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
|
|
|
|
|
# 3963 They Just Never Met?
|
|
|
Q. Dear Rabbi: Since Noach was born in year 1056 and was Niftar on 2006, while Avraham Avinu was alive from 1948 until 2123, they were together for almost sixty years. How come there is no mention whatsoever that Avraham Avinu visited or met with Noach?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that after the Ma'abul, when Noach became an 'Ish Ha'adamah,' an earthly man and drank wine, even though Noach saved humanity and we all owe our lives to him, still there was not likely any great common ground between them.
Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a added that since Noach lived in Eretz Yisroel and Avraham Avinu had not arrived there yet, it was unlikely that he would have traveled from Ur Casdim earlier.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 11/3/2022 10:23 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 3962 Have a Cake and Eat it Too
|
|
|
Q. When one attends a Kiddush on Shabbos morning after davening and they serve pastries and small cakes, should one be observant in "Lechem Mishne" and make a brocho (Mezonos) on two together, as one would do with Chalos?
A. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (77: 17) rules one should keep Lechem Mishne even on small cakes. However other Poskim disagree. (Orchos Chaim 289: 5 - Da'as Torah ibid. - K'tzeih Hamatteh 625: 75, and others).
Piskei Teshuvo (274: 8) quotes that the minhag of RS"Z Auerbach zt"l was to keep Lechem Mishne.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is similar and he mentioned that he follows this minhag.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 11/3/2022 10:21 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 3961 Take Good Care of All
|
|
|
Q. Kvod Horav. I often visit sick people in a nearby hospital to my office, and after talking and comforting them I recite a Tefila as required. Frequently, there are more than one patient in the room and usually it is not Jewish. Do I have to go over and visit him also if I see the patient is interested? Do I also have to also recite a prayer for him?
A. Talmud Gittin (61a) teaches that we visit the Gentile ill together with the Jewish ones. Shulchan Aruch (Y.D. 335: 9) and Rambam (H. Melachim 10: 12) rule the same. The reason given is to promote 'Darkei Sholom' or ways of peace and mutual understanding and care.
Many Poskim mention that we visit them even by themselves.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one can also recite a prayer for them as it is a Kiddush Hashem.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 11/3/2022 10:19 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 3960 Pull Up that Chair
|
|
|
Q. See question above. Can one sit during Shabbat on a electric vibrator and massage chair when it is disconnected? One can see the controls on the side of the chair, is it permitted?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that as opposed to the walker, usually this is closer to watch and very often it is used when not on, so it is permitted. It is similar to analogous beds that seniors or hospitals use and should be disconnected during Shabbos
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 11/3/2022 10:17 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 3959 Careful How you Walk
|
|
|
Q. Can a Senior use during Shabbat in need an electric walker that is not turned on and just works as a regular non-electric walker?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that since it may be difficult from a distance to see if the motor is on or not, it should be avoided as there may be an issue of "Ma'aras Ayin' or doing something that looks as a prohibited act.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 11/3/2022 10:16 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 3958 What's in a Name?
|
|
|
Q. A religious director of a kosher food company, calls the women working as supervisors Mashgachas. One of these women was very insulted for being called that name. What is really their correct title to name them?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that if the men performing that job are called Mashgiach, the female counterpart is named 'Mashgicha.'
One should apologize for calling someone a perceived insulting name.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 11/3/2022 10:11 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 3957 The Real Shtick or Treat
|
|
|
Q. Dear Rabbi; (Translated from Spanish). You may remember me. I'm a covert and my family originates from the State of Campeche, on the Yucatan Peninsula. In Mexico there is no Halloween celebration, rather as you well know, the Three Days of the Dead are kept.
One particularly unique celebration is known as Hanal Pixan tradition and it happens in Pomuch, a small town in the Campeche state. Here, people open the graves and clean the bones of their deceased and buried loved ones, which is an ancient Mayan tradition. This is how they pay homage to their deceased family and friends.
Once a person has been dead for three years, they keep their bones in a wooden box and clean them each year during Hanal Pixan. If they don’t, it’s believed that the spirits will be angry and act out on the streets.
You can observe this tradition taking place at the Cementerio de Pomuch, Cemetery in Campeche and it attracts many observers. Families start by cleaning the smaller bones and then move to the skull. Throughout the ritual, they’ll be praying, and talking to their loved ones.
I was invited by my (former) family to join them and watch this interesting tradition. Is it permitted for me to join them?
A. On question 2913 we wrote: "In Mexico instead of Halloween, people celebrate the next day the “Dia de los Muertos” or the Day of Dead, which is remarkably different. Often candles, flowers and the favorite foods of the deceased are placed on the grave and the family visits the cemetery, eats, sings and tells favorite stories about those who have passed.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that one should not take any part of such meetings and celebrations as they are tantamount to Avoda Zarah or serving strange deities
.
