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# 3647 Accounting for Taste
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Q. For one that has the option, of eating oat Matzos or the regular wheat Matzos, and he likes the flavor of the oat matzos, can he eat them just as regular wheat Matzos?
A. Horav Shlomo Millers Shlit'a opinion is that for one who does not need to eat oat Matzos (due to health requirements), the wheat matzos are preferred.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 4/15/2022 1:14 PM |
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# 3646 Melted Matza
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Q. Have a Happy Yom Tov Rabbi. If my aged father has difficulty in eating Matza, and he has to make it soft by soaking it in water.
A. On question 3100 regarding a similar case we wrote: "The Rov added that if the Matza is to be dampened with water to make it softer and more digestible, it should maintain its Tzuras Hapas or its basic form and structure.” If it dissolved in the water and one is actually drinking the matza instead of eating it, one does not comply
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If one needs to drink some water while eating the Matza, the water should be taken when there is no Matza in the mouth, between the bites. See Arzei Halvanan (108) that this was indeed the costume of Horav Moshe Feinstein Zt'l in his old age.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 4/15/2022 1:11 PM |
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# 3645 Up to Date
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Q. What date should someone write on the sell of Chometz when it was done after the Shekia (sunset)?
Should one use the non Jewish date?
A. In principle the commonly used document for the sale of Chometz is just a letter nominating the Rabbi to be an agent to sell one's Chometz as described in it. Even without a date, it would be valid.
However, Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that when the date written was before the actual date of the signing, or Sh'tar Mukdam, it is better.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 4/15/2022 1:09 PM |
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# 3644 Cut Out the Uncut?
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Q. Shalom, Can I bring a Jewish guest to a Pesach Seder if he never had a Bris?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that it is permitted specially if the purpose is Kiruv. However, he should not eat the Afikomen that represents the Korban Pesach since it was not eaten by the uncircumcised.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 4/15/2022 1:07 PM |
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# 3643 Call In Sick
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Q. See question above. Does one have to actually wait until one gets sick in order to consume medicine made of Kitniyos, or can one take it as a preventive means to avoid getting ill.
A. Horav Shlomo Millers Shlit'a opinion is that one should take it once the ill feelings begin.
Please double check if the pill you need can be obtained from other non Kitniyos sources.
See question 3122 on one who has to take pills during Pesach that contain Kitniyos, if one may preferably place his pill on a glass with water and then just swallow the pill with the water, and by lifting his head and ingesting it directly to his throat. We answered that it may not help at all.
When I consulted again the Rov Shlit'a and questioned why one should be stringent on preventive medical Kitniyos that have been totally changed from their original natural form and now even animals would not eat them. Therefore they should be permitted as many Poskim rule (See Piskei Teshuvos 442: 5), especially in this case when the likely symptoms are so severe, the Rov replied, that another Rov can rule to be lenient.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 4/15/2022 1:04 PM |
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# 3642 Know Your Beans
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Q. I'm sensitive to carbohydrates including sugar. One year, when I ate all the matzoh and drank all the Grapevine juice, I got so sick that I couldn't make it through the seder. I have since learned that I can dilute the grape juice and eat less matzoh but don't feel well afterwards.
There is a health product that I take during the year that is made of white kidney beans that neutralizes the reaction. It is gluten free made, in a vegetable based capsule with vegetarian magnesium stearate and silica, and those are the only ingredients. I know that as an Ashkenazi Jew, I am not supposed to eat kitniyos but I imagine that for health reasons it could be permitted, providing the other ingredients are okay. Is that correct and can I take this product over Pesach?
A. Mishna Berura (453: 7) permits eating Kitniyos for the ill (See also Chayye Adam (127: 7).
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 4/15/2022 1:01 PM |
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# 3641 Lean Times?
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Q. What is the source for reclining while eating the Seder anyway?
A. Rambam (Chometz Umatza 7: 6,7) writes that since our Sages teach us that in every generation one has to see himself as if he actually has been saved from Mitzrayim, therefore our sages instituted that one should recline as only free men do. See similar ruling in Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 472: 2).
Some Poskim argue that reclining at meals does not apply in our days, as we don't eat anymore in that fashion (Avi Hoezri 525 quoted by Tur 472). However most Poskim maintain that reclining still applies and one should follow the tradition.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 4/15/2022 12:57 PM |
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# 3640 A Cut About the Rest
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Q. Rabbi. at my age I'm uncomfortable reclining can I drink the Kosos (wine cups) and eat the Matza without?
A. Horav Shlomo Millers Shlit'a opinion is that one does not have to recline if that is truly uncomfortable. However is one can do at least a bit and rest, one should try to follow the millenary tradition. (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 4/15/2022 12:54 PM |
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# 3639 Call it a Roll?
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Q. I work on a Shemurah Matza factory and we use a hand metal roller to punch the holes in the flattened dough round pieces. We recently acquired a new one. Does it need Tevila?
What happens if it wasn't done, does that affect the matzos?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller' Shlit'a opinion is that since the roller does not touch the food when it is ready to eat,it does require tevila but without a brocho. If that wasn't done yet, the matzos after the fact can still be used.
See similar ruling on sefer Tevilas Kelim.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 4/10/2022 5:54 PM |
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# 3638 Alone and Happy?
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Q. I will be traveling at very early hours on Erev Pesach and likely be davening Shacharis on the road. I'm a Bechor, can I just make a Siyum by myself on a Gemara I learned and eat then?
A. See question 531 that Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a ruled that if you learned the whole tractate you can join a siyum via telephone. See also similar answer in regard to zooming into a Siyum. Indeed, it is also permitted to do a Siyum all alone and eat.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 4/7/2022 10:39 PM |
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# 3637 Searched and Saved?
