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# 2700 Don't Feed the Animals
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Q. Every Shabbos on the last few months a squirrel shows up at the window of our house at the exact time when we make hamotzi in the day, because my kids feed it with a small piece of chalah. Is that permitted?
A. On question 2296 regarding feeding pigeons on Shabbos we wrote: "One is permitted to feed the animals he owns and he has to take care for (Talmud Shabbos 155b, O.H. 324: 11). However, even if the animals are his, if he does not have to feed them and they can usually find food for themselves as most flying birds do, it would be prohibited to feed them, as it is considered “Tircha Yeseira” (Mishna Berura ibid. 29, 31), even on Shabbos Shirah. Shulchan Aruch mentions doves in his prohibition."
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that you should not feed a wild squirrel on Shabbos.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 6/5/2020 12:08 PM |
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# 2699 Face The People
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Q. Why do Cohanim turn their back to the Aron Hakodesh when reciting their blessing to the people? Is that not an act of disrespect?
A. Talmud (Sota 38a) teaches that Birchas Cohanim should be said "ponim keneged ponim" or face to face, as when someone speaks to his friend; this is alluded by the pasuk "emor lahem," speak to them.
Maharsho (ibid.) explains that first the Cohanim turn their face towards the Aron Hakodesh, as if to ask permission from Hashem to face the people and give them the brocho, and then they turn around to face them, with Hashem's approval.
The Talmud (ibid. 40a) quotes Rabi Yitzchok saying how important the tzibur is regarded, since the Cohanim in order to face them, are allowed to turn their back to the Shechina.
Rambam (Tesh. 163) rules that there is no prohibition for the Cohanim to face the people, however if they are able to turn to one of the sides, it is better.
It is mentioned also in the name of Rabi Yitzchok Chorif and others, that since Rabenu Bachya explains that the Shechina rests on the hands of the Cohanim, (based on Medresh Shir Hashirim 2 - that the hands represent the two Kerubim inside the Kodesh Hakodoshim), so the shechina is actually with them and they are not turning their back to it.
There may be another reason for the Cohanim to turn around and face the people. Namely to bless them with the brochos that contain not only their spiritual needs, but also their material and corporal essential necessities.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 6/4/2020 3:08 PM |
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# 2698 Count your Blessings
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Q. How does one reach meah brachos (hundred blessings one should recite every day) on Yom Tov. Some of the birkas hashachar are lost due to not sleeping, plus we eat only two seudas, and it may be hard to eat so many snacks during the course of the day? What should one do?
A. On the onset one should try to add as many
brochos as he can from different foods and smells, always being
careful not to recite unnecessary brochos. (As Poskim disagree if it
is permitted to bless unnecessary brochos for the purpose of
completing the hundred brochos on Shabbos and Yom Tov; see Magen
Avrohom 215: 6, quoting the Shaloh).
Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 284: 3) rules that one should
have intention to listen to the brochos of the people being called
for an aliya to the Torah and for the Haftarah and answer amen after
them, which will count to complete the hundred brochos during
Shabbos.
Kol Bo (36) and Rokeach (319) maintain that the
recitation of Ein K'Elokenu at the end of davening that includes
twenty mentions of the name of Hashem, counts as adding twenty
brochos. (See also Sefer Meah Brochos for other considerations).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 6/2/2020 6:28 PM |
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# 2697 A Free Gift?
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Q.(See question 2696 above). Do I have to give maaser from the present?
A. Poskim disagree, most maintain that one is not obliged to give maaser from objects one has received as a gift. However, monetary gifts should be included in maaser. (Rabbenu Yonah - Sefer Hayira, Yad Halevi 2: 44, Chazon Ish - Derech Emuna 7: n. 67. Nevertheless, Mishne Halachos 12: 341 and others rule that one must give maaser even on bar mitzva or wedding presents. See question 2432 that one is exempt of giving maaser on money saved).
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that it depends on how one has accepted from the onset his minhag to give maaser. As mentioned many, times, one should always specify that his maaser is given all b'li neder.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 6/2/2020 5:50 PM |
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# 2696 Remains to be Seen
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Q. Someone gave me money for Yom Tov expenses. (He gave me more than necessary, especially since I ate out by some of the meals.) May I spend whatever is left over on other things (including future Shabbos expenses, seforim, or other things?
A. See question 2674 regarding sharing food given by parents with others, when parents object. In this case Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that it is also permitted to use the left over funds for other needed and necessary expenses.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 6/2/2020 5:42 PM |
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# 2695 Beat the Heat
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Q. Someone left on Shabbos by mistake the crock pot on high, and the cholent will likely burn out. If it has a light that shows when the heat is on, can one turn down the level of heat when it is off on Shabbos?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that even when the indicating light is off, one may still be activating electronic circuitry as it often happens with stoves, therefore, besides other considerations, the heat should not be lowered even when the light is off.
