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#595 Pressure Washing in the Nine Days of Mourning
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Q. Can you wash with a pressure washer a deck or the outside walls during the nine days?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that the Nine Days should be dedicated essentially to the mourning of the Bais Hamikdosh and what we should do to bring about the Geula. Having said that, if there is a need to pressure wash a deck or outside walls (as in a cottage) it is permitted since it is not included on the laundering prohibition.
(See also question 337 in this forum permitting washing a car during the Nine Days)
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a.
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Posted 7/31/2014 1:16 PM |
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#594 Carpet Cleaning in the Nine Days of Mourning
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#594 Carpet Cleaning in the Nine Days of Mourning
Q. Can you ask a maid to wash the carpets or curtains during the nine days?
A. Although you may vacuum clean a carpet during the Nine Days, even a Gentile should not wash them. The same applies to curtains (Nitey Gavriel Ben Hametzorim 1: 35: 20, Shoshanas Yisroel 4: 9)
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a.
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Posted 7/31/2014 1:15 PM |
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#593 Fixing Clothing in the Nine Days of Mourning
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Q. I have a simcha immediately following the nine days. I bought a dress that requires lengthening and the slit to be closed in order to make it tznius. Am I allowed to give it to a goy to fix during the nine days if I won't be able to do it after Tisha b'av?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that in need it is permitted. It should be done before the week of Tisha B'av.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a.
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Posted 7/31/2014 1:13 PM |
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#592 Ironing in the Nine Days of Mourning
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#592 Ironing in the Nine Days of Mourning
Q. What about ironing? She does that as well. Most of the clothing that needs to be ironed is for Shabbos, but there are some weekday clothes as well. Is she permitted to do the ones for Shabbos? Do I have to specifically tell her not to do the weekday ones or could I just let her do whatever she normally does, as she is in charge of it and I never get involved?
Thank you!!
A. On question 334 on this forum we mention: Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 551: 3) includes ironing in the prohibition of laundering. This applies from Rosh Chodesh Av onwards for the followers of Ashkenazi traditions, even if the clothing will not be used until after the nine days.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that when no clean clothing is available at all for Shabbos, you may launder and iron the minimum that is essentially needed.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a.
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Posted 7/31/2014 1:12 PM |
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#591 Laundering in the Nine Days of Mourning
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Q. My cleaning lady is completely in charge of doing the laundry in my home during the week.
I have small children and older children. Do I need to tell her that she is not allowed to do the adults laundry, or could she just do her thing and the adults and older children just won't wear freshly laundered clothes? I will definitely need the laundry for the younger kids.
Is there a difference between this week and next week (when Tisha b'av actually falls?)
A. On question 335 in this forum we mention; Shoshanas Yisroel (p.18) quotes Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion that one should refrain a house helper from laundering during the nine days, even when she does so by her own volition. Similar psak is found in Nitey Gavriel. (1: 35: 23)
See also Nitey Gavriel (ibid 1: 35: 14, quoting Horav Moshe Feinstein zt"l) that when you launder the clothing of young children in the washing machine, you should not add the laundry of adults.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is similar and only laundering the clothing of minors (before Bar-Mitzva) is permitted when needed. In this particular year when Tisha B'av is early on the week, you should prepare their needed laundry before Shabbos and avoid washing in the week of Tisha B'av.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a.
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Posted 7/31/2014 1:11 PM |
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#590 Nine Kavim on Nine Days
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Q. I usually take a shower to comply with tisha kavim, I do this Erev Shabbos too. Can I do this during all the nine days or only in erev Shabbos? Can the water be warm?
A. Many Poskim maintain that you comply with the custom of Nine Kavim (as an alternative to Tevilas Ezra, see Mishna Berura 88: 4) by showering until that amount of water (approximately 23 to 32 liters) cascades on you. (Minchas Yitzchok 4: 21, Yaskil Avdi 7: p. 387, Taharas Yom Tov 19, Chelkas Yakov 3: 61, Minchas Oviv p. 202 et. al. However, Mishne Halochos 3: 1-7 and others disagree)
Mishna Berura (O.H. 551: 97) quoting Chaye Adam permits using hot water for washing (head, hands and feet) on erev Shabbos Chazon for one who always does so.
