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Have a question? Send it in! Questions are answered by Rabbi Bartfeld.
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#5887 – - Really! Another Pesach, Another Seder?
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See question above
Q. What are the traditions that one should keep on this year (2026) on Pesach Sheni (second Pesach) that is also on Erev Shabbat?
A. As usual for those who keep this tradition, it is customary to eat a common meal with matzah, preferably shmurah matzah on this day. The Nadborna Chassidim would drink also four cups of wine (Nitey Gavriel 57: 16).
The meal could be in the morning or in the afternoon. One should follow his usual family tradition.
See next question.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 5/3/2026 12:57 PM |
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#5886 – One More Pesach – Now More Simcha?
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- See question above.
Q. I have another question to add. I heard on the comments of a shiur that there is also a mitzva of Simja or joy on Pesach Sheni. Is that correct?
A. There are indeed some Poskim such as the Chida (8: 222) and Moed Lakol Chai (7: 6) that maintain so. Nitey Gavriel (57: 11) rules that one should add some Simja since the day is holy.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 5/3/2026 12:49 PM |
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#5885 – Open the Doors for One More Pesach?
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Q. Rabbi.
Thanks again for answering and clarifying the different traditions and practices we observe and have in our many communities. I recently noticed a sign in a Shul I visited for a Brit Mila party, about timings for the Second Yom Tov of Pesach. Is that really true. Is there more Yom Tov days for another Pesach???
A. Pesach Sheini meaning is indeed the Second Passover. Our Torah teaches us that this second day of sacrificing the Korban Pesach was created for those who could not comply with the first one, due to accidental overpowering circumstances, such as traveling far away or if they were ritually impure during the first Passover. Thus allowing them to bring the most important Korban Pesach (Passover offering) one month later.
On this year (2026) it is observed on Friday, May 1, beginning at sundown on Thursday, April 30, and ending at nightfall, this is exactly one month after the first Passover.
See next question.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 5/3/2026 12:45 PM |
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#5884 – Behab Should be Beahaba!
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- Q. Kvod Rabbenu Shlit’a .
I heard on a recent shiur that in the next weeks we are going to commemorate three different days for some to fast or recite special prayers named as Behab. What exactly is it and how does it affect people going to shul?
A.The Fast Days of Behab (or Beahab) is an Ashkenazi tradition of fasting on the first Monday, Thursday, and following Monday after Pesach (in Iyar) and also after Sukkot (in Cheshvan). "Behab" is an acronym for Bet (or Monday), Hay (Thursday), Bet (and again Monday), established to atone for potential sins or excessive indulgence that some may have done during the holidays.
The Behab traditions are not necessarily kept by all communities, such as Chasidim or Sefardic congregations.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 5/3/2026 12:41 PM |
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#5883 - - Q. 4219 The Family Tree?
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Q. Is it better to wait to recite the blessing on the new fruit of the blooming trees on Shabbos with all the family present and with more people?
A. On question 1708 we addressed the following similar questions:
“Since the days of Nissan are over can you still say the bracha for blooming trees with Hashem’s name after Lag Baomer? Is it better to wait until Shabbat to recite it? Is it better to recite it with a minyan?
Should one say it and have in mind all, as we do in kiddush?”
To what we answered: “On question 288 we wrote; This year, due to the early Pesach, the blooming of trees at this latitude occurred very late on the Jewish calendar. Although “the days of Nisan” are mentioned in regards to reciting birchas hailonos, (Brochos 43b – Shulchan Oruch O.H. 226, 1) Poskim maintain that when required, it could be said earlier on Adar (Kerem Shlomo 226,1 – Shulchan Hatohor ibid. – Bais Hayotzer 12 et al.) or after Nisan. (Chasam Sofer , Hago'os O.H. 226 – Zichron Yehuda – Magid Taaluma 43b – Nitey Gavriel, Pesach I, 6, 5) and even in Sivan (Aruch Hashulchan ibid. – Nitey Gavriel ibid; and also question 83 on this forum).
