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# 3956 Shtick or Treat
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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.
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Posted 11/1/2022 4:10 PM |
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# 3955 The Beginning of the End
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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.
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Posted 10/27/2022 10:57 PM |
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# 3954 The Law of the Tablets
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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.
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Posted 10/27/2022 10:53 PM |
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# 3953 Bless the Ring
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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.
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Posted 10/27/2022 10:50 PM |
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# 3952 Building the Future?
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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.
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Posted 10/27/2022 10:48 PM |
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# 3951 At Your Disposal
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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
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Posted 10/27/2022 10:46 PM |
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# 3950 Lest We Forget
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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.
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Posted 10/27/2022 10:45 PM |
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# 3949 Give This Shailah a Shake
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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.
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Posted 10/27/2022 10:41 PM |
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# 3948 The Shakers Blessings
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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.
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Posted 10/27/2022 10:40 PM |
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# 3947 No Plug on this Jug
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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.
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Posted 10/27/2022 10:38 PM |
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# 3946 Don't Cap it All
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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.
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Posted 10/27/2022 10:35 PM |
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# 3945 Salt and Pepper
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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.
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Posted 10/27/2022 10:34 PM |
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# 3944 Don't Hang in There
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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.
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Posted 10/27/2022 10:32 PM |
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# 3943 Hang on to the Mezuza?
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Q. A group of women students are renting an apartment together. Can they place a Mezuza themselves and say a bracha?
A. Yeshuos Malko (H. Mezuza 5: 10) maintains that even though women are liable to comply with this mitzva, they are not permitted to place the Mezuza as they are also not permitted to write it.
However, many Poskim disagree (Birkei Yosef, Eretz Zvi 15, Da'as Cohen 169, Yabia Omer 3: 18, Miyam Halocho 1: 13 and 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 10/27/2022 10:30 PM |
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# 3942 Tons of Doubts on Croutons
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Q. Does one make a separate bracha on croutons eaten in a vegetable salad?
What bracha does one make?
What if the croutons are smaller than normal, does it make a difference?
A. Pische Halacha (p. 366) maintains that one recites Hamotzee and when eating the proper amount one says Birchas Hamazon.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that due to the many Halacha doubts involved, a salad with any size croutons should be eaten in a meal where one has already washed for eating bread.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 10/23/2022 4:43 PM |
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# 3941 Man Proposes - the City Disposes
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Q. What is the correct way to dispose of the Hoshanos, Schach and Lulavim after Sukos?
A. See questions 552 and 3814 regarding the disposal of Shemos in invitations, newspapers and magazines if they are permitted to be placed in the recyclables disposal bins.
In our days most of the yard waste is not buried in landfills in Ontario but rather what is collected is turned into compost. The City's yard waste program allows it to divert approximately 90,000 tonnes of yard waste from landfill each year.
Turning yard waste into compost is obviously not the Halacha most proper and honorable way to dispose of items that were used for a mitzva. When possible one should save it for the fire at the burning of the Chometz before Pesach or similar.
Nevertheless, Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that in need one may use it since after all one just placed it into proper paper bags by the curb and it was others that turned it into compost.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 10/20/2022 10:14 PM |
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# 3940 Avel Travel
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Q. A member of our shul who is L'A an Avel during the first year after the death of his father, joined our minyan during Simchat Torah and we were wondering whether it is correct for him to be there during this happy Yom Tov.
He always leads an Hakafah and we were also in doubt if he should also do so on this occasion, since avoiding it may be seen as Avelut Befarhesia or open mourning whic is prohibited in Yom Tov. What is correct?
A. Rema in Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 660: 2) rules that he does not take part of the Hakofos during that year.
However, many Poskim disagree (Beis Yosef, Yavetz, Chayei Odom 148: 19, Piskei Teshuvos 660: 4, Gesher Hachaim 20: 3: 6 and others).
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that if he is the Rov or the president of the shul, he can receive his accustomed Hakofo. (See similar ruling in Minchas Yitzchok 6: 62).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 10/20/2022 10:12 PM |
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# 3939 Doing Your Own Thing
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Q. Kevod Horav. It is very common that during the Yom Tov of Sukos family and friend visit and eat together in the Suka. Since there are different traditions as to eating during Shemini Atzeres in the Suka, what should be done when the host maintains one tradition and the guest or a son-in-law keeps another?
A. Indeed, the difference in Halacha traditions are most important, and one should avoid being invited by a host that follows different minhagim.
When that is not possible, as in the case of a son-in-law or similar, the main concern should be to maintain peace and Sholom Bais. Also the respect to the father-in-law or host is essential and a correct plan should be arranged before the Seuda begins.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion (following his tradition) is that one should keep what is written in the Shulchan Aruch.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 10/20/2022 10:10 PM |
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# 3938 Weak as Water?
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Q. Dear Rabbi Shlit'a. If one is very careful not to eat or even drink anything including water outside of the Suka, can he drink water when swallowing pills and medicine outside?
A. One may argue that since after all he does not recite a brocho for water one drinks for that purpose since it is not meant for deriving any pleasure, so equally it could be consumed outside of the Suka as it is not a 'drink'.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlita opinion is that when possible he should also drink that water in the Suka.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 10/20/2022 5:51 PM |
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# 3937 Stand to Reason
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Q. See question above. I have heard that some remain seated during the Hakofes of Simchas Torah when holding a Chumash or a small paper Sefer Torah used by children, is that correct?
A. Although, as mentioned in the prior question, some Poskim are stringent and demand to stand during Hakofes, there are others who are lenient and maintain that the minhag and custom of many is for the ones that are tired and weary to seat (Shulchan Hatohor 149: 2, Aruch Hasulchan 669 and others). Some maintain, that if the Sifrei Torah are kept in an inner circle and there is an outside dancing circle that separates, one can seat in the expanded outside area.
Other Poskim opine that it is only prohibited to seat when the Sefer Torah is being carried to a distinct final area and not when constantly remaining in a moving circle. (See also Piskei Teshuvos 669: 2).
Although Poskim permits the one carrying a Sefer Torah to remain seated when a Sefer Torah goes by, Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that it does not apply to one holding a Chumash or a small paper Sefer Torah used by children,
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 10/20/2022 5:49 PM |
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Important Numbers
