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# 3928 Is it Really Night Already?
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Q. I have young children that would very much like to eat in the Suka the first night, but I we wait for Tzeis Hakochovim (stars being seen) they may fall asleep. Can we do Kiddush after the Shekiah (sunset)?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's opinion is that you may say Kiddush early, but the brocho on the Sukka should be recited when it is night.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 10/9/2022 10:11 AM |
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# 3927 Wow! What a Beautiful Sukka!
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Q. Can you cover your Sukka with just flowers, are they Kasher Schach? Could you use flowers that trap insects?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's opinion is that flowers could be used for covering the Sukka, and you can also use flowers that trap insects.
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Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 10/9/2022 10:08 AM |
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# 3926 See the Sea Schach?
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Q. Can one use Schach to cover the Sukka from marine plants that grow in a lake or in the sea?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's opinion is that marine plants can be used for Schach.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 10/9/2022 10:06 AM |
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# 3925 A Fresh Daily Start?
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Q. I heard that Rabbi Dunner of London advises to keep as long as possible the Aravot of the Lulav during Sukot since a mitzva was done with them, one should maintain it and use it as much as possible. Is that correct?
A. Remah (O.H, 654: 1) maintains that one should change the Arovos every during Chol Hamoed. This was the minhag of the Divrei Chain and Nimukei Orach Chaim. However, many Poskim would not change the Arovos daily even when they could . (Minhagei Chassam Soffer, Belzer Rebbe, Orchos Rabbenu 2: 296, mentions that the Chazon Ish would change them from two to three days. See Piskei Teshuvos 654: 2).
Horav Shlomo Millers'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 10/6/2022 10:20 PM |
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# 3924 On the Right Side of the Fence
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Q. If there is a solid Mechitza like a wooden fence high four feet surrounding a Suka for at least three sides, can one cover the rest above or next to it with a curtain that moves with the wind?
A. Igrois Moshe (O.H. 1:136) maintains that a Tefach is equal to 3.62 in. (9.18 cm). Rav Chaim Noeh (Shiurei Torah 3: 25) asserts it is 3.22 in. (8.17 cm) , whereas according to the Chazon Ish (Shiurin Shel Torah p. 63) one tefach = 3.87 in. (9.82 cm).
Therefore, four feet which is equal to 48 inches and 1.2192 m. is over the Ten Tefachim required following all opinions and even without the questionable moving curtain, the Suka is Kosher.
Horav Shlomo Millers'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 10/6/2022 10:15 PM |
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# 3923 Count on the Coat of Paint?
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Q. Dear Rabbi. I heard that there is a spray that can be applied to cut pine trees (used for Christmas) that makes them last and look fresh longer. Could that be used 'Lehavdil' for the Schach of the Suka?
A. Haelef Lecha Shlomo (364) permits painting or spraying kosher Schach since it only changes the looks and the material remains the same. Halichos Shlomo (8: 8) is also lenient. However some Poskim are stringent if the color has a metallic look (gold or silver etc.) (See also Kovetz Halochos 5:1 and Piskei Teshuvos 629: 5).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 10/6/2022 10:03 PM |
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# 3922 Keep an Eye on the Weather
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Q. Is it a mitzva to make a Suka that can withstand a 'Ruach Sheino Metzuya' (an unusually strong wind) when that actually does come on our location from time to time, like every ten years or similar?
A. Kovetz Halochos (4: 7) maintains that although not obligatory, it is correct and proper to build in such locations a better Suka, that can withstand even those not totally unusual winds.
Horav Shlomo Millers'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 10/6/2022 9:53 PM |
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# 3921 Just Nod - I Did and I Do
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Q. As the Rov knows from the other questions that I have asked regarding ill patients in an old age home and some, that some cannot speak.
Is it proper to prepare a short Viduy of common Averot (sins) that people commit and read it before them and then ask them to signal with their heads or hands, if they agree to make Teshuva on them?
