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Have a question? Send it in! Questions are answered by Rabbi Bartfeld.
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#5939 – Serve the Seven Sided Menorah?
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Q. Kvod Harav. I lately observed in a big shul in the front next to the Aron Hakodesh, a silver menorah that had only seven branches. Is that permitted?
A.Talmud (Rosh ha-Shanah 24a).forbids fashioning and owing a seven-branched menorah, as is ordered on the prohibition of “imitating” any of the vessels (keilim) that were used in the Mishkan.(Yisro 20:20.) There are at least three views in the early authorities as to the extent of the prohibition: Many Poskim maintain that duplicating the menorah is indeed forbidden even when it is made from other metals, and without all the decorative cups, petals and knobs that were in the original menorah. (Tosafos, Avodah Zarah 43, Beiur ha-Gra, Y.D. 141:21; Birkei Yosef, Y.D. 141:8. See Darchei Teshuvah 141:52 for a more lenient opinion.
See next question
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Y. Hirshman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu, Horav Kalman Ochs, and Horav Dovid Bartfeld consulting in need Horav Hagaon Rav Yitzchak Berkowitz Shlit’a
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Posted 6/10/2026 7:39 AM |
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#5938 – The Time to Travel?
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Q. I would like the Rov to kindly consult with Horav Miller and his important group of Rabanim if one can and should travel to Israel in our dangereos days to visit Israel his family?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is, as we mentioned in recent answers, that it really depends on the particular details of each individual case.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Y. Hirshman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu, Horav Kalman Ochs, and Horav Dovid Bartfeld consulting in need Horav Hagaon Rav Yitzchak Berkowitz Shlit’a
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Posted 6/10/2026 7:38 AM |
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#5937 – The Time to Restart?
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Q. Dear Rov Shlit’a. When is the correct time for the Shaliach Tzibur (or Chazan) in a shul, repeating the amida, to start reading aloud the Amida after waiting for the Rabbi to end his prayer. Is it when he can see that he has ended, or does he have to wait until he goes back the customary three footsteps and also bows down three times?
A. There are indeed diferent traditions, and in principle one should follow the one of the particular minyan he is with.
The Rema (O.H. 124: 3) rules that if some of the participants pray and over delay, the Shaliach Tzibur who is repiting the Shemone Esrei aloud does not have to wait for them, even if they are the important leaders.
Mishna Berura (Ibid 124: 3) adds that they should wait for the Av Beth Din or Torah; he adds that if the leader is extending too long, in need there is place for leniency to not wait for him.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Y. Hirshman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu, Horav Kalman Ochs, and Horav Dovid Bartfeld consulting in need Horav Hagaon Rav Yitzchak Berkowitz Shlit’a
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Posted 6/10/2026 7:38 AM |
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#5935 – A Kohen To Kohen
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Q.. Does a Kohen have to honour another Kohen?
A. Aruch Hashulchan (O.H. 128:72) deals with the question if the obligation of V’kidashto is incumbent only on non-Kohanim, or are Kohanim also included in honouring other Kohanim? Poskim write that the mitzvos of honouring a Kohen, such as offering the Kohen the best portion or offering him to lead the bentching (blessing after the meal), would certainly not apply to a Kohen. Since he can accept the honour himself, he is not ordained to offer it to another Kohen.
However, the question is relevant as to whether a Kohen is permitted to benefit from the service of another Kohen. If the mitzvah does not apply to Kohanim, then they may use other Kohanim for their own benefit.
If Kohanim are also obligated in V’kidashto then the same prohibition that a Yisroel has to not use a Kohen for his own personal benefit would apply to Kohanim as well.
The Aruch Hashulchan leaves this question unresolved. However, the Mishnah Berurah (Beiur Halacha 128, s.v. Assur) writes that a Kohen may be lenient, provided he does not ask a Kohen to perform menial tasks which would be demeaning to the honour of the Kehuna.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Y. Hirshman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu, Horav Kalman Ochs, and Horav Dovid Bartfeld consulting in need Horav Hagaon Rav Yitzchak Berkowitz Shlit’a
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Posted 6/10/2026 7:37 AM |
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#5934 – Can the Kohen Keep the Cash?
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Q. I have more questions. Is a Kohen allowed to forgive others from paying him what they really owe him in money or honour?
A. A Kohen may be mochel any money owed to him and also release others from paying him the honour due to him, except being called up first to the Torah. Rama 128:45; Mishnah Berurah 201:13.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Y. Hirshman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu, Horav Kalman Ochs, and Horav Dovid Bartfeld consulting in need Horav Hagaon Rav Yitzchak Berkowitz Shlit’a
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Posted 6/10/2026 7:36 AM |
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#5933 – Keep the Kovod of a Kohen!