In regards to waiting until Shabbos on question 287 we wrote; Yalkut Yosef (Shabbos 3, 319,77) quotes some opinions that maintain that this bracha should not be recited on Shabbos either because by engaging one’s attention on the tree one might come to collect some fruit, (Moed L’kol Chai 9) or by dint of a Cabalistic injunction on gathering “nitzoitzois” (spiritual sparks) from a tree on Shabbos. (Kaf Hachaim 226, 4) However, most Poskim disagree and permit reciting this bracha on Shabbos. (Yalkut Yosef ibid. – Nitey Gavriel, Pesach I, 6,7).
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that you can wait until Shabbos (avoid contemplating the tree) and recite together with a larger group “b’rov am” and have it adjoined to the hundred brachos.
The Rav maintains that no minyan is required for reciting this bracha. However, since we always maintain that “Berov Am Haddras Melech” or we honour of the King, when many are present, it would be preferred to have others join.
The Rav also maintains that each one should recite his own bracha.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 5/3/2026 12:16 PM |
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#5882 – The Fruit of The Blessed Tree!
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Q. Dear Rabbi.
I see that many of my more religious neighbors make a great effort to find a fruit tree that is budding now and recite the proper blessing. Why is that so important?.
A. On question 5366 we wrote:
Q. I still don’t understand why we notice that so many Gedolim and Tzadikim made such a big deal and placed so much effort on getting together a significant group to recite the blessing on the trees. Why?
A. Indeed Gedolim and Tzadikim constantly have followed the opinion of the Kabalah Gedolim for the importance and transcendence of this bracha.
Halichos Shlomo (23 n. 121) mentions that Hagaon Rav S”Z Auerbcah ZT”L was extremely careful to comply with this bracha correctly. He once mentioned that since his Bar Mitzva, he never missed it.
Eliahu Rabba mentions that usually blessings recited for things we just see, we don’t have to place effort to look for them (storms, oceans etc.), in contrast to the bracha on the fruits of the trees which brings the blessings of many tzadikim of all generations for a long, beautiful and healthy life.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 5/3/2026 12:05 PM |
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#5881 – The Moon Flew Over the Trees
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- Q. As in other years, our fruit trees start already budding during these days. Since we have guests that we invite for Friday night and they don’t usually have access to proper budding trees, can they recite the bracha at night?
A. On question 2173, we wrote Q. Can you make birchat ha’ilanot by the light of the moon, if you can see the trees clearly?
A. On question 1716 regarding the blessing for the new fruits on the trees at night, when there is light, we wrote: “Although Horav T. P, Frank zt”l (quoted in Yain Hatov 1: 48) rules that birchas ha”ilanos should not be recited at night, many Poskim permit when needed and there is enough light to see clearly the budding in the fruit trees. (Tzitz Eliezer O.H. 1: 118 – 12: 20, Porach Mateh Aharon p. 163, Birchas Yosef 121: 3, Maadanei Daniel 226: 5, Rivavos Efraim (O.H. 6: 458, et. al.)
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is similar.” The Rov added that the same applies to the light of the moon
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Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a. August 23, 2019
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Posted 5/3/2026 11:48 AM |
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#5880 Can this Also Count?
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Q. Dear Rabbeinu Shlit"a,
Would that be ok to tell someone, for example, that today is chessed shebechessed חסד שבחסד and from that he can understand that this is the first day of Sephirah without mentioning any particular number? Thanks!
A. In principle it is permitted, although one is actually describing the day of the counting, yet he is not using the counting expressions usually needed and used. In a way it is similar to the common answer given when someone wants to know what is the correct day to count and one answers to him, yesterday was so and so.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 4/24/2026 3:44 PM |
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#5879 – Count When You Can?
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- Q. Moreinu Horav Shlit’a.
Can I join during Sefira the Sheva Brochos of a great and close friend when it is during my permitted time, but not his. He isn’t very religious?
A. It may depend on other factors of when the wedding was, and also if you can with your friendship bring him close to doing Teshuva.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 4/24/2026 3:35 PM |
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#5878 – A Bed Cover?
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- Q. Dear Rabbi.
If one is already an elder, can he count Sefira with the bracha when already in bed, if he forgot to count before, and it is difficult for him now to get out of bed?
A. Indeed in such a situation he would still comply with the mitzva. However it is best to have a reminder installed in his phone or similar to count before at the beginning of the night, while standing and also reading the other prayers usually said when counting Sefira.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 4/24/2026 3:30 PM |
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#5877 – Coned by the Count?
