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# 4273 Read Between the Lines?
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Q. In our shul we read Megilat Ruth as well as others Megilot from one written on a Klaf (parchment), that resembles a small Sefer Torah. The only one that knows how to read that type of Megila will not be able to attend our shul on Shabbat when Ruth is read this year.
We have two options. We read Ruth from a Tanach or Chumash as most congregations do. Or we read from the Klaf Megila by our usual Baal Koreh, but in the first day of Shavuot (Friday) when he will be present. Which is the best option.
A. Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a suggested that it may be read as usual on Shabbos the second day of Shavuos, with someone quietly reading it first and the Baal Koreh repeating. He may similarly have an open Chumash in front of him and looking at each posuk first before reading the Klaf Megila.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that since in Eretz Yisroel the Megila is read on the Friday the first day, in need it could be read by the proper Baal Koreh on that day.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/24/2023 10:47 PM |
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# 4272 Virtual Reality
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Q. See question above. We have in our family room and dining room a very large screen that serves as a virtual picture frame. It changes according to the times we program it, into different scenes, images of our dear family members, and pictures of nature that we greatly enjoy. We also display family photos, portraits etc.
Can we during Shavuot use it to display the greens, plants and flowers that we are used to decorate the house with?
A. On a very similar question (1791) regarding the use of such a screen during Shabbos we wrote: “The Rov also permits leaving on during Shabbos the picture displayed on the screen, if it does not change and stays the same during the complete Shabbos. He also maintains that the controls should be covered and inaccessible.”
However, in our case it may be better to use at least real plants even artificial for the remembrance of the greenery of Har Sinai and Kabbolas Hatorah.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/24/2023 10:44 PM |
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# 4271 Get Real?
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Q. We have always used fresh branches and flowers to decorate the shul and home during Shavuot. These days plastic flowers and branches are more attractive, stay looking fresh, they don’t need water containers and are more economic since the stay pleasing for many years. Can we change? Do we have to be be Mattir Nedder (absolve promises) if we do?
A. Although some of our Rabbis maintained that one can change for the better, Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a opines that there are specific reasons why we use the natural perishable life plants, as mentioned in Mishna Berura (494: 10) Midrashim, and other Poskim.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that since as is they are only a symbolic remembrance and not a mitzva in itself, as a Lulav or similar would be, they are permitted, and no Hatoras Nedorim is required.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/24/2023 10:41 PM |
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# 4270 Coffee Talk?
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Q. Blessings Kvod Harav. Can one, who suffers from acid stomach difficulties when drinking coffee, take pills to stay awake during the learning night of Shavuos?
Chag Sameach.
A. On question 3226 regarding if one who is sleepy and tired take a pep or stimulant pills during Shabbos, we wrote:
“Shemiras Shabbos K’ (34: 31) quoting Minchas Yitzchok (3: 21) prohibits pep or stimulant pills during Shabbos. (see also 39-Melochos 2 p. 497).
However on question 3220 in regard to take sleeping pills during Shabbos we wrote:
"Ketzos Hashulchan (138: n.31) and other Poskim maintain that one suffering from insomnia or fatigue is permitted to take sleeping pills to stimulate sleep. He argues that it is not considered a ‘Refuah” or healing, which would be prohibited on Shabbos, since lack of sleep is not in itself a sickness and the pills taken are not a cure”
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that they are permitted when needed.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/24/2023 10:38 PM |
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# 4269 Women of Letters
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Q. Are women supposed to be present in shul during the reading of the Ten Commandments
on Shavuos, since after all the were present at the giving of the Torah and also answered ‘Naase Venishma”
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that it is not necessary since their obligation is mainly to take care of the children, husbands and home, and thus promote daily and constantly the receiving of the Torah.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/24/2023 10:34 PM |
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# 4268 Best Medicine
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Q. Shalom Rav. In our well populated shul, as they do in many others, they sell the Aliyos of Yom Tov to the highest bidder. One of the most expensive ones is the Aliya of the Ten Commandments since it is known that the one who gets it will be saved and granted Refuah from illness. This is l’a, an important issue in a friends case. He wants to hear Horav Miller’s opinion is that is true?
A. Indeed Medresh Rabba (Bamidbar 7) teaches that as the nation reached Har Sinai they were all healed from all sickness. Ashrei Haish (3: 66) quotes Horav Eliahuv zt’l that this is a most special day to be granted refuah to all and most unusual illness (See Piskei Teshuvos 494: 1).
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that it becomes even more powerful if the money donated is used for promoting shiurim and the learning of Torah in that shul.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/24/2023 10:32 PM |
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# 4267 Begin with a Good Note
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Q. I always wondered, since on Shavuos one is to start the Yom Tov only at the time of when the stars show and true night begins, so the Seven Weeks will be complete. If so how does one comply with the mitzva of Tosefes Yom Tov or adding some time before the beginning of Yom Tov, that applies at least on a Rabbinical level also on Yomim Tovim?
