak, until when can one still light the Chanuka candles.
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one can light with a Bracha until Alos Hashachar (day break) as recorded in a proper and correct Halacha Luach or times list.
We must mention that Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that in principle one should avoid traveling during Chanuka, specially in our unsure times of so uncertain traveling schedules and timing programs.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman Horav, Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit
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Posted 12/18/2025 8:01 PM |
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#5704 More Hard Work!
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- Q. See question above. Until what time do women have to avoid working on Chanuka nights?
A. There are several opinions as to the amount of time that women customarily refrain from doing the above housework. Most poskim hold that the custom applies only to the minimum length of time that the candles must burn, which is approximately one-half hour after the stars appear. Others, however, maintain that the custom to refrain from work lasts as long as candles are burning anywhere in the community, which may be as late as midnight.
As mentioned above Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that in principle one should follow the opinions kept by his family tradition. However, when in real need one may be lenient following the above mentioned opinions. Yet when possible, as there are obvious variants, one should consult a competent Halacha authority.
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 12/18/2025 7:59 PM |
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#5703 – So Hard to Define the Hard Work?
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- Q. See question above. What kind of work is prohibited for women when the menorah lights are lit on Chanuka ? Does it apply also to unmarried women? Or girls?
A. There are various opinions as to what “work” means vis-a-vis this custom. Most communities prohibit “work” that would be forbidden on Chol ha-Moed, such as doing laundry, sewing, ironing, etc., while cooking, baking and light household tasks would be permitted. But in some congregations, “work” includes all work, including cooking and baking.
As mentioned above, there are two basic reasons why women chose to refrain from work as an expression of their special observance of Chanukah:
1) To serve as a reminder that it is forbidden to “benefit” from the Chanukah candles. Refraining from work when the candles are burning reinforces and strengthens the Halacha that the Chanukah candles are not to be used for any other purpose but as a reminder of the great miracle that took place.
2) In order to highlight the fact that Chanukah is indeed a (Rabbinical) Yom Tov, women refrained from doing “work” – as they refrain on a similar Yom Tov – so long as the candles are burning.
The custom in most communities follows the first view. R’ Moshe Feinstein (quoted in Hilchos Chanukah [Rabbi Eider] p. 4); Orchos Rabbeinu III (new edition) p. 124 note 4; Halichos Vehanhagos HaGrish Elyashiv p. 2; Mishnah Halachos XIII:97.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that in principle one should follow the opinions kept by his family tradition. However, when in real need one may be lenient following the above mentioned opinions. Yet when possible, as there are obvious variants, one should consult a competent Halacha authority.
See next question.
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 12/18/2025 7:57 PM |
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#5702- Don’t Women Always Work So Hard???
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- Q. Dear Rabbi , What is the reason that some women don’t do any work when the menorah lights are lit on Chanuka?
A. Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 670: 1) writes that women have the custom not to do work while the Chanuka candles are on. Then he quotes the Tur that no leniency should apply to them. Mishna Berura (3) mentions that Magen Avraham explains that the reason is that the miracle of the salvation of Chanuka came by women, since a woman – Yehudis, the daughter of Yochanan Kohen Gadol, played a prominent role in the defeat of the Greeks. In addition, Jewish women suffered from the Greeks more than the Jewish men did.
See next question.
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 12/18/2025 7:52 PM |
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#5701 Need Better Early Lights
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- Q. Dearest Rabbi I’m with Hashem’s help, planing to take a very necessary health trip for an open hearth surgery on Chanuka. I have to be hospitalized at the very beginning of night. In need, how early can you light Chanuka Candles before Sunset?
A. On question 21 we wrote years back the following:
“Q. Can you light in a shul (the menorah) before the shkiah (sunset)?
A. Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 672: 1) rules that “you do not light the menorah before the shekiah and one opinion is that in need you may light after plag hamincha” [one and a quarter hour (zmaniyos) before nightfall]. Mishna Berura (ibid. 3) adds that you can light with a brocho.
Nonetheless Shevet Halevy (4: 66) advises that it is better to light using an agent and on the right time rather than lighting oneself before the shkiah (after plag). A few Poiskim also maintain that you should avoid kindling before the shkia and if you have too you should not recite a brocho (Piskey Teshuvos ibid.Nitey Gavriel, Chanukah 3: 11).
However in shul, where one of the main reasons for lightning is persumei nisso or publicizing the miracle and the people are present there and can see the lights, you may be more lenient when it is difficult to gather them at a different time (Shov Yaakov 22, Zivchei Tzedek Hachadoshos p. 211, see also Mishna Berurah 671: 46)”
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is in general to avoid kindling before shkiah unless it is utterly necessary, such as Erev Shabbos were we do recite a brocho. Nonetheless, in a shul, you can be more lenient.”
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is today similar.
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 12/12/2025 1:26 PM |
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#5700 An Early Light?
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– Q. I’m with Hashem’s help, planing to take a very necessary health trip for an open hearth surgery on Chanuka. I have to be hospitalized at the very beginning of night. How early can you light Chanuka Candles before Sunset?
A. On question 21 we wrote: “Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 672: 1) rules that “you do not light the menorah before the shkiah and one opinion is that in need you may light after plag hamincha” [one and a quarter hour (zmaniyos) before nightfall]. Mishna Berura (ibid. 3) adds that you can light with a brocho.
Nonetheless Shevet Halevy (4: 66) advises that it is better to light using an agent and on the right time rather than lighting oneself before the shkiah (after plag). A few Poiskim also maintain that you should avoid kindling before the shkia and if you have too you should not recite a brocho (Piskey Teshuvos ibid.Nitey Gavriel, Chanukah 3: 11). As mentioned in last teshuva, Shevet Halevy (4: 66) advises that it is better to light using an agent and on the right time rather than lighting oneself before the shkiah (after plag).
In your case Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is similar.
However in shul, where one of the main reasons for lightning is persumei nisso or publicizing the miracle and the people are present there and can see the lights, you may be more lenient when it is difficult to gather them at a different time (Shov Yaakov 22, Zivchei Tzedek Hachadoshos p. 211, see also Mishna Berurah 671: 46)
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is in general to avoid kindling before shkiah unless it is utterly necessary, such as Erev Shabbos when we do recite a brocho. Nonetheless, in a shul, you can be more lenient.
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 12/11/2025 10:35 PM |
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#5699 – Enlightening the Lighting
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- Q. Kvod Harav Shlit’a. In our Shul we light the Chanuka candles between Mincha and Maariv. It is then mostly already after the Shekiah, yet sometimes not? is that correct, How about at home?
A. Let me answer the second question; Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 672: 1) rules that “you do not light the menorah before the shkiah and one opinion is that in need you may light after plag hamincha” [one and a quarter hour (zmaniyos) before nightfall]. Mishna Berura (ibid. 3) adds that you can light with a brocho.
Nonetheless Shevet Halevy (4: 66) advises that it is better to light using an agent and on the right time rather than lighting oneself before the shkiah (after plag). A few Poiskim also maintain that you should avoid kindling before the shkia and if you have too you should not recite a brocho (Piskey Teshuvos ibid.Nitey Gavriel, Chanukah 3: 11).
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 12/11/2025 10:28 PM |
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Important Numbers
