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# 4214 Great Grains of Enlightment II
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Q. Hello Rav, My wife lights Shabbat candles with edible kosher olive oil every week. Just before Pesach I noticed in the COR magazine that olive oil requires a Pesach Hechtsher. I was wondering if the olive oil she uses exclusively for lighting would also need to be special for Pesach. If the concern is a kitniyot issue, would the Halacha be different for us Sephardim?
A. On question 4190 regarding if someone who usually lights Neiros Shabbos and Yom Tov using oil, can light during Pesach with Kitniyos Oil, we wrote: “Mishna Berura (453: 10) rules that in principle it is permitted since the Kitniyos prohibition applies only in eating them, and not to deriving benefit from them which is allowed.
However, he adds that it is apparent that people are usually stringent in using such oil for candle lighting, since the Kitniyos grain could actually contain some chometz grains mixed into it.
Yet Poskim permit, when the oil used has a proper Hechsher and is used for Sephardim that permit Kitniyos.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that it is permitted, yet it is preferred to keep the oil container with those
lights, properly separated from the food. (See also Piskei Teshivos ibid 7).”
The same would obviously apply to Sephardim.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised By Horav Dovid Pam Shlit’a,Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 4/21/2023 10:40 AM |
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# 4213 Money Talks
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Q.Hello Rav, I recently heard a story about a Frum Yid that went to visit his dying Non-Frum brother and declined accepting a large sum of money from him because the brother had been involved in business ventures that were not necessarily closed on Shabbat.
I'm wondering if this was a stringency he imposed on himself or if this is the actually Halacha. For example, if a non Frum Jew that sometimes works on Shabbat gave me a gift of some cash, would I be required to decline it? If its not prohibited, is there any room be be Machmir to decline the gift, even if the money is much needed for the Frum family? Is that considered a pious act? Thanks!
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that if the money is to be used for Tzedaka and helping the poor and the one’s in need, it can be used.
However, if it is to be invested on material things for a shul building, a Sefer Torah, Tefilin or similar objects of Kedusha it should not be accepted.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised By Horav Dovid Pam Shlit’a,Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 4/21/2023 10:38 AM |
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# 4212 A Quick Shave
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Q. If an elderly patient is required to have an Electroencephalogram (EEG) and has long hair and the physicians said in his case it is better to cut the hair shorter, but it can wait until after Lag Baomer. Is it better to wait or it really does not matter?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that it is permitted and one does not have to wait at all.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised By Horav Dovid Pam Shlit’a,Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 4/21/2023 10:36 AM |
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# 4211 Put on Paper
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Q. When someone places a piece of paper or a tissue into a Siddur as a bookmark to save the place and keeps it there for a while, can that be thrown away? How long would that be to make a difference?
A. It would depend on the intention and the nature of the material used for the bookmark. If it is only temporary and it will be discarded promptly as usually a tissue is, it likely will not become an object of Mitzva. Not so if it is a more permanent and dedicated cardboard piece.
However, one should not use a Sefer or Siddur as a place to store tissues which are going to be used mainly for one’s body cleaning, (or were used already).
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised By Horav Dovid Pam Shlit’a,Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 4/21/2023 10:35 AM |
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# 4210 A Close Shave?
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Q. I have hair that grows on my face under my eye. I was told it may be a problem to shave that high up. Is there an Issur (prohibition) to shave so high up?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that it is considered the eye and not included in other shaving prohibitions, similar to the hair in the nose.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised By Horav Dovid Pam Shlit’a,Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 4/21/2023 10:33 AM |
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# 4209 Feel the Squeeze?
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Q. See question above. Also curious about S’chita (squeezing prohibited during Shabbos). Is it an issue for squeeze bottles (or eye drop dispensers) on Shabbos?
How about if some of the drops fell on a tissue next to the eye, can I squeeze it back into my eye?
Is it better, if someone else places the drops on the eyes of the patient?
A. Poskim permit squeezing liquids from a plastic bottle since they are not absorbed by the plastic material.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that if if some of the drops fell on a tissue next to the eye, they cannot be squeezed back to the eye, since the tissue is absorbent.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised By Horav Dovid Pam Shlit’a,Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 4/21/2023 10:32 AM |
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# 4208 An Eye View
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Q. Prescription post surgery. I have two prescriptions eye-drops for post surgery, that I have to take 3-4 times a day. Is there any problem for Shabbos?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that if it is medically required it is permitted.
However, one should consult with the doctor if at least the last drops can be administered after Shabbos ends.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised By Horav Dovid Pam Shlit’a,Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 4/21/2023 10:28 AM |
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# 4207 Our Best Hair Day
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Q. A Bachur who normally tries b’n to avoid haircuts the entire Sefira and also on Rosh Chodesh, like the Arizal, may he take a haircut this coming Friday, Rosh Chodesh Iyar, in order to have a fresh haircut L’kavod the new Z’man and to be able to fit in better with the other bachurim in his Litvishe Yeshiva. Is Hataras Nedarim necessary?
