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Have a question? Send it in! Questions are answered by Rabbi Bartfeld.
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# 4638 - When do the Good Times Begin?
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- Q. Someone that requires a very delicate brain operation, if he can wait should he do so until the ‘Good Mazal” month of Adar, or do it after Tu Bishvat?
A. On a similar question (4107) we wrote:
“On question 1634 we mentioned that Adar is a time when good mazal prevails, so it is a propitious period to begin new shiurim, establish new mitzva projects, and other endeavors whose success will bring joy. (See question 990 regarding new business ventures).
Indeed, on the first day of Rosh Chodesh Adar the date written on a Halacha official document such as a Get, would be; ‘The thirtieth day of the month of Shvat, which corresponds to Rosh Chodesh Adar.’ Nevertheless, Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that it is already included on the auspicious and fortunate good mazal of Chodesh Adar.
On question 990 we added: “Derech Sicha, (Miketz p. 188,) Nitei Gavriel, (Purim – Teshuvos 2) et. al., opine that it begins from the first Adar. Nitei Gavriel (ibid. 464) quoting the Munkatcher Rebbe, adds even from Tu Bishvat.
The reason why the beginning date and time is so undefined and not exactly and clearly established, may be that likely it depends on the nature of each individual and his particular needs and situation. The great month of Adar is willing to acc ommodate itself to the needs of each individual.”
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 1/24/2024 3:57 PM |
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# 4637 Know Your Place
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- Q. See question above. I still don’t get it. What does it have to do with our trees outside of Israel today?
A. The answer may seem a bit complicated, yet it is simple. One may not eat fruit that grew on a tree the first three years after it was planted. This fruit is called Orlah. This prohibition applies equally in the land of Israel as well as in the diaspora.
Although we usually count the years of the tree based on Rosh Hashanah (1st of Tishrei), Tu B’Shevat plays an important role as well. If a tree is planted more than 44 days before Rosh Hashanah (1st of Tishrei), those 44 days are considered the first year of the tree’s growth, and then Rosh Hashanah marks the start of the tree’s second year.
If a tree is planted less than 44 days before Rosh Hashanah, one needs to wait until the next Rosh Hashanah (more than a year) to complete the first year of Orlah. However, even after the Rosh Hashanah marking the completion of three years, the fruit which blossoms in the fourth year before Tu B’Shevat is orlah as well, since it was nourished from the previous year’s sap which is latent in the tree. Only new fruit that blossoms after Tu B’Shevat of the fourth year, which is nourished from the current year’s sap, is no longer orlah.
Shach (Y.D. 294: 10) quotes the Rosh who notes that in our climate up north, trees don’t ordinarily blossom before Tu B’Shevat, so one may assume that all fruit that is found on the tree in the fourth year is not Orlah. In Israel, fruits that grow in the fourth year have a special kedusha (sanctity) called Neta Revai (ot four year old plant).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 1/24/2024 3:53 PM |
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# 4636 Ancient History?
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- Q. I just don’t understand why and how is Tu Bishvat so important to us and why we celebrate it outside of the Land of Israel, since as is those once upon time mitzvot do not apply anymore in our days and even on the past they applied only in the Land of Israel?
A. Tu BiShvat appears in the first Mishnah in Tractate Rosh Hashanah as one of the four new years in the Jewish calendar:
The Mishnah reads: “On the first of Shevat is the New Year for the trees; the fruit of a tree that was formed prior to that date belong to the previous tithe year and cannot be tithed together with fruit that was formed after that date; this ruling is in accordance with the statement of Beit Shammai. But Beit Hillel say: The New Year for trees is on the fifteenth of Shevat.
A most basic point is that the Mishna (Kidushin 1:9) states that Orlah is an exceptional mitzvah: "All mitzvot tied to the Land of Israel usually apply only in the Land [of Israel - except for orlah and kilei hakerem (planting different species of seeds and plants, specially vineyard) which also apply abroad."
