Ask The Rabbi
Halachic questions answered by Hagaon Rav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
5,519 questions and answers
# 3904 Collecting Thoughts on Collection Times
Does a woman have to make her own Pruzbul at the end of the Shemita year?...
# 3903 Choosing the Rosh Hashana Best
Dear Rabbi; I have an option of davening in a shul where they have an excellent Baal Tokea, (Blower of the Shofar) that follows all the dikdukim, halachos and kavanot (Halacha details and intentions) ...
# 3902 A Real Sound Problem
As we spoke by phone, I blow the Shofar for a large group of members of a retirement home that tries to serve the religious needs of a mixed group where only about 20% are orthodox. In the floors wher...
# 3901 Late Disposal of Sins?
Due to the length of the davening during Rosh Hashana, the time needed for a seuda with family and guest and the long walk to the water source, is it possible to recite Tashlich immediately after Musa...
# 3900 Go With the Crowd?
When someone is blowing Shofar for a patient at a retirement home, is it preferable to gather a minyan for this mitzva?...
# 3899 Let's Get a Real Sharp Mind!
Dear Rabbi. Can people who much enjoy eating jalapeno (chili) peppers, can they add them to the list of fruits and vegetables one eats on Rosh Hashana and says a Yehi Ratzon on them? I this case it ma...
# 3898 Hazoom Es Hakol?
Can a patient in the hospital during Selichot, zoom a minyan and repeat with them the Thirteen Midot usually said only with a Minyan present?...
# 3897 Strange Sounds
I have recently heard a Baal Tokea before blowing the Shofar during Elul, blow air into the Shofar without making a sound, (I have seen something similar some years ago). Is that necessary or even rec...
# 3896 Not Over One's Head
Since one is to blow the Shofar when the wide opening is facing up, if in a particular case it faces sideways, does the Baal Tokea have to incline his head to comply with the above....
# 3895 Doing Too Much?
Kvod Harav, I heard that there may be an issue when davening Maariv before the Z’man (night) since one has to repeat the Shema after it becomes proper night, one may transgress the prohibition of...
# 3894 Let's Give Him a Hand
Can someone who has an artificial hand blow Shofar on Rosh Hashana holding on to the Shofar with that hand....
# 3893 Free Night Delivery
My Dear Rov Shlit’a. As you well know I’m trying to be the very best Baal Tokea possible in all ways. I would like to know if I can bring the Shofar to shul on the first night Rosh Hashana a...
# 3892 In Heaven's Name
Kevod Horav. Is it correct that on Rosh Hashana night meal, when we eat the special symbolic foods and recite the customary ’Yehi Ratzons’, if one has the minhag to say them with Hashem’...
# 3891 Don't Blow it!
Dear Rabbi. An aged patient in an old age home, that constantly wear diapers and is most of the time wet. can one blow shofar for him when in such a condition?...
# 3890 Shofar Not So Good
Can one use on Rosh Hashana a Shofar that belongs to a friend without permission these days?...
# 3889 Memorial Tribute
Can one attend a memorial ceremony done in an Orthodox shul in memory and honor of Queen Elizabeth II?...
# 3888 Hashem Save the Queen
See question above. Is it correct to recite in shul the Tefila composed by the Chief Rabbi of Great Britain Rav Mirvis on the death of the queen?...
# 3887 Patriot's Pray?
Why is it that in our days few Minyanim pray for the peace and welfare of the land we are in, when it was customary to recite such a Tefila on Shabbat in the past?...
# 3886 Cover All Bases
What kind of Schach cover for a Suka is best. Hollow single bamboo poles, Badatz Schach mats, or pine branches?...
# 3885 No Free Ride?
I have been a Baal Tefilah for many years during Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur for free. I recently heard that it may be better to be paid something for the service, is that true?...