Ask The Rabbi
Halachic questions answered by Hagaon Rav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
5,519 questions and answers
# 2895 Kashes on Ashes
Someone who acquired a small building next to a non-Jewish cemetery, wants to use it as a columbarium for storing the cremation ashes of the dead. These are kept in urns placed in niches or on shelves...
# 2894 Is It Day or Night?
Can one wash and eat supper for Rosh Chodesh Seuda or does it have to be done during the day?...
# 2893 The Beginning's Meal
I remember learning that there is an obligation to wash and eat a bread meal at least once a day during Rosh Chodesh. Why is it that not all do so?...
# 2892 Bris Tricks?
A baby boy who has jaundice before his 8th day cannot, in most circumstances, be circumcised in time, unless the jaundice disappears in time. Some employ all sorts of remedies to get the jaundice to ...
# 2891 Praise Our Saintly Women
What is the reason and source that women as opposed to men avoid doing certain melochos and work on Rosh Chodesh?...
# 2890 Washing One's Linen in Public?
The Minhag is that women do not wash clothing on Rosh Chodesh. I, the husband, do the washing in our home. Is it OK if I hang the washing on the porch where it can be seen by the neighbors, or do I h...
# 2889 Fix For Dinner
See question 2886 above regarding an Hachnosas Sefer Torah. Do we have to make a seudah during these pandemic days? and how many people should attend?...
# 2888 Reading Before Writing?
When writing a letter of a Sefer Torah, at the ceremony of an Hachnosas Sefer Torah, besides saying the required statement that one is writing "Leshem Kedushas Sefer Torah," should not one also have t...
# 2887 The Law of the Letter
When giving out the kivudim (honors) for writing a letter in a new Sefer Torah, is it a greater kivud to be first to write or the last one?...
# 2886 March to a Different Tune
I want to make an Hachnosas Sefer Torah this week, while my mishpacha is still here, (they came for Yom Tov) do we have to make a parade on the street with a chupa, as it is usually done, or due to th...
# 2885 Not for Reading
Can I bring a Sefer Torah to an outside back yard minyan on Simchas Torah to be used for hakofes only, if they will not read from it at all?...
# 2884 Games Over?
Until what age may a brother and sister play together physically, such as climbing on each other, riding on each other, hugging each other, tickling each other, touching each other?...
# 2883 A Monumental Decision
Our family gathered together for Sukkot on these most unusual times. We are planning to do the Hakamath Hamatzevah for our father and grandfather, while we are all together. Since many are departing i...
# 2882 Follow Your Rov
What is Horav Miller’s opinion psak on just a few people in shul or even one person such as the Rov doing all hakofes. Is that permitted?...
2881 Good News
What is the correct procedure during these difficult Simchat Torah with the Kol Hanearim taalith covering and for the ones that will not have the opportunity to get an aliya?...
# 2880 Honor Check
This is a most unusual Simchas Torah, when many of us are afraid of contamination. Can we cover the Sifrei Torah with transparent plastic bags, to be changed between holders to avoid any further dange...
# 2879 Rise a Shailah
Can one eat rice cakes out of the Sukkah?...
# 2878 Stay Attached
A shul provides the Arbah Minim (lulav, esrog etc.) for the people men and women that come on Sukkoth and don’t have any of their own. During these problematic times they also provide disinfectan...
# 2877 Cover Story
(See the 3 prior questions; 2674-76). Can one just cover the suka with a plastic tarp or canvas that rests directly on the scahch to protect it from rain?...
# 2876 No Soff to It?
(See the 2 prior questions 2874-75). If the tefach spread is under the extended roof, (soffit) does it count?...