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# 1876 Major Minor Shaila
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Q. Can a minor read the Torah when he is given an aliya on Simchas Torah (just that portion)?
A. Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 282: 2) rules that you can call to the reading of the Torah many olyim, even if one repeats what the other one already read and is allowed to recite a brocho on it. Remoh (ibid.) maintains that in our countries the minhag is to do so only on Simchas Torah. On the next seif (3) the Mechaver adds that a minor who understands the meaning of the blessing, may also be called.
Therefore, Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that once the reading of the Torah has been correctly done and the attending mispalelim have complied with the mitzva of listening to the Torah reading, a minor can be summoned to repeat and read the Torah again if he is capable.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 10/5/2018 3:24 PM |
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# 1875 Bye Honey?
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Q. Do you still use honey on the hamotzi on Shabbos Bereishis?
A. There are different minhagim. Piskei Teshuvos (583: n.32) writes that some dip in honey on Shabbos Bereishis also, and avoid eating bitter foods and nuts.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that it is not the common minhag by us.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 10/5/2018 11:58 AM |
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# 1874 Five Strikes and Out?
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Q. I have seen often people striking the ground with the arovos on Hoshana Rabba until most or all the leafs are gone, and creating a great mess in the shul or at home is that correct.
A. Mishna Berura (664: 19) quotes Arizal that one should strike the hoshanos five times on the ground followed by hitting on utensils to remove some of the leafs; not all leafs need to be removed.
Bikurei Yaakov asserts that one should hit the arava with might and indeed remove leaffs as this is a symbol to the end of the severity of the days of din and judgment.
However, Chaye Adam (153: 3) mentions that the removal of all leafs is customary by children complying with the mitzva. Mekor Chaim claims it is the minhag of the uneducated and boors.
Piskei Teshuvos (ibid. 5) further explains that the opinion of the Arizal is that none of the leafs should be removed, on the contrary, the aravos should be maintained as kosher as the ones on the lulav, with their leafs on. He adds that according to the Arizal the hoshanos should only be struck on the ground five times. The above is echoed by Kaf Hachaim (ibid. 37), Pri Megodim, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (138: 3) and others.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that one should follow the minhogim of his family and congregation. However, the Rov advises to collect all leafs, if any were left on the ground and not to step on themas it constitutes bizui or desecration of a mitzva. (See Shharei Tzion ibid. 2).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 9/30/2018 5:00 PM |
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# 1873 Landing Permit
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Q. Is there a source for throwing the arovos after being used on top of the aron hakodesh?
A. Malbushei Yom Tov (on Levush 664: 1), Maharsham (4: 53), Netzotzei Zohar (Parshas Tzav), Bikurei Yaakov (664: 16) and others quote this minhag.
Nitei Gavriel (Sukkos 79: 7) understands that they mean to throw them on top of the aron hakodesh. He also quotes Darkei Chaim Veshalom that on the contrary averts not to place them there. He mentions that the Chabad tradition is to place them on a chair. However, he also mentions that many of the Chassidic groups do place them on top of the aron hakodesh.
Moadim Uzmanim (2: 131) writes as a support to this tradition, the fact that in the Beis Hamikdosh the arovos were placed vertically leaning on the mizbeach and the aron hakodesh represents symbolically the altar.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that one should follow the minhogim of his family and congregation.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 9/30/2018 4:55 PM |
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# 1872 Tied in Knots about Hoshanos?
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Q. Is it correct to tie the aravos branches for the hoshaanos for Hoshana Rabba with rubber bands or red string? Do they have to be tied at all?
A. Mishna Berura (664: 17) mentions that some maintain the branches do not have to be tied, however Remaz disagrees and rules they should be tied and that is our minhag. Magen Avrohom (ibid. 4) debates whether it is correct to tie them with leaves of an unused lulav, since something done for the purpose of beautifying the object does not constitute a chatzitza. However, Pri Megodim opines that this may apply only to the mitzva of lulav since there is a mitzva to have it tied to the other minim, but not to the arovos and it may thus constitute a chatzitza. Therefore, he and others suggest to tie them with ties made out of the aravos branches themselves.
