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Have a question? Send it in! Questions are answered by Rabbi Bartfeld.
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# 3106 Hear This Well
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Q. Shalom U'Bracha Kevod HaRav! What's the Halacha about wearing hearing aids on Shabbos? And next week that Shabbos is Erev Pesach -The batteries don't last long, how can the person who wears it read and explain the Hagada if one can hardly hear?
A. On question 1126 regarding hearing aids on Shabbos we wrote: "Igrois Moishe (O.H. 4: 85) permits the use of a hearing aid, since in reality the melocho is not done by the hard of hearing, but by the one who addresses him, and he is “eino mechaven” (does it without intention). Igrois Moishe maintains that it is not an unavoidable melocho (psik reisha), prohibited also when done without intention, since the hard of hearing may not even be listening.
Shemiras Shabbos Kechichoso (34: 28), quoting Minchas Shlomo, permits using a hearing devise when it was left on before Shabbos. He also permits adjusting the volume when necessary.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that when possible it should be done with a shinui or using an unusual way for accomplishing the task, such as the back of the finger or the knuckles."
If the hearing aid uses replaceable batteries, depending on their size, they can last from three days to a month. Therefore, when needed they should be replaced before Shabbos followed by Yom Tov.
Rechargeable hearing aids with a full charge, can at the best last up to about 25 hours of use.
The Rov, in case of great need would permit to recharge on the second day Yom Tov, with a shinui (unusual way of connecting it) or asking a Gentile to do it.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 3/26/2021 1:07 AM |
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# 3105 HaZoom es Hakol?
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Q. Our elderly and ill grand mother is hospitalized and alone, since the family is not allowed to visit her. She is very distressed since this is the first year she will not be in the seder with her children and grandchildren. Can we zoom a seder for her at least on Yom Tov Sheni? That would be of great help, even in the first days, since she knows she will be able to share with her dear family on the second seder.
A. See question 2325 regarding the use of a voice baby monitor or room intercom, if it was left on before Shabbos began, and question 3014 on a husband with a chronically ill wife mostly restricted to bed, using a monitor similar to what Hatzala uses, that he will leave on before Shabbat begins and like them carry it to shul. "Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that in need, it is best to leave the monitor turned on before Shabbos, on the table in shul where he seats. It should be kept on at a very low tone, that only the husband can hear, when without touching it directly, he leans and comes close to it. He can then communicate with his wife, without others listening so there is no real Hashmoas Kol."
On question 826 regarding a Bris Mila done on Shabbos, when the security camera on the entrance to the hall was left on, if the family now want to use the recording to keep a memento of the occasion, we wrote: "A similar question is found in Chasukei Chemed (Shabbos 149a) where a permitted security recording was done in the hospital where the oifruff for a hospitalized chosson took place. Horav Zilberstein Shlit”a ruled not to allow the use the recording for a personal or a family souvenir of the event. If from the onset, one has the intention of leaving the video equipment on for both uses, recording on Shabbos would be prohibited.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is similar, the reason being that it constitutes an act of zilzul or disregard for the holiness of Shabbos and opens a gate of opportunity for others to arrange the filming of events and simchos on Shabbos."
Similarly, regarding zooming on Shabbos, Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that it should totally be avoided, as it opens the door to all kinds of open Chilul Shabbos.
However, regarding our question, the Rov maintains that in case of great need and suffering, one can be lenient on Yom Tov Sheni and the Second Seder, when a timer is used to turn on the zooming equipment and a Gentile caregiver takes care of the monitor at the grandmothers end.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 3/26/2021 1:01 AM |
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# 3104 Muktze Matza?
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Q. This year's Shabbos Erev Pesach, one may not touch the Matza Shemura since one can not eat it. So how can one make the eruv for carrying beginning on this Shabbos that is placed for a Shabbos that it can't be used?
A. Indeed Pri Megodim (E'A 308: 10 and 444: 1) rules that Matza on this Shabbos is muktza. machmas chissaron kis. since the matza can easily break (This is a kind of muktza usually intended for items that are expensive or fragile, and because of the possible loss involved, one abstains from using them)
However, as Yalkut Yosef (Erev Pesach on Shabbat 444: 25) maintains that it only applies to Matza Shemura that one uses for the seder and not to regular matza that one can give children. See also Beer Moshe (8: 71) who is likewise lenient.
Therefore, one may use for the Eruv, matza not set aside for consuming during the Pesach seder.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 3/26/2021 12:50 AM |
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# 3103 Pesach Dishes for Shabbos Use?
