Ask The Rabbi
Halachic questions answered by Hagaon Rav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
5,912 questions and answers
# 1232 Size up
One wants to replace an old pair of Tefillin (that was used for over 20 years) with a new pair. The new pair is smaller than the old one, but is more Mehudar (parshiyos, batim and retzhuos). Does t...
# 1231 The Crown Of A Good Name
If in a second marriage, there are 2 kids from a previous marriage named after the mother’s side and one kid from a previous marriage after the father’s side and then they have a daughter to...
# 1230 The Meat Of The Matter
Some time ago I sent this question and I didn’t get an answer yet, I would like to know the answer. Is artificial meat created by starting cells taken from live animals. They are put into a cul...
# 1229 Strangely Enough?
Who should recite viduy with a dying patient, a rabbi that does not know the patient or the patient’s son who is there constantly with him?...
# 1228 Let There Be Light
If on Erev Shabbos Chanuka it is already close to the shkiah, how many people is the minimum needed to light the shul menora with a brocho?...
# 1227 Bench on a Bench?
If someone is totally homeless and sleeps on a bench in the park, can he light his menora there?...
# 1226 Bring To Light
Someone vacationing cross country in a trailer, can he place his menorah by the window and keep travelling during the half hour, while it is lit?...
# 1225 Follow The Flame?
When we say that lechatchila the Chanuka lights should be lower than ten tefachim is that measure from the flame or from the base of the menora itself? How about for the above three tefachim minimum?...
# 1224 A Picture Worth A Thousand Words
Can you take a family picture next to a lit menora on Chanuka and then frame it, or would you be benefiting from the neros Chanuka? When travelling on Chanuka, can you comply with lighting the candl...
# 1223 Bright And Early
This year the first light of Chanukah was lit on Motze Shabbat. Is it correct and better to prepare before the beginning of Shabbat the menorah and place it on the living room so it will be ready afte...
# 1222 Is Gut Yom-Tov Gut?
Is Chanuka called a Yom Tov or Chag? When you write a Chanuka card can you mention that title?...
# 1221 Thoughts on Thoughts
New technology enables the totally invalid or paraplegic to drive a wheel chair only via their brain electrical waves. Electrodes connected to their head receive those waves and with some training all...
# 1220 Survive The Test Of Time
If a Jew comes late to class (in college, etc.), is it a Chillul Hashem? If he is running late, would it be better not to come at all than to walk in with a yarmulke and tzitzis and a long beard ten m...
# 1219 Tissue Issue
Can one pick up a soiled tissue (Kleenex) paper from the floor on Shabbat or is it muktze?...
# 1218 Grateful For Small Blessings
I understand that one who listens to me’ein sheva (shortened seven blessings version of Shabbos amida) on Friday night is yotzi Maariv. But there is no mention of making the wind blow and the rai...
# 1217 Mixture Mix-up?
A. Metamucil and similar brands are a psyllium fiber, bulk-forming powder laxative made from the husks of the Plantago Ovata plant’s seeds. There are two concerns on using it on Shabbos and Yom Tov, ...
# 1216 Hot Question
Subject: Nest thermostat 3rd generation Is it OK to have it on the wall Shabbes. It lights up when you pass it. It is learning your schedule and adjusting itself accordingly. Thank you...
# 1215 Kosher Money
Lately the Canadian government acknowledged that tallow is included in the new bills composition as a lubricant for the notes so they will easily pass through coin (paper) machines. Is that now a new ...
# 1214 Speak Before You Think?
If I only have a limited amount of time, what is higher priority: proper understanding of Krias Shema or proper pronunciation?...
# 1213 Work Against The Clock?
Re- your answer on the permissibility of the home use of inaccurate scales and other measuring devises such as baby bottles and measuring tapes, due in part to the fact that they are not used for comm...