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Have a question? Send it in! Questions are answered by Rabbi Bartfeld.
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# 4260 The Only Daughter!
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See question above - Q. Would the same apply if the one involved in that accident was a daughter?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that it would indeed be the same.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/18/2023 11:19 PM |
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# 4259 My Only Me?
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Q. A Dr. who is a member of Hatzalah was summoned to attend to a terrible car accident in which a number of Yeshiva bachurim were involved and one of them was L’A his own son. The car was already smoking and time was of the essence. Can he attend and rescue first his own son, even if he is not the closest one to him to be saved?
A. Horav Eliashuv Zt’l quoted in Ashrei Hoyish (81: 4), Nes Lehisnosses 67, and others rule that is such a terrible situation, since a son is alike the father himself and part of him, saving him takes precedence, as one should save his own life in a similar situation first and then save others.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/18/2023 11:15 PM |
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# 4258 No Pain – Yes Gain
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Q. See question above. How about when a patient is conscious, but is suffering and in pain constantly, what should his family daven for?
A. See question above. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one should daven that Hashem should save the patient from all suffering and pain and grant the patient a long life.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/18/2023 11:09 PM |
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# 4257 Pray Together, Stay Together?
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Q. See question above. Can we include him in the regular Mi Sheberach said for the sick by Torah Leining?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that we should not. However, once included in the list he should not be removed.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/18/2023 11:07 PM |
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# 4256 Pray Tell Pray
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Q. If one has a dear one that is brain dead already for years and the doctors say that there is no real chance for recovery, do we still have to daven for him he should have a long life?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one should daven that Hashem should do the best for the benefit of the patient involved.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/18/2023 11:03 PM |
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# 4255 Rise and Shine
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Q. Dear Rabbi. I recently heard that when wearing Tefilin one should not rise his hands overt them, like to pick up a Sefer from a high bookshelf, as this is similar to the Cohen Gadol not rising his hand over the ‘Tzitz’ (golden plate on his forehead with the name of Hashem on it). Is that really true? I have seen even Gedoim do otherwise!
A. Talmud (Sotah 38a) mentions that the Cohen Gadol would not rise his hands over the “Tzitz” or forehead golden plate that had inscribed on it the name of Hashem. Sefer Yereim (269) indeed wonders, since it is understood that the regular Cohanim would wear Tefilin during the Avoda, so why is the lifting of the hand restricted only to the Cohen Gadol? After all the Talmud (Shabbos 12a) mentions that one has to be careful not to forget of the Tefilin one is wearing, as they are more important than the Tzitz, since they have the name of Hashem written many more times in them.
According to the Magen Devorim (128: 8) it would depend on the different opinions if Cohanim actually wore Tefilin at the time of performing the Avoda.
Kovetz Teshuvos (quoted) rules that indeed one wearing Tefilin should not lift his hand over his head to reach for a Sefer or similar.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that our common Minhag is not to be concerned.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav
Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/18/2023 11:00 PM |
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# 4254 Long Live the King
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Q. I work as an accountant for a large company that has important relations with British and Commonwealth companies. The company is celebrating King Charles III’s coronation with a party that will play the recording of the event. Taking into account the proper Kosher food and drinks needed for the Jewish employees, I wonder if there is a mitzva to attend the party as there is a mitzva to see a king?
A. In principle there is a mitzva to go and see rulers and kings, whether they are Jewish or not and there is a special brocho to be recited for each. ( Shulchan Aruch O.H. 224: 8.)
Talmud Berochos 58a teaches that Rabbi Yoḥanan said: One should always strive to run toward kings of Israel to greet them. And not only should he run toward kings of Israel, but also toward kings of the nations of the world, so that if one will be privileged to witnesses in the future the glory of the Messiah (Rashi) and in the World-to-Come, he will distinguish between the kings of Israel and the kings of the nations of the world.
On question 3889 regarding if one can attend a memorial ceremony done in an Orthodox shul in memory and honor of Queen Elizabeth II, we wrote; As mentioned above, it is proper to pray and be active in undertakings and initiatives for the welfare of the State one is living in. On that spirit, Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that living in Canada, a Commonwealth Country, one can attend such ceremonies as an act of thanks and recognition.
On question 1548 in regard to meeting with President Trump we wrote: “Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that because of the character and nature of the prevalent democracy, the Presidency of the U.S., has become so open to criticism, disparagement and condemnation, even when unwarranted and gratuitous. Therefore it would hardly qualify as an honour comparable to the Creator’s, and no brocho at all should be recited.”
The Rov maintains that a similar ruling may apply nowadays to the new king.
As far as a company party and ceremony for honoring the new king it could be attended. However, even when Kosher food is served, no alcoholic drinks should be consumed. (See question 4235).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/14/2023 3:20 PM |
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# 4253 A Far Shave
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Q. If I keep the Minhag of the Sefira prohibitions only until Lag Baomer as other Ashkenazim also do in our days. If I’m permitted already to shave on Lag Baomer? would it be better to wait until Friday and shave lekovod Shabbos?