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- Q. Kevod Horav.
Is it true that if the Rabbi of a Shul forgot due to the difficult travel circumstances of our times, to count one day of Sefira, and he still wants to continue for all in Shul as he always does and not be embarrassed, because of Kavod Habrios, can he do it?
A. To avoid embarrassment by implying that he forgot to count the Sefira and that is the reason he is not counting aloud for all now, the Rabbi can ask a friend present to avoid counting himself and instead comply with the public Rabbi’s blessing and counting, which is said also for him by the Rabbi.
See also Nitei Gavriel p. 131 – 30/17).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 4/24/2026 3:22 PM |
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#5876 – Count When It Counts!
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- Q. Kvod Horav.
I often take part in a women's shiur on line and at the end of class they count Sefira. If I actually repeat the words said is that OK?
How about if my husband also takes part or my children over six?
A. Indeed if one says the actual counting, one indeed complies with the mitzva. The actual bracha should also be recited first.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 4/24/2026 3:11 PM |
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#5875 – Listen to Why Hearing is Not Really Listening!
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- Q. Rabbi Shlit”a.
Thanks for your constant help. If someone is listening to a daily Shiur online, and these days at the end of the shiur, they count the sefira of the day, does one comply by just listening? What if one just repeats the words also? Is that a better option since the mitzva is done by a greater group?
A. As we have mentioned on other Teshuvos, one can not comply with Sefirat Haomer by just listening as we do in other mitzvos, following the principle of “Shomea Keone,” or one that listens with the proper intention is considered as saying it himself. Some base this on the expression used by the Torah on this mitzva: “Usfartem Lochem,” you must count for yourself.
However, as in other mitzvos, it is indeed better to comply “Berov Am,” or with the presence of many together, as we say (Proverbs 14: 28) "In the multitude of people is the King's glory and honour”.
So that is an advantage to that kind of counting Sefira.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 4/24/2026 3:02 PM |
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#5874 Don't Spill the Spell!
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- - Q. Dear Rabbi.
I am looking for the correct spellings of a couple names for Sheryl’s Matzeva that I’m currently working on. Sheryl’s parents are Moshe Matis and Ita Rachel but apparently there are a couple spellings of each that keep showing up.
מתת / מתית / מטיס משה עטא רחל / איטה
I think these are the main options but I was also told that there are a multitude of alternates.
I sincerely thank you for all your help and support!
A. The most common used spelling for the above names also in other certificates such as a Ketuba is indeed:
רחל / איטה and מטיס משה.
However, there are other ways how to spell those names, and they appear in the Sefarim dedicated to the spelling of names in Ketuvot ans Gittin, and should be consulted, as they can vary from place to place and from time to time.
A proper Rabbinical authority should be consulted
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Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 4/24/2026 3:00 PM |
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#5873 - Q.Getting in Somebody's Hair
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- Q. Dear Rov Shlit'a.
I wasn't able to take a haircut before Pesach as the barbers were closed. My long hair is bothering me and my family too; it also may be an issue with the tefilin. Can I take one now before Lag Baomer?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that, although not taking a haircut now, may involve some strain and distress, we find longer periods of hair growth that are acceptable in Halacha. Therefore one should wait until Lag Baomer.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 4/24/2026 2:32 PM |
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#5872 A REAL ENDING?
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Rav, Can one make a siyum after ending a complete tractate of the Talmud on the Ein Yaakov version, which only has the more interesting and attractive Hagadot parts?
A. Since it is an established version of the Talmud which many learn constantly, likely it is correct to do so, to support, encourage and honour the ones who always engage in it.
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Posted 4/17/2026 4:05 PM |
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#5871 - A Woman’s Omer Opinion
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- Q. See question above.
Rabbi, Is it Commendable for Women to Count the Omer? What do learned women opine?
