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#284 Shaving for Shalom Bayis During Sefira
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Q. My husband grows a beard over s'fira (and the three weeks) as do many people. But I very much dislike it and find him unattractive when he does. Can I ask him to continue shaving during these times?
A. Some Poiskim permit cutting ones hair or shaving during sefira when significant monetary loss is involved (Igrois Moishe O.H. 4, 102 and 5, 24, 9). Other Poiskim are lenient when it is needed for health purposes (Oruch Hashulchan O.H. 493, 3 – Kaf Hachaim ibid. 19) or when visiting a crucially important government dignitary (Zera Emes 1, 69 – see also Chasam Sofer O.H. 158).
Presumably following the above opinions, sholom bais, in principle, would certainly qualify as a reason for leniency. However Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a maintains that sholom bais is a motive that can be easily abused and misused and since the period of sefira is relatively short it is certainly advisable to keep the halachos of sefirah, albeit it may involve discomfort.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 5/9/2013 3:42 PM |
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#283 Squeezing a lemon on Shabbos
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Q. One can squeeze a lemon onto fish or salad on Shabbos. Can one squeeze it into a liquid? Or if the slice of lemon is already in a liquid, such as water, can it be squeezed against the side of the pitcher with a spoon, thus flavouring the water?
A. Horav Ovadya Yosef Shlit"a (Livyas Chen 57) following the rule of Shulchan Oruch (O.H. 320, 6) permits squeezing lemons nowadays into an empty vessel since the juice is usually not consumed by itself but rather as a flavoring essence to impart taste to other foods or liquids.
Most Poiskim however, disagree since today lemons are not eaten as they are but mostly used for their juice. (Mishna Berura 320, 22, Shmiras Shabbos Kehilchoso 5,5 et al.)
Placing a slice of lemon into tea (when bishul is not a concern) and letting it permeate the tea by itself is permitted by most Poiskim (Shmiras Shabbos Kechilchoso ibid.).
Bais Avi (3, 47) and Yalkut Yosef (4, 318, 51) permit steering or shaking the cup with the lemon slice in it, as it is not a pseek reishoh that the juice will be extracted. Beer Moishe (6, 109) permits in principle, squeezing even with the spoon, since for some Poiskim it is only a rabbinical prohibition, most Poiskim see it only as a stringency and the extraction is done keleachar yad, or in an abnormal fashion. Many Poiskim disagree.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that you should not squeeze the lemon directly with the spoon.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 5/9/2013 3:27 PM |
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#282 Covering the hair of an unmarried convert woman
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Q. Does an unmarried convert woman have to cover her hair?
A. As mentioned in response #238; Shulchan Oruch (E.H. 21, 2) rules that Jewish women should not go out with uncovered hair to public places, regardless if married or not. Perisha, Bais Shmuel, Beer Heitev, (ibid. 3 and 5) and others explain that "unmarried" refers to a widow or a divorced woman.
As far as a convert is concerned, Mincha Yitzchok (Likutey Teshuvos 149,2) includes an unmarried giyores in the group of women that have to cover their hair.
Mishnas Hager (42 p.497) contends that in the case of an unmarried convert there may be added reasons to be more lenient than with a widow or a divorcee and treat her as a maiden. This follows Biur Halocho's reasoning (O.H. 75) that when the custom is to go uncovered we treat them as singles. Minchas Yitzchok (ibid.) also tends to be lenient in case of need.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that a previously unmarried convert, in case of need as when it would affect her chances to get married, can be lenient and not cover her hair.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 5/3/2013 3:05 PM |
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#281 Listening to classical music during the period of Sefiras Haomer
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Q. Can you listen to classical music in the radio during sefira?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that in principle serious or cheerless classical music would be permitted as we do sing a sad tune even on Tisha B'av (Eli Tzion). However it is likely that while listening to a symphony, parts of it may meet the criteria of the mood markings of allegro, animato, or giocoso. It is therefore advisable to refrain from listening to all music, unless needed for therapeutic purposes.
