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# 3575 Freeze the Fridge
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Q. See question above; Can one then be lenient to make ice cubes on Shabbat?
A. Dovev Meisharim (55) rules that changing water into ice is forbidden on Shabbos. and even if the water was placed in the freezer before Shabbos began, if it freezes on Shabbos, the ice would still be forbidden because of molid and would be Muktza.
However, Chelkas Yaakov (O. H. 128) and many other Poskim disagree on both points. Not only is ice that solidified on Shabbos not muktza, but there may not be any prohibition to make ice.
The Chelkas Yaakov recommends not making ice on Shabbos unless there is a need.See also Shevet Ha’Levi, (1: 119). and Halichos Olam, (4, p. 93).
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 2/25/2022 12:11 AM |
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# 3574 Icing of the Cake
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Q. We were serving an ice cream cake last Shabbat, and surprisingly there were some left overs. Since the remains were already partially melted, can one put them back in the freezer?
A. On question 1015 regarding if liquid chocolate (not hot) that is poured on Ice Cream and when it comes in contact with the ice cream it hardens, if there a molid problem, we wrote:
Mishna Berura (118: 101) explains that the opinion of the Shuchan Aruch is to permit placing a cold kugel close to a permitted heat source, even though the solidified cold gravy it contains will melt. The reason is that it is not similar to the prohibited crushing and grating of ice (O.H. 320: 9) as it is not done here “beyadaim” in an active act, rather it turns liquid by itself when it warms. Therefore, he argues, the rabbinical prohibition of nolad, or creating something new does not apply.
However Remoh (ibid,) rules that one should be stringent unless there is need.Some Poskim permit making ice cubes or placing already made ice cream in the freezer on Shabbos. (Piskey Teshuvo 321; 120 Although Tzitz Eliezer (6: 34) rules stringently on ice cubes, he permits placing liquid foods in the fridge that will solidify when cold. Minchas Ish (2; 59 n. 116) quotes Poskim that permit solidifying edible foods that continue to be edible when hardened, similar to the liquid chocolate poured on ice cream.
Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a added as another reason to be lenient, the fact that the now solid chocolate will shortly revert to its liquid state, when the ice cream melts.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 2/25/2022 12:07 AM |
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# 3573 Some Words on Missing Words
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Q. Last year after we read Parshas Shkalim on Shabbos, when the Gabai was preparing that Sefer Torah for it's next use, he realized that some letters of that old Sefer Torah were erased and the Sefer was not Kosher. Did we have to read Parshas Shekalim again next Shabbos?
A. Ginas Verodim (O.H. 1: 35) deals with a case in which the congregation forgot to read Parsha Shekalim and rules that it should be read next Shabbos.
Shabbos Umoadim (p. 149) maintains that one does not have to read it in the above case, since the obligation to read it is only historical as 'Veneshalma Porim Sefasenu,' to remember the days of the Beis Hamikdosh.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion, as quoted by Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a is that you can be yotze (comply) with a Sefer Torah that is missing some words.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 2/24/2022 11:53 PM |
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# 3572 Get a Hand on This
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Q. See question above. I remember once by the Seuda of Purim that a guest walked in carrying a Megila and a Rabbi told him to put it away, since if he or others touch it after they washed hands for the Seuda, they will have to wash again. Is that correct?
A. The Talmud (Shabbos 14a) explains the reasons why we wash hands before eating and the relation it has to do the same when handling Sifrei Kodesh. Chayei Adam (40: 20) maintains that if one touches in the middle of a Seuda the Tefilin and even the Retzuos (straps) of them, the Megila and any other holy manuscript written on parchment, the Netilas Yadaim has to be repeated, but without a brocho.
Biur Halacha (164) writes that it is not necessary to wash hands, however it is best.
Maharsham (4; 121), Chazon Ish (Yodaim 7: 11), Kaf Hachaim (164: 11), Tzitz Eliezer (7: 27), and others are also lenient.
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 2/24/2022 11:50 PM |
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# 3571 Hands Off?