Can it be done before Chatzos (midday) on Friday?
A.Mishna Berura (493: 2) permits in this special case when it is Friday, Rosh Chodesh Iyar to shave in honor of Shabbos.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that it can be done even before Chatzos.
No Hatoras Nedarim (absolution of vows) is necessary
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised By Horav Dovid Pam Shlit’a,Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 4/21/2023 10:26 AM |
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# 4206 Thank You Please
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Q. Is there a Torah obligation that one has to say thank you for a favor received? Where exactly is that mitzva written? How about asking ‘please’?
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that there is a most basic mitzva and obligation in our Torah that establishes a number of times, that one has to be and behave as a ‘Mentch’ and follow proper accepted behavior and recognized human values.
The Rov maintains that the above is a Biblical mitzva based on the Posuk: “Vehalachta Bidrachav” (P. Eikev) or “Walk in His Ways”. Thanking for a favor done, is also universally one of them.”
Saying, please is mentioned many times in the Torah as in; ”Daver No Beoznei Haam” (Please speak to the people) etc.
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Posted 4/17/2023 11:05 AM |
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# 4205 Wrapped in a Mystery...
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Q. On question 4198 the Rov mentioned that for one taking medicine pills during Pesach, making them not tasty by adding drops of vinegar, would not make any difference. If one is able to wrap them in a piece of thin tissue would that help? If that is difficult for most to swallow, would wrapping them in salad leaves or placing them inside a fruit like a grape, be any better?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that it is usually not needed, since pills are Kitniyos and as mentioned, they are as is permitted for the ill.
Nevertheless, if one wants to be stringent, as many do regarding Pesach, if one is able to use very thin paper or any other non-edible materials, it would be meaningful. However, food cannot be used as a separating substance, since it becomes Batel or annulled to the pills themselves.
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Posted 4/14/2023 5:57 PM |
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# 4204 Promises, Promises
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Q. I heard that there is a big Shailah if a father can promise his child that he will buy him a toy or give him some money if he returns the Afikomen. Is that correct?
A. Firstly one must say as usual that it is all B’li Neder.
The recently published Kuntres Moadei Shlomo (p. 72), quotes Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion that one should avoid using the term ‘buying’ which one may not do during Yom Tov but rather just giving. He adds that although money is ‘Muktza’ it is permitted to just say that he will give him that money since the child may accept a gift given instead.
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Posted 4/14/2023 5:56 PM |
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# 4203 Not Cut from the Same Cloth
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Q. Chag Kasher Vesameach Rov. I received as a present from my dear father-in-law, a most beautiful and greatly decorated Kitel that he wants me to wear at the Pesach Seder we are celebrating together.
There is no doubt that I much appreciate the new Kitel, but I have some misgivings about it. Is not a Kitel supposed to be worn during one’s lifetime during Pesach and Yom Kippur and then after 120 years, one is buried wearing it. This done to remember all the good deeds one did in life. Similar to the Taalit also used.
When my father zt’l passed away, we buried him with the Kitel he used, as was the case with most of my relatives.
So should I decline accepting it, since it would look very inappropriate to use such a decorated Kitel for Tachrichim (vestments for burial). Then again I may hurt my Shver’s feelings. What is the correct thing to do?
A. Out of experience in directing many Levayos and also heading the Chevra Kadisha in Mexico, I realize that it is most common to use the special Tachrichim (burial clothes) provided for most deceased at that time and they include the cloth similar to a Kitel.
Yet there are different traditions that some people and congregations have
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Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that you should use the beautiful Kitel for Yom Tov and provide Sholom Bais and joy to your family.
However, for Yom Kippur, since after all it is a solemn and serious period of correcting our misdeeds, it is better to use a simple ordinary Kitel.
I have seen people remove the extra decorations of a Kitel before burial. See also question 142 regarding the reasons of using the Kitel as Tachrichim.
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Posted 4/14/2023 5:54 PM |
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# 4202 A Flowering Shaila
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Q. Can one buy after Pesach flour from a Jewish store that may not have sold the Chametz properly?
A. See Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 453: 4) and Mishna Berura (ibid 24).
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one should not use that flour, since it is very likely that the flour was made from washed and thus fermented wheat grains.
However, in need the Rov permits if additional doubts could be added to the prohibition.
Nevertheless, Orchos Rabbenu (2: 24:25) permits in our days its use.
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Posted 4/11/2023 6:04 PM |
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# 4201 Need Something Yesterday
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Q. Our family was invited to eat a Pesach meal at a great neighboring friends house, who is a known Chacham. They are Sephardim and very careful with all the stringencies of Pesach, yet as their tradition is, they do eat Kitniyot. They promised me that they will respect us and not serve any Kitniyot, and the dishes will be disposable.