A. Horav Shlomo Millers's Shlit'a opinion is that it is recommended to do so.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 10/4/2022 5:19 PM |
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# 3920 Let's Have a Drink?
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Q. Since it is a Mitzva to eat on Erev Yom Kippur, does that include drinks also and water?
A. Horav Shlomo Millers's Shlit'a opinion is that drinking other drinks is a mitzva. however, water depends if he recites a brocho on it as he wants to quench his thirst.
However, if he is just drinking, as some do before the beginning of the fast, to avoid later thirst, he should also not recite a brocho on it.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 10/4/2022 5:15 PM |
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# 3919 Just Grab a Bite?
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Q. Dear Rov. If someone has to eat during Yom Kippur and he has the option to first eat small amounts which are less that the Shiur that is set for the Biblical prohibition. But then as the day goes by he may have to actually eat a larger amount that is already the Shiur, is it already better to eat a large amount at the beginning and then he wont have to eat a number of also prohibited smaller amounts. What is more correct?
A. Igrois Moishe (4: 121), Kovetz Halochos (31: 37) and others maintain that if he won't have to eat a large amount later, it is better to just eat many smaller amounts. See Piskei Teshuvos (620: 2).
Horav Shlomo Millers'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 10/4/2022 5:14 PM |
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# 3918 You Better Confess?
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Q. If a woman does not usually daven Mincha at all, does she have to daven on Erev Yom Kippur to say Viduy?
A. Poskim disagree. Kovetz Halochos (27: 5) maintains that they should daven Mincha on Erev Yom Kippur in order to recite the Viduy and thus reach the number of ten Viduyim as men do.
Piskei Teshuvos (620: 2) quoting Ishei Yisroel (46: 54) is of the opinion that although they have to recite Viduy, they are not obliged to say it ten times as men do.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 10/4/2022 5:12 PM |
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# 3917 The Open Secret
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Q. Kvod Harav, since Yom Kippur is also the true day of Kabalat Hatorah, as the permanent Luchot were given on that day, why is there no mention at all in all the Tefilot and Pizmonim of this Holy Day of anything about it?
A. Horav Shlomo Millers's Shlit'a opinion is that it is included in all the many Tefilos and Viduyim of Teshuva, since that was the cause and reason for the giving of the Second Luchos.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 10/4/2022 5:11 PM |
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# 3916 All Intents and Purposes
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Q. Does one need to have in mind to comply with the mitzva of Teshuva when reciting Viduy?
A. Kovetz Halochos (26: 10) rules that since it is part of the Biblical mitzva of Teshuva, one has to have intention to comply, otherwise one may not comply. (See also Chaye Adam and Piskei Teshuvos 607: 3)
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that there is a reasoning that one may comply even without the intention of the mitzva, as one complies also when paying back money borrowed or for damages done.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 10/4/2022 5:10 PM |
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# 3915 Listen All Now
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Q. Re- question above. Can Viduy then be said for many patients together that cannot speak?
A. Following the above reasoning it can when in need. (Kovetz Halochos 26).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 10/4/2022 5:08 PM |
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# 3914 Listen to Reason
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Q. Dear Rov. As you well know, I take care of elderly people in a populated old-age home.
I try to help the ones that can't attend the services and stay in their beds to make Teshuva on Yom Kippur as much as possible. Since some of them can't speak, is it possible to recite the Viduy (confession) of averos we all say during Yom Kippur, and they will comply just by listening, as we do with Kiddush?
A. Rambam (H. Teshuva 1: 1), rules that Viduy is essential in performing Teshuva. Most Poskim maintain that the Viduy has to be recited verbally (Pri Megodim Pesicha Koleles 3: 10, and others).
However, some opine that there is indeed Shomea Keone, (listening is like saying) regarding Viduy also when necessary, similar to Kiddush and other blessings (Kad Hakemach. see also Kovetz Halochos 26).
The above applies especially when listening to the Shaliach Tzibur that is our envoy to direct our Tefilos to Hashem, and is similar to the Cohen Gadol who would recite the Viduy for all on the sacrifice of the 'Seir Hamishtaleach.'
