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# 3009 My Name is My Name
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Q. When a patient is so ill that a change of name is suggested, does he have to be consulted before or told that there will be or there was a shinui hashem or an addition of a name done for him? Maybe it should be avoided, since telling him about it may cause much worry and despair?
A. Talmud (Rosh Hashana 16b) mentions that changing or adding to the name is one of the four items that will modify the sentence dictated against the severely ill. Two reasons are given as to why it works and help. Rashb'a (Teshuvos 8: 48), maintains that a change of name changes the mazal of the ill. This being similar to the name change of Avraham Avinu and Sarah Imenu. However, Semag (Asin 9) opines that it is part and parcel of the process of teshuva; new person new name.
Ohalei Yaakov (19), explains that the difference between the two reasons is if the patient must be aware and be part of the process, which is essential to teshuva. If he is not at least told, it may be ineffective.
Sefer Hasegulos (quoted by Maaseh Avos p. 198), and others also maintain that the ill should be consulted or at least informed of the change when possible.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is similar. However, the Rov pointed out that there are proper and careful ways how to ask permission or to inform the choleh of the addition of a name proposed (preferred to change). Bikur Cholim and other knowledgeable Askanim familiar with the process, should be the ones to approach the ill, using true and honestly felt words of hope, comfort and above all trust in the rachamin and compassion of Hashem.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 1/15/2021 11:46 AM |
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# 3008 Not Good for You Not Good for Others?
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Q. Can I give my Rabbeinu Tam tefillin to be checked, painted and fixed to a sofer who doesn't put on himself Rabbeinu Tam's tefilin, since following his minhag they are not necessary, so he will not doing lishmo properly the painting and placing new retzuos?
A. Kesses Hasofer (Lishkas Hasofer 26: 1) indeed rules that a Sofer that does not don Rabbenu Tam's tefilin himself, should not write them for others, since he does not recognize that there is a mitzva to put them on.
A similar shaila is addressed by Chashukei Chemed (Pesachim 50b). he recommends that the sofer should put them on at least once a month, to be able to work on them lishma.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'an opinion is that it is not necessary, since the Sofer understands that there are different Halacha views on that respect and he writes with that intention.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 1/15/2021 11:42 AM |
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# 3007 Make a Name for Yourself
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Q. I would like to start saying the pasuk after the amida that contain the first and last letter of my name. (psukim lesheimos anoshim - noshim), since my father used to say it also. The problem is that I can't find in the list given, a posuk that fits my name. What should I do?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that you should choose from the list a posuk that begins with the first letter of your name, and follow with a second posuk that ends with the last letter of that name.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 1/13/2021 2:44 PM |
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# 3006 A Double Blessing
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Q. If someone left his office and forgot making a bore nefashot after eating some fruits, but when he arrived home and was about to have a coffee, he remembered. Since there was a shinui makom or a change of venue, he needs to make a new bracha of shehakol. But what about the neglected bore nefashot - should he recite it before he drinks or wait and make one bracha acharona for both the fruits and now the coffee?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that based on Rema (O.H. 178: 2) he does not have to recite first borei nefoshos on the fruits he ate at the office. Rather, he should proceed to recite a shehakol on the coffee he is about to drink at home, due to the shinui mokom involved. Then after finishing the coffee, if it was consumed at the proper time frame, he should recite borei nefoshos on both the items eaten at the office and at home.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 1/13/2021 2:29 PM |
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# 3005 We All Daven Together
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Q. I have recently become the Rabbi of a small community. Until now, I have always davened with a Vasikin minyan. My community though, davens at a regular time. Is it more important for me to daven with my community when they daven or better to continue to daven Vasikin and come and sit in my Rabbinical seat afterwards and learn while they daven?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that it is correct for the Rabbi of a community to daven together with them, as is usually expected and foreseen in the normal work and duties of a Rabbi.
Usually Rabbi - Congregation Contracts contain clauses establishing parameters and conditions regarding the above.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 1/11/2021 2:28 PM |
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# 3004 The Complete Siyum
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Q. Kevod Harav Shlit"a, If a boy under the age of bar mitzvah completes an entire masechta and understands it. Should he also recite the kadish upon completion of the siyum?
