Ask The Rabbi
Halachic questions answered by Hagaon Rav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
5,519 questions and answers
# 3924 On the Right Side of the Fence
If there is a solid Mechitza like a wooden fence high four feet surrounding a Suka for at least three sides, can one cover the rest above or next to it with a curtain that moves with the wind?...
# 3923 Count on the Coat of Paint?
Dear Rabbi. I heard that there is a spray that can be applied to cut pine trees (used for Christmas) that makes them last and look fresh longer. Could that be used ’Lehavdil’ for the Schach ...
# 3922 Keep an Eye on the Weather
Is it a mitzva to make a Suka that can withstand a ’Ruach Sheino Metzuya’ (an unusually strong wind) when that actually does come on our location from time to time, like every ten years or s...
# 3921 Just Nod - I Did and I Do
As the Rov knows from the other questions that I have asked regarding ill patients in an old age home and some, that some cannot speak. Is it proper to prepare a short Viduy of common Averot (si...
# 3920 Let's Have a Drink?
Since it is a Mitzva to eat on Erev Yom Kippur, does that include drinks also and water?...
# 3919 Just Grab a Bite?
Dear Rov. If someone has to eat during Yom Kippur and he has the option to first eat small amounts which are less that the Shiur that is set for the Biblical prohibition. But then as the day goes by h...
# 3918 You Better Confess?
If a woman does not usually daven Mincha at all, does she have to daven on Erev Yom Kippur to say Viduy?...
# 3917 The Open Secret
Kvod Harav, since Yom Kippur is also the true day of Kabalat Hatorah, as the permanent Luchot were given on that day, why is there no mention at all in all the Tefilot and Pizmonim of this Holy Day of...
# 3916 All Intents and Purposes
Does one need to have in mind to comply with the mitzva of Teshuva when reciting Viduy?...
# 3915 Listen All Now
Re- question above. Can Viduy then be said for many patients together that cannot speak?...
# 3914 Listen to Reason
Dear Rov. As you well know, I take care of elderly people in a populated old-age home. I try to help the ones that can’t attend the services and stay in their beds to make Teshuva on Yom Kippur ...
# 3913 Got So, So Many Mitzvos! How?
Dear Rov. If someone does Teshuva out of love, we know that the sins turn into mitzvos. Since this is a most important point in being successful in the Days of Judgment, I would like to know. Is that ...
# 3912 Aliya or Yerida?
In a large shul, a wealthy member bought an expensive Rosh Hashana Aliya. When he was about to be called to the Torah, he told the Gabai that he wants the Aliya to be given to his father instead. The ...
# 3911 Crime Doesn't Pay
If someone sees that the fellow davening next to him has a Machzor that was obviously stolen from a shul and tell him that he may not comply with the davening as it is a Mitzva Haba’a Beavera, (a...
# 3910 The Right Site of the Bed
Thank so much Kevod Horav for answering the difficult questions involved in the blowing of the Shofar in a large retirement home. Is it permitted for a sick old man to be brought into the shul of the ...
# 3909 Time to Learn?
Another question Rov. My family minhag has been to learn Mishanayos Rosh Hashana during the four meals of those Holy Days. However, when we have guest men and women who don’t follow the learning,...
# 3908 Watch What you Eat
Dear Rov. I know that during the Ten Yamim Noraim Days one should be more stringent in the foods one eats, including avoiding ’Pas Akum’ or bread not baked in a Jewish Bakery. Does that incl...
# 3907 Don't Lose Sleep Over This
Can one sleep when putting his head on a Shtender during Rosh Hashana afternoon, when it says one should not sleep?...
# 3906 Allow the Blow?
Can a Baal Tokea blow the Shofar for training on Erev Rosh Hashana?...
# 3905 Make the Bread to Brake
Is it correct that on the night of Rosh Hashana you are supposed to make the bracha and cut the upper Chalah? Why?...