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Q. Dear Rov, I heard that you are not allowed to touch a Megila without first washing hands, is that really true?
A. Shulchan Aruch (147: 1) rules that one should not touch a Sefer Torah with his bare hands. Remah (ibid) adds that there are opinions that the same applies to other manuscripts of Sifrei Kodesh and although the common Minhag is not to wash hands, one should be stringent when hands were not washed. However, regarding a Sefer Torah, even with washed hands one should not touch the Sefer itself.
Mishna Berura (4) explains that the same would apply to a Megila, since we assume that the usual situation of hands is that they are not kept clean. He quotes similar opinions from Panim Meiros and Hagr'a. Aruch Hashulchan is similarly stringent.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that there are different traditions, and although many are not careful to wash hands, the ones that follow the traditions of Gaon of Vilna, are indeed careful not touch the parchment of the Megila itself. He explained that this is the source of the Minhag to keep the Megila rolled inside a wooden container, that has also a wood attachment to the scroll, to be able to pull it out without touching it.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 2/24/2022 11:33 PM |
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# 3570 A Sweet Pill
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Q. (See questions above). If one takes one pill to remove the pain, and another one to make one fill better, as an elixir (recommended by the doctor), is that permitted also in Shabbat?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that the second pill should not be taken on Shabbos.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 2/24/2022 11:31 PM |
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# 3569 No Short Cuts?
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Q. See question above. Can one cut the pill in half with a knife? If exact measurement is needed, can it be cut with a pill cutter?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that a pill cutter cannot be used on Shabbos.
(See question 2268 regarding Tevila in a Mikva for the cutter).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 2/24/2022 11:28 PM |
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# 3568 The Law of the Tablets
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Q. I know that someone who is sick enough to have to lay in bed can take take pills for pain during Shabbat . If one has difficulty in swallowing the pills can they be dissolved in a liquid?
A. Shulchan Aruch (O. H. 321: 12) rules that there is no grinding after grinding, and the pills are made from solidified powders. Shemiras Shabbos K' (33: 4), permits to grind the pill and then dissolve them in liquid.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that it should be dissolved in enough liquid to make it watery.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 2/24/2022 11:26 PM |
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# 3567 Know Your Foe
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Q. K'vod Harav. So much was said and expressed in drashot and lectures again and again last week on being careful with the cell phones and the internet with the children and spouses. How important is it for one that does not know much about how the internet works and the ways to avoid the effect of filters and restrictions, to spend time and become aware of the so many dangers present and how to detect them and avoid them. Should not the Rabbanim and congregations provide such service for the ones that know little and prevent tragedies?
A. Indeed the Rabbonim of our group are totally in accord that the above should be implemented immediately.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 2/20/2022 9:32 PM |
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# 3566 Net Results
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Q. I have been listening during the last week to all the very negative issues and problems that can happen when using internet dependent groups such as Whats App. I wonder, we have such a group that engages in helping elderly and ill people by using that program. Is that now advisable?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that there is no issue when positive and helpful activities are involved.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 2/17/2022 10:33 PM |
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# 3565 A Women Talk?
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Q. When using my smart phone, I often speak to it asking for all kinds of information. I usually address Siri. Is there any Tzenius problems or issues in talking to these electronic voice women on the phone?
A. Indeed women electronic voices such as Siri on the iPhone, Alexa on the Amazon Echo, and Google Assistant using the Google Nest Mini are usually used.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that there is no issue of talking to a woman using them.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 2/17/2022 10:30 PM |
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# 3564 Groundhog Hogwash
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Q. We have in our neighborhood a Groundhog Day celebration done for kids, that looks like lots of fun. Can our children attend?
A. Groundhog Day, in the United States and Canada, day (February 2) on which the emergence of the groundhog (woodchuck) from its burrow is said to foretell the weather for the following six weeks.
t derives from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day and sees its shadow due to clear weather, it will retreat to its den, and winter will go on for six more weeks; if it does not see its shadow because of cloudiness, spring will arrive early.