A. Indeed Mishna Berura (494: 1) rules that we start Maariv on Shavuos night by Tzeis Hakochovim to keep the complete 49 days of the Sefira. However, some Poskim maintain that it only applies to reciting Kiddush, yet one may daven Maariv earlier. (Sheloh and Mogen Avrohom ibid.).
Tosefes Yom Tov similar to Tosefes Shabbos can be complied with just accepting not to do any prohibited Melochos without receiving the complete Kedusha and holiness of the day.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is similar
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/24/2023 10:30 PM |
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# 4266 End with a Good Note
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Q. Dear Rov I received on the email a film of a Siyum on Talmud Sota, that was done by a group of apparently very Frum women. They did the Siyum reciting the words that men would do then. Is that correct?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that women should not do a Siyum ceremony as men do, since the act was obviously created and the words composed for the ones that have the obligation to learn constantly our Torah
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Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/24/2023 10:28 PM |
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# 4265 A Honest Day Pay?
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Q. I was going to a Vasikin minyan and the Rabbi was paying me through a yungerman (young man) who was giving me the money. The Rabbi was hospitalized and the yungerman tells me to give back the last few payments because he was actually giving from his own money and relying on the Rabbi to pay him, which apparently he cannot do now.
I have no information at all about the Rabbis condition. Am I obligated to believe him and return it to him, or can I tell him to go sort it with the Rabbi?
A. As we have mentioned in many other Shailos that involve monies and different people and their claims. These questions should be answered only by a Rabbi or a Beis Din that can hear all the claims and opinions involved and then issue a correct and fair decision. The same applies here.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/24/2023 10:23 PM |
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# 4264 Give me a Break
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Q. If someone learning in a Beis Medreh many hours, needs to take a break and sleep some time. In order to avoid loosing too much time, can he just fall asleep on his Shtender, which is permitted in a Beis Hamedresh, or is it better to go to the parking lot and sleep while reclining inside his car?
A. On question 152 regarding if one does comply with a mitzva by just sitting in a shul or Beis Medrash. If one gets tired during learning and needs to stop, should he better remain in the Beis Haedrash (rather than start walking around, talking a walk, etc.)? Should one stay and comply with this mitzvah when he puts his head down, etc. on a Shtender, or falls asleep on a chair?
We wrote: “Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 151: 1) rules in regards to entering a shul or a Beis Hamedresh to call someone, that he should first sit some time, since staying in them is a mitzva, as it is written; “Ashrei yoshvei beisecha.” We indeed recite thrice a day the Psalm (145) of Ashrei yoshvei beisecha, often translated as ‘praiseworthy are the dwellers of your house’. We also thank Hashem after finishing learning and after ending a volume of Talmud; “Samta chelkeinu miyoshvei Beis Hamedresh” for having given us the opportunity of being from the ones that stay or reside in a Beis Hamedresh.
A House of Study also offers spiritual protection from the surrounding dangers of the libertine streets.
(See Suka 52b)
On Pirkei Avos (5: 17) we mention: There are four types among those who attend the house of study:
He who goes and does not study–he has the reward of his going. It would seem that just attending is a rewarded mitzva.
Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a explained that the reason the one who does not study now is rewarded, is due to the kavod and honor he bestows on the Torah being learned in the Beis Hamedresh.”
However, Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that it is better, for the Kavod and honor of the Beis Hamedresh to exit to another room or place and sleep there even temporarily, when possible.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/21/2023 3:41 PM |
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# 4263 Does This Add Up?
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Q. Someone that davens in a minyan where Mincha is before the Plag and Maariv after, should he have special intention not to comply with the mitzva of Kerias Shema at Maariv, since he may transgress on the prohibition of Ba’al Tosif, or adding the Shema at the time it should not be read yet?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that since there are Halacha views that rule that even on that time one can comply with the mitzva of Kerias Shema, there is no concern of transgressing on the ‘Baal Tosif’ prohibition.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/18/2023 11:27 PM |
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# 4262 Not For the Birds?
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Q. Shalom Rabenu. A couple that has been married for years and has not been able to have children wants to know if they should comply with the mitzva of Shiluach Haken, as they heard that it is a Segula or help to conceive?
A. Shiluach Haken is the uncommon mitzva of sending away the mother bird before taking her young or eggs. As the Torah dictates: “If a bird’s nest happens to be before you…young birds or eggs, and the mother is roosting…you shall not take the mother with the young. You shall surely send away the mother and take the young for yourself, so that it will be good for you and will prolong your days.” (Devarim 22: 6-7.)
On a similar question 616 we wrote: “Indeed the Midrash Rabbah (Ki Tetze 6) and Yalkut Shimoni (630) quoted also in Chinuch (545) mention that the reward for performing this mitzvah is: “And you may take the young for yourself” (Devarim 23: 7) or having children.
However, Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that it may be better to use Tefilos and other merit acts that don’t involve Tzaar Baal Chaim or causing pain to an animal
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Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/18/2023 11:26 PM |
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# 4261 Conscience Clean
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Q. Dear Rov; After one has put on tefilin and has touched the upper arm, that you once mentioned one has to wash his hands, can he meantime for reciting the blessing just clean his hand with the Taalis?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that if it is done gently it is permitted.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/18/2023 11:23 PM |
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# 4260 The Only Daughter!
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See question above - Q. Would the same apply if the one involved in that accident was a daughter?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that it would indeed be the same.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/18/2023 11:19 PM |
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# 4259 My Only Me?
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Q. A Dr. who is a member of Hatzalah was summoned to attend to a terrible car accident in which a number of Yeshiva bachurim were involved and one of them was L’A his own son. The car was already smoking and time was of the essence. Can he attend and rescue first his own son, even if he is not the closest one to him to be saved?
A. Horav Eliashuv Zt’l quoted in Ashrei Hoyish (81: 4), Nes Lehisnosses 67, and others rule that is such a terrible situation, since a son is alike the father himself and part of him, saving him takes precedence, as one should save his own life in a similar situation first and then save others.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/18/2023 11:15 PM |
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# 4258 No Pain – Yes Gain
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Q. See question above. How about when a patient is conscious, but is suffering and in pain constantly, what should his family daven for?
A. See question above. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one should daven that Hashem should save the patient from all suffering and pain and grant the patient a long life.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/18/2023 11:09 PM |
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# 4257 Pray Together, Stay Together?
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Q. See question above. Can we include him in the regular Mi Sheberach said for the sick by Torah Leining?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that we should not. However, once included in the list he should not be removed.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/18/2023 11:07 PM |
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# 4256 Pray Tell Pray
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Q. If one has a dear one that is brain dead already for years and the doctors say that there is no real chance for recovery, do we still have to daven for him he should have a long life?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one should daven that Hashem should do the best for the benefit of the patient involved.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/18/2023 11:03 PM |
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# 4255 Rise and Shine
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Q. Dear Rabbi. I recently heard that when wearing Tefilin one should not rise his hands overt them, like to pick up a Sefer from a high bookshelf, as this is similar to the Cohen Gadol not rising his hand over the ‘Tzitz’ (golden plate on his forehead with the name of Hashem on it). Is that really true? I have seen even Gedoim do otherwise!
A. Talmud (Sotah 38a) mentions that the Cohen Gadol would not rise his hands over the “Tzitz” or forehead golden plate that had inscribed on it the name of Hashem. Sefer Yereim (269) indeed wonders, since it is understood that the regular Cohanim would wear Tefilin during the Avoda, so why is the lifting of the hand restricted only to the Cohen Gadol? After all the Talmud (Shabbos 12a) mentions that one has to be careful not to forget of the Tefilin one is wearing, as they are more important than the Tzitz, since they have the name of Hashem written many more times in them.
According to the Magen Devorim (128: 8) it would depend on the different opinions if Cohanim actually wore Tefilin at the time of performing the Avoda.
Kovetz Teshuvos (quoted) rules that indeed one wearing Tefilin should not lift his hand over his head to reach for a Sefer or similar.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that our common Minhag is not to be concerned.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav
Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/18/2023 11:00 PM |
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# 4254 Long Live the King
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Q. I work as an accountant for a large company that has important relations with British and Commonwealth companies. The company is celebrating King Charles III’s coronation with a party that will play the recording of the event. Taking into account the proper Kosher food and drinks needed for the Jewish employees, I wonder if there is a mitzva to attend the party as there is a mitzva to see a king?
A. In principle there is a mitzva to go and see rulers and kings, whether they are Jewish or not and there is a special brocho to be recited for each. ( Shulchan Aruch O.H. 224: 8.)
Talmud Berochos 58a teaches that Rabbi Yoḥanan said: One should always strive to run toward kings of Israel to greet them. And not only should he run toward kings of Israel, but also toward kings of the nations of the world, so that if one will be privileged to witnesses in the future the glory of the Messiah (Rashi) and in the World-to-Come, he will distinguish between the kings of Israel and the kings of the nations of the world.
On question 3889 regarding if one can attend a memorial ceremony done in an Orthodox shul in memory and honor of Queen Elizabeth II, we wrote; As mentioned above, it is proper to pray and be active in undertakings and initiatives for the welfare of the State one is living in. On that spirit, Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that living in Canada, a Commonwealth Country, one can attend such ceremonies as an act of thanks and recognition.
On question 1548 in regard to meeting with President Trump we wrote: “Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that because of the character and nature of the prevalent democracy, the Presidency of the U.S., has become so open to criticism, disparagement and condemnation, even when unwarranted and gratuitous. Therefore it would hardly qualify as an honour comparable to the Creator’s, and no brocho at all should be recited.”
The Rov maintains that a similar ruling may apply nowadays to the new king.
As far as a company party and ceremony for honoring the new king it could be attended. However, even when Kosher food is served, no alcoholic drinks should be consumed. (See question 4235).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/14/2023 3:20 PM |
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Important Numbers