Piskei Teshuvos (664: 4) writes that the minhag is to tie them with lulav leaves or with other means and keep the tie high so one can hold the branches bellow it. He mentions that the minhag of the Steipler Gaon zt'l was to tie them with a string or a rubber band and hold the branches bellow the tie.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 9/30/2018 4:40 PM |
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# 1871 Fiddle with the Simcha
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Q. Is it better not to play musical instruments during a simchat bet hashoeva since it is done on chol hamoed?
A. Although, some Poskim are stringent in regards to playing musical instruments on Chol Hamoed (Shaar Efraim 40, quoted by Beer Heitev 534: 5), however, many Poskim are lenient as Shaarei Teshuva (ibid. 5) mentions in the name of Shvus Yaakov (1: 25), Shoel Umoshev (5: 3) and others.
Minchas Elozor (1: 29) writes that the minhag of Geonoim and Kedoshim was to play instruments during the simchas beis hashoeva, See similar in Otzer Haposkim (661: 2).
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is to be lenient.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 9/30/2018 4:29 PM |
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# 1870 An answer to Blowing in the Wind
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Q. In regards to schach being blown off the sukka by an uncommon wind, (see above question), what is considered a ruach sheino metzuya or uncommon wind? does it have to happen at least after a span of thirty days? How many times a year does it have to blow?
A. The Rov defines, ruach sheino metzuyo, not as a factor of how many time a year it occurs, but rather as the surprise and astonishment it creates on those who witness it unusual strength and unique damage it creates.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 9/28/2018 1:18 PM |
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# 1869 Will It Fly?
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Q. Is one allowed to fasten the schach mats with plastic zip-ties to the wood cross beams supporting them as a precaution they don't fly of with unusual strong winds (ruach sheino metzuya)?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shit'a opinion is that if the mats can stand by themselves and not be blown by a common wind they can be tied since they are actually normally supported only by the wooden beams. The Rov recommends as is, to better use natural hemp twine, the leafs of an unused lulav or similar, that could in principle be used as schach, and not synthetic string or plastic zip-ties.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 9/28/2018 1:16 PM |
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# 1868 Parents or Children
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Q. If one has a small sukka and can only include in it his children or his parents, who should he choose?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that his parents are first, due to the mitzva of kivud and honor due to them. His children, should eat a bit later or before and thus comply with the mitzva of sukka.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 9/28/2018 1:09 PM |
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# 1867 Leading Lights
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Q. What is the reason and the source for the tradition kept by some to light candles at the simchas beis hashoeva?
A. Kaf Hachaim (643: 9) quotes the tradition of lighting candles at the simchas beis hashoeva and explains that they are lit in honor of the seven Holy Ushpizin that guide the Yom Tov, and therefore we light that number. See also Nitei Gavriel (72: 11).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 9/28/2018 12:31 PM |
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# 1866 An Eye on the Hurricane
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Q. Can I dismantle my Sukka on Chol Hamoed since I will be leaving town before the last days of Sukkos. I am afraid that if it remains it might cause damage to my property or adjacent properties, since I live in Florida, and it is the hurricane season.
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that it is permitted since it involves the type of melacha that when not done on Chol Hamoed, it would cause a loss. To avoid being pained and thus neglect the mitzva of simchas Yom Tov, the Sages permitted it. However,
the Rov recommends one should ask a friend to do it after Sukkos. If
that is not an option, in need he can have a Gentile dismantle it on
Chol Hamoed. (See Shulchan Aruch O.H. 537 and 538)..
Rabbi A, Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 9/28/2018 12:20 PM |
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# 1865 Trail his Coat
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Q. I have in my home a coat that does not belong to me. I must have picked it up by mistake about five years ago from a shul or another public place, that I can't remember. The coat is common without any unusual marks. What is the proper way to deal with the coat?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that you should store it in a safe and protected place until Eliahu Hanavi arrives, and you have the opportunity to consult him as to who the owner is. You should also asses and record its value. (See Bava Metzia 20a, 37a, Shulchan Aruch C.M. 65, et. al.)
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 9/25/2018 9:25 PM |
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# 1864 Eat Away
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Q. What if one didn't have in mind the mitzva while eating on Erev Yom Kippur, does he comply? If he overate it it still a mitzva?