A. In principle you are right, however Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one should keep the Sefira prohibitions even after Lag Baomer.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/12/2023 1:02 AM |
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# 4252 Little to Late
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Q. It says we cannot daven mincha in front of a Tzibur that was Mekabel Shabbos. (accepted Shabbos). Can one do melacha in front of them such as a person off the street coming in to put on a light in a shul?
A. Indeed if one is late for Mincha, he should daven privately by a secluded corner or in another room.
However, if one is walking in the street on Shabbos to attend his later Minyan and is asked by the people of the shul who received Shabbos earlier, and it is also obvious that he is just now going to his shul, he may help the early people and light for them.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/12/2023 12:58 AM |
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# 4251 Don’t Sink the Kitchen Sink
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Q. Hello Rav, I'm wondering how to properly wash parve utensils. We have a meat sink and a dairy sink and each has their own sponges & brushes. What is the proper way to wash a parve item? Is it good enough to check the meat (or dairy) sponge to ensure there is no meat (or dairy) on it, and then use it without very hot water to clean parve items or do I need a separate parve sponge? Thanks
A. See question above. The proper way is to keep close by a separate plastic sink container, marked or distinct by its particular color, to be used in each sink only for Pareve dish washing.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/12/2023 12:53 AM |
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# 4250 Starve the Parve?
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Q. Hello Rav, What should we do if we find a parve utensil (eg. knife) or the parve Sponge in the dairy (or meat) sink and there is a possibility that it was lying there while other diary items were cleaned in the sink with hot water? Thank you.
A. Since there are several different doubts involved, such as if there were dairy items or not, if the temperature of the water was indeed 45 degrees, if they were used on that particular day (Ben Yomo) or not, and others, one in need can be lenient.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/12/2023 12:51 AM |
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# 4249 Speak for Yourself Again
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Q. Hello Rav, When a man goes up to for an Aliyah to the Torah, there are very minor differences in the after bracha between the Sefardim and Ashkenazim (i.e some Sefardim add the words "et Torato" or "Torato" before "Torat Emet...".
When someone is at a shul with a different nusach than their own, what is the proper procedure for this bracha. Should he say the text of the bracha as per the shul's nusach or according to his personal nusach? (I submitted this question in the past, but the answer wasn't clear if it was paskening
that one should use their own nusach TEXT or just their own pronunciation.) Thanks again!
A. Indeed we wrote so in question 4117, but as is customary in our times, each one
receiving an Aliya, Sefardi or Ashkenazi recites also the brocho following his own usual text.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/12/2023 12:49 AM |
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# 4248 Let the Party Begin
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Q. It says you have to wait on Lag Baomer to hear music until the morning. Are there different minhagim?
A. On question 2189 regarding if one can make a Lag Baomer party after the Shekia, with music, we wrote; “Poskim disagree if marriages are permitted on the eve of Lag Baomer. Some maintain that the simcha applies only to the day itself and since Halacha often dictates that “miktzaz hayom kekulo” or part of the day counts as a complete day, they can be performed from the morning of Lag Baomer, but not on the prior evening. Others maintain that weddings are permitted on the eve also (See Chasam Sofer, O.H.: 142, Minchas Yitzchok 4: 84, Igrois Moshe 1: 159, on others).
On question 161 in regard to the earliest time one can cut hair on Lag Baomer, and if it can be done erev Lag Baomer after already reciting maariv, following the plag hamincha, we wrote: “Remah (O.H. 493: 2) rules that one should wait until the morning of Lag Baomer day for having a haircut. Mishna Berura (ibid. 10) explains that it refers to after the netz. However, he points out (ibid. 11) that there are Poskim who permit a haircut on the night before, from Shaar Hatziun (ibid. 12) it seems that he does not agree with them.
Nitei Gavriel (Pesach 3, 49 n. 21) explains that the above depends on the minhag of reciting or not reciting tachanun during mincha erev Lag Baomer.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that even for those who permit hair-cutting on the night before, they definitely not include the time after the plag before nightfall, despite having prayed maariv after the plag”
In our case: Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that if one maintains that minhag, one can celebrate with music after nightfall and in need from after sunset.”
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a.
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Posted 5/12/2023 12:47 AM |
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# 4247 Spot Check
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Q. If ones shirt became stained, is it correct for a Ben Torah to immediately change it despite the Bittul Torah or better wait until after Seder or other convenient time.
A. Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a recommended just to cover if possible the area of the stain with ones jacket or coat and to continue learning.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that if it cannot be done, one shold continue learning Torah as is,
See also questions 758, 2282, 1991, 2768, and 3043.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/12/2023 12:43 AM |
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# 4246 Back to Flat on Back
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Q. Can one lie in his back if he will not fall asleep. I find it extremely comfortable and relaxing to lie on my back after the filling Shabbos seuda. Is it a Kiyum (compliance) of Oneg Shabbos (the mitzva of having pleasure during Shabbos) ?