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 1/24/2024 3:49 PM |
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# 4635 Planting a Shailah
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Q. Dear Rabino. As you well remember, in Mexico it is already time for planting some new trees. Is there a mitzva to plant new trees on Tu Bishevat?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that the mitzva given was for eating new fruits and not for planting new trees, even in places where it is possible and even required to do so.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 1/23/2024 6:15 PM |
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# 4634 A Rosh Hashanah for Dogs and Cats?
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Q. I truly do not understand, why in our Jewish tradition we celebrate a New Year for trees, that as important as they are, for us the elderly, and many others, our dear pets, dogs and cats, are actually essential for our survival, since for many of us they are the whole and only truly friendly company we have. Why not celebrate a New Year for them?
A. As mentioned in the last question above, the celebration of Tu Bishvat is all about the potential of our essential fruit trees to start their yearly early development for growing and giving fruits later on, already at that early time of the year.
That obviously does not apply to pet dogs and cats, as necessary they may be for some.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 1/23/2024 4:30 PM |
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# 4633 A Very Early Celebration?
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- Q. Dear Rabbi. How come we celebrate in Canada and in most of the U.S. and Europe, Tu Bishvat, the New Year for trees and their fruits, when we are surrounded by frost and often covered by snow. Is it not ridiculous?
A. Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a explained that we celebrate the potential of the trees to start their yearly early development for growing and giving fruits later on already at that early time of the year. Since the underground root changes already begin at that period.
He indicated that in our communities it is the trust in Hashem’s ways that we mainly and mostly celebrate.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 1/23/2024 4:26 PM |
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# 4632 The Labor of One’s Fruits
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Q. When and in what way should one eat the fruits on Tu Bishvat?
A. on a similar question 1608, as follows:
“ Q. Why and when is it best to eat the fruits on T’u Bishvat, the night before or during the day? Before the seuda, during, or after the seuda? Should one encourage making a seuda for chinuch of children?”
We answered: “The tradition to eat fruits on Tu Bishvat is not very ancient. It is first mentioned on Tikun Isoschor, and it goes back only to the times of the Bais Yosef. Mogen Arohom (131: 16) does mention it.
It is strongly upheld by the Sephardi communities, and followers of the traditions of the Arizal. who observe it as a very saintly and special day and consider the minhogim as a great and important avoda or holy labor.
Followers of the Arizal also eat a minimum of 12 to 15 fruits (Maharam Hagiz). Some maintain that 30 different fruits should be consumed. (Even Yisroel p. 28). Others opine that one should try all fruits available at that location. (Mekor Chaim 684).
Bnei Yissochor writes that our sources refer to Tu B’Shevat as the “New Year of the Tree”, (Mishna Rosh Hashana 2a) in the singular. This implies that while Tu Bishvat is the New Year of all trees, we are to concentrate on one tree in particular, the one that provides the esrog for Sukos. There is a tradition, to pray on this day to have the privilege of acquiring a beautiful esrog. There is also a minhag to preserve the esrog in jam or to create a liquor from it, and to eat it or drink it on Tu Bishvat.
Chasidim and Kabbalists also prepare a seuda, a “tish” or a sort of “Seder Night” on Tu Bishvat, over four cups of wine, light candles and have a seder plate with different types of fruits. (See question 453 in regards to fruits from Eretz Yisroel, see also Nitei Gavriel 4: 2; n. 4).
On question 1256 in regards to when to to eat the fruits, we wrote; Poskim mention to eat them at the end of the seuda (Ohr Zarua 2: 21, Darchei Moshe O.H. 149: 4, Magen Avrohom, Biur Halacha ibid. Nitei Gavriel ”“ Purim 9: 2) so they are included in Birchas Hamazon (Tosafos Brochos 41b) and when it is Shabbos to avoid spoiling the appetite for the Shabbos meal.
When in Shabbos, Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that if one has young children and is concerned that they will not be awake at the end of the seuda, he may eat them after hamotzi.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one should maintain the minhogim and traditions of his family or the community he belongs.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 1/22/2024 3:57 PM |
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# 4631 No AI on BO?