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Q. I heard that during every regular Shabbat the utensils set aside for Pesach use are muktza.
If one bought new utensils for Pesach and decides to use the old ones on Shabbat a week before Pesach, for chametz purposes, can he use them then since at the beginning of Shabbat they were already muktza?
A. Poskim disagree if Pesach utensils are muktza on a regular Shabbos; RS"Z Auerbach zt'l (Minchas Shlomo 2: 31: 2) is lenient. However, Shevus Yitzchok (Muktza 1: p. 10) quotes Horav Eliashiv zt'l to be stringent and he considers them to be muktza machmas chisaron kis. (a kind of muktza usually intended for items that are expensive or fragile, and because of the possible loss, one abstains from using them)
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that when needed for use during Shabbos they could be used.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 3/26/2021 12:42 AM |
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# 3102 Facing the Face Shields
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Q. Can one use during Pesach the plastic full face shields that one wears duacing the Face Shieldsring the year?
A. Since the shield cannot be used when eating, even if sometimes it was placed on a table where food was served, if it is washed properly, in principle it can be reused.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 3/26/2021 12:31 AM |
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# 3101 Under the Sanitizer Influence ?
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Q. Can one use during Pesach the hand sanitizer usually available in the shul that contains Ethyl Alcohol?
A. On question 2622 published a year ago regarding if one can one use during Pesach sanitizers that contain alcohol, that could be chometz, we wrote: "The alcohol-based versions of the commercially available sanitizers typically contain some combination of isopropyl alcohol, ethanol (ethyl alcohol), or n-propanol which are usually not chometz. Even the ethanol is most likely corn alcohol.
Therefore, Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion, as expressed during the Shabbos Hagadol drosho, that during this difficult pandemic days, one can and should use those sanitizers."
Regarding sanitizers that use only (70%) Ethyl Alcohol that are widespread popular this year, Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that due to the circumstances, in need one is allowed to use it.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 3/26/2021 12:25 AM |
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# 3100 What Does it All Amount To?
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Q. If one has digestive problems and resulting inflammation that is debilitating, and (during the seder) it affects the ability to serve the meal to the rest of the family and guests, does one have to eat the full shiur of matza each time during the seder to fulfill the mitzva?
A. On a similar question 2124 we wrote: "Normally Poskim recommend for matza are at least approximately 27 or 28 cubic centimeters according to Rav Chaim Noeh. (Shiurei Torah p. 191, 193. However, 28.8 cubic centimeters is mentioned preferable. About 13.5 - 15 gm.). According to Horav Moshe Feinstein zt’l the amount is 44.3 cubic centimeters. (Kol Dodi, p. 60).
In regards to an elderly or ill individual, Horav Shlomo Miller’s opinion recommends half an ounce or 14.8 c.c. or about 14.2 gm.
The Rov added that if the matza is to be dampened with water to make it softer and more digestible, it should maintain its tzuras hapas or basic form and structure."
In your case you may use the smaller shiur of dampened matza. If possible two kezaisim for Motzi Matza and one for Afikomem. If not at least one for Motzi Matza.
See also question 2137 regarding one who is lo alenu sick with a digestive system disease, and often gets nauseous, or in need to vomit and finds it hard to eat. If he eats a kezais of matza at that time, he may not comply with the mitzva, as is it maybe seen as eating an achila gassa or overeating a meal. He may need to wait until better and repeat.
We answered that if following the above advise does not help much, Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that if the patient was still able to swallow the matza even when nauseous, he complies after the fact in a case of need.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 3/21/2021 5:45 PM |
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# 3099 A Juicy Meal?
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Q. Can one drink a reviis of grape juice for a bemakom seuda need on Shabbos or only wine? (Consumption of an extra reviis wine is considered in Halacha as having eaten a meal).
A. See question above, where we asserted that grape juice when in need, has practically all the attributes of wine.
On question 2617 regarding a frum physician working in a hospital during Seder night that will only be able to come home after 11.00 PM, we wrote: Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that you should take with you to the hospital a bottle of grape juice and at the proper time recite kiddush of Yom Tov and drink a second extra cup of juice, so it will be considered bemakom seuda or in the place of eating a meal. You should have in mind that this cup will be the first of the four cups of wine that one has to drink during the seder night. When you go home, you may join your family and drink the remaining three cups.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 3/21/2021 5:09 PM |
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# 3098 The Matter of the Juice
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Q. Does the bracha on grape juice include other beverages, or only wine?
A. Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 272: 2) rules that one can squeeze a cluster of grapes and recite on the product Kiddush. Mishna Berura (ibid. 6) adds that even if it was just squeezed before the beginning of Shabbos it is considered wine. Although, proper fermented wine is preferred on the onset for Kiddush and the Four Cups at the Seder, many Poskim permit grape juice when in need. The above permitted uses apply to natural grape juice. Reconstituted grape juice has other Halacha limitations.
See also Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 202: 1) for a similar ruling.
It follows, that just as when blessing the brocho on wine it includes all other beverages and drinks to be consumed (ibid.), so does the blessing on grape juice.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 3/21/2021 5:06 PM |
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# 3097 Accounting for Tastes?
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Q. Can someone that was affected by Covid and l'a lost his sense of taste, eat on Pesach Seder maror (bitter herbs) with a bracha?
A. Talmud Pesachim (115b) teaches that if someone swallows maror (without chewing it first) he does not comply with the mitzva. Rashbam explains that the reason of the mitzva is to feel the bitterness of the product and remember our suffering in Mitzrayim.
However. Poskim debate whether feeling the flavor is indeed essential even after the fact, They compare it to the eating of the maror sandwiched by the matza during the mizva of Korech, that does not seem to avert the mitzva, even when the taste of the maror will be diminished.
Chashukei Chemed (Pesachim 114a) is lenient and permits a brocho for someone who cannot taste the maror.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that he should at least have a bit of feeling. (This may be achieved by eating horseradish for maror)
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 3/18/2021 10:14 PM |
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# 3096 No Skin of One's Teeth
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Q. How does one clean his teeth on Shabbat this year when Erev Pesach is Shabbat?
A. One can rinse one's mouth and use Kosher Lepesach mouthwash and a floss pick or similar, being careful not to draw any blood. As mentioned in a question above, one may also use a soft dry toothbrush without any paste at all.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 3/18/2021 10:09 PM |
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# 3095 A Soft Sell?
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Q. Can you zoom mechiras chometz or sell it on line? How does one do then the Kinyan?
A. Poskim, in our contagious pandemic days, permit and many suggest to do it on line or by fax.
No kinyan (acquisitive act) is actually needed when just naming a Shaliach or agent to act on one's behalf. The kinyan will be done by the Shaliach, usually the Rabbi, when he sells it to the Gentile.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 3/18/2021 10:01 PM |
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# 3094 Feels on Meals
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Q. I have some questions about the meals of Erev Pesach. Both my husband and I must have breakfast before the tefillah because health issues. We consider breakfast our second Shabbat meal, and lunch would be Seudat shlishit. I was thinking this Erev Pesach to make breakfast as always with pita, bentch, wait an hour, while davening shacharit. then wash hands again, make hamotzi with pita then say Birkat Hamazom. We would continue with the parasha and musaf. then, at lunch time eat the rest of the food without bread. Would this be OK?
A. One should not eat a meal before reciting Shema and the Tefila, whether on Shabbos or weekdays. If someone has health issues, one may eat cereals, hard boiled eggs, fruits or salads and similar before the Tefila, but not bread or mezonos.
On this year when Erev Pesach, coincides with Shabbos, one should daven very early including Mussaf, preferably with the Netz or sunrise. Then proceed with kiddush and washing on challa or pita and eating the first part of the meal, such as eating the fish or similar. This should be followed by benching. You may indeed, read the Parsha, to separate between the meals, or walk outside, while being careful to wash again and eat the second meal that may include the cholent or meat, when chometz is still allowed. Since this is the second bread meal of the day, it would be considered Shalosh Seudos.
Later on the afternoon, when needed. one may eat a lesser meal of Pesach food without eating any matza or similar, which is then not permitted, and just about enough to still be able to eat with appetite at the Seder when Yom Tov begins.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 3/18/2021 9:55 PM |
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# 3093 In Deep Water?
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Q. Is it permissible to use regular bottled, filtered water for "mayim shelonu" to be mixed with the flour to make the matzah?
A. Shulchan Aruch (O.H 455: 1) based on Talmud (Pesachim 42a) rules that the water used in matza baking must be left to stand overnight (to ensure that it is allowed to cool). This water is then referred to as mayim shelanu (water which has “slept overnight”).
Although. there are different traditions regarding the who and how of the collecting of the water to be used, in principle as long as it was contained in a cool environment overnight, one may use them.
There are also Poskim that maintain restrictions as to the container the water was kept, such as metal utensils like steel or copper (Mishna Berura 455: 25, Kaf Hachaim ibid 55), and prefer the use of new and clean earthenware containers. However, they usually permit clean and new plastic containers kept protected from the sun. (Matzas Mitzva 6: 51. Piskei Teshuvos 455: n.14).
