Ask The Rabbi
Halachic questions answered by Hagaon Rav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
5,912 questions and answers
# 2907 A Hot Shailah
Can one use a heat-pack or pad outside during Shabbos to keep warm when davening in a backyard minyan? Can one use battery heated socks to be used during Shabbos ....
# 2906 Security Blanket
During these pandemic times when still many, despite the cold weather, daven on outside backyard minyanim, and seek ways to keep warm even during the longer tefilos of Shabbos, a number of questions h...
# 2905 The Slipping Mask
I have a question regarding wearing masks to shul. We have a few female members of our shul who don’t carry and don’t want to wear a mask outside when they walk to shul because they feel...
# 2904 This Takes the Cake
Shalom Harav, We are currently learning Chukos HaAkum in the Link Kollel in Los Angeles under Rabbi Lebhar. It was brought to our attention that birthday cakes and candles have a possible source in...
# 2903 Crumble the Crumbs
In Ask the Rabbi question30 you write: "(It is still prohibited to tread with your feet on the crumbs on the floor, Mishnah Berurah 180, 10)" But doesn’t the MB (444:15) write that you may walk...
# 2902 Up a Tree?
In Ask the Rabbi question 35, the Rav recommends avoiding cutting down a fruit tree, it seems even if it no longer bears fruit. However, it is clear in the Rambam (Hilchos M’lochim 6:9) that one...
# 2901 Abandon Ship?
K’vod Harav, I was in a shul with exactly ten people and four already davened. I was of those that had not davened. However, I am makpid to daven with asara mispallelim, as numerous poskim hold ...
# 2900 Has this Dawned on You?
Regarding the above questions (2898-99) on davening before dawn. Can one say Pesukei Dezimra before the alos (dawn)?...
# 2899 Something New Under the Sun?
In places where the netz hachama (sunrise) is very late, may one daven shacharis at alos (dawn - or even earlier) on a consistent basis? How much before neitz is considered alos?...
# 2898 The Cracking of Dawn
At this time of the year, I have a hard time davening after sunrise (Neitz Hachama) and coming on time to my job. Can I say brachos and korbanos before Alos Hashachar (dawn)?...
# 2897 Burn Away?
See question 2895 above regarding building a columbarium. If the building owner can get a permit for installing a crematorium in that building, would that be also permitted in need?...
# 2896 Wash Away
Re-question 2891 above, regarding women washing clothes during Rosh Chodesh. Is doing the laundry by washing machine also included in the minhag of women not doing work in Rosh Chodesh?...
# 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...