A. The common custom is that the kaddish after a siyum is recited by someone who already recites or has recited kaddish. However, Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that the not Bar Mitzva yet bochur, who completed an entire masechta may recite the kadish after saying the siyum, since that kadish is not considered a kadish yosom, that should be recited by ones who have lost a close dear one.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 1/10/2021 3:57 PM |
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# 3003 Open 24 Hours?
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Q. Can Hatoras Nedorim (an act of absolution of wows done in front of a court of three people) be done at night after Maariv?
A. Shulchan Aruch (Y.D. 228: 3), Rambam (H. Shavuos 6: 6), rule that Hatoras Nedorim can be done at night. Nitei Gavriel (Rosh Hashana 17: 6) maintains that if one can't do Hatoras Nedorim on Erev Rosh Hashana, he may do it on the night before.
However, some maintain that in the onset, it should be done during the day, as we are careful to recite Kol Nidrei before the sh'kiah (Kol Nidrei p. 781).
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a position is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 1/8/2021 12:31 PM |
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#3002 Milk of Human Kindness?
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Q. An individual who was always careful and machmir (stringent) to eat only products of Cholov Yisroel, but due to the fact that he became unemployed during the pandemic crisis he can't afford the high prices of these products and needs to at least until times get better to eat Cholov Akum. Does he have to do Hatoras Nedorim (an act of absolution of wows done in front of a court)?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that it is better if he does Hattoras Nedorim.
However, his Rabbi and friends should try to help him, guide and counsel him how to receive economic relief so he can keep consuming only Cholov Yisroel.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 1/8/2021 12:25 PM |
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# 3001 Tough Answers to Tough Shailes
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Q. My neighbors father lost recently r'l his wife and a son to the covid curse. He became very depressed and is at a high risk of ending his own life. He was placed in a psychiatric hospital by his children, where he is kept mostly drugged and barely conscious. He can answer simple questions, but really has no great self awareness.
Due to the fact that he was always very observant and careful with keeping mitzvos and never lost one day of putting tefilin, they are asking this shaila. Is it proper that in the morning before he is given his daily drugs, they should be postponed a bit, so after being cleaned and changed, he can have his frum caregiver put on tefilin on him and read shema with him. Is that correct?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that if when he is not under the influence of the powerful drugs, he can stay properly clean, he also is also aware of what he is doing and is being kept safe, it is correct to avoid his drugs under strict supervision for the short time it takes to don tefilin and recite shema. The above should be authorized by the pertinent medical authorities.'
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 1/7/2021 10:26 PM |
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# 3000 The Early Late Torah
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Q. Should one go to sleep early, at the expense of learning Torah, in order to wake up early and be from the asara rishonim the next day? (He will learn before Shacharis, but maybe learning more at night is a bigger mitzvah, and maybe one shouldn't push off a mitzvah and should rather learn as much as possible at night?)
A. Horav
Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that since this type of question
depends on other personal issues, such as the quality of learning and
remembering at different times of the day or the nature of the
material being learned, as well as the personal awareness changing
daily condition etc. there is no straight forward answer to this
question.
A
competent Rabbi familiar with the individual and his situation and
environment should be consulted.
The
Rov compared this shaila to the Talmud's unresolved question
(Zevachim 91a) of what has priority; todir (a constant or everyday
mitzva) as compared to mekudash (one of higher holiness). Rambam (H.
Temidim Umusafim 9: 2), rules that one should follow his personal
need or desire.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 1/7/2021 10:11 PM |
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# 2999 Unmask the Mask
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Q. Is it permitted to go out on Shabbos with two masks, one for me and one for my friend whose Rav does not allow him to go out with a mask on Shabbos but will be attending a shul where they require it?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that one should avoid wearing two masks simultaneously, just for the purpose of taking it to shul on behalf of someone that does not wear it where there is no eruv. This is due that it is unusual and unnecessary to do so and is therefore not considered a 'malbush' or a piece of clothing one can wear in a public domain during Shabbos, as explained in question 2640.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 1/6/2021 3:10 PM |
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# 2998 Rise to be First or to the Sunrise?
