Ask The Rabbi
Halachic questions answered by Hagaon Rav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
5,520 questions and answers
# 1417 Don’t Follow The Sign?
The Mishnah Berurah (beginning of siman 229) says that one should not publicize the sighting of a rainbow because it is like Lashon Horah. Should one also refrain from publicizing the event of a lunar...
# 1416 The Late Boomer
Until when can the father of the bar mitzva boy say the bracha of baruch sheptarani, if he didn’t say it at the bar mitzva?...
# 1415 Bless One’s Lucky Start
What is the proper procedure to follow when teaching a youngster who is not yet completely religious (baal teshuva) to start making brochos before eating; should he abstain from a brocho if the food i...
# 1414 The Life Of The Party
Until when can the family of a bar mitzva bochur make a seuda after the day he became of age?...
# 1413 Catch The Name
Regarding the opinion of Rav Miller shlita that one who davens in English should at least say the names of Hashem in the Holy Tongue - what should one do with the phrase "Hashem Elokeinu vaylokay avos...
# 1412 Red Strings Attached
May one wear a red string around his wrist while walking in the public domain on Shabbos, if one is accustomed to wear such a string during the week to ward off ayin hara?...
# 1411 Eliahu Davens Mincha
The Gemara in Brachos says be carful in the Tefilloh of Mincha because Eliyahu Hanavi was answered on Har Carmel by mincha. I was wondering how is this a proof? Did he attempt to daven at other teff...
# 1410 Braid The Bread & The Bride?
It appears to be universally Jewish to make braided challos for Shabbos. Since all authentic Jewish customs have deep roots and have been started by great people and deep thinkers, what is the intent ...
# 1409 Water Therapy?
Do you make a brocho when drinking water from a mineral spring that has therapeutic value and also has a good taste?...
# 1408 Closed Door Policy
8) Q. I would like to know the opinion of HaRav Miller shlita regarding the following matter:Sometimes I am at home with my father and grandmother (mother’s mother) – both not yet religious. If I ne...
# 1407 Don’t Get Carried Away
Are women allowed to carry a Sefer Torah?...
# 1406 Mazal Tov, Mazal Tov?
We say that the month of Av has a bad mazal. I have scheduled a necessary medical surgery on the third week of the month, should I postpone it for another month?...
# 1405 Plush Kiddush Rush
I offered to give a kidush in shul. Is there a special inyan to give it on Shabbos Nachamu?...
# 1404 A Shaila Amuka
How come on Tu Beav as the Talmud (end of Taanis) relates, the marriageable women would go out and dance in the vineyards and the attending males would choose the one they liked and took them as spous...
# 1403 I’ll Drink To That
What brocho do you make when drinking unflavored Metamucil?...
# 1402 Shouldn’t Happen To A Dog?
On question 1394 Horav Miller ruled you should not wash a dog’s clothing during the nine days. Can you wash the dog itself?...
# 1401 Hold Your Ears?
If I’m placed on hold on a phone call and while waiting, happy music is played, do I have to hang up during the 3 weeks?...
1400 Discovering Covering
Is it preferable to cover ones eyes with his talis [rather than his hand] when saying the first pasuk of shema? Is there any mekor for using a tallis?...
# 1399 Stop The Music
Dear Rabbi Bartfeld, shlit"a My son has a waterproof bluetooth speaker that he can take in the shower and listen to music. This can be helpful in that the music makes him energetic in the morning. Is...
# 1398 Have An Itch
Can I use Afterbite on a mosquito bite on Shabbos? It is not medicine, but it relieves the itching? Can one anoint oneself with oil on Shabbos, for example rubbing oil on one’s arms?...