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#300 Wearing a Citizen Eco-drive watch on Shabbos
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Q. Shalom U'Bracha, Recently I purchased a Citizen eco-drive watch, that gets charged automatically from the light.
My question is: (1) Is it permitted to wear such a watch on shabbos (at home or within an eruv) when the watch has a reserve battery that can last about a year?
(2) This watch has a power save function "When the watch is continuously not exposed to light for 30 minutes ... the second hand is automatically stopped to reduce the power consumption. The hour and minute hands operate continuously"
Would it be mutar to wear on shabbos, I noticed when I am sleeping (with my hand under the cover the seconds handle stops until I take it out.)
A. Many Poiskim permit the use of self-winding watches, while they are still working (see Shemiras Shabbos K’hilchoso 28:28). A watch that gets charged automatically from the light it receives and is ticking would also be permitted.
However Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion in regards to the eco-drive watch you describe, is that it should not be used on Shabbos, since your covering or uncovering of the watch will have a direct effect and change the operation and functioning of the watch.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 5/17/2013 4:11 PM |
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#299 Using dishwasher detergent without a hechsher
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Q. Does dishwasher detergent need to be kosher? The brand finish use to have a hechsher and now it does not.
A. We forwarded your question to Rabbi Dovid Rosen, COR Rabbinic Coordinator, who advised us that; COR policy is that all dish soaps do not require a hechsher.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 5/17/2013 12:44 PM |
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#298 Someone who has excepted Shabbos early asking someone else to do a Melocho
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Q. Can someone that started Shabbos early ask his neighbor that davens late to turn on the lights for him?
A. Shulchan Aruch (O. H. 263: 17) rules that it is permitted for someone that has already accepted Shabbos to ask another that has not, to do a melocho for him. Mishna Berura (ibid.64) warns that this should not be done when it is already too close to sunset, as the majority of the community has already received Shabbos and the few that have not would be drawn by them.
(In relation to the previous questions, this does not apply to telling an Israeli resident who temporarily travels to Chutz Laaretz, to do melochos for him on the second day of Yom Tov, see Minchas Itzchok 7, 34).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 5/17/2013 12:42 PM |
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#297 When does someone from Eretz Yisroel say Izkor when traveling
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Q. Is there a point for him(a Israeli resident who temporarily travels to Chutz Laaretz) to say Izkor as it is not Yom Tov for him or should he say it by himself on the first day?
A. Betzel Hacochmo (4: 109) rules that an Israeli resident who temporarily travels to Chutz Laaretz should recite Izkor on the first day by himself.
Yom Tov Sheni Kehilchoso (13; 4) mentions that he was advised that Horav Moshe Feinstein's Zt"l opinion was not to say Izkor at all. However, Horav Shlomo Zalman Ouerbach Zt"l wondered why not and ruled that it should be recited on the first day and preferably also on the second day, together with the rest of the community.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is to join everyone else and say Izkor on the second day.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 5/17/2013 12:35 PM |
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#296 Someone from Eretz Yisroel getting an Aliya on the second day of Yom tov
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Q. I have guest from Israel that are visiting me and they only keep one day Yom Tov. On the second day Shavuoth can one get an aliyah as he has Yortzayt and it is Thursday and they would be reading the Torah anyway? If yes could he get Maftir?
A. Poiskim mostly agree that an Israeli resident who temporarily travels to Chutz Laaretz should not be called to the Sefer Torah on the second day of Yom Tov, a day that for him is already after Yom Tov. Some maintain that the brocho recited will be in vain (Shaarei Ephraim 8:97, Hilchos K’tanos 4 – see also; Igrois Moishe 8:31, however Shvus Yaakov permits giving an aliyah).
Since on this particular year (5773), second day Shavuos is on a Thursday, when if it would not be Yom Tov we would be reading Parshas Hashavua, Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that on a Yortzait day you can call the Ben Eretz Yisroel to the Torah on one of the first three aliyos, but definitely not for Maftir.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 5/17/2013 12:30 PM |
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#295 Tefilin dropped off by a Sofer but not returned
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Q. I sent my Tefillin to a Sofer Stam in Toronto for checking almost a year ago. I have called 2x since sending it and have yet to speak to him, and only to his wife. I have not heard from him, and I miss my tefillin very much. I cannot manage to purchase another set at this time.... 4 months ago his wife said he has been very busy. I don't want to seem like a pest, but I am getting uneasy about this matter, and have almost spoke Lashon Hara about this. How do I approach this matter?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a recommended you should send him a written request for returning your Tefilin and keep a copy of it. Give him reasonable time to respond. If he does not respond by that time, begin by contacting the Rov of the Shul where he usually davens and presenting your complaint to him.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 5/17/2013 12:13 PM |
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#294 Newspapers delivered to a Jewish area on Shabbos
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Q. Is a newspaper delivered to North York on Shabbos Muktzah?