A. According to the opinions that it is a Biblical mitzva (Mishna Berura 604: 1, quoting Magen Avraham) one should indeed have a mitzva intention in order to comply with it. However, Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that after the fact one may still comply, due to the eating being linked to the fasting on Yom Kippur, which is prohibited even without intention.
The Rov maintains that if one overate to the point of being considered an "achila gassa," whatever was eaten after reaching that point, may indeed be of no value regarding this mitzva.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 9/21/2018 1:55 PM |
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# 1863 Amounts To Something
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Q. Is there a shiur or amount of food that one should eat in order to comply with the mitzva of eating on Erev Yom Kippur? If not, should one keep on eating small amounts during the day or suck a candy to extend the compliance on this mitzva? Is drinking included?
A. Minchas Chinuch (313: 16) maintains that one complies with this mitzva only if he eats the amount of a koseves hagassa (A type of date, slightly less than a beitza or egg, Shulchan Aruch 612:1, or about 44 ml.) which is the prohibitive shiur of eating on Yom Kippur.
However, some Poskim write that the minhag is to eat also small amounts often, since one also complies eating small amounts (Ksav Sofer 114, Piskei Teshuvos 604: 2).
Drinking is also included (Mogen Avrohom and others, Mishna Berura 604: 1). I
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is similar in regards to the shiurim, but the Rov disagrees with the minhag some have of eating small amounts of food throughout the day.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 9/20/2018 12:37 PM |
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# 1862 Hashem's Gift to Women?
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Q. Since eating on Erev Yom Kippur is a mitzva that is time sensitive, should the wife join her husband also at the late supper? (See question 1861 above.)
A. Poskim disagree if women are also included in this mitzva, since it is indeed time sensitive and that should exempt them. However, maybe due to it being linked to the fasting on Yom Kippur and since women do have to fast they should also take part in the mitzva to eat. Many Poskim seem to agree that women are subject to this mitzva. (Teshuvos R'A. Eiger 16, Hochmas Shlomo on siman 604, Ksav Sofer 112, Rashash Suka 28b, Sdei Chemed - Yom Kippur 1: 5, et. al.).
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that women should indeed include themselves in the mitzva.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 9/20/2018 12:35 PM |
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# 1861 A Late Supper
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Q. Should one wait to eat supper on the eve of Erev Yom Kippur until night, so he can comply with the mitzva of eating on that day?
A. Shulchan Aruch and Mishna Berura (O.H. 604:1) write that it is a Biblical mitzva to eat on Erev Yom Kippur. However, Poskim disagree whether it starts at night (Sheloh as quoted by Magen Avrohom ibid., Eishel Avrohom), or it begins only in the morning (Biur Hagra and Yad Efraim, ibid.).
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that it is not necessary to wait until night,
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 9/20/2018 12:31 PM |
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# 1860 Break Bread?
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Q. (See prior question 1959). Is there any prohibition of pas yisroel when it comes to wheat flour based cereals?
A. The gezeira of pas akum applies only to to bread products containing one or more of the five major grains: wheat, barley, oats, spelt or rye, that have the form of bread or tzuras hapas. (Shulchan Aruch, and main commentaries Y. D.112). Corn and Rice Cereals are, by definition, not bread items.
There are different opinions of contemporary Poskim in regards to Cheerios and the like; many are lenient.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is also to be meikil.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 9/18/2018 5:10 PM |
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# 1859 The Staff of Life
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Q. Is one obligated to eat only pas yisroel (bread baked in a Jewish bakery; as opposed to kosher bread baked anywhere) during the aseres yemei teshuvah? What happens when someone must travel?
A. Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 603: 1) rules that during the Asseres Yemei Teshuvah, due to the unique status of these days, and to beseech Hashem to judge us with rachamin and compassion, everyone should be careful to eat only pas yisroel. From the wording of the Shulchan Aruch and Mishnah Berurah (ibid. 1), it seems that it is a requirement. Nachalas Shivah (72) also mentions that is an obligation. However, Chayei Adam 143:1 and Aruch Ha-Shulchan, maintain that it is only the correct thing to do.
