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
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
|
|
|
|
|
# 4466 A Compassionate Answer
|
|
|
Q Can one answer and say the “Yud Gimmel Middos” (Thirteen Attributes of Compassion) during ‘Elokai Netzor’ at the very end of the Amida?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that if one has said already “Yichyu Lerotzon Imrei Pi” one can recite the ‘Yud Gimmel Middos’ together with the rest of the congregants.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 9/29/2023 12:05 AM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 4465 Best to Prepare
|
|
|
Q. One brings his Arba’a Minim (Lulav – Etrog etc.) to shul and then goes to a friends house for the seuda. Must he leave them there or can he take them home?
A. Horav Dovid Pam Shlit’a maintains that if they will not be used on that day anymore for a friend etc., he should leave them there an pick them next day, since one should not prepare from one day Yom Tov for the next.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 9/29/2023 12:00 AM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 4464 Eye Opener Shailah
|
|
|
Q. Sometimes I forget to say the shema until I'm in bed with my head uncovered. So I cover myself with the blanket and say it. Do I still need to cover my eyes with my hands since the blanket is covering them?
A. Our Rabbonim maintain that you should still cover your eyes as it is the proper minhag even in a dark room or for the one who cannot see. (Yalkut Yosef p.536).
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
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 9/28/2023 11:58 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 4463 Bless the Brake?
|
|
|
Q. Kvod Harav. In our shul on Yom Kippur we take a brake after Musaf for two hours and many go home to rest. When they come back and wear the Ta’alis again, do they have to make a new bracha
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that since they exited the shul leaving the ta’alis behind for an extended time, it is different from going to the bathroom and a new brocho should be recited.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 9/28/2023 11:56 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 4462 Meditate This Well
|
|
|
Q. Kvod Harav. Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan in his book Jewish Meditation, describes a method for doing Teshuva by applying the not so commonly used methods of meditation. Does the Rav recommend it?
What is Horav Miller Shlit’a say about it?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’ais not very familiar with this particular book, so he didn’t provide an opinion.
However, there is no question that Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan z’l was a major factor in the development of the Ba’alei Teshuva movement especially for the younger crowd.
Horav Moishe Feinstein Zt’l addressed him in one of his Teshuvos as “my friend the Rav’ (O.H. 1: 94) and many other Rabbanim recognized his great kiruv achievements in the NCSY and the close to fifty sefarim he wrote.
Altough, he was himself a Baal Teshuva and also in his beginnings served in conservative institutions, he then joined the Klausenburg Yeshiva and became close to the Rebbeh, who later suggested, after some time of learning at Yeshiva Torah Vodaas and Mir Yeshiva in Brooklyn, that he go and further his studies in Israel.
Rav Aryeh enrolled at Mir Yeshiva in Jerusalem. In 1956, he received his rabbinical ordination from Chief Rabbi Yitzchak Hertzog and also from R. Eliezer Yehudah Finkel, Rosh Yeshiva of the Mir.
Rav Kaplan zt’l died at his home of a heart attack on January 28, 1983, at the age of 48. He was buried in Har Hazeisim, Yerushalaim.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 9/27/2023 10:50 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 4461 Feast of Reason
|
|
|
Q. Rov. Does the mitzva of eating on Erev Yom Kippur mean just eating one seuda in the morning and then another before the fast begins or the Seuda Hamafsekes, or does one have to eat the complete day? If yes, does one have to eat a Kezais each time?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that if possible a person should eat as many kezaisim or olive volume pieces of bread during the day, since each one is a mitzva by itself.
However, since likely it will not be possible to eat constantly, he advises to do what other great Tzadikim also did, and that is to suck a candy as long and constant as one can on that day, as it is also considered as eating on that day.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 9/24/2023 5:11 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 4460 Safe Light Saves
|
|
|
Q. Does one have to make Teshuva during Yom Kippur for a sin commonly committed, namely leaving the light on when not needed, as when someone leaves home during the day and no one stays there, since one transgresses on the prohibition of Ba’al Tashchis, (destroying or wasting usable items)?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that although there is reason to turn off lights when not needed at all even for security, one should avoid creating a fight with a spouse or child and similar for that reason.