The Rov suggested simply to add more water to the pot, following the Halacha permitted procedure for doing so. Also one may place some crumpled silver foil at the bottom of the crock pot thus elevating the insert and bringing down the heat being imparted to the food.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 6/2/2020 3:08 PM |
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# 2694 Not The Same Brocho
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Q. You answered (question 2693) that a wife can recite the brachot of Elokai Neshama and Hamaavir Sheina on behalf of her husband, who didn't sleep on Shavuos night. Can she also recite the bracha for the Torah on his behalf?
A. Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 47: 14) rules that women can recite the brocho of the Torah. Biur Halocho (ad loc) quoting Beis Yosef and Mogen Avrohom, explains that since they are obliged to learn the mitzvos and halachos that pertain to them and to say korbanot as part of the tefila, they also have to recite the blessing of the Torah. Therefore he quotes the opinion of P'ri Megodim that they can also recite the brocho and be motzi men.
However, he follows by mentioning that Hagra disagrees and although he consents that they can recite the brocho, they cannot be motzi men. (A reason is given in Chidushei Hagriz, end of Suka, see also Minchas Aviv p. 52).
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that the wife should not recite the brocho of the Torah on behalf of her husband.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 5/28/2020 4:05 PM |
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# 2693 A Blessing Wife
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Q. It is likely that many will be learning and davening alone this Shavuos. (And when someone stays awake the complete night, he should not recite certain brochos. He then usually asks another person who did sleep to recite them and be motze him). Can a wife be motzi her husband with elokay neshomo and hamaavir sheino?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that it can be done, and if she slept she can recite for him these two brochos.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 5/28/2020 2:27 PM |
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# 2692 Standing for Her Husband
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Q. My husband o"h, who passed away l"a recently in the terrible pandemic, was for many years very close to his Rov, as I was too. My husband always made a point to go and visit his rebbe during Yom Tov. The Rov was also very helpful during the tragic last two month. Does a woman also have the mitzva to visit her Rebbe on Yom Tov?
A, Mishna Berura (301: 5) quotes Mogen Avrohom who rules that a woman is also obliged in the mitzva of kabbolas pnei rabo, to go and receive the masters face during Yom Tov, the same as a man is.
The reason is that the source for this mitzva is the case of the Shunamis, who went to seek Elisha. (Rosh Hashana 16: 2, and Pnei Yehoshua ibid.) and it is also not a mitzva that depends on time. He adds that she is only obliged to go, when she has permission from her husband.
See question 2691 above, that there is no obligation in our days to visit our spiritual leaders and teachers, however there is a mitzva and tradition to do so.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 5/28/2020 2:10 PM |
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# 2691 Call a Visit
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Q. Can one comply with the mitzva of Kabolas Pnei Rabo (pay a visit to our Rabbis during Yom Tov) by zoom before Yom Tov?
A. Noda Beyehuda (O. H. 2: 17) maintains that in our days, when meantime there is no aliya leregel and we do not yet observe the pilgrimage to Yerushalaim, we are also not obliged to visit our spiritual leaders and teachers, lest their honor is seen as greater than the kovod given to our Beis Hamikdosh. His view is echoed by many Poskim.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that although there is no obligation, there is an inyan or desirable tradition to do so, and it can be maintained when needed by a phone call also.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 5/28/2020 2:04 PM |
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# 2690 Better Late Than Never
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Q. (See question 2689 above). Sometimes the bachur comes late (he has an aide who brings him). What should I do if I am supposed to daven with him but he is late (I am makpid to start shemone ezre with the minyan, as otherwise it is a shaila if it is tefilla btzibbur, plus it is very distracting for me because I keep thinking, "Is he coming, is he not coming, how late will he come"? Could I just start davening on my own (if he is more than a minute late), even though now he won't have anyone to be motzi him? How long should I wait? Plus, in order to reach his place, he walks in front of people who are davening. What should be done?
A. In principle you don't have to sacrifice your own tefilah betzibur for the sake of someone else, especially if he is late. You should daven your own amida properly and then tend to the special needs of your friend and be motzi him.
You should also instruct the aide, that if he arrives once the tzibur has began their amida, they should wait until they end, to avoid walking in front of people while they are davening. You may also ask the Shaliach Tzibur , to be motze him with chazoras hashatz.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 5/28/2020 1:24 PM |
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# 2689 Praying For Someone
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Q. There is a bachur in the yeshiva who r'l had a stroke, cannot daven on his own, and someone stands next to him and davens out loud to be motzi him; I have a few questions.
What should be done to maintain social distancing?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that if he has to get close to him (less that six feet), so he can hear him without disturbing others, he should wear a mask and dress as any other caregiver or nurse would do, to avoid contamination.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 5/28/2020 1:21 PM |
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# 2688 Blessed Dreams
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Q. If someone goes to sleep for a short time on the night of Shavuos should he say the brocho of Hamapil?