Therefore, when there is no option, one may recite the Viduy for the mute.
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 10/4/2022 5:07 PM |
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# 3913 Got So, So Many Mitzvos! How?
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Q. Dear Rov. If someone does Teshuva out of love, we know that the sins turn into mitzvos. Since this is a most important point in being successful in the Days of Judgment, I would like to know. Is that love achieved by learning Torah as we say at the end of Uva Letzion: 'May He open our heart to His Torah, and instill in our heart love,' or maybe it is the result of observing all the great gifts and goodness that Hashem constantly does for us and thanking him and thus loving him. Which is the better way?"
A. Indeed, The Talmud (Yoma,86b) states that there are in fact two types of Teshuva: out of fear and out of love. If one performs teshuva out of love, then one’s sins even become merits.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that the best way to obtain that love is as you mentioned by observing all the great gifts and goodness that Hashem constantly does for us."
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 10/3/2022 5:46 PM |
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# 3912 Aliya or Yerida?
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Q. In a large shul, a wealthy member bought an expensive Rosh Hashana Aliya. When he was about to be called to the Torah, he told the Gabai that he wants the Aliya to be given to his father instead. The problem was that the father does not keep Shabbat, and one of the rulings of this shul is, that non-observant people are not to be called to the Torah.
Since this was kind of a very difficult situation as the didn't want to embarrass publicly the father and his son the great donor, and likely create a great commotion and disturbance on Rosh Hashana, the rabbi rapidly and softly suggested to the Baal Koreh reading the Torah, that he should quietly also recite the bracha for the Torah, and he would be counted in truth as the one receiving the Aliya . The Rabbi want's to know if he acted correctly?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that unlikely as this could be, he should at least quietly have suggested that he should try to induce him to accept and keep slowly Shabbos. (See question 124)
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 9/29/2022 11:00 PM |
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# 3911 Crime Doesn't Pay
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Q. If someone sees that the fellow davening next to him has a Machzor that was obviously stolen from a shul and tell him that he may not comply with the davening as it is a Mitzva Haba'a Beavera, (a mitzva done by doing a sin)?
A. On question 3430 we wrote "A Shul from where books are taken outside the shul without permission and often not returned, can they place a sign that whoever takes out a Sefer without the permission of the Gabaim transgresses the prohibition of stealing and his Torah learning is considered a ‘Mitzva Haba’a Beavera’ or a mitzva complied while doing a prohibited act and is invalid.
To what we answered: Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that it may indeed be considered a ‘Mitzva Haba’a Beavera’ and one may not be complying at all with the mitzva of learning Torah when at the same time one is performing the prohibited act of using a stolen sefer. This ruling can also be included in the sign posted on the shul, that prohibits the taking out of sefarim from the shul."
However the Rov Shlit'a mentioned that after the fact, one does not have to repeat the davening.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 9/29/2022 10:58 PM |
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# 3910 The Right Site of the Bed
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Q. Thank so much Kevod Horav for answering the difficult questions involved in the blowing of the Shofar in a large retirement home. Is it permitted for a sick old man to be brought into the shul of the institution in his bed, and place it on a side of the room?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that if the patient is clean, he can be brought into the shul during such an important occasion.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 9/29/2022 10:56 PM |
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# 3909 Time to Learn?
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Q. Another question Rov. My family minhag has been to learn Mishanayos Rosh Hashana during the four meals of those Holy Days. However, when we have guest men and women who don't follow the learning, my wife claims that this learning should be avoided. As one is supposed to keep Shalom Bayt (peace at home) specially during these crucial days, should I avoid this great family minhag?
A. Horav Aharon Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that in a case of need, one may just learn one Mishna or two, and end the rest after the meals. He stressed the importance of this so pertinent and relevant Torah learning during the meals of Rosh Hashono.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 9/29/2022 10:53 PM |
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Important Numbers