Rabbi a. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 4/25/2013 3:20 PM |
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#280 Fixing a Shaitl during the period of Sefiras Haomer
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Q. Can a woman fix, trim and set her shaitl during sefira?
A. Even though the prohibition of cutting ones hair during the period of Sefiras Haomer applies equally to women (based on Shulchan Oruch Y.D. 390, 5 – Pri Megodim 551, 13 – Kaf Hachaim ibid. 47 Igrois Moishe Y.D. 2,137 et al.), Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a explained that it does not apply to a shaitl or hairpiece, as this is seen only as an article of clothing and not part of the body.
Rabbi a. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 4/25/2013 3:18 PM |
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#279 Shaving on Friday morning Likvod Shabbos when Lag Baomer falls out on Sunday
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Q. As Lag baomer is Sunday you can shave on Friday likvod Shabbat, can this be done in the morning?
A. When Lag Baomer occurs on Sunday you are allowed to shave and take a haircut already in the morning of Friday.
Horav M. Feinstein Zt"l (M'asef Letorah Vehoraa 2, p. 19) explains that the reason for the permit is that if you would wait until Sunday, it would appear that the honor given to Lag Baomer supersedes kvod Shabbos.
Although some Poiskim permit a haircut already on Thursday night (Rivevos Ephraim O.H. 1, 338 quoting Rav Binyomin Silver), Horav Shlomo miller's Shlit"a opinion is that it is only permitted in cases of great need.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 4/25/2013 3:17 PM |
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#278 Thinking Torah thoughts in front of an ervoh while driving
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Q. On a previous answer the Rov mentioned the importance of listening to Torah tapes while driving safely to keep the mitzvah of uvelechtecha baderech. I have concerns as we approach summer and there is so much immodesty in the streets, should you not avoid learning Torah while you have to contemplate the ervos walking in front of you in the street when driving?
A. Mogen Avrohom (85,2) quoting Talmud Shabbos 150a rules that it is permitted to think Torah thoughts in front of an ervoh or immodestly clad person, only verbalizing is prohibited. "Shomeah keoneh" or listening (to a brocho) is like answering, does not apply in the context of learning Torah. (see Avnei Tzion 2,8 in regards to writing divrei Torah facing an ervoh).
Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a commented in addition, that the windshield which is often tinted, although by itself it does not permit the articulation of words of kedusha, (see Mishna Berura 75,5 on ervoh beashoshis), it does provide a further added reason to be lenient and listen to a light Torah tape while driving safely.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 4/25/2013 2:04 PM |
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#277 Fasting on Pesach Sheni
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Q. The costume in our family is to fast on a day of Yortzait. I recently lost my mother and her yortzait is going to be on Pesach Sheni, do I fast on that day?
A. Poiskim mention different traditions on Pesach Sheni in regards to reciting Tachanun, saying Slichos when it coincides with sheni chamishi vesheni, delivering eulogies and fasting.
Talmud Chulin 129b cites Megilas Taanis that includes Pesach Zeiro (the Lesser Pesach as Pesach Sheni is also known) in the list of days when eulogies and fasting is prohibited.
Binyan Shlomo (quoted in Sdei Chemed 5 p. 375) explains that although the Megilas Taanis has been in general annulled, Pesach Sheini’s restrictions may remain, as we hope that soon the Bais Hamikdash will be rebuilt and Pesach Sheni will be reinstated.
Followers of some Ashkenazi and Lithuanian traditions do recite tachanun and fast when needed on Pesach Sheni, while Chasidim and Sephardim do not (Likutey Mahariach, Eishel Avrohom 131: 20, Maharsham 6:32, Yalkut Yosef p. 649, Nitey Gavriel - Pesach 3, et al.)