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Q. We thank Hashem for saving us from a recent accident that severely damaged our car. The car was removed by authorities into an impound car crash area and our insurance company is taking care of it. Since we have children it is likely that there is chometz inside, as in other years, but we don't really have access to the vehicle. What should we do regarding the Bedika and Biur Chometz in the vehicle?
A. As mentioned in the question above the best way to deal with the damaged vehicle is to sell it in an early sell.
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 4/7/2022 10:36 PM |
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# 3636 An Early Sale
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Q. Dear Rov; One that has a basement or a garage one does not want to clean for Pesach and it will be closed completely, does he have to sell in a Mechira Mukdemes (Selling it to a Gentile, the day before Erev Pesach)?
A. Mishna Berura (436: 32) quotes different opinions. Mekor Chaim and Chayei Adam maintain that if they will only be sold on Erev Pesach in the morning, they have to be searched for chametz on the night before as is done with the rest of the house.
However Binyan Olam (20) asserts that no Bedika is needed as the fact that it will be sold tomorrow is in itself tantamount to keeping the chometz one finds until tomorrow to be burned, or the chometz one still want to consume until tomorrow morning, Mishna Berura also quotes that the Chassam Soffer (131) and Eishel Avrohom are lenient. He adds that he should specify that not only he sells that area, but also any chometz therein. He also adds that it is preferable to do an early sell on the thirteen of Nissan.
Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a also advises to do an early sell. 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 4/7/2022 10:33 PM |
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# 3635 Travel First Aid Kit
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Q. Given the very high number of flight cancellations and delays in our days, if our family has to travel by plane on Erev Pesach, should we take matzos and maror and other Seder items with us in case we get stranded?
A. Our Rabbonim insist that one should not travel at all on Erev Pesach this days if there is a reasonable risk of being stranded in an airport or an unknown hotel. Any travel should be done with ample time before or totally avoided.
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 4/7/2022 10:30 PM |
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# 3634 Law In one's Daughter
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Q. Is there a mitzva of Sippur Yetzias Mitzraim to a daughter?
A. Magen Avrohom (O.H. 471: 7), Mishne Berura (13), Aruch Hashulchan (472: 15) and others maintain it does.
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 4/7/2022 10:28 PM |
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# 3633 Enough on One Plate
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Q. In the situation above is there a need to provide a different Seder plate for the son?
A. Horav Dovid Pam and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a maintain that one plate at the center of the table suffices.
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 4/7/2022 10:26 PM |
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# 3632 Like Father Like Son
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Q. A grandfather and his son who has his own children are at the Seder together. Who recites the Haggadah?
A. The mitzva of Sipur Yetzias Mitzraim or telling the Haggadah story applies to a grandfather also. (See Talmud Kiddushin 31a in regard to the mitzva of learning Torah that it applies to grandchildren also). Teshuvos Vehanhogos (2: 236) maintains that it is even a greater mitzva for the grandfather to tell the Haggadah to the children.
Chassam Soffer's opinion is that the grandfather should tell his son, and the son then should tell his children
It would seem that the best way is to divide time. The father should explain shortly to his children the answer to their four questions. The rest of the Haggadah that as is is hard for them to understand and keep attention to, should be recited by the grandfather that as is is leading the Seder.
A father complies with this mitzva even if his children area grownup and also already Talimidei Hachamim. (Rambam H. Chometz Umatza 7:: 2-3).
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 4/7/2022 10:24 PM |
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# 3631 That's The Story of my Life
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Q. Dear Rabbi another question. Does a woman who is a widow have to say the Haggadah with her children and tell them the story of Yetziat Mitzraim as their father did?
What happens if she gets married again. Does the stepfather now have to recite the Haggadah with his step children?
A. Poskim debate whether a woman is included in the mitzva of telling the story of Yetzias Mitzraim to her children. (See Pri Megodim 472: Eishel A. 15, Kovetz Halochos 26: 12).
Horav Dovid Pam and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a maintain she should. However, is she marries again, the stepfather should recite that Haggadah with his step children.
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 4/7/2022 10:22 PM |
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# 3630 Dish the Dishes?
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Q. My mother has a very old fine china porcelain set of dishes that has not been used for twenty years.
She does not remember whether they were used for meat or milk. Can we now Kasher them and use them for Pesach?
A. Horav Aharon Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that in need they could be Kashered by immersing then three times in boiling water (on the fire) and changing the water each time.
It would be advisable if in doubt if Tevila was done on them, to repeat it.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that it is preferable not to use the set for Pesach.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 4/7/2022 10:18 PM |
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# 3629 A Pot in Hot Water?
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Q. Does one have to be Tovel (immerse in a Mikva) a new pot that one bought specifically for the purpose of Kashering utensils for Pesach by immersing them in this pot while boiling water is in it?
A. Shulchan Aruch (Y.D. 120: 4 - 8, Shach 17 and others) rule that a utensil that will not contain or come in contact directly with food does not require Tevila and if this new pot will only be used for Kashering purposes, it fits that description.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 4/7/2022 10:16 PM |
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# 3628 Don't Beat the Seat
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Q. Does an Avel seating in the corner of the last row in shul have to move to another place, while in mourning, since as is he is already seating at a least respected seat?
How about an Avel who only comes to daven on a Shul on Shabbos, does he also have to change seat, then? If yes, why is this not a case of Avelus Befarhesia or public mourning
that is not permitted on Shabbos?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that the Avel should change his seat even if it is only sideways.
The Rov added that even if he only attends this shul on Shabbos, he should still change place. The reason being that since he will likely be davening there before Shabbos begins and at the end after Maariv, it is a not considered an Avelus of Shabbos.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 4/3/2022 5:14 PM |
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Important Numbers
