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#4935 No Silver Alert
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- Q. Does one have to do Haga'ala (process of making kosher) to a silver vase that one uses for netilat yadaim (washing hands before eating bread) for Pesach?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that it has to be cleaned properly and washed with the water it is normally used with. It does not require proper haga'alah as pots and pans that are placed on the fire do.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
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Posted 4/17/2024 3:15 PM |
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#4934 Please Keep in Touch?
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Q. Kvod Rabbenu Shlit”a. Although as you know, we are of of a mixed Ashkenasi and Sephardi background, yet our family tradition is not to eat Kitniyos during Pesach.
We are to invite this Pesach some very dear family members that do eat Kitnios and they will bring their own special traditional foods for the Seder that contain kitniyos . Can we serve their Kitniyos to them, in their different plates or are Kitniyos muktza for us? Showing our love to them and their precious kids is very, very important to all of us.
A. On a similar question (4199) we were asked: “If I don’t eat Kitniyos during Pesach, do they become muktza for me? If yes, then at our kiddush in shul, I will not be permitted to serve them to our Sephardi shul attendants who are permitted to eat them?
To what we answered: “Poskim permit and maintain that they do not become Muktza for Ashkenazim. (Kovetz Halochos 10: 5, and others).
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
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Posted 4/14/2024 12:49 PM |
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# 4933 Seder Assets
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– Q. Since I learned that there is a requirement that the matza one eats at the sedder should be the property of the eater, what is one to do if he is invited or invites guest to the seder night?
A. On question 2126 we wrote:
Q. How do you handle during the Pesach Seder, the kinyan (acquisitive act) needed to have the matzos gifted to the family and guests, since matzos have to be owned by the eater?
A. Shulchan Aruch (454: 4) rules that one does not comply with the mitzva of matza, if the matza was stolen. Mishna Berura (15) explains that the reason is a (gzeira shoveh) link to the mitzva of chalah that requires that one should separate it only from produce that belongs to him. Mishna Berura adds that if one borrowed a matza, he does comply, since even if when it was lent to him, he was expected to eat it and not to return that same piece, but rather another one or its value, and that matza actually belongs to him.
Some Poskim maintain that the host who owns the matza, should actually before he hands over to his children and guest the matza, mention that it is a present for them and then they should perform a kinyan or acquisitive act when they receive it. (Sefas Emes – Suka 35a, Yad Hamelech – H. Chometz Umatza 6: 7, et. al.).
Some Poskim mention that the fact that the matza was introduced in one’s mouth and chewed before being swallowed, the physical change created by the chewing, consists on a shinui maaseh and it is in itself an acquisitive act, so the matza is swallowed is already his property. (Biur Halocho 454: 4, Imrei Binah – O.H. Pesach 24, Betzel Hachochmo 4: 172 and others).
However, many Poskim assert that since they were invited to eat, it is obvious that the portions are gifted to them, and no official declaration or act of acquisition is needed. (Imrei Binah – O.H. Pesach 24, Tzitz Eliezer 2:37 – 13: 15 and others).
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is similar. The Rov added that throughout the generations, all that was required was for the host to place the matza in front of the family and guests and that is all that is needed.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
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Posted 4/11/2024 7:10 PM |
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# 4932 Put the Freeze on the Freezer?
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– Q. Dear Rov Shlit’a, Can I put away frozen chametz pastries in a deep freezer that I include in the selling of the chometz utensils and not real chometz products?
A. On a similar question (76) we wrote: “Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that if it is Chometz Gomur (real Chametz) it should not be stored even if sold. If it is only in a mixture or kitniyos it is permitted if totally wrapped, separated and labelled.”
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
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Posted 4/11/2024 6:59 PM |
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#4931 Cast a Spell?
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– Q. How do you write Passaic, New Jersey and Lakewood in a Kesuba or Get?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that for the use in a Kesuba, Tnaim or similar documents the writing should be;
פאסייאק - אשר בנוא דזערזי - ליקוואוד
For a get spelling the proper Beis Din involved should decide.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
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Posted 4/11/2024 6:55 PM |
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#4930 The Ring is Ringing
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Q. Do women’s rings need Haga'ala before Pesach, since they touch the Chametz food during the whole year? How about the maids rings in a hotel where they prepare the
food?
A. Poskim differ. Some maintain that if they are cleaned very well it is sufficient. Others opine that after they are cleaned they shouldn’t be used for 24 hrs. before Pesach. (Kovetz Halochos H. Pesach 13: 8, p.103).
In hotels indeed it is an issue and the mashgichim (kosher supervisors) should be careful that the food workers wear gloves constantly as is often required by law.
Horav Shlomo Mille’rs shlit”a opinion is that it is proper to do Hagala on them. The Rov quotes Halichos Shlomo (3: n. 51) that in the home of Horav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach Zt’l, they would rinse also the rings in fluids that are strong and sharp cleaners (contain ammonia or similar strong solutions), but not in hot water as it may damage the stones of the rings. (Moadei Shlomo 2: 6).