A. Shaarei Teshuva, Birkei Yosef (O.H. 229: 2) and others maintain that if one goes to sleep before daybreak, the brocho of Hamapil should be recited, although some Poskim disagree, when one goes to sleep after chatzoz. (See Nitei Gavriel 17: 1).
Horav Shlomo Miller's opinion is that he should recite even if he takes a nap longer that a half an hour, before daybreak.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 5/28/2020 12:47 PM |
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# 2687 With The Best Intentions
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Q. Since due to the pandemic, it is likely that we will be learning Shavuos night alone. Can someone have the, intention that when he makes Birchas Hatorah on the morning of Erev Shavuos, not to be yotze (comply) with the brocho after Alos Hashachar (daybreak) on Shavuos morning, so he can then say a new brocho. As there will not be anyone else to be motzi him?
A. Some Poskim maintain that the above is correct (Keren Ledovid 59. Vayitzbor Yosef 50, Nitei Gavriel 8: 1).
However, Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a disagrees.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 5/28/2020 12:46 PM |
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# 2686 An Early Shave?
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Q. If someone keeps the shitas Haari (the opinion of the Arizal that one does not shave during the whole sefira period), can he shave already on Erev Shavuos after Maariv?
A. Pekudas Elozor (O.H. 493: 2) mentions that Horav Chaim Vital zt'l himself would shave on Erev Sahavuos after Maariv. However, Moed Lechol Chai (6: 7) maintains that one should not shave at night, since it is a time of din (judgment).
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that one can be lenient.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 5/28/2020 12:44 PM |
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# 2685 Pray Tell Me
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Q. Which is better(during these covid times): to daven in a street/ backyard minyan b'rov am (with social distance) or in a beis medrash (that was allowed to reopen) with a mere 10?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that if you are in a location where Rabbonim and authorities have permitted both scenarios you propose, and after complying with all recommended precautions, if you are part of the ten, preferably daven in a Beis Hamedresh.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 5/26/2020 4:55 PM |
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# 2684 Bird Watching
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Q. Do you make a brocho on shiluach haken? If yes, which; "Al Shiluach Haken" or "al mitzvas shiluach haken?" Should he recite without the name of Hashem? Do you say shecheyanu?
A. Poskim disagree as to what is the correct bracha if any to be recited.
Many Poskim rule against the opinion of the Ra'aved (Tomim Deim 179), the Rokeach (366) and Aruch Hashulchan (292: 10), and maintain that no brocho should be said at all.
Various reasons are given why we do not recite a brocho. Meiri (Megila 21b) maintains that since one is not obliged to look for a nest and he complies with the mitzva when by chance he finds one, no blessing is to be recited.
Toras Nessanel (9) explains, that the eggs may be already spoiled, (or not there yet at all), so it is a doubtful brocho that we do not recite. Binyan Tzion (14) adds that if he recites, before he can actually send away the mother bird, she may just fly away herself and the blessing will be in vain.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is similar and no brocho should be recited including Shecheyanu.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 5/26/2020 4:50 PM |
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# 2683 Sent on a Wild Goose Chase?
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Q. Are geese considered kosher birds for the mitzva of shiluach haken, even if there is no tradition to eat them?
A. Hisorerus Teshuva (4: 155) maintains that a bird that has the simanei or signs of a kosher bird (See Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 82: 3), although if there is no established tradition to eat it, we abstain from it (Rema ibid.), still one should perform the mitzva of shiluach haken as it is possibly kosher. (See similar opinion in Birkei Yosef (292: 10), Shach (ibid.14), Minchas Elozor (3: 43), and others).
Shalach Tishlach (p. 55) quotes that in such a case one should return the eggs or chicks after lifting them to the nest.
Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 5/26/2020 4:33 PM |
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# 2682 Kaddish Yes, Keddusha Yes, Kiddush No!
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Q. I heard that Horav Miller Shlit'a has changed recently his position regarding davening in shuls, what is his latest p'sak?
A. On a letter of Iyar 25, also printed in the Kolel web site Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a wrote:
"With Government restrictions regarding social gatherings slowly being lifted and minyanim organized in a lawful manner are becoming more possible, it is the responsibility of the hosts of these minyanim, to properly organize the minyan in a manner keeping the rules of social distancing. As well, it is incumbent on all individuals partaking in these minyanim to practice proper social distancing of at least 2 meters between other mispalilim and follow all other necessary practices
before, after and throughout davening to avoid any further spread of the virus. The participants may only gather for Tefila and no kiddush."
(Horav) Shlomo Miller
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Posted 5/22/2020 1:37 PM |
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Posted 5/22/2020 12:45 PM |
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Important Numbers
