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# 4075 A Delete Shailah
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Q. Is it permitted to flush a toilet on Shabbos if a paper such as a receipt fell inside or is it Mochaik (erasing)? In need, can one use the left cover of the roll or other printed paper material as toilet paper? Does it matter which side one uses? Is there an issue of Mochaik when urinating on a solid bar deodorant placed on a urinal that has letters engraved on it?
A. Since one doing anything of the above has no intention of erasing anything written and besides it may not even happen, it is a case of a ‘Dovor Sheino Miskaven’ and not a ‘P’sik Reisha’ or a not intentional prohibited act that may not even happen and is therefore permitted.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/26/2023 10:04 PM |
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# 4074 Have a Real Happy Birthday
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Q. Dear Rabbi. My Hebrew birthday is on the coming up Rosh Chodesh Shevat. I heard that the day is of great importance and has an influence on those born on that day. Could you please explain. Thanks.
A. The name of the month Shevat originated from the Akkadian language during the Babylonian Captivity. The assumed Akkadian origin of the month is Šabātu meaning ‘to strike’ that refers to the heavy rains of the season. In Biblical sources, the month is first mentioned by this name in the book of prophet Zechariah (1:7).
The worldly sign for the month of Shevat is Aquarius, the waterbearer. This further ties Shevat to the rainy season, reflecting the posuk, “Water will flow from his wells.” Water, is also a symbol for Torah learning.
The month of Shevat was when Moshe Rabenu prepared for his passing in the following month on 7 Adar. He took from then on the opportunity to rebuke, morally fortify and strengthen the B’nei Yisrael, as recorded in Chumash Devorim. Out of honor and respect for the Jewish people, Moshe saved these words of rebuke and heartfelt criticism until right before he passed away.
Midrash explains that Moshe Rabenu spent the month of Shevat translating the entire Torah into the 70 major languages spoken.
Moshe Rabenu taught us on that day an incredibly important lesson: Every Jew has a connection to the Torah, even the ones who can not read it in its original tongue or have, like we all do, limitations in understanding it properly. It is, as some Gedolim mention, a day tantamount to Kabolas Hatorah.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 1/20/2023 11:22 AM |
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# 4073 Shower Again?
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Q. I was wondering if it is OK to shower using hot water on Shabbat. The water was warmed before Shabbat, and is kept inside a well insulated tank on the attic, that has no connection to any fresh water and comes done simply by gravity. Is that permitted?
A. Showering or washing one’s entire body, with water that was heated even in a permissible way before Shabbos, is forbidden during Shabbos
However, it is permissible to use water that was heated before Shabbos to wash one’s face, hands or feet, when the warmed water uses gravity to come down and not the water pressure from new water coming in the pipes.
The above does not apply to one’s entire body.
The reason for this Rabbinical prohibition is called “Gezeras Merchatzo’os.” Meaning, that the people working in the bathhouses used to heat the water on Shabbos in a prohibited manner, but claimed that they heated the water before Shabbos.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/20/2023 11:11 AM |
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# 4072 Face the Music
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Q. Dear Rov. As you know my father passed away last year and I’m about to commemorate his first Yohrzait. I have seen people listening to music on the day they have Yohrzait. Is that permitted? Even on the first one? Thank you.
A. On the first Yohrzait, one may not. Regarding a subsequent Yohrzait, Poskim disagree. Taz holds that all the limitations of the year of Aveilus apply also on that day, and one should not listen to music. However, the Shach disagrees. He holds that the limitation not to attend and eat at a wedding applies on a Yohrzait, but other limitations do not.
According to him, one could listen to music. Poskim write that Halacha follows the Shach, but it would seem to be commendable to be stringent like the Taz.
(See Remah Y.D 395, Shach 3 and Taz 3, Pischei Teshuvo 8, and others).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/20/2023 11:07 AM |
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# 4071 Please Take a Shower
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Q. A man who goes to the Mikva for the honor of Shabbat or after having relations, can he take a shower after exiting the Mikva. This is most important in our times when we a very concerned with possible infections?
A. On question 2676 regarding women that have to go to the Mikvah during the coronavirus days, if they should take a shower after they get back home, but not inside the Mikvah place itself, we wrote:
“Remah (Y.D. 201: 75) maintains that women should not take a bath after immersing in a Mikveh. Shach explains that this is based on Talmud (Shabbos 14a), to prevent observes thinking that the bath is the main purifier.
However, Mareh Cohen quotes that Shevet Halevy (5: 125) is lenient for all women when it is done at home, and also quotes RS”Z Auerbach zt’l, that taking a shower is permitted. (See also Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 162 :9 and Taharas Yisrael 161).
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that in your particular case it is also permitted, as it is not considered being in the Mikveh site”.