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Q. Rov Shlit’a. Is it true that one should not ask a Kohen to do some task or work for him just as a free favor? How about if he is paid just a little?
A. Our Torah (Vayikra 21:8) demands about a kohen “v’kidashto,” (you shall sanctify him), from which Sages learn to treat a Kohen as an honoured person. (Gittin 59b) Teshubos Maharam M’rotenburg (115), based on a Yerushalmi quotes indeed opinions that one should not be served by Kohanim. Yet he himself maintains that it is permitted even for free, if they so agree wholeheartedly.
Hago’os Mordechai (Gitin 85) tells a story of a Kohen that poured water on the hands of Rabbenu Tam, and one of his present disciples quoted the above Yerushalmi, yet Rabbenu Tam explained that Kohanim in our days lack the great complete holiness since they also don’t wear their Holy Clothing and therefore it is permitted.
See Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 128, 5) and Mishna Berura, which says if the Kohen benefits in any way and wholeheartedly agrees, it is permitted.
See next question
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Y. Hirshman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu, Horav Kalman Ochs, and Horav Dovid Bartfeld consulting in need Horav Hagaon Rav Yitzchak Berkowitz Shlit’a
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Posted 6/10/2026 7:35 AM |
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#5932 – Where is the Killer?
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Q. Hon. Rabbi. As the Rabbi mentioned the above question, I wanted to ask the Rov after the shiur, what do we do in our days with Israeli soldiers or security people that may have killed someone? Can they still do Birchas Kohanim or lead the services in Shul?
A. Poskim mostly rule that they are allowed. This reason is based on the responsa of Rabbi Shimshon of Sens written some 800 years ago. He ruled that a Kohen who circumcised a baby and the baby died may still raise his hands since the mohel had the intent to fulfill a mitzvah.
Similarly so ruled Rabbi Uziel, apparently around the time of Israel’s War of Independence, in a halachic ruling cited by Rabbi Felder (p. 52): “He concluded that Kohanim are obligated to enlist, and that it’s a mitzvah for them to stand in the battlefield and to defend our remnants and the honour of our land. He is doing nothing but fulfilling the command of Hashem, and thus he remains in his complete priestly status like all the sons of Aaron — to raise his hands and bless the people of God.” And so ruled Rabbi Ovadia Yosef (p. 61) regarding IDF soldiers:
All the more so here, where Kohanim who are IDF soldiers stand to defend Israel and our Holy Land — there is no doubt that they are performing a great mitzvah by confronting enemy armies that come to sow destruction and to kill, destroy and annihilate men, women, and children. This is what Maimonides ruled in Chapter 5 of Hilkhot Melachim, that defending Israel from enemy attack is considered a Milchemet Mitzvah, [a commanded war]. Therefore, there is absolutely no doubt that these Kohanim are acceptable to perform the priestly blessing… It is appropriate to say to them: ‘May your hands be strengthened, and may your strength be blessed.”
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Y. Hirshman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu, Horav Kalman Ochs, and Horav Dovid Bartfeld consulting in need Horav Hagaon Rav Yitzchak Berkowitz Shlit’a
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Posted 6/10/2026 7:34 AM |
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#5931 - A Non – Blessed Death!
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Q. Dear Rabbi, I’m a male medical attendant in a well known busy hospital and in some instances due to my heavy duties and other complications, I may have neglected a bit my work and that could have caused damage and even in some unusual case shortened someone’s life. Since I’m a Kohen, can I still continue receiving the honours that a Kohen gets?
A. On question 5450 we wrote: Q. Dear Rabino, Larga Vida! In our community down south in the continent, we have a Kohen who was suffering from a very dangerous severe viral infection. He was warned by his doctors to stay home and not to go to work. But he didn’t pay attention and his infection spread to some of the workers of his business who are mostly Jewish. It seems that at least two of their young children died from the virus. Can he still be a Kohen and recite Birkat Kohanim (The Blessing of the Kohanim)?
A. On question 2535 we wrote:
“Q. A physician who is also a Kohen and learns the Daf, recently became aware that a Kohen whose hands have spilled blood can not raise them and perform Birchas Kohanim. He is wondering with honesty about himself. He has been always recognized, throughout a long successful medical history, as highly dedicated to save lives and to be very careful not to render any mistaken decisions and prognoses.