Do I have to be concerned with the cooking done inside their Kitniyot pots?
A. Kovetz Halochos (10: 6), maintains that if they were not used for a day (Einom Ben Yomo), it is permitted.
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Posted 4/10/2023 12:17 PM |
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# 4200 The Got-Away Car?
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Q. One who rents a car on Chol Hamoed (Pesach), does he have to do Bedikat Chametz in it?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one may be lenient since car rental companies are usually careful and demand that the cars should be returned clean and they further clean them.
The car is therefore considered a place where there is no Chometz and does not require generally searching.
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Posted 4/10/2023 12:14 PM |
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# 4199 Keep in Touch?
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Q. If I don’t eat Kitniyos during Pesach, do they become Muktza for me? If yes, at a kiddush I cannot serve them to a Sephardi who is permitted to eat them?
A. Poskim permit and maintain that they do not become Muktza for Ashkenazim. (Kovetz Halochos 10: 5, and 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 4/10/2023 12:08 PM |
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# 4198 A question of Taste
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Q. If one has to take medical pills during Pesach, although even if they contain Kitnios we usually allow them in need, yet I wonder if it would be preferable to take them with a drop of vinegar or any other distasteful liquid, to make them even more permitted?
A. Talmud (Pesachim 115a) mentions that one should not consume matza and maror when they are enveloped or mixed together, since the mitzva of matza is even in our days Biblical, while the maror is only Rabbinical.
Minchas Chinuch (M.6 : 2, as explained by Minchas Yitzchok 7: 32) maintains that the above is only in regard to the complying of two different mitzvos, but it does not apply to prohibitions. Hence, we do not permit the consumption of a prohibited food just because the taste became bitter by adding different spices or condiments (unless it became totally and irrevocably inedible).
Therefore, adding vinegar to the pills one takes would not make much difference in Halacha.
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Posted 4/10/2023 12:04 PM |
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# 4197 Little - Yet Gigantic Fish
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Q. Shalom Rav Shlit’a. As you have mentioned in many occasions, there are many different traditions and Minhagim regarding the foods one eats during Pesach or at the Seder, and as Horav Miller Shlit’a often stresses, one should keep always and everywhere one’s family traditions when possible.
I visited a newcomer to our community and they offered us some very small deliciously baked complete fishes at a Yom Tov meal. They told me they were leftovers from the Seder and that they had that tradition in his home town in Eastern Europe to eat them. Is there a source for this strange Minhag?
A. Surprisingly, we did find a source for this unusual minhag and it is mentioned by the Yofe Laleiv (O.H. 2: 473: 5). He nicely quotes the roots of this minhag of his own town, and the origin is in Talmud (Sota 11b, today's Daf!). He explains the source of our redemption from Mitzrayim, where the women who sacrificed themselves to bring pails of water from the river Nile to quench the thirst of the tortured hard working slaves. On those pails, as Hashem gifted, were also little fish and the nourishment they provided, was a big help in the survival of their men.
Yofe Laleiv (ibid) further quotes that those little fishes were reincarnations of the Neshamos of the newborn children that were thrown into the water by the Egyptians.
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Posted 4/10/2023 11:57 AM |
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# 4196 Angelic Garlic
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Q. My parents had a tradition not to eat garlic during Pesach. I really love the very healthy garlic and eat it daily, do I have to follow their tradition?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shli’a opinion is that this tradition does not have any base in our days, since natural complete garlic bulbs are not dried anymore in ovens that may contain Chometz, so you can eat it during Pesach.
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Posted 4/8/2023 11:17 PM |
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# 4195 Don’t Watch the Dog
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Q. I was invited this Pesach to a shul where they just installed a new Aron Hakodesh that is made from a huge safe box that still has the emblem of the manufacturer and it is a clearly seen plain dog. Since the Poroches curtain is not on yet in place, is there a problem in davening in front of a dog?
A. On question 2962 we asked that in the second temple R. Chanina (S’gan HaCohanim) said that he saw the heavenly fire descend (on the altar) resembling a crouching dog (Yoma 21b). Why compare the Heavenly Holy fire to a crouching dog!?
To what we answered: Kaftor Vaferach maintains that the presence of the Shechina’s Heavenly Fire, depends on the people present to receive it. During the first Beis Hamikdosh, there were far many more great Tzadikim and holy Sages forthcoming and available.
Not so during the Second Temple. That penurious stage was compared to a dog, on whom our sages teach, since his food is scarce, Hashem made his needs little and so requires small amounts of food to survive.
Nevertheless, in this case it should be removed or covered as soon as possible.
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Posted 4/8/2023 11:15 PM |
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Important Numbers