Most Poskim maintain that men can surely shower after immersing in a Mikva, as a man in our days of not eating Kodshim, Teruma, or entering the Bais Hamikdosh is never truly required to immerse in a Mikva. Indeed, with the possible exclusion of Erev Yom Kippur, all men’s immersion in a Mikva today is essentially a tradition and not an obligation. (Mevasseret Tzion, O.H. 7).
V’aleihu Lo Yibol (2 p. 286), mentions that Horav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zt’l was very strict and careful to take a shower before immersing in a Mikva, so to keep the water as clean as possible. He said that doing so is a fulfillment of “You shall love your fellow as yourself.” He adds that he would also shower after using the Mikva, knowing that there are those who do not shower before immersing in the Mikva thereby compromising the cleanliness of the water and the possible infections of others.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/20/2023 11:03 AM |
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# 4070 Shows a Lot of Promise!
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Q. When I was a kid (close to Bar Mitzva) while I was in Eitz Chaim. I made a Neder (oath) not to get married until I am 40 minimum and until I am wealthy.
How can I be matir (release me from) this Neder?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that you have to contact your Rov and have him assemble a Beis Din (court) of three people and after following the correct procedure, release you from your Neder
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/15/2023 12:28 PM |
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# 4069 Confused by Mixed Plants?
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Q. Does Hilchos Kilayim (mixed plants) for Zeraim (not trees or grapes) apply outside of Eretz Yisrael? If there is some application outside of EY, to what extent is it Assur? Specifically I'd like to know if I can plant several herbs and vegetables next to each other in the same large pot.
A. It is a generally accepted Halacha and tradition that Kilayim Zeraim does not generally apply outside of Eretz Yisrael, and one is allowed to plant several herbs and vegetables next to each other in the same pot.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/15/2023 12:17 PM |
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# 4068 At Your Earliest Convenience
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Q. I, along with countless others in a Haredi Community, were able to be Mekadesh the Levana (moon) literally on the last night, on Friday night. It was a tremendous Pachad (fear), with many traveling out of state on Thursday night in hopes of seeing the Levana, and others saying it on Shabbos. May I from now on always say it at the earliest Zeman, even without a minyan or waiting for Motzoi Shabbos, to avoid a repeat of this near miss?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that indeed in places where the winter is severe and the prolonged cloudy skies are not uncommon during the winter, one should recite Kidush Levana, the earliest Halacha permits.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/11/2023 1:14 PM |
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# 4067 Don’t Get Carried Away
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Q. May one carry a Siddur during Shabbos in a place with an Eruv, if he usually tries to avoid relying on it, in order to be Mekadesh the Levana (moon) during Shabbos?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that it depends why he usually does not carry. If it is just a “Chumra” or stringency since the Eruv is good and properly acceptable, he may be lenient in need for complying with the most important mitzva of Kidush Levana.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/11/2023 12:55 PM |
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# 4066 Not a Cook Up Storm
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Q. Kvod Harav. A non-Jewish cook intentionally added a non-kosher ingredient to a kosher food pot, and the non-kosher ingredient is actually Bottel Be’shishim - (annulled in sixty parts), is the food permitted?
If by his own will after the prohibited item fell in unintentionally, he added more kosher food to make it bottel, knowing from working in a kosher kitchen many years that it would be permitted, is it OK?
A. As long as the Gentile cook was acting on and for his own and not following any instructions from the supervisors on both cases the food is kosher.
Horav A. Miller Shlit’a quoted a similar P’sak from Ba'adei Hashulchan.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/11/2023 12:38 PM |
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# 4065 Making a Long Story Short
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Q. May one who is elderly and weak person go outside, see the moon, and then return indoors and be Mekadesh it from a siddur (recite the blessings), if it is too cold or one cannot carry there on Shabbos the siddur and there is also no window available?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that if it would be possible to finish the brocho Toch K’dei Dibur or in the very short time of saying three words, he may, however that is practically impossible.
Yet, he may dress properly for a very short while. He may also ask someone who carries or knows the brocho by heart to accompany him for that very short period.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/10/2023 6:45 PM |
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# 4064 Above and Beyond
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Q. Is there a Chiyuv (obligation) to travel to a different state (or very far) to look for the Levana (moon) if it is the next to last night to be Mekadesh it and the last night is Leil Shabbos kodesh? Is there a Chiyuv to remain awake in hopes of seeing it?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a opinion is that even if there may be no Chiyuv or obligation to travel far or be excessively ‘Matriach’ to comply with this mitzva, there is still a very great mitzva involved.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/10/2023 6:19 PM |
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# 4063 Blood in the Water
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Q. See questions above. What is the reason and why should one not drink water during the beginning of the Tekufa?
A. Luach Davar Beito quotes Sefarim that mention they involve a danger of infection and bloating and are connected to tragic historical happenings of those days. On Nisan, since it was at that time that the waters in Egypt turned into blood.
During Tamuz, it is due to the fact that it was then when Hashem instructed Moshe and Aharon to talk to the stone to deliver the much needed water. Yet, instead the hit the rock and were punished for the act (Bamidbar, 20: 8).