A. Presumably Gentiles printed the newspaper after the onset of Shabbos. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that it is not considered nolad or something new created on Shabbos, since the paper was already in existence prior to the printing. As it is likely that the printing operation was carried out mostly for Gentiles, within the t'chum of the Larger Toronto area and there is also an Eruv in the city, in principle the non-business and non-financial sections of the newspaper are not muktze. (see Shmiras Shabbos Kehilchoso 31: 24 for a similar ruling). However one should dedicate Shabbos for spiritual purposes and Torah learning.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 5/10/2013 4:29 PM |
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#293 Using a plastic tablecloth cut on Shabbos
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Q. Is a plastic tablecloth which was cut from a roll on Shabbos (by a non Jew) muktzah?
A. It is prohibited to derive benefit from melochos done on Shabbos by a gentile, even if he was not instructed to do them, but he carried them out for the use of a Jew. Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 325: 6-7, 276:1). If the Gentile cooked for the Jew, he would not be able to consume it and it would be muktze too (Mishna Berura 328: 58). One who cuts a tablecloth incurs on the Biblical prohibition of mechatech. (See. Minchas Shabbos 80: 162 ans Shmiras Shabbos Kechichoso 23: 16).
However in the case of a plastic tablecloth, Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is, that if already severed by the Gentile, it could be used, since no real benefit was gained by cutting it to size. This is due to two reasons;
a) it could be used even when not cut by letting the remaining attached roll rest on the floor.
b) You can still eat directly from the uncovered table. The plastic tablecloth is only essential for tidying and house cleaning purposes. The second reason will permit the use of the tablecloths, when several different tables were covered.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 5/10/2013 4:27 PM |
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#292 Using a reed mat helt togehter with plastic coated wire
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Q. May I use for Schach a reed mat that is held together with wire coated in plastic insulation?
A. Shulchan Aruch, (O.H.629, 1 and 7) rules that schach cannot consist and may not be supported by material that does not grow as a plant from the ground or is mekabel tumah (can become ritually impure). Wire coated with plastic besides not growing from the ground is mekabel tumah too, so it cannot be used as a direct supporting part of the scach.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 5/10/2013 4:24 PM |
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#291 lighting candles early on Shavuos night
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Q. When lighting the Yom Tov candles on the first night of Shavuoth do I have to wait till nightfall if I didn't count sefirah?
A. Piskey Teshuvos (O.H. 494, 4) rules that women should wait to light candles on the eve of Shavuos until nightfall since they recite the brocho of shecheyanu which is similar to kiddush and they accept at that time the sanctity of the day. The fact that no sefirah was counted is of no consequence; you still have to keep the seven complete weeks. A man that missed counting would also wait with Kiddush until night.
Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a disagrees in principle and mentions that the common custom is for women to light candles earlier as in every other Yom Tov (as it is recorded on most calendars). Men should also observe and accept toseffes Yom Tov before sunset. This does not contradict the compliance of keeping the seven complete weeks as the total Kedushas Yom Tov, is received only when reciting Kiddush at night.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 5/10/2013 4:12 PM |
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#290 Numbers of the tribes in this week's Parsha always finish in zeros
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Q. How come the numbers of the tribes in this week's Parsha always finish in zeros, were they round up? That they are the exact number is statistically very unlikely.
A. Horav Yakov Kamenetzki ZT"l (Emes L'Yaakov, Pinchas) addresses this question and proposes that the counting was done by the leaders of the tribes placed into service by Moshe Rabenu (parshas Pinchas). He offers that it was done up to only the Leaders of Fifty and smaller numbers were indeed rounded to fifty. He quotes as support a similar explanation given by Meshech Chochmo (Bamidvor).
Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a finds great difficulty with this proposal, as they used actual silver coins of a half Shekel for the counting, and since monies were involved the counting had to be totally accurate. The fact that the numbers resulted in such an unlikely rounded count would be added to the many miracles that occurred at the time.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 5/10/2013 4:10 PM |
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#289 Reading Parshas Bamidvar before Shavuos
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Q. I just read in an authoritative Yom Tov sefer and luach that Parshat Bamidvar is always before Shavuoth, wasn't last year Nasso before?