The Rov Shlit’a also mentioned, to consider what would the saved amounts be used for, if at all.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 9/21/2023 11:55 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 4459 Make Your Mouth Water?
|
|
|
Q. Can someone suffering from severe dry mouth, just take some water on Tzom Gedalia place it in his mouth, swivel it and then just spit it out?
A. Oruch Hashulchan (O.H. 567: 3) permits washing one’s mouth in the minor days of Taanis, if he does so while ones head is bending down and with a small amount of water. Mishna Berura (567: 11) permits in cases of great pain even on Tisha Beav. (see also Minchas Yitzchok 4: 109).
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
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 9/21/2023 11:53 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 4458 Eat While You Can
|
|
|
Q. Dear Rov, as you know, due to my severe illness I’m unable to fast on Yom Kippur. Do I still comply with the mitzva of eating on Erev Yom Kippur?
A. Nitei Gavriel (p.22 – 15: 8) quotes Sdei Chemed that this are two separate mitzvos, and one in your situation should wash and eat and enjoy the seuda of Erev Yom Kippur. He mentions that this meal may make it easier and you may be able to eat less during Yom Kippur.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 9/21/2023 11:51 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 4457 Safe Travels
|
|
|
Q. I am able to daven on Yom Kippur in a yeshiva where there will be hundreds of Bnei Torah and I will come b’n from the asara rishonim (first ten), and the davening is extremely beautiful etc. However to get there i will have to travel on Erev Yom Kippur which understandably is not so geshmak and it is a tircha and tiring to schlep with my luggage etc.
Should I travel there or rather daven in my current location where I will have more yishuv hadaas (calm) on Erev Yom Kippur?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that you should daven in the place were you learn Torah.
You should try your best to maintain your calm and enjoy the travelling by learning Torah and enjoying food that you like during that day. You have to wash and eat bread.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 9/21/2023 11:49 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 4456 Have Stars in Your Eyes?
|
|
|
Q. Hi. My minhag is to keep shabbos until 72 minutes after shkia. However often I go to places for Shabbos where there are at least 3 stars visible by 45 minutes after shkia. Can I start doing melacha immediately upon seeing 3 stars even though its before 72 minutes after shkia or do I have to wait until 72 after shkia to do melacha? Thank you.
A. Keeping 72 minutes after sunset applies as is to locations where three stars can be seen earlier. This Halacha opinion does not regard the three stars as the time when Shabbos ends, so you must keep your minhag of 72 minutes.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 9/21/2023 11:47 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 4455 Why Wi-Fi?
|
|
|
Q. I have a secular Jewish tenant who uses my WiFi. Should I be turning it off on Yomtov and Shabbos?
A. Providing your WiFi is not any different than using the electricity you supply to your tenant. It is the tenants responsibility to use it only in the permitted way during Shabbos and Yom Tov.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 9/21/2023 11:46 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 4454 First In - First Win
|
|
|
Q. Would the mitzvah of being the very first person in shul override going elsewhere to answer brachos or kaddishes? Is there a difference between Yom Kippur and other days.
A. Poskim write that it seems from most of the Rishonim that the appreciation and reward for the first ten individuals that create the minyan, is the same for all.
However, Ma’adanei Yom Tov maintains that each one of the first ten, receives recognition for all the remaining of the ten that join after him.
Meir Oz (p. 166) quotes Siach Hassode that the very first one, is indeed above all others. Shulchan Shlomo (1,1) mentions that he is granted the qualities of a Tzadik.
It would be reasonable that the merit is greater during Yom Kippur.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 9/21/2023 11:43 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 4453 Make a Stand
|
|
|
Q. A person is davening in such a way that to open the Aron Kodesh, one must walk in front of him.
What should be done on Rosh Hashana or Yom Kippur when it needs to be opened numerous times?
A. He could use his shtender as a ‘Mechitza’ or separation.
On question 3936 regarding why do people seat in the shul during the Hakofes of Simchas Torah, is it not prohibited to remain seated when a Sefer Torah goes by next to us?
