Ask The Rabbi
Halachic questions answered by Hagaon Rav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
5,519 questions and answers
# 3515 Not so Fast
I’m commemorating on Tu Bishvat the first Yohrzait for my mother A’H. In our family we have a tradition that we fast on the day of the Yohrzait for parents. Does that apply on Tu Bishvat als...
# 3514 Sing a Diferent Song?
We started our small shul about twelve years ago and we have been successful. Recently a group of more Chassidishe friends joined us and we are pleased with their presence. We have a Shaila, this n...
# 3513 Safe Return
Someone fainted during Shemone Essreh due to Covid. illness. People next to him stopped davening to attend to him and waited until Hatzalah came and took care of him. Then they returned to daven the A...
# 3512 Don't Rattle the Cage
See questions above. If the bird cage usually hangs from a stand that is too high for the kids to reach and throw the seeds inside. Can it be lowered to the ground on Shabbat and then placed back?...
# 3511 Feed the Birds?
2) See question above: (Since it is an ancient tradition that on Shabbat Shira you feed the birds) In our particular case, is it permitted to have the kids come together and feed our birds inside the ...
# 3510 Hear the Birds Singing?
We have at home a large bird cage with six birds, and it is a delight for our young children and the neighbors kids too. We wonder, 1) since it is an ancient tradition that on Shabbat Shira you fee...
# 3509 Think Tank
Is the fish tank itself Muktza on Shabbat?...
# 3508 Another Fish Tale
If a fish jumps out from an aquarium on Shabbat, is one allowed to place it back while it is still alive?...
# 3507 Break the Ice
Which is more correct when needed for safe walking during Shabbat, salting the ice with sand and salt or using a metal scrapper to break the ice?...
# 3506 Testing the Test II
Dear Rabbi. On question 3497 you permitted taking a Covid test on Shabbat that involves the changing of color of the test paper when needed, and can be done with a Shinui or a variation from the norma...
# 3505 Reach for the Moon
When someone makes Kiddush Levana on a winter, cloudy and windy day, how long does the moon have to remain uncovered to be able to recite the Bracha? What can be done when it is extremely cold and lik...
# 3504 You Must Be Joking
Our children on this time of the year, when they walk Shabbos evening to or from shul, often like to stop, gaze and enjoy the uncanny and sometimes stupefying Christmas decorations of our non Jewish n...
# 3503 A Quick Name Fix
If when reciting a Mi Sheberach for a sick person the name used was not completely correct, does the minyan have to reassemble and recite another Mi Sheberach?...
# 3502 Not the Best Vest
Dear Rabbi. Can one use during winter a Taalit Kattan that is similar to a warm vest. It has short sleeves, but just under the armpits it is split and divided, so most of the front and the back is s...
# 3501 Tragic Lonely Departure
A dear member of our family is dying in hospital. Because of the severe covid restrictions, even his wife, children and grandchildren, as well as his Rov are not allowed to see him or be with him in t...
# 3500 Fixing the Fixed
I’m the Gabbai for a Minyan that takes place in a neighborhood home. In question 3484, the response states, in part: "Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that although in other...
# 3499 In Respect to All Due Respect
See question above. Often I also see pamphlets and pages of Torah that were left on the mail box of the Shul and due to the wind they end on the street. Is it permitted for me to bring them in duri...
# 3498 Lost and Found?
I was leaving Shul on Shabbat and I noticed just outside of the steps of our Shul to the street a key ring with keys that had a Jewish symbol attached. Since I’m Machmir and I don’t carry on...
# 3497 Testing the Test
Can one take a Covid test on Shabbat that involves the changing of color of the test paper?...
# 3496 Dish Out the Dishes?
After the recent Petirah of our grandparents when their house was sold we began retrieving their left over belongings. We collected a set of expensive dishes that they used many years ago for Pesach, ...