However, reality is that it is almost impossible that unwittingly and inadvertently some misguided procedures might have happened, that likely shortened the life of a patient. He questions whether he should continue reciting Birchas Kohanim?
A. Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 128: 35) rules that the abstention of Birchas Kohanim applies even if the death occurred beshogeg and unintentionally, and even if one makes teshuva.
However, Rema (ibid.) maintains that our tradition is to be lenient after teshuva. Biur Halacha (d’h Afilu) opines that if the slaying was intentional even after teshuva, the Kohen should abstain from Birchas Kohanim.
The Shulchan Aruch (ibid. 36) also is lenient if a child dies after the bris mila. Mishna Berura (132) explains that the mohel certainly intended for the mitzva, and was not negligent.
Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a pointed to Talmud (Kidushin 24b and Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 267: 36), regarding a medic setting free his servant by blinding his eye and intention is required.
The Rov’s opinion is that since intention was always for the mitzva of helping and healing his patients, even if unintentional and unexpected mistakes were done, he can continue blessing Birchas Kohanim.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a”
In our particular case it would be correct if he would abstain from blessing Birchas Kohanim.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Y. Hirshman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu, Horav Kalman Ochs, and Horav Dovid Bartfeld consulting in need Horav Hagaon Rav Yitzchak Berkowitz Shlit’a
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Posted 6/10/2026 7:33 AM |
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#5930 – The Timing of Pirkei Avot
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Q. I also wondered, why is this time period chosen for Pirkei Avot and not another time?
A. Because of its contents, the name is sometimes given as Ethics of the Fathers. Pirkei Avot consists of the Mishnaic minor tractate of Avot, the second-to-last tractate in the order of Nezikin in the Mishnah, plus one additional chapter. Avot is unique in that it is the only tractate of the Mishnah dealing solely with ethical and moral principles; there is relatively little Halacha (Jewish law) in Pirkei Avot.
In most communities it is said at least until Shavuot, however many continue beyond Shavuot right through to Rosh Hashanah.
While the core season of this study is in the spring, many traditional communities (such as the Chabad movement) extend this study cycle throughout the entire summer, reading the chapters again every Shabbat until Rosh Hashanah.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Y. Hirshman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu, Horav Kalman Ochs, and Horav Dovid Bartfeld consulting in need Horav Hagaon Rav Yitzchak Berkowitz Shlit’a
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Posted 6/10/2026 7:33 AM |
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#5929 – The Reason to Say Pirkei Avot
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Q. I always wondered why we say or learn Pirkei Avot then?
A. We recite Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) after Pesach as spiritual preparation for Shavuot. Just as the Jewish people refined their character traits after leaving Egypt to become worthy of receiving the Torah, we study these ethical teachings during the Counting of the Omer to improve our own moral integrity and humility.
The tradition spans the seven weeks between Pesach and Shavuot, and provides a dedicated time to focus on personal growth and values. Many people who study or just say Pirkei Avot on Shabbat afternoons do so following Mincha, while others study before Mincha. See next question
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Y. Hirshman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu, Horav Kalman Ochs, and Horav Dovid Bartfeld consulting in need Horav Hagaon Rav Yitzchak Berkowitz Shlit’a
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Posted 6/10/2026 7:32 AM |
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#5928 – The Length of the Ethics of the Fathers
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Q. Dear Rabbenu, Orech Yamin. I davened (prayed) many years in a congregation where we learned Pirkei Avot from Pesach until Shavuot. We recently moved to another community and they keep learning a Shabbat shiur on Pirkei Avot until Rosh Hashana. My friends and I truly like the learnimg of Pirkei Avot, and we have a number of questions.
First, is my old tradition an accepted one?
A. Indeed the most common traditional Ashkenazi custom of saying and learning Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) begins on the Shabbat immediately following Passover (Pesach) and continues on every Shabbat by the Mincha davening until at least the holiday of Shavuot.
Because Pirkei Avot is divided into six chapters, this six-week period allows for the completion of one chapter each Shabbat. Indeed it is a most common accepted tradition in our Ashkenazi communities.
See next question.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Y. Hirshman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu, Horav Kalman Ochs, and Horav Dovid Bartfeld consulting in need Horav Hagaon Rav Yitzchak Berkowitz Shlit’a
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Posted 6/10/2026 7:31 AM |
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#5927 – One More First Last Meal?
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Q. Kvod Rabenu Shlit’a. One more question, I have seen people who on Issru Chag collect all old sefarim and Torah discarded papers, also from yeshiva and school attendants, and take them to the Geniza on Shavuot Isru Chag; is there a reason for that?
