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# 4456 Have Stars in Your Eyes?
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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
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Posted 9/21/2023 11:47 PM |
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# 4455 Why Wi-Fi?
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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
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Posted 9/21/2023 11:46 PM |
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# 4454 First In - First Win
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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
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Posted 9/21/2023 11:43 PM |
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# 4453 Make a Stand
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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
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Posted 9/21/2023 11:41 PM |
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# 4452 Eat Much but Not Fast
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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
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Posted 9/21/2023 11:37 PM |
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# 4451 Not a Drinking Problem
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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
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Posted 9/21/2023 11:35 PM |
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# 4450 Suit Yourself
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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
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Posted 9/21/2023 11:32 PM |
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# 4449 Profess the Confess?
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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
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Posted 9/18/2023 3:49 PM |
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# 4448 Don’t Judge by the Shoes
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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?
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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
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Posted 9/15/2023 12:36 AM |
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# 4447 Near and Far Shofar
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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
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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 9/15/2023 12:33 AM |
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# 4446 An Early Bath
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Q. How early can someone immerse in a mikva on Erev Rosh Hashana?
A. Kovetz Halochos (p. 50) maintains it can be done an hour before Chatzos (midday).
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 9/15/2023 12:31 AM |
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# 4445 The Long View
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Q. Our shul was given as a gift a beautiful long Shofar by a great supporter of our institution. Should we replace our regular Shofar.
A. The long twisted shofar made usually from the African Kudu antelope, is commonly used by Yemenite communities. Yet some other congregations also occasionally use it.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit'a opinion is that you may use it for the additional blowing done at the end of davening.
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 9/15/2023 12:29 AM |
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# 4444 Low Blow
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Q. Can one on this year that Rosh Hashana that coincides with Shabbos blow the shofar on Erev Shabbos for learning purposes, since after all we won’t be blowing during the first day as it is Shabbos?
A. Mishna Berura (581: 240) mentions two opinions if it is permitted to blow for learning purposes when it is done in total privacy and seems to agree with the Eliahu Rabbo that is lenient. (quoted last).
Similarly, Kovetz Halochos permits.
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 9/15/2023 12:26 AM |
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# 4443 Beg in Question
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Q. Can one daven on Rosh Hashana that coincides with Shabbos for one’s personal needs such as health and parnassa (sustent)?
A. Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 288: 9) permits in cases of danger of life to pray for those needs on Shabbos.
Mishna Berura (28) thus explains why on a regular ‘Mi Sheberach’ we add the words; ‘Shabbos Hi Milizok’ oe we should not be praying on Shabbos.
Poskim point out that there seems to be many contradictions regarding the above Halacha, since we do recite in Shabbos the Yehi Ratzon after the morning blessings, E-lokai Netzor at the end of the Amida, Yekum Purkan and the Tefilos of Birchas Hachodesh, just to mention a few.
Medresh Tanchuma (Vayero) mentions that the reason for avoiding those Tefilos is to spare ourselves from the suffering and pain involved when reciting them. Therefore, if they are standard one should be able to recite them. Yet we do daven a short Amida on Shabbos. (See Piskei Teshuvos ibid).
As far as Rosh Hashono is concerned, Remoh (584: 1) rules that we do not say Avinu Malkenu in Rosh Hashana that coincides with Shabbos for the above reason.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that you may daven for the needs of others.
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 9/15/2023 12:24 AM |
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# 4442 Low-Hanging Fruit
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Q. What to do for מעשרות For Israeli Pomegranate In Toronto which was bought in Toronto?
A. Due to the difficulty and complication in correctly separating Teruma and Maaser from Israeli fruits, our Rabbonim Shlit’a maintain that it is better not to use them unless they come already certified with a reliable Hechsher.
See similar question 453 regarding fruits for Tu Bishvat.
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 9/15/2023 12:21 AM |
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# 4441 Say Can You See?
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Q. Can someone recite Tashlich by just looking at a lake or sea from far? Can one use a telescope to see the lake or sea?
A. On question 2847 we were asked a similar question; “I live on the penthouse of a tall building and I can see the sea from far. How close does one have to be to the water, to be able to say tashlich?
To what we answered: “On question 986 regarding the dateline and how far according to the Chazon Ish the waters close to the shore are considered like the land. we wrote:
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that any island, vessel or individual found on the area of a Techum Shabbos (2000 amos or approximately one kilometre) from shore, should follow that same date. We find that Techum Shabbos creates an area of belonging and of being part of the city, in regards to the reading of the Megilah (Talmud Megilah 3b, Shulchan Aruch O.H. 688).