A. On question 1665 we were asked: “Due to multiple physical issues I’ve been having, my chiropractor has prescribed that I should sleep on my back with various foam-rolls under my neck and back for as much of the night as possible. The Kitzur Shluchan Aruch says lying on the front or back is not permitted. Is it allowed for medical reasons or is it very strict prohibition? Not sure if this is a factor, but I am married and I’ve never had a problem with nocturnal emissions. thanks so much.”
To what we answered: “Mishna Berura (239: 6) rules that it is a severe prohibition to lie flat on ones back or front (parkedan). Shalmas Chaim (226) permits awakening someone sleeping in that position.
Although from the Talmud (Brochos 13b), Rashi, Rishonim and Poskim it would appear that the prohibition applies only when someone is sleeping, some Poskim maintain that one should always avoid lying flat on ones back (Divrei Yisroel 3: 137, Piskei Teshuvos 239: 8, et. al.). However, even the above permit, when there are medical issues involved (ibid.).
Medical doctors we consulted were unaware of a natural biological sex arousal reaction in our days when lying in that position.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is to be lenient in medical need”
On question 2725 regarding resting on a hammock laying parkedon or on his back, we wrote: “In regard to resting on a hammock. the Rov’s opinion is that since one lays in an oblong or semi-oval position as opposed to flat, one can be lenient.”
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/12/2023 12:38 AM |
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# 4245 When Do We Eat?
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Q. For one that accepted Shabbos early, is it necessary to eat more bread after nightfall when in the case of having eaten an early Shabbos seuda?
A. Although not necessary, it is indeed proper to eat after nightfall a Kezais (olive volume) of bread, to comply according to all opinions with the mitzva of having that seuda on Shabbos.
See Mishna Berura (267: 5) that rules that on the onset, one should wait and eat Kezais of bread at night, to comply with the mitzva of Seudas Shabbos in the proper time.
The above may be helpful also to remind the early receivers of Shabbos to read the Shema at the proper time.
Horav Shlomo Moller’s Shlit’a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/12/2023 12:31 AM |
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# 4244 Lag behind the Plag?
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Q. Can a person switch from week to week sometimes going with plag of G’ra and sometimes Magen Avraham?
A. Establishing a day in Halacha requires dividing the day into twelve equal parts also known as Sho'os Z'maniyos. There are different opinions from when we begin and end counting that time exactly.
The opinion of Hag’ra and the Ba’al HaTanya, we measure from the time from sunrise to sunset, and then divide this period into twelve parts.
The second opinion is the Mogen Avrohom and the counting is done from the time of dawn (thr very first light on the eastern horizon), until the seeing the stars and that period is divided into twelve equal parts.
This view can only work according to the shitta of Rabenu Tam and other Rishonim regarding the onset of nightfall or Tzeis Hakohovim.
Therefore, in practice regarding Shabbos it is difficult to keep the Plag of the Magen Avrohom.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/12/2023 12:28 AM |
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# 4243 Kiddush Cinco De Mayo?
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Q. Dear Rov and teacher. As you well know, I’m the rabbi of a shul in Mexico. I have an urgent Shaila. We do, as I remember the Rov also did a Friday night Kiddush and seuda for the people who have a wedding, or other Semachot during the incoming week and that helps much to bring people to shul and do kiruv.
Tomorrow Friday is also Cinco de Mayo, and it is as you well know a great civic holiday in our country. The mayor of our municipality hinted that he would very much like to attend our congregation, as he does with other communities. Since we do have a great interest in keeping good relations with him, can we invite him and his group to our Shabbat party? There will be security guards and police cars at the entrance of the shul, does it matter?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that considering the needs and issues, he can be invited, if the honourees and participants to the Seuda also agree.
The security guards and police cars at the entrance of the shul, does not really matter much, as in times of need they are common everywhere.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/7/2023 2:53 PM |
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# 4242 Brace a Brave Brain
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Q. My son was born with some unusual very negative conditions. Besides being a kleptomaniac, he has great anger, starts fights and hurts others. His doctor advised a good psychiatrist, and he has been treating him well. He recommends using new medical drugs that are not just calming agents that can turn addictive, but medicine that can change the composition and structure of his brain. Is that permitted in Halacha?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that you should consult also with other doctors and patients who have undergone such novel treatment. Yet in principle, the brain is similar to other essential organs as the heart and lungs, and when needed, as in common brain surgery. It can be treated and changed.
The Rov also suggested to consult with a Frum psychiatrist and supervise the effects of the treatment and psychiatric counseling involved, in order to maintain the spiritual and Torah values of the child.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/5/2023 10:24 AM |
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# 4241 Don’t Play with Fire
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Q. Dear Rabbi. Is it proper to bring to a Shul where they make a fire on Lag Baomer, used clothing that one will through away as is, to be burned by the fire? Wasn’t something similar done with the used clothing of the Cohanim in the Beis Hamikdash during Sukot? Would that not give good use to clothing that is to be discarded?
A. Using one’s used clothing for a Lag Baomer fire in shul may be seen as a disgusting and offensive act by the other attendants so it is better to avoid.
It cannot be compared to the Big’dei Kehuna, that had a high degree of Kedusha and holiness.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/5/2023 10:19 AM |
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Important Numbers