Tekufas Tishrei coincides with the Akeida of Yitzchak and then a few drops of his blood mixed with all waters.
On Tekufas Teves, Yiftachs daughter was sacrificed and her blood also mixed with all other waters.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/10/2023 6:09 PM |
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# 4062 Sink the Drink?
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Q. (See question above). Does the not drinking water tradition at the start of the Tekufa apply every month? How stringent should one be in keeping this tradition?
A. It applies only at the four beginning of the Tekufos every year as mentioned above.
Rema in Shulchan Aruch (Y.D. 116: 5) quoting Avudraham, Mordechai and others, mentions the above as a most accepted tradition one should comply with. Yet, the practice of not drinking water when the Tekufa begins, is not that commonly kept. Taz (ibid. 4) quotes Even Ezra that it is only a Nichush or superstitious custom.
As mentioned on the answer above, it is only four times a year for one hour. Usually those four beginnings are quoted in the Shul calendars. The beginning of the Tekufos also makes a difference in regard to changes on the Tefilos when we pray for rain.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one should keep the traditions of his family.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/10/2023 6:00 PM |
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# 4061 Come into Season
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Q. (See question above). Dear Rov. I just saw this question (above) and it was totally strange to me. First what exactly is the "Tekufa" mentioned? Why should one not drink water then"? (Never heard anything like that before).
I really thank you. since reading your question is a true education. Thanks.
A. As we know there are four seasons of the year recognized by our Talmudical Sages and named Tekufos. According to Rav Shmuel, each tekufah marks the beginning of a period of 91 days 7½ hours. The four tekufos are:
1) Tekufas Nisan, known as the vernal equinox, (when the sun enters the Aries constellation); this is the beginning of spring, when day and night are equal.
2) Tekufas Tammuz, commonly known as the summer solstice, (when the sun enters Cancer); this is the summer season (Katzir or harvest-time), also when the day is the longest in the year.
3) Tekufas Tishrei, the autumn equinox, when the sun enters the Libra constellation, and autumn, or "es ha-botsir" (vintage-time), begins, and when the day again equals the night.
4) Tekufas Teves, the winter solstice, (when the sun enters Capricorns constellation;) this is the beginning of winter, or "es ha-cḥoref",] when the night is the longest during the year. See next question.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/10/2023 2:43 PM |
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# 4060 No Drinks Allowed?
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Q. I keep usually the Tekufa Minhag not to drink any water at the time it starts. Tekufas Teves began, following the luach, on Thursday night(Jan.5) 10.30 PM Israel time. How long does one have to avoid drinking water?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one hour suffices.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/8/2023 1:26 PM |
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# 4059 Being in Deep Water
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Q. See question above. Since they gave up on finding their dear one alive, should they still spend effort and money to find the body for proper burial?
A. As mentioned in last question, Halacha dictates that even if a person drowns in a lake or other contained body of water, the family does not begin Shiva and Kaddish recitation until they find the body, or they believe the relative drowned and they give up the search.
Shulchan Aruch, (Y. D. 375: 7), Yerushalmi (Shabbos 19b), Pirkei D'Rabi Eliezer (39) and other Poskim rule that interment in water is not considered burial.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/5/2023 10:59 PM |
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# 4058 Hope Against Hope
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Q. A young single friend of mine during one of the storms, was tending to his small boat bringing it in from the soaring sea waves. Tragically, the wind was so strong that he was pulled into the sea and was lost. After some days of search by the Coast Guard, air patrols and even the Navy, they gave up.
The parents and brothers want to know, if they have to sit Shiva and recite Kaddish and when should they start.
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that since he was not married, they can start Shiva and the rest of the mourning practices and traditions when the family also gives up and believes the young relative drowned.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/5/2023 10:54 PM |
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# 4057 Hair lost by a Hair
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Q. My daughter got married and the marriage went wrong from the start, about a few days later she separated and then got divorced. Is she obligated 'Al Pi Halacha' (following Halacha) to still cover her hair?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that she should cover her hair.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/5/2023 10:52 PM |
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# 4056 A Hot Water Situation
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Q. On Shabbos may one eat matza while holding a K'li Sheini (secondary vessel) of hot water even though some crumbs fall inside during the meal? May one drink the water of a K'li Sheini while chewing matza?
A. Horav Dovid Pam Shlit'a maintains that it depends on a number of factors.
Firstly, how hot is the water? Since after all he is drinking it. If it is bellow 40 - 45 degrees (see questions 3578-89 and 3693), there is no concern.
Besides, verify if it a P'sik Reisha or certainty that some crumbs are going to fall inside the hot water or not. If not since there is no intention to have the matza pieces fall into the hot water (Dovor Sheino Miskaven), it would be permitted when there is some doubt.
One may drink the water of a K'li Sheini while chewing matza.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/5/2023 10:50 PM |
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Important Numbers