A. Indeed Nitei Gavriel (37: 6) quotes Mayim Chaim 3, and other sources to keep this tradition.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Y. Hirshman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu, Horav Kalman Ochs, and Horav Dovid Bartfeld consulting in need Horav Hagaon Rav Yitzchak Berkowitz Shlit’a
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Posted 6/10/2026 7:31 AM |
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#5926 – A First Last Meal?
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Q. Dear Rabbi Shlit’a. Is it an obligation to eat a Seuda meal on Issru Chag, the day after Yom Tov ended? (Sunday May 24 2026)
A. On a similar question (4477) We wrote:
Q. Is it important to celebrate Issru Chag (the day after Yom Tov) with a special meal?
On question 3675 we were asked the following. “We often have our children and their families staying with us for Pesach and leaving the day after traveling home. Is it worth it to celebrate with them a seuda or special meal before they leave on Isisru Chag? Would that be a Seudas Mitzva?”
To what we answered. “Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 429: 1) writes that it is tradition to add a bit to the eating and drinking on Issru Chag. It is considered as if one built the Mizbeach and sacrificed on it all Korbonos.
There are different reasons for this particular tradition. Chassam Sofer (ibid) explains that it commemorates the joy of the people who came to Yerushalayim and now after complying and enjoying so much the Yom Tov, were ready to return home. Torah Lishma (140) quotes Arizal that the Kedusha and holiness of Yom Tov is still felt on that day.
He also quotes Yerushalmi (Avoda Zarah 1: 1) that Isisru Chag is called ‘Briah Demoado,’ or the child of Yom Tov. (See Nitei Gavriel 22: 4.)
Horav Dovid Pam’s opinion is that since after all Shulchan Aruch mentions only to add a bit to the food one eats, if the visiting children are pressed to return home, as often is, it may be better to avoid it.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one should follow the traditions of one’s family.”
See next question.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Y. Hirshman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu, Horav Kalman Ochs, and Horav Dovid Bartfeld consulting in need Horav Hagaon Rav Yitzchak Berkowitz Shlit’a
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Posted 6/10/2026 7:30 AM |
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#5925 - Torah for All?
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Q. Dear Rabbi can our Women Torah Learning Group that meets almost every day for different Shiurim. also learn the night of Shavuot? They would like to join their husbands and children for the early Shavuot minyan. and then eat together the early Yom Tov meal. Should they also recite the Tikun of Leil Shavuot?
A. Poskim indeed permit women to learn Shavuos night privately. However, they may not recite the Tikun Leil Shavuos. (Piskei Teshuvos 494: 4 quoting Rav Poalim) Similarly they should avoid joining the learners of Torah in shul on that night. See also Q. 3714 .
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a.
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Posted 5/27/2026 9:19 AM |
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#5924 – Prepare for Kabbalat Hatorah!
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Q. Dear Rov. In our new shul a number of people want to have the attendants who stay the whole night of Shavuot read and learn the Tikun prepared specifically for that night. What is the Tikun of Shavuot really?
A. We once wrote: “The most traditional is to read a book known as Tikkun Leil Shavuot, which is a compendium that contains excerpts of every book of the Tanach (Hebrew Bible), Mishnah, Kabbalah, as well as the 613 mitzvot, allowing the reader to skim through the landscape of Jewish tradition in just a few hours. If attending a congregation where this is common, you may want to come with a copy of your own, since synagogues rarely have enough for all visitors. You can download and print an English version on line.
Many congregations keep it unsophisticated, and the attendants sit alone or in pairs and study a Torah topic of their choice. If this is what you will be doing, it is well recommended to make arrangements in advance with a study partner or group of friends, so that you know what you’ll be learning and with whom.
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Posted 5/27/2026 9:19 AM |
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#5923 - Read Between the Lines? - Q. See question above. We must add this already printed question.
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Q. 4273. In our shul we read Megilat Ruth as well as others Megilot from one written on a Klaf (parchment), that resembles a small Sefer Torah. The only one that knows how to read that type of Megila will not be able to attend our Shul on Shabbat when Ruth is read this year.
We have two options. We read Ruth from a Tanach or Chumash as most congregations do. Or we read from the Klaf Megila by our usual Baal Koreh, but in the first day of Shavuot (Friday) when he will be present. Which is the best option?
A. Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a suggested that it may be read as usual on Shabbos, the second day of Shavuos, with someone quietly reading it first and the Baal Koreh repeating. He may similarly have an open Chumash in front of him and looking at each posuk first before reading the Klaf Megila.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that since in Eretz Yisroel the Megila is read on the Friday, the first day, in need it could be read by the proper Baal Koreh on that day.