A. I found the following commendable article from Rebbetzin Chana Bracha Siegelbaum | Director, Midreshet B’erot Bat Ayin | www.berotbatayin.org, on Parashat Emor:
“Focused Self Refinement for Men and Women Alike”
Throughout all my forty years of being Torah observant, I have never counted the Omer from beginning to end. Truthfully, I haven’t even tried. I feel ambiguous about the many young women who ardently count the Omer with or without an app. On the one hand, I admire these devout women who want to take on this timebound, positive mitzvah, which is more than what the Torah mandates for women. On the other hand, I’m not an advocate of women taking on men’s mitzvot, which at times comes at the expense of keeping the many obligatory mitzvot for women.
Yet, it is not a black and white issue. As women’s roles evolve, the boundaries between men’s and women’s mitzvot become increasingly blurred.
During the period of counting the Omer, both men and women need to work on character refinement, in order to be worthy to receive the Torah.
The seven emotional sefirot (Divine emanations) that we go through, with their sub-sefirot, during each of the 49 days of the Omer, from Chesed (loving/kindness) to Malchut (royalty) teach us the spiritual and emotional focus of each day. No matter whether a woman counts the Omer or not, it is highly beneficial to meditate on the sefirah of the day and work on integrating it into our lives.”
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Hirshman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a.
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Posted 4/17/2026 3:01 PM |
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#5870 - The Blessing Blessed Women!
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Q. As we asked on the Rabbi’s well and very popular shiur on line, Is it better for women to count the Omer without a Beracha, since they may forget?
A. The main Halachic question is whether a woman who takes upon herself to count the Omer may recite a bracha. According to the Shulchan Aruch, a woman may not make blessings over any mitzvah from which she is exempt. If she does, she is reciting a blessing in vain. (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 589:6).
This is the prevalent custom among most Sefardic women. (Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef zt”l) However, the Ashkenazi custom follows the Rama’s opinion, that women who perform time-bound mitzvot are permitted to recite the blessing. Likewise, the nineteenth
century Rabbi Yechiel Michel Epstein holds that although women are exempt from counting the Omer, because it is a positive time-bound commandment, if they take upon themselves to count, they should recite a bracha like any positive time-bound commandment that women practice. (Aruch Ha-shulchan, Orach Chaim 489:3)
Similarly, any woman who chooses to count the Omer may say a blessing prior to saying it [if they have not missed any previous days, as is the law].
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that women should follow their family tradition.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Hirshman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a.
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Posted 4/17/2026 2:57 PM |
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#5869 - Remembering the Remembrance Day?
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- Rabbenu Shlit’a.
As I asked the Rov in Shul, should I, and can I attend, to comply with the mitzva of Kibud Av Vaem, a Yom Hashoa Remembrance Act, even in Nissan, since my parents are strongly asking me to also follow my survival grandfather and attend?
A. We had a similar question:
– #2165 No Partisan to the Simcha of Nisan?
Q. I’m a yeshiva bochur and my parents asked me and my siblings to attend with them and my Holocaust surviving grandmother a Yom Hashoah act, which takes place in Chodesh Nisan. I know it is very important to them. Should I go?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that if your brief attendance is indeed of great importance to your parents and they will be pained if you don’t attend, it is permitted, even during the joyful month of Nisan, when Halacha dictates that avelus, acts of grief and mourning should be avoided.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a December 20, 2019
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Posted 4/17/2026 2:50 PM |
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#5868 - Is this the Counting of the Rabbis?
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See question above-
Q. Kevod Horav Shlit’a . Many Poskim maintain that after the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash, Sefirat HaOmer changed and is only a Rabbinic obligation. Is that the reason for women to be exempt?
A. Indeed, many Poskim maintain that after the destruction of the Beis HaMikdosh, Sefirat HaOmer became only a Rabbinic obligation. For this reason, the Mishna Berura (489: 15) writes that many people count sefira during bein hashmashot. (twilight, between sunset and nightfall) In Halacha, this period is considered a “safek yom safek laila” (uncertain time, possibly day or possibly night). Therefore, one can be lenient.
That said, the Mishna Berura (489:14) writes that in any event, it is best to count after nightfall when we are certain it is night. Furthermore, if one counted during Bein Hashmashot, (time of uncertainty if day or night) the Mishna Berura (489:15) recommends repeating the counting without a bracha after nightfall.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Hirshman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a.
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Posted 4/17/2026 2:42 PM |
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Important Numbers