When no pas yisroel available, Shulchan Aruch (112: 8) quotes different opinions if one is allowed to eat pas paltar. Mishna Berura (ibid.) rules that If pas yisroel is available within a "mechalech mil" (a walk or in our days a drive of about 18 minutes from one’s home), one should drive there and purchase it. If pas yisrael is not available within that distance, one should bake his own bread or assist a non-Jew in the baking process. If one is on the road, he should travel ahead another four milin or 72 minutes in order to obtain pas yisrael. If pas yisrael is not available within those distances and one cannot bake his own bread, then he may eat pas palter See Chochmas Adam 65:4; Pischei Teshuvah Y.D. 112:; Mishnah Berurah 603:1; Beiur Halachah 163:1; Aruch ha-Shulchan Y.D. 112:18.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that it is only the correct thing to do.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 9/18/2018 5:07 PM |
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# 1858 A Teshuva on Teshuva
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Q. Dear Rabbi
When considering complying with the mitzva of teshuva, is it better to choose a relative small but constant mitzva that one can mend and keep at all times. (Such as learning Torah and keeping shiurim). Or is it better to pick an important and very meaningful mitzva, that one may only be able to do maybe once a year? (Such as helping a family in economic strain to find the right parnassa). If both can't be done, on which should one concentrate?
A. Our Sages debate in a number of places which is greater, Talmud Torah or performing mitzvos. (See Kidushin 40b, Bava Kama 17a, Megilah 3a & 16b, et. al.).
Rambam (Hilchos Talmud Torah 3: 3) rules that; There is no Mitzva equal to Talmud Torah. Rather, Talmud Torah is equal to all the Mitzvos, because learning leads to fulfilling. Therefore, learning always comes before fulfilling.
Shulchan Aruch (Y.D. 246:18): maintains that Talmud Torah is equal to all the Mitzvos. If one has an opportunity to do a Mitzvah or learn Torah, if someone else can do the Mitzva he should not cease learning. If not, he should do the Mitzva and resume learning.
Therefore, Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that he should try as much as possible to find the right balance to be able to accomplish both. Since there are many variables to each situation, and conditions change, he should consult continuously with a competent Rabbi, to be able to do so succesfully.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 9/17/2018 10:51 PM |
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# 1857 A King of Questions
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Q. We say and repeat Hamelech in the tefilos and end of brochos of Rosh Hashono, because Hashem being King implies the strictness of judgment on that day. Why then is Hamelech equally said on Yom Kippur, when the day is all about rachamim and compassion?
A. Our Sages (see Sheloh -Shoftim 101: 1, Michtav M'Eliyahu 4: p. 78 and others) point out that there are two basic systems of imparting justice in the Torah. Firstly is the common usual set of mishpotim and laws given to the Sanhedrin and all other Batei Din. They are bound by the restrictions of the Torah and have to follow to the letter of the law.
The second is the rule of the king, who is given the authority to impart justice according to the circumstances he reasons and understands to be necessary in each situation.
As the posuk (Tehilim 122: 5) mentions: "For there were set thrones for judgment, thrones for the house of David." Namely two sets of thrones, since the king is able to be "poretz geder" or breach through boundaries. (Sanhedrin 20b). Therefore, King David was able to sentence someone to death just for stealing from a poor neighbor (Shemuel 2: ch. 12 ) or saving the life of a murderer in the case of the widow of Tekoa (Shemuel 2: ch. 14).
Similarly, we find that Hashem acts like a King saving the lives of the guilty and undeserving. An example is the acceptance of the teshuva of King Menashe, when the midas hadin and the Celestial Court refused that he be accepted, but Hashem created a tunnel under His throne and accepted him. (Sanhedrin 103a, Yerushalmi ibid., Midrash Ruth 5).
Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a explained that during the Yemei Ratzon, we invoke and appeal to the justice of Hashem as a King of rachamim and compassion, since we sadly understand the calamity and misfortune of being judged by the system of common Din.
The Rov also pointed out that the word Melech or king is composed of the terms "mah" and "lech," meaning that He shows us the way how to go and advance.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 9/17/2018 3:15 PM |
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Important Numbers
