Ask The Rabbi
Halachic questions answered by Hagaon Rav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
5,520 questions and answers
#360 Chicken Kapparot this year
Rabbi, it has been the custom of my family to do kapparot with a live chicken. This is a custom I have kept since moving to Toronto. This year however, with the demise of Chai Chicken, I am at a loss ...
#359 Adopted children in non Orthodox homes
While being mekarev an older lady (& grandchild) who considers herself conservative, she disclosed that the mother of the grandchild was adopted. It is doubtful if the adopted mother was from a Jewish...
#358 Receiving financial benefits to move to Israel from non Jewish organizations
There are some religious Christians who are very supportive of Jews living in Israel, As such they offer financial benefits to move there. For example they will pay for ones lift to Israel. Is it perm...
#357 Calculating Maaser on a mortgage
If a property is purchased & leases it to pay off a mortgage is the rental money subject to masser if there is no profit left over after expenses such as taxes, interest & paying off the loan? Wh...
#356 Life support for the terminally ill
My elderly mother is extremely ill and has all kind of medical complications; she is now in an ICU. We told the doctors to do everything possible to extend her life even though she suffers greatly. Sh...
#355 Prison discharge during Yom Tov
If someone has a release date from jail which will fall on Yom Tov, what does the person have to do when the government will not change the date? The only way to leave the institution is by bus. Does ...
#354 Blowing the Shofar, without a Minyan
In our small weekday minyan we have a problem getting someone to blow the Shofar daily… If we could not make minyan on that day, do we still blow the shofar?...
#353 Blowing Shofar by Mincha during Elul
In our small weekday minyan we have a problem getting someone to blow the Shofar daily… If we could not find someone in the morning can we blow by mincha?...
#352 A minor blowing Shofar during Elul
Dear Rabbi, In our small weekday minyan we have a problem getting someone to blow the Shofar daily. Can a youngster who is not bar mitzvah blow for us?...
#351 Pushing and striking others in a simcha
In certain cities, brushing close to people, even pushing, takes place at simchas, by talks, in shules. There is not an apology, but in any case it is disturbing and hurts frailer people. Is a Yid oiv...
#350 Writing Hashem's name in English
Recently I had an email discussion about how to write Hashem’s name in English. They felt that G-d hyphenating was not necessary as they stated was only a generic way of referring to Hashem and n...
#349 Mental imaging of our needs before davening
In book Otzerot Hatfila of Tzvi Nishri volume number 2, page 989, "Moshe Rabeinu zier le atzmo et bakashto".... per Rabbi Eliahu Lapian. So we should be imaging by our self our tefilah needs in order ...
#348 Boiling three eggs together
Do people who cook boiled eggs today still accustom to boil at least three at the time?...
#347 Eating before davening
Dear Rabbi, many of us need a little coffee in the morning to have enough concentration on our tefillos. However, I’m finding recently that my stomach acids are creating a strong bad smell from m...
#346 Yichud concerns in the office.
Dear Rabbi, I have a question about yichud - in the law firm where I work. It often happens that I am alone with three (sometimes two) women. * The door is locked, and whoever wants to enter needs to ...
#345 Carrying during Shabbos in Fort Dix (Prison)
I am now at Fort Dix. I need to show ID for food. Can I carry on Shabbos? There is a tall fence all around the property. Is that considered an eiruv for Shabbos purposes? Sincerely,...
#344 Repeating Hashems name unnecessarily during Tefilah
I sang at end of Aleinu, v’ne’emar v’haya Hashem.... and one guy yelled at me that I can’t repeat a phrase where Hashem’s name is. Where is the source for that? I have been si...
#343 Cold drinks and ice from a dispensing machine on Shabbos.
There is an ice machine and drinks that come from the electric machine in the mess hall. The drinks are all kosher. There is no problem during the week. What about Shabbos? How can I get an ice cold d...
#342 Disposing of flood damaged property when the pickup is on Shabbos
I got this from a shul. Any issues with leaving it before shabbos or on shabbos like it recommends? The City will provide special collection on Saturday, July 13 for waste created by flooding. Re...
#341 Washing clothing for a Gemach during the nine days
Can I wash school uniforms or other articles of clothing that will be sent to a Gemach during the nine days?...