See questions 824 and 1334 regarding the contact of a convert with his biological family.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 11/2/2022 3:15 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 3956 Shtick or Treat
|
|
|
Q. Hi Dear Rabbi. A person who is a partner and in charge of a number of large apartment buildings in which there are also some tenants who are Jewish, should he permit as is customary for the Super to give or to place trays of candies for the children of the building that the company pays for, to enjoy during Halloween? Is that permitted in Halacha?
A. On question 1485 we mentioned: "We have some Modern Orthodox neighbors that let their kids join the others in the block (many Jewish) and go around collecting candies on Halloween, is that permitted? Should we advise them not to do it? Can we give children that ring our bell candies?
To what we answered: "Halloween is a shortening of All Hallows’ Evening, also known as Allhalloween, or All Saints’ Eve, is a festivity observed in a number of countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows’ Day. It begins the three-day observance dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the faithful departed.
It is widely believed that many Halloween traditions originated from ancient pagan Celtic harvest festivals, particularly the Gaelic festival Samhain, and was Christianized as Halloween by the early Church. Today’s Halloween customs, are a combination of Celtic, Roman and Christian holidays. In essence, Halloween is not a secular holiday.
Halacha prohibits celebrating gentile holidays
(Remah Y.D. 178: 1). Even though some gentile holidays today may not be considered idol worship, the law which commands us not to behave in the customs and manners of the gentiles, still applies.
Therefore, Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is to refrain from letting children join others on their Halloween traditions. However, if there is an issue of Chilul Hashem, the Rov maintains that you may give candies to the children that visit you."
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that if the Super is doing the distribution and if the refusal to give out those candies would cause feelings of resentment and rancor against the Jewish owners of the building and thus also a Chilul Hashem, it is permitted.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 11/1/2022 4:10 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 3955 The Beginning of the End
|
|
|
Q. We just finished learning Maseches Kesuvos in our Daf Hayomi shiur. What is the best way to end the Maseches. Should one learn it completely until the end and then have to do the Siyum Seuda and celebrate on that very occasion.
Or is it better as many do, to leave out the last paragraph or some lines of the last page, until one is ready and prepared to make and use the Siyum Seuda in the right propitious occasion and setting?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that it is better to finish and bring the learning to completion immediately.
Since we always say that the one who starts a mitzva should bring it to completion.
Yet, the above does not stop one from repeating the ending at the right propitious occasion and setting, and then doing the Seuda. This is similar to the ending of one of the Chumashim of the Torah reading on Shabbos and saying Chazak, and then repeating it for the Maftir reading.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 10/27/2022 10:57 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 3954 The Law of the Tablets
|
|
|
Q. Dear Rabbi. Thanks so much for answering all the various and interesting questions, quoting such great Halacha authorities. It is a great service for all.
I wonder if it is correct or even best to learn directly from a movable computer tablet, since it is easier to carry than various large Sefarim. It also contains so many Perushim and options. Or is it better to learn from a printed Seffer?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that it is better to learn from a printed Sefer when possible, since the printed letters contain Kedusha, and that is nor present on the writing on a computer screen.
Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a added that if it will prevent one from learning, it is better to learn from a tablet which can be used when traveling on a bus etc.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 10/27/2022 10:53 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 3953 Bless the Ring
|
|
|
Q. What bracha does one make on onion rings?
A. Onion rings generally consist of a cross-sectional "ring" of onion dipped in batter or bread crumbs and then deep fried.
Vessen Brocho and the Laws of Brochos (p. 375) rule that when fried with a flour coating the brocho is Mezonos.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that it depends on the thickness of the batter of flour that for considering it Mezonos has to be significant.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 10/27/2022 10:50 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 3952 Building the Future?
|
|
|
Q. Dear Rov. I'm always very Medakdek (careful) to build our Suka myself, since I know it is a big mitzva. Should I also disassemble it also on my own, as taking it apart and saving it for next year can already be considered part of the future building mitzva?
A. Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a pointed out that we always desire and pray that in the next year we will be seating inside a Suka in Yerushalaim. Therefore one can ask someone else to disassemble the Suka he is now using, as we are not expecting to use it next year.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 10/27/2022 10:48 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 3951 At Your Disposal
|
|
|
Q. Can one dispose of the small cardboard boxes in which the Esrogim are packed when one acquires them and also the long plastic carriers one uses for carrying the Lulav, by just throwing the into the waste cans?
A. Although these containers do not acquire any holiness at all, since they were not used for a mitzva themselves and in principle could be disposed in regular waste bins, Ginzei Hakodesh (20: 5, n. 9) quotes opinions that it is preferred if possible to dispose of the with some respect.