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Posted 5/27/2026 9:18 AM |
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#5922 – Follow The Print? - Q. Kvod Rabbenu Shlit’a:
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Someone donated recently a set of parchment scrolls, hand written Megilot that includes also Megilat Ruth. Usually we read it before Kriat Hatorah on Shavuoth from a chumash with all the reading dots and we don’t have someone who can read it from the scroll. What should we do? We also want to honour the one who donated the expensive set for his important contribution. What is the correct way?
A. It stands to reason that the best way to comply with the above issues, is to have one reading the new parchment megila as we usually do for the Torah reading, while someone next to him reads quietly only for his sake the Chumash printed one that he is familiar with.
See next question.
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Posted 5/27/2026 9:17 AM |
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#5921 – Women Included? - Q. Dear Rabbi.
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On this year (2026) that the second day of Shavuot is Shabbat, when should we daven Kabalat Shabbat?
A. Rav Schachter (Piskei Corona #37) quotes “ the Knesset Hagedola who writes that one shouldn't start the second night of Shavuot early. Pri Megadim disagrees since the reason to start the first night early is temimot to complete the days of the Omer and that doesn't apply to the second night of Shavuot. However, Rav Schachter explained that according to the Netsiv that there's a need to make kiddush of Shavuot on the date of Shavuot itself and accordingly it is important not to start early even on the second day. His conclusion is that we're not strict for the Knesset Hagedola since the whole concept here is a minhag.
Although there are Poskim how to allow making Yom Tov early on the second day of Shavuos, the custom is not to. There are a number of reasons for this. One reason is because essentially the second day of Yom Tov is not biblical, rather m’drabonon, (as nowadays we know that the first day of Yom Tov is the correct day, nevertheless we still keep the second day). Thus being the case if we make an early Yom Tov on the second day, we might prepare from the first day to the second, or mistakenly do melacha.”
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Posted 5/27/2026 9:16 AM |
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#5921 – Women Included? - Q. Dear Rabbi.
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On this year (2026) that the second day of Shavuot is Shabbat, when should we daven Kabalat Shabbat?
A. Rav Schachter (Piskei Corona #37) quotes “ the Knesset Hagedola who writes that one shouldn't start the second night of Shavuot early. Pri Megadim disagrees since the reason to start the first night early is temimot to complete the days of the Omer and that doesn't apply to the second night of Shavuot. However, Rav Schachter explained that according to the Netsiv that there's a need to make kiddush of Shavuot on the date of Shavuot itself and accordingly it is important not to start early even on the second day. His conclusion is that we're not strict for the Knesset Hagedola since the whole concept here is a minhag.
Although there are Poskim how to allow making Yom Tov early on the second day of Shavuos, the custom is not to. There are a number of reasons for this. One reason is because essentially the second day of Yom Tov is not biblical, rather m’drabonon, (as nowadays we know that the first day of Yom Tov is the correct day, nevertheless we still keep the second day). Thus being the case if we make an early Yom Tov on the second day, we might prepare from the first day to the second, or mistakenly do melacha.”
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Posted 5/27/2026 9:16 AM |
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#5920 – Stay Awake? - Q. Kvod Rabenu Shlit”a.I have seen some people stay awake on the second night of Shavuot and also eat a milk meal followed by a meat meal. Is that an accepted tradition?
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A. It is the common custom not to repeat on the second night what was done on the first.
However, Sefer HaSichot 5704, p. 135 writes: “On the Second day of Shavuot, 5704 my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, relates that the Ba’al Shem Tov cherished the second day of Shavuot. Every year on the second day he would hold a special feast and linger with his chassidim.
The Maggid of Mezeritch, the Ba’al Shem Tov’s successor, explained the reason for the Ba’al Shem Tov’s behaviour. The second day of Shavuot was the first complete 24-hour day after the Jews received the Torah. The Maggid would add: “In particular, this is true according to the opinion of Rabbi Yossi, (Shabbos 86a) who maintains that the Torah was given on the seventh of Sivan. This is a wondrous dimension.”
On the surface, the two rationales given by the Maggid are contradictory. If the day is so dear because it was the first day after the giving of the Torah, then according to Rabbi Yossi, this dearness should characterize the eighth of Sivan? But if the dearness results from the fact that the Torah was given on that day, then according to the Sages who maintain — as the Alter Rebbe rules in his Shulchan Aruch (494:1) — that the Torah was given on the sixth day, it is the first day of Shavuot which should be cherished.
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Posted 5/27/2026 5:12 AM |
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Important Numbers