To what we answered: “One has to stand when a Sefer Torah approaches (Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 282: 2). This applies even when one is occupied in learning Torah (Pischei Teshuva ibid. 3). However, if the Sefer Torah is being held or carried in a separate area of the shul such as the elevated Bima one is not obligated to stand (Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 242: 18).
The same would apply if one is seating in a separate area of the shul.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one may remain seated in need when separated from the rest of the shul by a full size common shtender (movable pulpit that holds a Sidur etc.). The Rov added that regular shtenders have the shape of a small door and is seen as a separation.”
The Rov Shlit’a added that one should fasten horizontal strings on the width of the legs of the shtender with a separation of less than three Tefachim (about 30 cm.) between them.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 9/21/2023 11:41 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 4452 Eat Much but Not Fast
|
|
|
Q. Dear Rov. My family tradition is to fast on the day of the Yohrzait of parents, and I have done so for my fathers Yohrzait. This year we will commemorating my mothers Yohrzait on Erev Yom Kippur, can I fast on that day?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that you should eat on Erev Yom Kippur since it is a mitzva to eat on that day and it overrides the other minhag that can be kept for each parent individually.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 9/21/2023 11:37 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 4451 Not a Drinking Problem
|
|
|
Q. Rov. If someone has to take pills on Tzom Gedaliya with water, can he be given an aliya on that day.
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that he may be given an aliya if he consumed the minimum water, just enough to swallow the pills.
One should be careful to only drink less than a Revi’is (about 112 ml.) or a ‘Mole Lug’mov’ (a mouthful), whichever is less.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 9/21/2023 11:35 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 4450 Suit Yourself
|
|
|
Q. Dear Rabbi. Someone who blows the Shofar in shul and therefore wears a new suit on the second day, to be certain on the shecheyanu bracha. Since this year we won’t blow the first day (Shabbat), should he keep his minhag (tradition), since after all it is a mitzva to wear special clothing on Yom Tov?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that although it is a mitzva, it is not a necessity to have to comply with and therefore there is no need to maintain this apparent tradition.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 9/21/2023 11:32 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 4449 Profess the Confess?
|
|
|
Q. An aged person that can’t speak and recite the Viduy (confession for sins done), listen to someone else saying it and comply as ‘Shomea Keone’ or one that listens is like he has said it also, as is done with kiddush. Is that recommended and helpful?
A. Horav Dovid Pam Shlit’a pointed to the Mishna Berura (607: 11), that explains that the above is a difference of opinion between the Shulchan Aruch (ibid) and the Remah, if once one has already said a viduy, and now it is repeated and expanded by the Shaliach Tzibur, if it suffices by just with listening or one has to repeated again, as the Rema advises.
They seem to disagree in the point above. The Rema adds that it is the custom in our days to repeat it.
In our case, since there is no other option, the one that can’t speak should indeed pay attention to the Shaliach Tzibur or have someone else read it for him.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 9/18/2023 3:49 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 4448 Don’t Judge by the Shoes
|
|
|
Q. A patient who has lost both feet and seats in wheelchair using artificial feet with regular leather shoes. Can he on Yom Kippur join the Beith Haknesseth with those shoes?
'
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit'a opinion is that it is best if he can change the shoes to permitted sleepers or just socks. Or he may in some other way give to understand his particular condition.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 9/15/2023 12:36 AM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 4447 Near and Far Shofar
|
|
|
Q. A group of neighbour women with small children decided to join together in one of the houses to daven together on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur and share the cost of a common helper to take care of the children. They want to know if one of them can blow the shofar for the children, if there are some children that have already reached an age when they understand the mitzva. Is that permitted?
A. Kovetz Halochos (p. 127) rules that a woman cannot blow the shofar for a boy that should be already hearing it, as he has reached the age of understanding the meaning of the mitzva (about six plus years) and it is part of his Chinuch or obligated education. However, Mate Efraim (589: 8) seems to be lenient.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit'a opinion is that although women can join together in the above situation, they should each daven separately and not try to join in a Tefila recited by all together, as it will likely lead to the type of davening done by Non-Orthodox congregations.
By the same token, one of their men should attend at some point and blow the shofar for all, including the above children
.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 9/15/2023 12:33 AM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
Important Numbers