A. This sefer was probably quoting Shulchan Oruch (O.H. 428, 4) that very emphatically rules "leolam korin" we always read (the chapter) of Bamidbar before Shavuoth. However, as Biur Halocho (ibid.) points out, occasionally it is Nasso not Bamidbar (12 times in the last one hundred years outside of Israel, 19 times there, see question 86 in this forum). Poiskim indeed wonder why use the expression "leolam" when it is not really always so (Bein Pesach L'shavuos 9). Biur Halocho (ibid.) quotes the Levush, that places the emphasis on separating the curses of the tochacha of parshas Bechukosai from the judgment of Shavuoth (on the fruits of trees), so as not to give an arraigning opportunity to the accuser in a day of judgment. Parshas Bamidbar indeed always serves as a separating instrument between the parshios before Shavuos.
Some authorities explain that parshas Bamidbar is exceptional not only as a disconnecting factor but also because of the different messages an teachings necessary for the receiving of the Torah.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 5/10/2013 4:06 PM |
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#288 Making the Bracho on seeing a tree in bloom in Sivan
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Q. We have some fruit trees in our back yard that just now began to bloom… can the brocho still be made this Shabbat as it is already Sivan?
A. This year, due to the earliness of 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 hoilonos (Brochos 43b – Shulchan Oruch O.H. 226, 1), Poiskim 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 , hagoos O.H. 226 – Zichron Yehuda – Magid Taaluma 43b - Nitey Gavriel, Pesach I, 6, 5) and even on Sivan (Aruch Hashulchan ibid. - Nitey Gavriel ibid, see also question 83 on this forum).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 5/10/2013 4:02 PM |
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#287 Waiting until Shabbos to make the Bracho on seeing a tree bloom
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Q. We have some fruit trees in our back yard that just now began to bloom, can we wait till Shabbat when the whole family is together to make the bracha or does it have to be done when you see them the first time?
A. Yalkut Yosef (Shabbos 3, 319,77) quotes some opinions that maintain that this brocho 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 Poiskim disagree and permit reciting this brocho 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 count of the hundred brochos.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 5/10/2013 3:47 PM |
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#286 Brocho on onions from schmaltz herring
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Q. Kevod Harav Shlit"a,
The halacha seems to point out that if one eats raw or even cooked Garlic or Onions, the bracha receited is "Shehakol", as it is not the usual way for most people to eat raw garlic and onions.
I have noticed that during Kiddush in shul, when schmaltz herring is served, some make a bracha of shehakol on the fish, and a separate bracha on the onions.
If one desires to eat the onion by itself, does he make a haadoma or is it shehakol?
A. Indeed, Mishna Berura (25, 5) rules that since raw onions are normally eaten only when mixed with salads or other dishes and rarely by themselves their brocho is shehakol. If the were fried and thus became better, their brocho changes to hoadomo.(ibid 7)
Horav Shlomo Miller's opinion is that onions salted and placed in oil or marinated in vinegar are kovush (pickled) and halachakly considered cooked. Since they have improved, if then eaten by themselves and not as an integral part of the herring (tofel), the brocho recited over them is hoadomo.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 5/9/2013 4:56 PM |
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#285 Unsealed meat or non-Mevushel wine left unattended at home
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Q. We have a babysitter who watches my child every day. She is Hindu. We have once or twice left an open bottle of non-mevushal wine out, and sometimes have unsealed meat in the fridge while she is here alone. In the past we have discarded the wine, but I only recently realized the meat in the fridge might be a problem as well. Is there any difference being that I trust her to care for my child, or must we discard the wine and meat? And how should we seal the meat in the future?
A. Shulchan Oruch (Y.D. 63, 2) quotes two differing opinions in regards to meat that was left unattended at home. The first opinion (Rambam) permits only if it can be identified by a prior known mark or by its known general appearance. The second one (Rashbam), maintains that if it was found where it was left and there is no reason to suspect that it was substituted for another, it is permitted. Remoh (ibid.) rules according to the second lenient opinion.
Teshuvos Vehanhogos (Y.D. 249) mentions in regards to a Gentile house helper that stays alone for a while, that the general custom is to allow the meat if the helper is trusted and honest or is afraid that the owner may return unexpectedly and be caught in the act of exchange. Yalkut Yosef (Kitzur Shulchan Oruch (p. 473) adds another reason to be lenient, namely when the helper has nothing to gain from the switch.
Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a advises that it is preferable to keep the meat in the original sealed packages. If used, reseal them when possible or keep in mind an identifying mark. The fact that you can tell if it was salted or not is also a siman. However, lacking the above, after the fact, one can be lenient if any of the other above mentioned criteria were met.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 5/9/2013 3:48 PM |
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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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Important Numbers