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that a individual should follow his family's tradition when it comes to fasting on a yortzait on Pesach Sheni.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 4/24/2013 6:56 PM |
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#276 Making a Siyum on a part of Trey Asar
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Q. (For the purpose of making a Siyum on finishing a Novi) How short can the novi be, is Malachi good enough?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that on the "Trey Asar", the Twelve Prophets, you have to learn all of them to perform a siyum
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
P.D. (Malachi has three chapters, Chagai has two)
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Posted 4/24/2013 6:53 PM |
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#275 Badeking ceremony for a divorced or widowed Kallah
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Q. Does a once divorced kalah do the badeking ceremony?
A. There are diverging opinions if the badeking ceremony, were the groom veils his bride is done and how it is done on a Kalla's second marriage. Some Poiskim maintain that no Badeking is done at all (Remoh E.H. 55, 1 - Chelkas Mechokek 55: 8 in the name of Talmud Yerushalmi, Aruch Hashulchan E.H. 55, 24).
Shulchan Hoezer 8,61 advices that a veil should cover her face as a sign of modesty, even if it is only light, but she herself or others place it, not the groom. Some maintain that the badeking is done when the choson and kallah are under the chupa.(Mahariaz 8)
The reason of the variation is to establish that this is a second marriage for her and the amount of the Kesuva is reduced (see Batim L'vadim 8)
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 4/18/2013 11:28 PM |
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#274 Divorced or widowed Kallah wearing white
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Q. Does a once divorced kalah wear white?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlt"a opinion is that a divorced or widowed Kallah may wear white as long as it is not the long or extended dress ordinarily used in most weddings. A similar opinion is to be found in Nitey Gavriel (Hilchos N'ssuin I, 51, 2)
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 4/18/2013 11:26 PM |
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#273 Using the word "Hashem" when teaching the proper Nusach of Tefillah
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Q. In the Taz (O"CH 621:2) it says that one who wants to avoid saying the Name of Hashem should not use the word "Adoshem", but should use the word "Hashem" instead.
The difficulty is that "Hashem" has only two syllables and "Adoshem" has three. Therefore, if one is making a recording of or trying to teach the proper Nusach of Tefillah with a specific melody, using the word "Hashem" may result in the tefillah being sung incorrectly (which might not be such a problem in many communities, but in some communities where the melody of a tefillah is part of their ancient Mesorah this is indeed not an option). To use the word "HaAshem" might be more problematic because it is a word that has a derogatory meaning (the guilty one).
What should be done in this case?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a pointed out that the name Adoi-shem as well as the name it represents, Adoi-noy both are written with a chataf patach under the alef, (Bereshis 18:3-7-21 or 20:4 et al.). This will basically turn these words into ones with only two syllables.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a
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Posted 4/17/2013 6:08 PM |
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#272 Transferring to other locations when in jail
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Q. I am currently in jail and have an option to be transferred to a different location. Is it better to be in a place closer to my family or in a place with a Minyan?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that being in a location where there is access to a minyan, supersedes other considerations, particularly as this facility also provides better personal security and safety.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 4/17/2013 4:48 PM |
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#271 Making a Siyum on a Sefer from Nach
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Q. Does one make a siyum on a sefer of nach?
A. Pnay Yehoshua (Brochos 17a) commenting on Rabbi Yochanan's custom after ending Sefer Iyov, mentions that you should celebrate a siyum at the conclusion of the learning of a complete sefer of Neviim or Kesuvim. So too is the opinion of Minchas Pitim (Y.D. 246,26) and Piskey Teshuvo (1, 194 in the notes) quoting the Avney Nezer’s tradition.
Haelef Lecha Shlomo (386) rules that you can perform a siyum even on a short Novi with few chapters, and it would be considered a seudas mitzvah as long as it was concluded by happenstance and not planed (as to eat meat in the nine days). A similar opinion is to be found in Igrois Moishe (O.H.1, 57 and O.H. 2,12) where he adds that the learning should be truthful and with some depth.