See also Madreichei Kashrus of the Eida Hachareidis, Sefer Hagolas Keilim 13 n.115, Ohel Yaakov pg. 47 quoting Horav M. Bransdorfer Zt”l.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
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Posted 4/11/2024 6:50 PM |
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#4929 Oy Vay AI?
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- Q. See question above. Can one rely on the AI program above on Shabbat to call the doctor or emergency services, so he won’t do it himself, or should he be machmir (stringent) on Pikuach Nefesh (life danger) and call himself directly?
A. An expert should be consulted as to the efficiency of the unit involved. In any doubt, when engaged in live saving needs, one should be machmir on Pikuach Nefesh and call directly for medical assistance.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
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Posted 4/11/2024 6:43 PM |
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#4928 Artificial Prayers of a Heart
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– Q. Dear Rov I need an answer soon for this shaila. My elderly and ill father has a pacemaker attached to his heart. If the blood pressure or other factors change,the unit is connected to a phone to call for help and my brothers wanted that the phone’s loudspeaker should also recite tehilim that he can then repeat (Yoshev Beseter or similar), when he is by himself so he can feel better. Is that permitted during Shabbat?
This pacemaker is connected to an AI program that makes its own calculations and decisions and not directly by the patient or other bystanders.
A. Although, the intention of the sons is to provide comfort and pleasant feelings to the father, since it does use what seems to be normally and usually prohibited during Shabbos as a tape recorder. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that if not really needed it should better be avoided.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
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Posted 4/11/2024 6:39 PM |
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#4927 Bless One’s Frame of Mind
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– Q. See questions above. If when he changes the place of the mezuza to the other (inside) side of the door’s frame, he gives it to a sofer to check it, does that make a
difference?
A. On question 2824 Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one does not need to recite a new brocho when replacing a mezuza removed for having it checked, as long as it was removed for a usual and accustomed period of time, even if it more than a day. (Other Poskim disagree).
On question 2425 we wrote: Pischei Teshuva (Y.D. 289: 1) quotes Lashon Limudim that debates whether one should recite a brocho when placing back a mezuza that was taken down to be checked.
Poskim disagree on the above question. Many maintain that one should not say a brocho. (K’sav4 Sofer Y.D. 139, Maharam Shick Y.D. 285, Beis Yitzchok Y.D. 2: 51, and others).
Beis Shearim (Y.D. 370), and others assert that a brocho is needed.
Other Poskim opine that if it is replaced on the same day, no brocho is required. (Shaarei Mezuza 20: 15, Aruch Hashulchan (Y.D. 289: 4), Leket Hilchos Mezuza (4) quoting Horav Vosner and Horav Eliashiv zt”l).
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that when replaced on a different day, although normally one should reattach the mezuza on the same door frame it was taken from, in this case he should better change it to another one, in order to recite a brocho without any doubt.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
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Posted 4/11/2024 6:27 PM |
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#4926 Lord’s Word for Door to Door
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– Q. See question above. If he is permitted to move the mezuza to the other side of the door, when he changes the mezuza does he make a blessing?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that he does not have to recite a brocho when changing and installing the mezuza on the same frame, behind the door.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
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Posted 4/11/2024 6:22 PM |
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# 4925 - Frame the Frame?
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– Q. I asked the Rov if someone is living in a building that has also some unfriendly Muslims that display hate and harm to the Jewish tenants. Is it possible to move the
mezuza from the outside of the frame to the inside of the apartment to avoid the enemies harm?
A. Shulchan Aruch (Y.D. 285: 2and 289 :2) rules that the location for the placement of the mezuza is inside the frame of the house, on the “tefach” (about 10 cm.) facing the outside. Remah (ibid) adds that if those measurements were not met, it is still kosher as long as it is on the frame itself. Shach (2) and others explain that the reason to the above is that as soon as one is about to enter, one should encounter the mezuza first.
Also,they add that the mezuza should protect as much of the inside space possible.
Shach (289: 3) mentions a difference of opinions if the mezuza was placed on the back of the door to avoid identification and harm.
Horav Shlomo Millers Shlit”a opinion is that in need the mezuza could be moved.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
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Posted 4/11/2024 6:19 PM |
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#4924 Honor the Guest of Honor
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Q. If I am a guest at a Sefardi home on Passover, do I need to eat on disposable plates because they might have served rice or something else not permitted to an Ashkenazi?
A. On question 4179 we were asked: “I am staying with two sets of friends this Pesach. One is very machmir (stringent) and follows Chabad minhagim (traditions). Is it okay if I do my own thing (I eat a special diet) and eat on disposable plates so I can enjoy my usual Passover cuisine?”
To what we answered: “Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that you have to consult with your hosts with plenty of time before, and tell them in detail what are the products that you will be bringing to their table, even if you don’t share them and stay separate. If they agree, there is no problem consuming separately your own accepted meal.”
Indeed, in your case you should also use disposable plates.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller Horav, Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 4/7/2024 1:58 PM |
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#4923 Don’t Seek and Hide
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- Q. Dear Rabbi . If I see someone in an Orthodox shul using their phone openly on Shabbat, should I suggest that they do it in the bathroom as I thought public desecration of the Shabbat is a bigger problem than when done in private?