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Q. I heard that Parshas Bo since it is the first one to give us mitzvos, it contains the shorashim (roots) to all other principles of the Torah. If so is there a connection in Parshas Bo to AI?
A. In the history of mankind there have been many, many very significant and essential discoveries in all fields of human endeavor and not only in sciences and technology. As we mentioned indeed in our ‘That is’ article on this parsha, in last week Parshas Bo.
You may ask the same question in regards to the discovery of the continents, electricity, medical advances, and in all fields of human undertaking and knowledge, where are they mentioned in that parsha.
And the answer would be that only the fundamental principles and roots of human development and search for the truth of the universe Hashem created, are indeed recorded in Parshas Bo, but not the discoveries and practical cases themselves.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 1/21/2024 10:50 AM |
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# 4630 Good Beginnings – Good Endings II
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Q. Why is the Jewish calendar based on the moon and not on the sun like most others?
A. See
answer above. See also article on the constant renovation of the
universe at BDYC weekly parsha
“That is” article (Vaera and Bo). Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 1/19/2024 12:34 PM |
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# 4629 Good Beginnings – Good Endings
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Q. Why is the mitzva of Kidush Levana the very first mitzva of the Torah?
Horav Aron Miller Shlit’a mentioned that setting our own Torah system of counting time is essential in establishing the reality of what Hashem created.
One may add that as we mentioned in other articles, renovating and constantly changing yourself, is essential in keeping Torah and mitzvos properly and that is well clearly represented by the moon cycles.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 1/19/2024 12:30 PM |
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# 4628 The “Unhuman Cannonball”
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Q. Can one that has the Minhag of drinking beer on Tu Bishvat for the mitzva of eating barley, comply by drinking the Unhuman Cannonball beer?
A. On question 4091 we were asked:
“Q. Can one that has the Minhag of drinking beer on Tu Bishvat comply by drinking some barley vodka?”
To what we answered: “Es Devarim (8: 8) mentions that Tu Bishvat is the day that marks the Rosh Hashana for trees. Wheat and barley, belong to that group. (See Nitei Gavriel – Purim 5: 2) he mentions that the Belzer Rebbe maintained that tradition). Although barley vodka is just a distillate of the barley and does not contain the direct parts of the barley, for this particular tradition it suffices.”
The Beer Merchants site tells the following:
“In early springtime every year, tonnes of incredible aromatic US hops are shipped from Yakima Valley in Oregon to the UK. To celebrate this wonderful annual event, Magic Rock decided 3 years ago to brew a beer that basically used all of them.
The resulting triple IPA is different every year (2014 was the best so far) but always has a huge tropical fruit and dank pine aroma, while being surprisingly smooth considering an IBU count well into the hundreds.”
Ones Kashrus considerations are met, It stands to reason that since it contains barley also, one does comply.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 1/19/2024 12:09 PM |
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# 4627 Blessing the Blessings of the Blessed Land?
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Q. How important is it to eat on Tu Bishvat fruits imported from Israel?
A. On question 453 we wrote: “The tradition to eat tree fruits in Tu Bishvat is mentioned in many Poiskim in (O.H. 131), however there is generally no special mention of a requirement to eat fruits from Eretz Yisroel, although some of the Sifrei Chasidus do mentioned it.
S’dei Yaar (quoted in Koveitz Maamorim p. 28) mentions that the custom may originate from the fact that Tu Bishvat is the cut-off date in the Jewish calendar for calculating the age of a fruit-bearing tree, and it depends on when most of the rains of the year have already elapsed in Eretz Yisroel. (Rosh Hashono 14a).
Peroisecho Metukim narrates how in many Chasidic kehilos they made a special effort to obtain fruits grown in Israel. Nitey Gavriel (Purim 5 note 6) quotes extensive sources of different Chasidic dynasties and their vehement pursue on Tu Bishvat for fruits from Eretz Yisroel. (See Tur O.H. 208 and Bach ibid. in regards to the holiness of those fruits today and Talmud Sotah 14b in regards to Moshe Rabbenu wanting to eat from Eretz Yisroel fruits).
