Ask The Rabbi
Halachic questions answered by Hagaon Rav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
5,512 questions and answers
# 5201 A Prison Prayer?
See question above. Is it similar to Bikur Cholim and you have to say a tefilah for the imprisoned, and if not why not? Is there a special tefilah for the prisoner himself to say as there is for the i...
#5200 A Prison Present
– Q. See question above. Since I’m wearing a taalit katan, should I offer to leave it with the imprisoned? Is it a mitzva to leave even if I won’t comply with the mitzva until I get back home?...
#5199 –Jail Bait?
See question above. If I’m visiting someone imprisoned doing time and can bring something for them as often some correctional institutions permit, should I get for them Tzitzis and Tefilin?...
#5198 Bikur Asurim?
Dear Rabbi, I much appreciate your work on Ask The Rabbi and the variety of questions your answer. (etc.). I’m a lawyer working for a company that also advocates and defends criminals of all kinds. Si...
#5197 Pray the Proper Prayer
In our shul we say on Shabbat before Musaf a prayer for the Canadian government as our sages have taught us that one should pray for the benefit and success of their government. What should be done ...
#5196 The Birth of a Birthday?
Kevod Horav Shli’a. I was very surprised when I heard that this last Shabbos (Chayei Sarah), the family of the Rov and the shul offered a Kiddush to honor his birthday. With all respect to the Rov s...
#5195 - A Peaceful Wild Man?
Is it true that the Chafetz Chaim mentioned that Ishmael was a “Pereh Adam” or wild man not to be friendly to and will remain so? A, Rabbi Dichovsky, of blessed memory, in his book, “Neot Desha,” o...
#5194 Must Leave or Lean on the Muslims?
Can one in our days accept as a convert (Ger) Muslims and then marry them? Can one invite home for a Shabbat meal a friendly Muslim Arab (a business customer) that is considering conversion to Juda...
#5193 Name the Name Ishmael?
See question above. If indeed the Arabs recanted and now they don’t believe the story of our Torah, can we name today a child Ishmael. Is that not the common name of a Tana in the Talmud and who we qu...
#5192 There is My Answer
Dear Rabbi I have a number of questions regarding Arabs. On this weeks parsha, Rashi quotes that Ishmael made teshuva and let his younger brother Itzchak lead the levaya of their father Avraham Avin...
#5191 Block the Black Market Day?
Is one allowed to benefit from the sales offered on Black Market Day, as it seems to be a religious holiday? Can a store owner offer such a sale and advertise for it?...
#5190 Always the Right Time
Following the Talmud, there are specific hours when one should visit the sick for complying with the Bikur Cholim Mitzva, is that an essential part of this important and necessary mitzva?...
#5189 Be Patient and Pray with the Patient
Some more questions on Bikur Cholim. We know that an important part of this mitzva is to pray for the patient. Should the choleh listen to the Tefila and answer Amen?...
#5188 Healthy Ill Visiting
Is it permitted for a man to visit an ill woman for Bikur Cholim purposes? The question is when she is in a private room in a hospital....
#5187 A Bikur On Bikur Cholim
If one visits a person in a hospital and sees that he is not complying with the basic mitzvos he usually keeps as Tefilin, davening and even saying Shema, and when asked why he replies that the room i...
#5186 Note and Take Note
- Q, See question above. If one visits a sick person, yet he is not available for visiting, as he may be sleeping or under treatment, did he comply with the mitzva of Bikur Cholim? How about if he li...
#5185 Call In the Sick?
Moreinu Horav Shelita. If someone texts or send an email to a sick friend does he comply with the mitzva of bikur cholim?...
#5184 Who Are U?
Can one invite a guest home, that one is not sure if he is truly Jewish, since his mother is very assimilated?...
#5183 Honor the Guest?
Kvod Rabbenu Shlit’a. I have a number of questions concerning Hachnasat Orchim or the mitzva of inviting guest for Shabbat, that is the prevalent in this week’s Parsha of Vaera. 1) Can yo invite ...
#5182 An Everyday Yohrzait
Rabbenu Shlit’a. Why do people celebrate the Yohrzait of Rachel Imenu more than any other of the Avot (Patriarchs)? When exactly is the day of the Yohrzait?...