The main Groundhog Day ceremony is held at Punxsutawney in western Pennsylvania, centering on a semi-mythical groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil, has become the most frequently attended ceremony where crowds as large as 40,000 gather each year.
Candlemas (celebrated also in that day) is the day of the presentation of Oiso Hoish at the Temple is a primarily Catholic festival but also known in the German Protestant (Lutheran) churches. (From Wikipedia).
Due to the above sources Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that one should not attend.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 2/17/2022 10:27 PM |
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# 3563 The Disease to Please?
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Q. I'm a Frum father living in a building where most of the neighbors are Jewish some Frum and some not so much. All neighbors joined a WhatsApp link and it has so far worked nicely to unite the neighbors and solve common building issues.
The group came our recently with an idea of celebrating a Valentine day party. The will give out chocolates, gifts and flowers to spouses and address how important they are. All with the intention of promoting Shalom Bait and family unity. Is there any problem joining? What exactly are the sources for Valentine's Day?
A. A quick search on the Saint valentine day reveals that it likely originated as a pagan holiday named Lupercalia that was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture. The Luperci, an order of Roman priests, would gather at the cave where Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were believed to have been suckled by a wolf (or “lupa”). The priests would sacrifice a goat for fertility and a dog for purification.
Young men would be smeared with the blood, which was then wiped off. The goat’s hide would be torn into strips and dipped in the blood. The two young men would put on loincloths made from the goat’s skin and run around slapping women and crops with the blood-stained goatskin strips as a fortuitous omen for fertility. Given its Roman roots, it’s not surprising that the icon of Valentine’s Day is Cupid. Cupid is the son of Venus, the Roman goddess of love. (In Greek mythology, Venus is Aphrodite and Cupid is Eros, from which we get words like “erotic”).
Pope Gelasius declared February 14 to be St. Valentine’s Day in the year 498 and the Roman “lottery” system was outlawed. (From outora.org)
In the 800s, the Church adapted many pagan holidays into Christian holidays. The day commemorates the martyrdom of St. Valentine. Yet scholars know almost nothing about this St. Valentine. Most believe that Valentine lived in the late 3rd century C.E. However, the name Valentine (derived from the Latin word valeo meaning strong) was common in the ancient world. There are at least 30 mentions of the name in historical documents from this time period.
Some maintain that Valentine was a priest who was arrested by the Emperor Claudius. Following a theological debate about the merits of Christianity, Valentine was sentenced to live with a noble by the name of Asterius in a form of house arrest. With the help of G-d and true faith, Valentine miraculously restored the sight of his master’s adopted daughter and, in doing so, converted Asterius and the 24 members of his house. When Emperor Claudius heard of this miracle and the subsequent conversions, he had Valentine killed.
An added related detrimental event happened during year 1349 when the Bubonic Plague, known as the Black Death, was sweeping across Europe, On Valentine’s Day a horrific mass murder when 2,000 Jews were burned alive in the French city of Strasbourg, being accused of causing the plague.
Although, sending cards, chocolates and giving gifts can be explained as a rational expressions of love and appreciation, independent of any possible Christian roots, however, based on the above historical sources of events of the day and on the opinion of Igros Moshe (Y.D. 4: 11: 3), most Poskim prohibit the festivities and traditions of Valentine's day.
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 2/17/2022 10:25 PM |
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# 3562 Under Protest
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Q. I'm an active Rabbi of a Toronto congregation and I keep on wondering why the leading Rabbanim or Torah organizations have not expressed publicly the Torah view on the Trucker's protest so prevalent in Canada and what position should Torah followers take. Why is that?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that since it is a basic political movement, it is preferable that Rabbonim should abstain from voicing a public opinion.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 2/17/2022 10:23 PM |
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# 3561 Seasons Greetings
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Q. Rov. Another question for a Happy Purim Katan. Is it true that the spirit of the great Purim also rests on the small one? Should one great another on Purim Kattan with the blessing of a "Frailechn Purim"?
