Ask The Rabbi
Halachic questions answered by Hagaon Rav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
5,520 questions and answers
#160 - Correct time for eating matza on Pesach Sheni.
When is the correct time for eating matza this year, Sunday day (Pesach Sheni) or Sunday night? Thank you...
#159 - Could shrubs be used for "mechitzos"?
I have a portion of "mechitzos" on the cottage eruv, that are made from trimmed shrubs that are more than ten tefachim high and are over a foot wide. Though, when the wind blows, the branches and lea...
#158 - What is the minimum permitted angle for
I have in a section of my property that faces the lake and there is more than ten tefachim from the edge of the water to the top of the land. This is slanted, as a ’tel hamislaket’. What is ...
#157 - Using a light pole for tzuras hapesach
I’m trying to make an eruv for my cottage yard, can I use a light pole for "tzuras hapesach", that it’s base is wide and has a marked indentation were the diameter of the pole becomes smalle...
#156 - Updated: Taking exams on Shabbos
A medical resident that is completing his residency must take an advanced trauma licensing course. The available courses at this time are offered on shabbat throughout Canada. When the course is compl...
#155 - Changing Minhagim during Sefira
I’m Askenaz but I joined a Sephardic congregation that keeps sefirah only until Lag Baomer. For the pupose of shaving for a job interview as in my previous question, could I have changed my minha...
#154 - Can one remove Tzoraas or Tzoraas like skin discolourations?
Dear Rabbi, Attending a class on the weekly portion of the Torah, this question arouse. Why are we not careful today with skin discolorations treating them with creams and other methods of removal. Wh...
#153 - Child eating Chumetz on Pesach
Dear Rabbi, What happens when my daughter under bat mitzvah age ate chametz on Pesach? Is this a sin for her or for me or it doesn’t count as a sin at all. Because she is under bat mitzvah? or ch...
#152 - Shaving during Sefira
Dear Rabbi, If someone has to attend a job interview which is highly competitive, can he shave during Sefira. Thanks....
#151 - feeding animals chometz if the pets and their food are not owned by a Jew.
I have a non Jewish neighbour who has with me a very good relationship that I’m interested to maintain. from time to time he travels overnight and he asks me to take care of his pets, a dog and s...
#150 - Laws of answering Amen
Dear Rabbi, I would like to learn about the laws of answering Amen and in what situations it should not be said. Let’s say that you wash for bread and make the bracha for washing. After...
#149 - attending a friend’s Sholom Zochor during Shloshim
May an oveil attend his best friend’s sholom zochor during shloshim?...
#148 - Bedikas Chometz on property being sold for Pesach.
We are going to spend Pesach in another town, but we may be leaving our home on the morning of erev Pesach (Friday). If we make an early mechirah of the complete house to avoid having to clean the hou...
#147 - Minimum amount of money in Canadian funds to be considered Matanos Laevyonim
What is the minimum amount of money in Canadian funds to be considered matanot laevyonim today? Thank you. 　...
#146 - Fulfilling the mitzvah of drinking on Purim through prescription drugs.
During Purim, can a patient on prescription drugs become inebriated by them and fulfill the mitzvah of drinking on Purim, since he cannot drink wine or any alcohol at all? 　...
#145 - Eating after the fast before hearing Megilah
A woman that because of her need to care for her children attends Megilah reading late at 9.00 PM, can she eat before? 　...
#144 - Listening to Torah tapes while fixing bathroom tiles.
I do occasionally home repair work. Can I work in a bathroom fixing tiles, which may take a few hours, while listening to a Torah tape? I have not yet completed my conversion to Judaism. Thanks....
#143 - If needed, can parents do the chalakah before a child turns three?
Q) If a toddler is going to be three years on chol hamoed, can his parents do the chalakah before Pesach if needed, as there are visiting family? A) There are different traditions in regards...
#142 - Wearing a Kitl during Shono Rishonoh
Q) A choson is in his shono rishoino who makes his own seider, is he permitted to wear a kittl if he wants to? A) M’kadesh Yisroel (Pesach 315) quotes Maharam Shick (O.C. 28) who endeavors ...
#141 - Mezuzahs for small rooms with counters.
As we move to new office headquarters, we have a couple of rooms where we are in doubt of the necessity for a mezuza, because of the small size of the rooms. My rough estimates: Call office: 98 sq ft...