Eishel Avrohom, Aruch Hashulchan (ibid.), Mishpotecha L'Yaakov (40,) Nitey Gavriel (1: 42 11 and note 17) quoting Chazon Ish permit daily immersing a mikva before davening during the Nine Days, if one always immerses.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that the same applies to one who uses a shower for Tisha Kavim compliance. If he constantly observes Tisha Kavim, he would be permitted to shower with tepid water during the Nine Days. However, if he regularly omits showering on Shabbos given that the water would then be completely cold, he would not be permitted showering during the Nine Days.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a.
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Posted 7/31/2014 1:09 PM |
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#589 War's Peaceful Mi Sheverach
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Q. In a number of shuln there have been open discussions and disagreements whether to say during these difficult times the mi sheverach for the Tzahal soldiers (on Shabbat). What does Horav Miller shlita advise?
A. The most important issue in situations of disagreement in a shul is to avoid any machlokos and quarrels and to maintain and keep sholom bais. Therefore Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a suggests that you may recite a "mi sheverach" praying for all the people of Israel including our soldiers.
He also recommended that Tehilim followed by the teflah Acheinu should be recited before the beginning and after the end of Shabbos.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 7/25/2014 12:29 PM |
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#588 A Holyday Holding
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Q. I own a property in partnership with a company where one of their partners is Jewish but not observant. They prepared and signed a lease during last Shavuos. Can I co-sign this lease that was then prepared on Yom Tov and benefit from it? It is likely that the ones who prepared the lease were Non-Jewish office workers.
A. Even on Shabbos if someone performed intentionally a prohibited melocho it is only forbidden for that individual to derive benefit from it, but not for others. If a Gentile did the work, it is usually permitted after enough time went by to complete that melocho, after the end of Shabbos. (O.H. 318: 1 – 515) Therefore there is no reason not to sign and use that lease.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 7/25/2014 12:28 PM |
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#587 Pure Mitzvos
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Q. (See last question) Why only (do we have to avoid a place that can bring tuma, and therefore we don't stand under a roof) in Kidush Levanah and not while performing any other mitzva?
A. Igrois Moishe (O.H. 1: 144) questions why only in this particular mitzva we follow this custom and not anywhere else, where we rely on that most places are free of tumah. He claims that the reason mentioned by the Maharil is unknown to us. However, Sefer Kidush Levono (5: 1) explains that Kidush Levono is different since we receive the presence of the Shechina.
Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a added that the fact that this is a mitzvah that is done publicly on the streets where uncleanness is common creates a demand for additional vigilance and carefulness.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 7/25/2014 12:27 PM |
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#586 Kosher Cover
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Q. Re- question 576 on reciting Kidush Levanah inside the house. Isn't there another reason to avoid becoming tomeh if under a roof?
A. Indeed besides the reason quoted in the Mishna Berura (426: 21), that we are engaged in receiving the presence of the Shechina and it is customary to leave one's home to welcome the presence of kings, Maharil quoted in Mogen Avrohom (426: 14) mentions that the reason not to recite Kidush Levono under a roof is to avoid tumah.
Poskim ponder if there is a practical difference between the reason presented by the Maharil and the one mentioned in the Mishna Berura. They suggest that the difference is whether one is allowed to recite Kidush Levono under a tree in the street. In such a case Tuma still applies since a tree is an ohel, but as far as going out to receive the Shechina, you did after all leave your home to receive the King (Yaskil Avdi 8: 38: 3, Simchas Olom 58)
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 7/25/2014 12:26 PM |
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#585 Shower Shelter Shaileh
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Q. What if one is in the shower (when the air-raid siren went off in Yerushalaim during a Hamas missile attack) Should one take some precious seconds to gain zechuyos by maximizing tznius before exiting the apartment or should one exit with just a bathrobe?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that if safety is a concern one should cover himself with a bathrobe only.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 7/17/2014 10:33 AM |
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#584 Missile Interruption
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Q. We live in Yerusholayim. About 35 minutes ago, the air-raid siren went off and we exited to a protected area. While there, Boruch Hashem, instead of getting panicky, we discussed some shailos:
What does one do if the siren goes off in middle of the Amidah? Is the threat of a missile attack as dangerous as that of a scorpion creeping up one's leg? Does it depend where in the country we are, where the missiles fall every ten minutes or every couple of days? On the other hand, every missile has an address, so the chances of getting hit or being missed should be equal everywhere.
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that the chances of being (l"o) injured from the Gaza missile attacks in Jerusalem are minimal and one should not interrupt the amida because of them.