A, Nitei Gavriel (Purim 16: 10) quotes Admor of Sanz zt'l that it does, based on the Mishna (Megila 7b) that the only differences between the first and second Purim are the reading of the Megila and the gift to the poor.
He mentions the minhag of Chassidim to light many candles and celebrate with joy.
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that every individual should follow the Minhogim and traditions of his community.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 2/17/2022 10:20 PM |
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# 3560 A Real Feast
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Q. If a group of friends makes a Seudas Purim Koton is it considered a Seudas Mitzva that one invited should attend?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that if the participants say Divrei Torah and sing songs of prize to Hashem for the miracles of survival received as it should be, it becomes a Seudas Mitzva.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 2/17/2022 10:18 PM |
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# 3559 Trim Purim?
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Q. Happy Purim Rov. If someone does not usually wash and eat bread during weekdays, should he do so on Purim Katan? Should one also eat meat and drink wine?
A. Rema (O.H. 697: 1) writes that our minhag is to augment (Leharbos) on the meal one eats during Purim.
Our Rabbonim maintain that it includes eating bread and meat or making a special dish.
On question 484 regarding if a seuda of Purim Katan on Friday or since should be made on the night, we wrote: Remoh writes that there is no requirement to do a Seuda at all on Purim Kattan, only to add a bit to the regular meal. On Friday this should be done before Chatzos. (mid day).
In our case Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that even if one is not obliged to comply with this Seuda, when one does do it, it should be done better during the day and accompanied with meat and wine.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 2/17/2022 10:16 PM |
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# 3558 Early Fasting?
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Q. I have Yohrzait on Purim Katan for my mother A'H. The minhag of our family is to fast on a Yohrzait for parents, but on this occasion I was told I should not fast. Would it be correct then to fast the on Taanit Esther, the day before, since it is called after all a Taanit?
A. Indeed Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 697: 1) rules that one does not fast on Purim Koton
On question 3526 in regard to Yohrzait fasting on Tu Bishvat, and if one could keep the Yohrzait Taanis next day, we wrote: Shulchan Aruch (O. H. 568: 9) rules that if the day of Yohrzait for one's father fell on Shabbos or Rosh Chodesh, the fasting should be done next day. However, Remah adds that the minhag is not to fast at all.
Piskei Teshuvos (ibid) quotes that one may comply earlier with the visit to the Kever on Friday. However, as mentioned the minhag is not to fast at all.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 2/14/2022 4:28 PM |
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# 3557 Face the Change
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Q. On question 3545 the Rov dealt in an outstanding way with the new wave of most unusual and shailes we can't even imagine and now are actually possible or soon to be so. I was present at the seminar in which the dangers of the internet were exposed, but also great emphasis was placed on the dependence we have in the internet and how it is changing the world in a new revolution. As things are, is it not necessary in our days to instruct everyone on the realities of the new world?
A. Indeed it is and there is no doubt, I would assume in everyone's mind, that those changes have to be well understood and addressed by all Rabbonim in our days.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 2/13/2022 4:44 PM |
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# 3556 Special Delivery
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Q. Is it permitted or even recommended for a husband to be present when his child is born to provide support and encouragement to his wife during a difficult labor?
A. Minchas Yitzchok (8: 30) recommends that the husband should not be present unless it is a situation of safety or danger, in which his presence can be helpful.
Igrois Moshe (Y.D. 2: 75) argues that he does not perceive any prohibition if he does not contemplate the actual exiting of the baby, as he stands next to his wife's head.
Horav S. Z. Auerbach zt'l as quoted in Nishmas Avrohom, permits a husband to be present in the delivery room during birth as he does not violate any Halachos by doing so. However, he does caution that it isn’t a 'nice practice' (“Ain HaDavar Yafeh”) and should only be permitted if the wife is genuinely frightened or in some danger. A husband’s presence is objectively calming for a woman during labor and delivery, and is not merely a reflection of the demands of the modern age and popular culture.
Horav Aharon Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that there should be a curtain or similar partition between them.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 2/11/2022 12:54 PM |
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Important Numbers