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Q. Is it better to be from the asara rishonim or to daven vasikin (but not possible to be from the first ten in the vasikin minyan, only in a regular minyan)?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that it is preferred to daven vasikin (at sunrise), than being from the first ten, when there is no better choice.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 1/6/2021 2:54 PM |
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# 2997 Support The Mask
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Q. There is now available a Face Mask Inner Support. It holds up the mask fabric around the mouth to create more breathing space when a mask is put on face. It is basically a concave plastic frame, that separates the mask from the face, thus providing more space for comfortable breathing and talking. It is washable and reusable. Can one wear it together with the mask on Shabbat when there is no Eiruv?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that since it is used together with a mask that one is allowed to wear on Shabbos. as explained in question 2640, one is also allowed to wear it.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 1/6/2021 2:32 PM |
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# 2996 A Gut'n Erev Shabbos?
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Q. Can one wish on Shabbos morning after davening a 'Gut Shabbos,' or is that improper? I have seen some people answer back, 'A Gutn Erev Shabbos' as if the salute they received was incorrect.
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that you may already wish a gut Shabbos on Friday morning, as the posuk says (Shemos 16: 5); 'Vehoyo bayom hashishi veheichinu es asher yoviu. And it shall be on the sixth day as they prepare what they will bring.' Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 250: 1), rules from Talmud (Shabbos 117: 2), that the preparations for Shabbos begin already on Friday early morning. That seems to have been also the minhag of Mori Verabi Horav Moshe Feinstein zt'l, (See Mekadshei Shevii p. 26).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 1/6/2021 2:29 PM |
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# 2995 Say It, Don't Spray It
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A new liquid product that can be sprayed onto cloth face masks is about to become available. The spray coating using electrostatic charges, captures COVID-19 molecules on the surface of the mask, preventing them from being inhaled into the lungs or exhaled into the environment. This greatly increases the effective protection of the masks. Can a mask be sprayed on Shabbat?
A. On question 2220 we wrote; "Poskim permit using during Shabbos suntan and insect repellent liquids, oils and lotions, when they are thin, of low viscosity, and of flowing consistency. They also should not be for medicinal use. (Piskei Teshuvos 327: 1).
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that it is permitted to spray repellent on clothing also, even if it has some aroma, since the main intention is not to impart fragrance, but to repel insects." See also question 1770.
However, regarding the spray in question, Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that one should avoid spraying the mask during Shabbos as the prohibition of 'tikun mana' or changing and fixing an object may be involved, since the intention is indeed to make the mask a better type of filter.
The Rov added that a nurse or one attending several patients, may spray on one self and clothing with disinfectant spray, to avoid carrying viruses from one patient to another.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 1/6/2021 2:23 PM |
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# 2994 Shoelaces Knotty Issues
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Q. Why do people tie their shoelaces on Shabbat when they are wet as when it rains or they walked on snow. Is that not a case of schita or squeezing out the water absorbed in the shoelaces?
Although, one may argue that this is a case of eino miskavein or not having any intent on squeezing out the water, but it is clearly a certainty that it will happen (psik reisha) and also he is glad to be wearing shoelaces that are at least not soaking in water (nicha lei), so why is it not prohibited?
A. Shoelaces have historically been made of materials like leather, hemp, or cotton—typical rope making materials. However, advances in the production of synthetic fibers like nylon and polyester and elastics have made a variety of shoelaces possible. Modern shoelaces often incorporate various synthetic fibers. (From Wikipedia).
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is since it is likely or at least possible that the shoelaces involved may be made or contain synthetic fibers that do not absorb water, it is not a certainty or a p'sik reisha that one will be squeezing water when tying them.
When the above is not the case, the Rov added, that one should indeed be careful to tie them lightly, avoiding possible s'chita.
To also avoid other shailos as tying knots on Shabbos, it may be preferable to use shoes using Velcro or other types of modern elastic ties.
One may add that this type of squeezing is likely considered to be an unusual way of s'chita, and therefore one may be more lenient when there is no intention or need to dry the shoelaces, since they will likely become soon wet again.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 1/1/2021 1:24 PM |
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# 2993 Uncovering the Uncovered
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Q. On question 2969 regarding if one can use olive oil that was left uncovered overnight for lighting the Chanuka menorah, and Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that after the fact, one can use it. Now, many have a tradition that they fill the cups of the menorah with oil, and then after enough time has elapsed, they turn off the lights and save the oil for tomorrow. Would not that make that leftover oil on the menorah overnight disqualified at least lechatchila (on the onset)?