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that you do not have to acquire Israeli fruits for observing the Tu Bishvat traditions, especially if it involves questionable Halachic issues such as properly separating Terumos and Maasros or Shemita issues when consuming them.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 1/19/2024 11:34 AM |
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# 4626 Help make it a Real Mazal Tov!!!
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- Q. See questions above. How about if one of the new couple is religious and keeps Shabbath etc. while the other does not?
A. As mentioned in last question above, situations are mostly different and usually there are many different and even contrasting factors and changing conditions involved which make difficult a truly correct answer.
Yet, every effort should be made by a relative and close friend to the couple to guide them correctly. Contacting them with the right expert people who deal with kiruv may be the most correct option.
The above is a true real obligation of the one that has that possibility.
We must mention that usually being and staying friendly and helpful is a decisive factor in these important cases of Kiruv which could involve many future generations.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 1/19/2024 11:30 AM |
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# 4625 A Very Sad Simcha
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Q. See question above. How about if the couple is a mixed one, and one of them isn’t Jewish, what is the proper thing to do?
A. In such a case, one should definitely avoid even any congratulations.
However, it may be worthwhile to approach their friends and family and see if there are any ways and means to correct the situation.
Some different scenarios are also likely available and the proper Rabbi who has connection with the couple and their family should be contacted. Also, since there are known Kiruv organizations that constantly deal with such cases, they should also be contacted.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 1/19/2024 11:26 AM |
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# 4624 - A Mazal Tov to the Mazal Tov ?
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Q. My colleague, a non-Jew is getting married to another non-Jew next month. So far, I'm not invited to the wedding since I just started a couple of weeks ago. Should I do anything to acknowledge the event or just say congratulations and leave it at that.
A. It is definitely not correct to attend the non- Jewish wedding ceremony even when not done at an other religion's temple, as when celebrated at a garden or a wedding hall, since likely one would be listening to antagonistic views to our fate.
As far as just blessing them is concerned, since there are variants dealing with their marriages, there are different views by Poskim as to what should be the accepted ceremony.
Indeed, your best option is just to give congratulations and if proper send a gift.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 1/19/2024 11:24 AM |
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# 4623 Oh! Holy Hologram?
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Q. How should we treat an electric hologram with Hashem’s name on it. Can it be turned off or cut?
A. A hologram is defined as a photographic image recording of a light field, rather than an image formed by a lens or a mirror.
Holography is a unique method of temporary photography whereby 3D objects are recorded using a laser and then restored as precisely as possible to match the originally recorded object. When illuminated via a laser, holograms are able to form an exact 3D clone of the object and duplicate its features. (Wikipedia and other sources)
In he holographic medium, for example the object produced by that process is usually unintelligible when viewed under a diffuse ambient.
However, although the images projected seem to the eye very real, there is nothing truly more physical to them than the common mirror view of the simple reflection in a mirror.
The popular accepted view of Poskin today is that since it isn’t much more hefty than the above, one may extinguish the hologram with Hashem’s name on it.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch
Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 1/15/2024 10:39 PM |
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# 4622 Get Ahead with a New Head?
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Q. Dear Rabbi very soon we may find that we can have a being that is only one half human (only head is human) but body is artificial, or it belongs to another younger deceased human. Can we count him for a minyan?
At what point of the spinal column transplant will the transplanted be considered human and Jewish? What identity will that human have?
A. Indeed recently there was a case of a young 16-month-old Australian boy is on the mend, smiling, eating, and walking, only two weeks after his skull was separated from his spine in a head-on a car collision in which his spinal column was separated, and doctors were able to reconnect the head to the body.
Jaxon Taylor was airlifted from the site of the crash in New South Wales to Brisbane where he was seen by Australia's "godfather" of spinal surgery, Dr. Geoff Askin. Askin said in a news report from Seven Network Australia that the force of the crash had pulled the child's head and neck apart.