I did hear that local Poiskim permit people that have great difficulty to concentrate in the tefilah, to interrupt and seek shelter when the air-raid siren goes off. See Mishna Berura and Biur Halacha (104: 3), and Teshuvos Vehanchogos (O.H. 35) in regards to go to another location in the middle of the amida when a child is crying.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 7/17/2014 10:33 AM |
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#583 Not so Fast
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Q. I'm taking antibiotics and I also suffer from reflux and find it hard to fast, do I have to fast on the 17 of Tamuz?
A. Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 554: 6) rules that an ill person does not have to fast on the lesser days of ta'anis since the Sages did not institute fasting in cases of illness. Mishna Berura (ibid. 11) defines ill as one that is weak and in pain, even if not in a life-threatening situation. The Poskim debate whether there is a point for one in such condition to partially fast. Some maintain (Aruch Hashulchan 554:7, Kisvei Hagrach 45, Avnei Nezer O.H. 540) that since the Sages did not institute fasting, there is no mitzvah or reason to fast part of the day or eat less than the shiur (quantity needed to transgress.) Others opine that in principle the ta'anis remains in place (Maharam Shick O.H. 289 quoting Chasam Sofer.)
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that if one is not actually in pain although he has a medical condition or disease and is taking medicine, if his illness is controlled and fasting will not aggravate the ailment, after consulting with his doctor, he can fast for as long as he does not feel sick, experiences pain or becomes weaker than expected in a day of fasting.
All Poskim agree that even when permitted to eat one should not indulge in unnecessary delicacies and culinary treats in that day (Mishna Berura ibid. 5).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a.
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Posted 7/17/2014 10:31 AM |
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#582 All is Good.
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Q. A parve soup in a meat pot, with a milk plastic ladle. no kli is ben yomo.
what is the status of the soup, pot , and ladle?
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that all are kosher (See Y.D. 94: 4)
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 7/17/2014 10:28 AM |
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#581 Fast or Feast?
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Q. Can I still shave and hear music on the night prior to the fast (of 17th of Tamuz) since the fasting begins in the morning?
A. Igrois Moshe (O.H.1: 168, 4:112) explains that whether the prohibitions of the three weeks such as shaving and avoiding marriage ceremonies apply already at the night of the seventeen of Tamuz, depends on a disagreement of Rishonim (Riff and Ba'al Hamaor) if we recite "anenu" on the maariv tefilah. He rules that in case of need one may be lenient and perform marriages.
However many Poskim disagree such as Chida in Chaim Shoal (24) in regards to not reciting Shehecheyanu from that night onwards, Maharsham (551: 2) Halichos Shlomo (13: 1) Eishel Avrohom (551) et. al.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that indeed one should begin the three week mourning period and all the traditions involved from the night of the Shiva asar betamuz onwards. (In case of great need, Sheva Brochos or Pidyon Haben, one should ask a competent Rabbi)
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Posted 7/17/2014 10:27 AM |
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#580 Is Aron a Person?
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Q. Sometimes there are only 9 people showing up at shul. The problem is that they lock the doors every hour on the hour so if we dont get a minyan, lets say at 8 AM, there is no chance to get a minyan since we have to leave by 9 AM.
Can we open the Aron Hakodesh? What is the halacha? Is there any leniency being that we are in jail?
A. Rav Huno (Brochos 47b) mentions that nine people and the Aron (Hakodesh) join together to create a minyan. However Rav Nachman questions the above saying: Is the Aron a person?
Indeed you cannot use the Aron Hakodesh as a tenth person for a minyan.
Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a suggested that even if you are unable to gather a minyan you should all daven in the shul provided and preferably maintain the Aron Hakodesh open during tefilah. This may help you pray with more intention and kavanah. Hashem should hear your tefilos.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised By Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 7/17/2014 10:25 AM |
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#579 Oversee the Dentifrice?
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Q. Is Colgate Toothpaste Kosher? Is there a problem using it although there is no hashgacha on the package?
Are any brands specifically not kosher?