A. Our Rabbonim mentioned that you should just (reprimand and) say that one is not allowed to use a phone during Shabbos.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller Horav, Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 4/4/2024 10:23 PM |
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#4922 Not Spoiled by Choice
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- Q. Hello Rav, We had a non Jewish cleaning lady over on Shabbat becasue she wasn't able to come on Friday. We had a busy Erev Sabbat and left a massive pile of various washed eating utensils on the counter to dry out. It was clearly a “borrer” mixture with knives/forks mixed in among various size plates, bowls, etc.
When the cleaning lady sees it, she will put everything back in their proper places for storage in the cupboards and drawers which would violate borrer. My understanding is that generally, I can't allow her to do melacha for me that I can't do. However, even I would be able to un-mix the mixture by placing everything spread out on the counters or tables and then once its not in a mixture, I could put everything away in their proper places.
Since it is possible for me to put them away in a permitted way, am I allowed to let her put them away without unmixing it first? Thank you!
A. Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a explained that since you are not asking the maid to do it and she does the replacing back by and at her own convenience and easiest way, there is no Borer prohibition involved.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller Horav, Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 4/4/2024 10:13 PM |
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#4921 The Hidden Fire?
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Q. See question above: Does that mean that is one is traveling by plane or is (l’a) in hospital and cannot turn on a fire to burn his chometz, or one who for any other reason is unable to burn the chometz on Erev Pesach, should instead eat it?
A. Indeed if the time is correct it would be permitted as many do. He may also dispose of it the bathroom.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller Horav, Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 4/4/2024 10:09 PM |
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#4920 The Fire in Eating?
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Q. See question above. If one is indeed complying with the mitzva of Biur Chometz, when eating chometz or drinking beer or chometz liquors, although one does not recite a brocho, should not one at least have the intention necessary to comply with all the available possible biblical positive mitzvos?
A. Whether one complies with the mitzva of Biur Chometz when eating it, is subject to the opinion of different Poskim.
Rashash (Psochim 21b) maintains that one who eats chometz or feeds it to animals indeed complies with this mitzva, and adds that even according to Rav Yehuda that the destruction of the chometz has to be done by burning, the natural heat process involved in digestion is similar, as the Pasuk teaches “a human is alike the the tree of the field”. (See Piskei Teshuvos 445: 2, p.423) . See also prior answer.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller Horav, Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 4/4/2024 10:01 PM |
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#4919 The Endless Ending?
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Q. Should one who owns a fire place or has a discarded oven burn leftover bread, cookies and cakes during the thirty days before Pesach to comply with the Biblical mitzva of Biur Chametz or the burning of the chometz? Since even just diluting them in water and then disposing of them in the sink is easy and possible, should one not comply the whole month every day and many times a day with such an important Biblical mitzva?
A. Talmud (Pesachim 6a) quotes Rabbi Yehuda in the name of Rav : “One who sets sail or journeys with a caravan thirty days before Peisach, he is not obligated to burn his chometz; If it is within thirty days, he is obligated to burn it.” That also corresponds to the learning and expounding on the laws of Pesach thirty days before the festival.
Remah (O.H. 636: 1) rules that a brocho should then not be recited, however Biur Halocho and Mishna Berura (ibid.) quote some opinions that a blessing should also be recited then.
The reason why we do not follow a due process to comply with this important mitzva during the whole month prior to Pesach, as mentioned by Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a is that our sages did not want to impose a constant everyday and every moment mitzva that would create and result in a great loss of food, time and effort.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller Horav, Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 4/4/2024 9:51 PM |
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#4918 A Broken Vort?
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Q. Many years ago, I was engaged to someone who broke up with me prior to the vort. The ring had been bought and was given to me but was too big so it was left with the jeweler to resize. In reflecting why it is taking me so long to remarry, I was wondering if this situation requires a get.
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that if the ring was not given in front of “Eidim” or two designated proper witnesses and the accustomed traditional words recited when performing Kiddushin were not said, it would be obvious that no intention of an act of marriage was intended.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller Horav, Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 4/4/2024 9:45 PM |
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#4917 A Household Name
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Q. Is it recommended when avoiding the giving of a baby’s name by zoom for the grand-father or other person to be honored, but can’t be present to name a Sheliach (agent) to represent him when naming the baby?
Should the Shaliach announce before giving the name that he is representing the one that was honored with the name giving but was unable to come?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that it could be done and is indeed correct to mention the name of the honored one represented.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller Horav, Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 4/4/2024 9:41 PM |
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#4916 A Yum Frum Zoom?
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Q. If the naming of the baby was done indeed by zoom, should the Koire Hashem be holding a separate cup of wine?
Should in the case above, the person making the Bracha drink the entire cup right away or wait till after Krias Sheim? If he should wait should he hold the cup the entire time?
A. Our Rabbonim maintain that since the zooming is only commendable in need, it is better that the cup of wine should be held and drank by the person actually present by the bris
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller Horav, Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 4/4/2024 9:39 PM |
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Important Numbers