However, everyone agrees that care should be taken to remove any Tefilos and blessings that often are included in them.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chano
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 10/27/2022 10:46 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 3950 Lest We Forget
|
|
|
Q. In some shuls they have the minhag to sing and dance during Simchas Torah "Mechayei Mesim Ato... - Mashiv Haruach" (the blessing we begin to recite on Shemini Atzeres, asking for rains) 90 times.
This is done to become accustomed and habitual on saying it and when in doubt if one said it or not, we will assume it was said and the Shemoneesrei will not have to be repeated. Since this Niggun is usually divided into two dances, one in the night and one during the day of Simchas Torah.
If one only took part in one can he then just add 15 regular days to complete during davening the other 45 times?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that it can be done.
(Some years ago, the Rov mentioned that if a singer had already made Kiddush during the day and drank wine or liquor, that counting may not be effective anymore).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 10/27/2022 10:45 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 3949 Give This Shailah a Shake
|
|
|
Q. Does a plastic salt or peper shaker with a metal cap require Tevila? With a Bracha?
A. Stark K guidelines requires Tevila without a brocho.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 10/27/2022 10:41 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 3948 The Shakers Blessings
|
|
|
Q. See question above. Why does Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a require a blessing when immersing a pepper shaker, even when one does not eat directly from it and avoids a brocho from a water pitcher for the same reason, namely that one does not drink from it but pours first into a glass?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a explained that the pepper is a food that one does not usually eat by itself and is kept in the shaker for a while, not so is the case of the water in the pitcher.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 10/27/2022 10:40 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 3947 No Plug on this Jug
|
|
|
Q. (See question above). Can they all be placed inside a new glass water pitcher that also needs Tevila?
A. Although one does not drink directly from the pitcher but from the cup or glass one pours the water into, Poskim mention it requires Tevila with a brocho. (Tevilas Kelim 11: 100, p. 217.).
However, Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that one should avoid reciting a blessing
On question 481 regarding one giving a glass jar as a gift with food inside if it should be immersed first, we wrote:
"Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that if the glass jar is used only for the storage of food and not for eating directly from it, it is denominated a k’li oitzer or a storage vessel and does not require tevilah.
This is not only true for the giver, who is not using the vessel, but also for the receiver, especially when it is only glass and not a metal vessel. (See also Chelkas Yaakov Y.D. 2: 57, Igrois Moshe Y.D. 2: 40, Tevilas Kelim 4:14)." However, pitchers as they are constantly used on the table require Tevila. (See also q. 2510).
One can use the pitcher to contain the shakers. If the pitcher is used to hold the salt and pepper shakers, the opening of the pitcher should be at least 5 cm.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 10/27/2022 10:38 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 3946 Don't Cap it All
|
|
|
Q. (See question above). When taking them to the Mikva, do I have to unscrew the metal cap before I Tovel them?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that you should, since the water will likely not penetrate through the small holes of the cap of the shaker.
Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a further added that the space where the cap is screwed also has to be covered by the Mikva waters.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 10/27/2022 10:35 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 3945 Salt and Pepper
|
|
|
Q. Dear Rov. I have a new bunch of small glass salt and pepper shakers that we will use when we have a large amount of guest. Do I have to immerse these small salt shakers in a Mikva before using them?
A. Poskim write that salt shakers do require Tevila since salt is considered food and we recite a brocho of Shehakol on it. (Tevilas Kelim 11: 114 p. 218).
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that salt may be different than pepper as it is a food that can't be contaminated with Tumah (impurity) as Tosafos Baba Basrah 20a mentions. However one can make with certainty a blessing on the pepper shakers. One should still immerse the salt shakers.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 10/27/2022 10:34 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 3944 Don't Hang in There
|
|
|
Q. I have another Mezuza question. I have seen times that people of different religions
hang symbols of their religion on the front of their cars. Is it correct to hang a Mezuza there?
A. Talmud (Brochos 24a) and Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 40: 1) prohibit the hanging of Tefilin. Binyan Av (88) maintains that it equally applies to a Mezuza left just hanging.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that it is also improper and unbecoming to hang a Mezuza in such a position.
However, the Rov recommends to place a Tzion with the word "Shivisi" inscribed in it. This term referring to the saying of our Sages, and included at the beginning of the Shulchan Aruch that we must place our consciousness and awareness that Hashem is always present in front of us.
It is common for some to place in a respected position the Tefilas Haderech (prayer recited when travelling).
However, Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that if small children are used to travel in that car and diapers or similar are changed, it is better that it should remain covered.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted 10/27/2022 10:32 PM |
Tell a Friend
| Ask The Rabbi |
Comments (0)
|
|
|
Important Numbers