It is of interest that Mishne Halochos (1, 451) opines that finishing any of the great and accepted seforim of Musar, such as the Mesilas Yeshorim is reason for a siyum, other Poskimm disagree (Rivevos Ephraim O.H. 189).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 4/16/2013 5:38 PM |
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#270 Making a Siyum on Torah learning done through listening to a tape
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Q. I listened to shiurim on all of sefer shmuel on tape. At the end, I listened to the magid shiur say a hadran, with no kaddish.
Does one make a siyum on learning done only by listening (in my van), with out an open sefer?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that you may perform a siyum on Torah learning done just by listening to a tape as it is considered learning. (Sefer Charedim 11 - Tziunum Latorah 9, - See; Biur Halocho 47,4 on the HaGro opinion on just thinking Torah thoughts).
Although it is a very important mitzvah to learn Torah while traveling, as we repeat twice daily "uvelechtecha baderech" (see Avos 3,4) care should be taken not to distract oneself from the necessary concentration needed for proper driving. Mogen Avrohom (110,10 from Talmud Taanis 10b) rules that one should abstain from the more engrossing Halocho learning if he is the conductor. (It is quoted from Rav Simcha Waserman Zt"l that he would not answer Halocho questions while driving).
Learning Nach however, would be acceptable.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 4/16/2013 5:37 PM |
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#269 Allowing a housekeeper in your sold home on Pesach to eat and feed your cat Chometz
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Q. We are going away for Pesach and will be selling all the chametz in the house. We have a housekeeper and a cat. She will be eating lunch from the chametz in the house and will be feeding the cat from the cat food in the house. Any problems?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a advised that you should sell the house, the chometz contents and the cat to the housekeeper. Besides the usual acquisitive acts of kinyan done on the house and the chometz contents, an aditional kinyan kesef and a kinyan hagvooh or lifting should be done on the cat. She would then be feeding her cat in her house with her own chometz.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 3/29/2013 2:26 AM |
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#268 Selling all the chametz in the house when you have a housekeeper
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Q. We are going away for Pesach and will be selling all the chametz in the house. We have a housekeeper. We will be giving her no instructions for when she comes in Yom Tov. We presume she will be doing light housework. Any problems?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that you should still ask her not to do any melochos that are prohibited in Shabbos and Yom Tov.
Additionally, you have to be careful with the Kashrus and bishul akum issues involved.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 3/29/2013 2:21 AM |
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#267 Disposing Chometz when burning it is not allowed
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Q. Is one obligated to search for chametz when in jail, if one won't be able to burn it, only flush it down?
A. Shulchan Oruch (O.H. 445,1) rules that although the accustomed practice is to burn the found chometz, it can be disposed off in any way. (see Mishna Berura ibid. 5). Someone imprisoned or hospitalized can flush the chometz down.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 3/29/2013 2:17 AM |
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#266 Bedikas Chometz without a Candle or Flashlight
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Q. Can one search for chametz when in jail, if you can't use a candle or a flashlight?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that in those in exceptional occasions when no candle or flashlight is available or permitted, such as one imprisoned or hospitalized, bedikas chometz should be done using the existing light available.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 3/29/2013 2:13 AM |
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#265 Bedikas Chometz when in jail
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Q. Do you have to do the search for chametz when in jail when your only personal area is your bunk and a shelf? There is going to be chametz anyway from the other inmate.
A. Poiskim rule that one hospitalized during Pesach should do bedikas chometz on his personal belongings on the eve of Pesach without a brocho. (Toras Hayoledes 43,1 – Bedikas Chometz Ubiuroy 3,51 – Piskey Teshuvos 437,1) since even if he is a paying patient he could be moved from room to room at the sole discretion of the hospital staff (ibid.).
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that although a prison inmate has even less privileges than a hospital patient he still has to do a chometz search on what is available to him.
The fact that there is still chometz on the premises that belongs to the other inmate, does not exempt him from doing all he can to avoid possessing or eating his own chometz.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 3/29/2013 2:10 AM |
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Important Numbers