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is similar
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 3/18/2021 9:42 PM |
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# 3092 Thank You for Not Sharing
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Q. When staying in an apartment with a non-religious roommate, does one need to tell him to throw out (or keep separately) his chametz during Pesach, or may one allow him to store his chametz in the shared refrigerator, such as on a separate shelf?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that you should definite try to have your irreligious roommate observe at least inside the apartment you share the prohibitions of chometz, even if it means to compensate him with a gift.
If that is not possible, and yo need to stay in the apartment, try you best not to use the shared refrigerator, since some chometz particles may drop into your shelf.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 3/15/2021 4:36 PM |
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# 3091 An Early Start Solution
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Q. A few weeks ago in our morning minyan, the 10th man, fairly young, walked out of the minyan to the uproar of our daveners, some of whom are saying kaddish.
He was coaxed back in and explained almost tearfully that he can't keep up with the minyan and therefore misses out on Shma, and the repetition of Shomneh Esrei.
He has since quieted down and I was wondering if he couldn't daven Korbonos at home and then come to shul and continue and by the time he reaches Shma or Shmoneh Esrei he would be in sync with the minyan. Is that a plausible solution to his problem?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a indeed agrees that he should say Korbonos at home or in shul before davening, or even after davening if needed. The minyan leaders should explain or have a Rov he listens to make clear the importance and great reward for maintaining an ongoing and necessary minyan.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 3/15/2021 3:58 PM |
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# 3090 Selling Point
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Q. We have organized in the last year a new shul, and this is the first time that we will be selling chometz. The shul has a significant amount of donated chometz liquor that we are selling. Although we are a registered charity and we have a president and treasurer, we are not sure who is in Halacha the one in charge of selling the chometz. What is Horav Shlomo Miller's opinion?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that both the president and the treasurer should sign. And if there are others else who may also be in charge of the monetary affairs of the shul, they should sign also. As the shul develops and the positions, duties and responsibilities of the shul's directives becomes more clear and established, the one in charge of the selling of the chometz will become clear.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 3/15/2021 3:44 PM |
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# 3089 Lose or Win One's Shirt?
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Q. Regarding what it says in the Mishna Berura not to wear the same clothing (shirt) multiple Shabbosim in a row due to Ezra Hasofer takana, may one be lenient if the shirt is still clean, or is it necessary to have one's Shabbos shirt cleaned and pressed every week for Shabbos?
A. Indeed Mishna Berura (262: 5) rules that one should not wear during Shabbos what he wore during the week including his shirt. Takonas Ezra (Baba Kama 82a) states that we should wash our clothing on Thursday to be used during Shabbos.
Ohr Letzion (2: 16: 2) rules that suits and dresses don't have to be cleaned every week, since the don't usually get soiled in one wear.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that one should change his shirt to honor Shabbos.
See question 2225 in regard to wearing bigdei Shabbos for a date or job interview, or other cases of need.
See also question 1765 addressing one traveling, if he has to take with, both his Shabbos and weekday taalis, or if one is medakdek to use special Shabbos shoes, can he be lenient when traveling, we wrote; “From Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 262: 3), Mishna Berura and other Poskim it appears that there are two distinct opinions as to how to comply with the obligation to wear special and dedicated clothing in honor of Shabbos.
Halachikally, it suffices if the suit and hat are used only for Shabbos, while inner garments including shirts, as long as they were washed for Shabbos, that already makes them special and dedicated. Shoes are similar, and they should be shined or cleaned. (Rav Poalim 4: 13, Yisodei Yeshurun p. 26, et. al.).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 3/14/2021 4:07 PM |
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# 3088 Same Again
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Q. I f a person knows that he was exposed to the Corona virus for a brief time, is he obligated to immediately stop attending shul, or may he continue attending shul since there are many doubts involved (whether he has it, and whether he is contagious)?
A, See question (3087) above. Basically the same procedure should apply in this case.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a.
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Posted 3/14/2021 3:42 PM |
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# 3087 Informing or Inculpating?
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Q. If one suspects that a certain person has corona (such as the person is coughing or appears to have a hard time breathing), is one obligated to immediately inform the Rav or Rosh Yeshiva and have that person banned?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that the responsible and competent Rov, Mashgiach or Rosh Yeshiva or when not available, the familiar medical authority that is familiar with the individual and his situation, should be contacted discreetly. They should counsel and direct the necessary procedure to be followed.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 3/14/2021 3:34 PM |
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Important Numbers