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that although this type of medical surgery is still uncommon, likely as medical historical reality has been, it will Iy’H become a life saver for many.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is also that it is the head that really counts and not the rest of the body, however there are various important details as follows in the next questions.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 1/12/2024 11:33 AM |
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# 4621 Looking for a Real Nice Burial Place?
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Q. Dear Rabbi. As trips to our moon have restarted. I wonder if a Jewish person can be actually buried on the moon? (Or send their ashes to be deposited there). In a weird Baal Teshuva movement that i teach and try to be mekarev (bring closer), some have that idea, as they feel that then they would be closer to Hashem.
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that it would not be a proper burial since the lack of air would impede the body of decomposing and returning to its original earthly status. After all our Torah expresses that the Kevurah is part of Hashem’s will that the body should return to the earth it was created from. And then our Neshama returning to Him that gave it to us.
You must teach them that becoming closer to Hashem, is truly reached while we are alive, and us following then His will and helping others of His children to also do so.
Indeed, we do honor and bless the moon every month blessing (Kidush Levanah) as a source of life, while establishing timing and giving light, but not as a burial place.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 1/11/2024 6:36 PM |
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# 4620 Nitel to the New Nitel?
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Q. Querido Rabino. Is January 6 a day to avoid weddings since it is a Christian Holiday? How about here in Mexico or in other countries with very sizable Catholic congregations. Is it like Nitel night and learning of Torah should also be avoided.
A. Many Christians around the world annually celebrate Epiphany on January 6. It is a public holiday in many Catholic countries and marks two events in Yoshke’s life, according to their Bible. The first event was when the three wise men, or kings, visited infant Yoshke. The second event was when St John the Baptist baptized that baby.
January 6, which is 12 days after Christmas in the Gregorian calendar, and marks not only the end of the Christmas holidays but also the start of the Carnival season, which climaxes with Mardi Gras.
In some European countries, such as the Czech Republic and Slovakia, children dress as the three kings and visit houses. In their roles as the kings, or wise men, they sing about their deity’s birth and pay homage to the “king of kings”. They are rewarded with praise and cookies.
Dia de los Reyes Magos (The day of the Magic Kings), is the Latin American celebration of Epiphany. In many Latin American countries including Mexico, it is the three wise men and not Santa Claus who bring gifts for children.
Children write letters to the wise men telling them how good they were and what gifts they want. In France Le Jour des Rois (the Day of Kings), sometimes called the Fête des Rois, is celebrated with parties for children and adults. The galette des rois, or “cake of kings”, highlights these celebrations. This cake is round and flat, cut into the pantry, covered with a white napkin and carried into a dining room.
Children in Spain, France and most Latin American counties fill their shoes with straw or grain for the three kings’ horses to eat and place them on balconies or by the front door on Epiphany Eve. The next day they find cookies, sweets or gifts in their place. The “three kings” make an entry in many cities on Epiphany Eve, accompanied by military bands and drummers in medieval dress.
As much as this holiday is very public and much promoted in those countries. It did not acquire the Halachos of Nitel for most Kehilos, and weddings are performed and the learning of Torah is also not interrupted.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 1/11/2024 6:31 PM |
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# 4619 Test the Water
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Q.(See question above). Does the not drinking water tradition at the start of the Tekufa apply every month? How stringent should one be in keeping this tradition?
A. It applies only at the four beginning of the Tekufos every year as mentioned above. Rema in Shulchan Aruch (Y.D. 116: 5) quoting Avudraham, Mordechai and others, mentions the above as a most accepted tradition one should comply with.
Yet, the practice of not drinking water when the Tekufa begins, is not that commonly kept. Taz (ibid. 4) quotes Even Ezra that it is only a Nichush or superstitious custom.
As mentioned on the answer above, it is only four times a year for one hour. Usually those four beginnings are quoted in the Shul calendars. The beginning of the Tekufos also makes a difference in regard to changes on the Tefilos when we pray for rain.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one should keep the traditions of his family.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 1/11/2024 6:26 PM |
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Important Numbers