A. In a Prior question 682, the Rov was more lenient and ruled that one can you use oil for Chanuka lighting that was left uncovered overnight for a number of reasons. Firstly Poskim disagree whether in our days we should discard certain liquids that were left uncovered or Mashkim Megulim. The main reason for their prohibition is the possibility of their contamination by poisonous snakes (Avoda Zara 30a, Chulin 9b) and since that rarely occurs in our populated cities, we are lenient (Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 116:1, Mishna Berura 160: 23.) However, some Poskim do remain stringent (Pri Chodosh and Pri Toar, quoted by Birkei Yosef and Aruch ha-Shulchan Y.D. 116:1.) There are other issues of ruach ra'ah or a spirit of impurity involved in liquids left uncovered .
It is important to know that when Mashkim Megulim are prohibited they may be so even when left uncovered and unsupervised for a short time, not only overnight.
Poskim also differ if prohibited or non-kosher oil can be used for Chanuka lights and many are lenient (Sdei Chemed – M. Chanuka 14, Kaf Hachaim 673: 11, Beis Shlomo O.H. 10: 108). Others are stringent (Sefer Hachaim quoted by Daas Torah 673).
However the main reason that oil left uncovered is undoubtedly permitted is that there is no Mashkim Megulim issue on oil, since snakes don’t drink from it (Chulin 49b, Bais Yosef Y.D. 116, Yemei Chanuka p. 71).
The Rov further added, that once it was placed in the menorah and lighted, it is not considered liquid food and therefore not affected.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 1/1/2021 1:13 PM |
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# 2992 Good or Early?
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Q. (Re question 2981, regarding if one should leave even before the start of davening to wake someone up (chessed) if requested to wake them at a certain time. To what we answered; 'The proper procedure is to ask someone else, who is not as careful to be part of the first ten, to wake him up, or just get him an alarm clock).'
Could the Rav please explain why the mitzvah of chessed (goodness) would not override asara rishonim?
A. Actually it could override. Sheilas Rav (p. 189) quotes Horav Chaim Kanievsky's Shlit'a ruling in the following case. Someone going to join a minyan in which he will be one of the first ten of many that will join after, thus becoming able to receive a great reward. Then on his way he encounters a small place with only nine people who are urgently looking for a tenth. Should he better join the small minyan, although there will not be any others that he can share in their reward or continue to the large minyan. The Rov ruled that chessed indeed overrides, and he should stay with the small minyan he completed.
However, as mentioned, when he can have someone else or an alarm clock doing that awakening and it becomes unnecessary, then he should be one of the first ten. (See prior question 2991 on the importance of being one of the first ten)
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Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 1/1/2021 12:59 PM |
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# 2991 Let me Tell you, first of All
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Q. (Re- questions 2976,79). Why is it so important to be part of the first ten who make up the minyan?
A. Talmud (Brochos 47b) teaches that Rabi Yehoshua ben Levi said: One should always rise early to go to the synagogue in order to have the privilege and be counted among the first ten to complete the minyan, as even if one hundred people arrive after him, he receives a reward equivalent to the reward of them all. Rabenu Yonah and Maharsho (ibid.) explain that this is due to having caused the Shechina to be present in that place. (See similar in Zohar p. Nasso, regarding the presence of the Ten Sefiros).
Shulchan Aruch and Mishna Berura (90: 14) rule that this is a requirement to be fulfilled when possible.
It is also one of the few prime mitzvos that their fruits are offered in this world, while their principal is maintained and rewarded in the world to come.
Ateres Z'kenim writes that some Tzadikim would fast on the day that they were not able to be from the first ten. Medresh Rabbo (Bamidbor 21) mentions that Yehoshua bin Nun merited his position, because he always was the first to come and set the Beis Midrash.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 1/1/2021 12:43 PM |
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# 2990 Ask about Ask One Over
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Q. A person is looking for places to eat on Shabbos is there any prohibition to tell him which families tend to have guests or which ones don't and it is better not to ask them?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that you may tell him which are the families that welcome guest for Shabbos. As far as the ones that don't, if you have to tell, just say that you believe they are unable to do so.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 1/1/2021 12:27 PM |
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Important Numbers