The above also applies to the rulings, decrees and taxes imposed on the city (Shiltei Hagivorim Bava Basra 11a on Ri'f, Maharam Alshich 59). Chashukei Chemed ( Gittin 4b .) applies the above to the acceptance of an early Shabbos time.
The Rov also considered the distance of sixteen mil (approximately sixteen kilometres) mentioned in regards to separating ma’aser from animals as one single distinct entity. The Talmud (Bechoros 54b.) explains all sheep herded in an area that is visible to the naked eye, are to be seen as one flock. Poskim disagree if this means an observer standing in the middle of a imaginary circle of a radius of eight mil creating a total area of a sixteen mil diameter (Tiferes Yisroel – Mishna ibid.- Chasdei Yehonoson) or actually it means that one can see as far as sixteen mil, and the area is double (Shvus Yaakov 3: 31 et. al.)
This amount of space applies also to other Halochos that depend on visual contact. Igrois Moshe (O.H. 3: 85) debates whether it applies to rending one’s clothes when approaching Yerushalaim nowadays, for one that resides within that distance and is constantly in visual contact. Similarly, Betzel Hachochma (3: 40) depends this shiur for the brocho recited when seeing a kever or cemetery after thirty days.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s shlit’a opinion is that within sixteen mil distance from the shore, it may be considered at least in doubt of belonging already to the date observed on shore. Therefore, if in the main landmass it is Shabbos, anyone within that distance, should be stringent in its observance.”
Regarding how close does one have to be to the sea to see the water from far and be able to say tashlich, the Rov’s opinion is also a sixteen mil distance.”
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 9/15/2023 12:19 AM |
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# 4440 Adores Kapores?
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Q. 1) Why does a pregnant women do Kapores for an unborn child. After all the baby doesn’t have any sins that need a כפרה?
2) Also a pregnant mother doesn't eat at the Pesach Seder, additional matza or grape juice for the unborn baby, so why add additional chickens for the fetus on Kapores?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that the Kapara and pardon is not for the baby but rather for the parents, since their sins can affect their children.
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 9/15/2023 12:14 AM |
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# 4439 Really Silly?
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Q. Dear Rov. Is it true that the Shulchan Aruch wrote that the minhag – tradition of doing ‘Kaparot’ is a ‘Minhag Shtus’ (silly act)?
A. Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 605: 1) indeed rules that one should avoid the minhag of Kaporos.
Beis Yosef (ibid.) quotes the Tur and Ramban, that it is prohibited and one transgresses the sin of following the ways of the Emorites
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The first eighteen editions of the Shulchan Aruch kept this ruling, declaring Kaporos to be a silly and zany tradition.
However Rema maintains that the tradition is proper and mentions that many living in the Ashkenazi sites keep the tradition an it should be observed
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 9/15/2023 12:12 AM |
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# 4438 Meet the Meat
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Q. I put some chicken at the bottom of a pot with veggies on top. Are the vegetables that got steamed but did not touch the chicken enough to make me fleshing?
If I separate them with a plate, or if I put the plate on top of the pot is it still the same? How about plastic plates?
A. It stands to reason that if the veggies are inside the pot with the meat, even if they are separated by a plate, they would become fleishig, as the meat vapour ans steam rises over the sides of the plate.
However, Horav Dovid Pam Shlit’a maintains that even inside the pot, the steam rises strait up and does not affect the veggies.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that the question is complicated by the many variants possible such as the temperature and strength of boiling, the size of the pot and the period of time of contact.
Therefore a competent Rov should observe the act itself in order to give a correct answer.
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 9/15/2023 12:10 AM |
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# 4437 Let the Meal Count
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Q. Hello Rav, I attended a Sheva Bracha meal recently where we only had 6 men that had washed for bread, but several others that ate other foods. My understanding was that 7 needed to have bread, but a certain young Rav who was present said that it was fine to say sheva brachot anyways because there were many opinions in the rishonim.
I see online that there are some sources that seem to allow if only 3 washed for bread. Are we allowed to rely on these lenient opinions, or should we have pushed another man to wash on bread or skipped the brachot? Thanks
A. Nitei Gavriel (120: 2) indeed quotes the opinions you mentioned. However, he rules that there should be should be at least seven men that each eat a kezais of bread, since we are stringent in reciting doubtful brochos.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlt’a opinion is that six people at least should eat bread.
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 9/15/2023 12:07 AM |
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Important Numbers