A. Har Tzvi (Y.D. 95) permits toothpaste that has a non-kosher ingredient such as glycerin mixed into it. Although we only permit a prohibited ingredient in a mixture (Y.D. 103: 2), when that ingredient is totally inedible, which is not the case with toothpaste, still toothpaste is usually not swallowed and it is not considered food. Similarly Rivavos Ephraim (2: 10) quotes Horav Moshe Feinstein zt'l that permits use of regular toothpaste without kosher certification, to what he also agrees. Emes Leyakov (note 40) permits non-kosher ingredients if they are the minority of the toothpaste mixture (we do not require shishim.) However other Poskim are stringent since toothpaste after all is not totally inedible (Sefer Hakashrus 21: 49, Mishne Halochos 9: 154)
Rabbi S. Fishbane, Kashruth Administrator of CRC points out that there has been lately a concern on a recent change on toothpaste formulation. Traditionally, the main ingredient after water was the abrasive calcium carbonate or chalk, which is clearly not edible. Since the majority of the toothpaste was an inedible item Poskim permitted it. In recent years, calcium carbonate was replaced with hydrated silica (a sand product) as the abrasive and it seems to be not the majority ingredient anymore. He therefore advises to:
1) Only buy toothpaste with reliable kosher certification.
2) Review the ingredient panel and only buy the toothpastes that do not contain any glycerin.
3) Choose the ones that have the glycerin listed towards the end of the ingredient panel.
4) Buy any brand and type, based on the opinion that doesn't consider toothpaste a food item.
A Guide to Kosher (web site) quotes the following e-mail from Colgate: "If you are concerned for religious reasons, we recommend the following toothpastes which only use synthetic glycerin: Colgate Junior Toothpastes, Colgate Winter Fresh Gel, Colgate Great Regular Flavor (2.7oz only), Colgate 2-in-1, Colgate Fresh Confidence with Whitening Toothpaste, Colgate Herbal White Fresh Mint Toothpaste, Colgate Sparkling White Cinnamon Spice Gel and Colgate MaxFresh Toothpaste." Colgate also has an online Product Guide for Vegetarians
(The above information may not be up to date anymore and should be rechecked)
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that it is certainly better to use kosher-supervised toothpaste or at least a brand that we know contains only acceptable glycerin. However in need you can still rely on the accepted heterim mentioned above, since toothpaste is not a food item and even if unintentionally ingested it would be "shelo kederech achilo" or not in the common way of consumption.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised By Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 7/17/2014 10:25 AM |
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#578 A Sweeping Shaileh
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Q. I have a mulberry tree next to the side entrance of my home and the mulberries fall on the paved entrance. They can cause a mess on the carpets when someone steps on them and enters the house. Can they be swept with a broom on Shabbos since the cemented path is like karka merutzaf?
A. Biur Halacha (337: 2) rules that nowadays it is permitted to sweep floors that are wood covered, tiled, marbleized or cemented since most floors in houses are finished. Therefore there is no reason to decree a prevention ban, to avoid sweeping unfinished grounds. This would inevitably result in "Ashvuyeh Gumos" – filling in holes in the ground with dirt, which constitutes a biblical Shabbos violation.
Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a pointed out that Horav S. Z. Auerbach zt"l in Shulchan Shlomo (337: 2) permits sweeping a paved uncovered courtyard since it is seen as an extension of the house. However, he debates whether the same would apply to only a cemented path when most of the courtyard is unpaved. He therefore suggested using a soft broom to remove the mulberries.
He also advises that when sweeping a cemented path one should avoid sweeping over the gaps of the expansion joints between concrete slabs, as you may be filling or sealing them.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised By Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 7/17/2014 10:20 AM |
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#577 Yonge but Grown Eruv
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Q. My friends are coming in from Israel and want to know if there is an Eruv where I live please. 5XXX Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Between Finch Ave. W. and Sheppard Ave. W.)
A. Rabbi Akiva Steinmetz Shlit"a (Rabbi in charge of the Toronto Eruv) indicated that your location is within the boundaries of the Toronto Eruv. (See map and limits on the Toronto Eruv web site and up to where you are permitted to carry)
Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a mentioned additionally, that you should be careful to check on the Frum Toronto website on any Shabbat to ascertain that the Eruv is functional.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised By Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 7/17/2014 10:19 AM |
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#576 Windows to the Moon
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Q. Can someone stay inside as say Kidush Levanah by seeing the moon through the window if it is too hot or too cold outside?
A. The Remah (O.H. 426: 4) rules that one should not recite Kidush Levono underneath a roof. Mishna Berura (ibid. 21) explains that the reason is because we are engaged in receiving the presence of the Shechina and it is customary to leave one's home to welcome the presence of kings. Mishna Berura adds that if someone is ailing or not feeling well, the streets are not clean or is afraid for his safety in that neighborhood; he can recite this brocho inside while seeing the moon through the window.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is similar
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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Posted 7/11/2014 11:43 AM |
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Important Numbers
