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Have a question? Send it in! Questions are answered by Rabbi Bartfeld.
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# 4473 The Travelling Sukka
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Q. Dear Rov. I will be traveling G-d willing during Chol Hamoed Sukkoth for over ten hours with my family, as we are visiting our parents. I have a few shailos I would like to ask the Rov, since we are careful not to eat outside the Suka even when traveling.
First question, we are using a large van that has two doors on the back. Can we open both of them, when we stop, and then while hanging a piece of cloth that qualifies as a ‘Mechitza’ (separation that qualifies as a wall) to the van’s inside, the very rear of the van used, namely the wide doors of the van itself while open and then place on top of the doors a Kosher mat for serving as Schach?
Would that be a Kosher Sukka even it is only very temporary?
A. Horav Dovid Pam Shlit’a and other Rabbanim maintain that it would be considered a Kosher Suka, and you could make a brocho when eating in it.
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Posted 10/6/2023 6:14 PM |
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# 4472 Give Sholom to the Newborn Baby?
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Q. If someone is celebrating a Sholom Zochor for a new born baby this year, when the first day Yom Tov Sukos coincides with Shabbos, should the mother bring the not yet circumcised baby to the suka to provide joy and simcha that after all is the great mitzva of Yom Tov and also for the benefit of the neshhama of the newborn?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that it could be a good idea to do so if it does not affect in any way the newborn baby.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 9/29/2023 11:03 AM |
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# 4471 A Meal Into Itself
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Q. This year (23) first day Yom Tov Sukot is on Shabbat. To avoid eating Shalosh-seudot close to the night, since we will then be eating the Seuda of Yom Tov, we usually in similar cases, following the Rav’s advice, as on Rosh Hashana, divided the seuda after musaf into two separate meals.
We ate the first part of the meal including the cholent first. Then recited Birkat Hamazon, and went outside to the street and came back and washed Netilat Yadaim again, made hamotzi on bread, ate the dessert and that was our Shalosh Seudot.
My question is that since our suka is on the driveway at the front of our house, would just walking to the street suffice to separate the two parts of the meal and be considered as two separate seudot?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that in any case, but specially in yours, one should go for a walk and wait a half an hour, between the two meals.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 9/29/2023 11:01 AM |
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# 4470 Not An Empty Nest
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Q. We keep our Suka structure the whole year in our garden. We just saw that some birds build a nest in a corner. The kids are trilled with it and I’m sure most guest will appreciate it also. Can we keep it as a decoration for the Suka?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that if you can keep the nest area clean specially from the outside, such as having a container that keeps the bird droppings separated and covered from those seating bellow in the suka, it is permitted.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 9/29/2023 10:58 AM |
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# 4469 Busy with the Busy Bee
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Q. This year we are suffering again from bees and wasps. What can we do in the Suka?
A. On question 372, on how to avoid having the wasps in the suka, anf if one can put outside food or honey that attracts them on Shabos and Yom Tov or is it prohibited as feeding animals that don’t belong to us, we wrote:
“Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 324: 11) rules that one should not feed water or food to bees on Shabbos. Mishnah Berurah (ibid. 29) explains that this applies even if the bees belong to the one feeding them. The reason being that since it is not necessary to feed them, as they usually take care of themselves, feeding them is a prohibited unnecessary effort. (Tos’ Shabbos 19a)
However, Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that since your intention in this particular case is not really to provide food for them but rather the great need of not having bees and wasps in your Sukah, it is therefore permitted.
On question 1142 regarding if one can one place on Shabbos a glass with a mixture of vinegar or wine and a little liquid detergent, to attract and trap little very bothersome fruit flies, we wrote: “Mishna Berura (316:18) rules that it is forbidden to set a trap (as a mouse trap) on Shabbos, and if an animal is trapped as he sets the device, he transgresses a biblical proscription. If it is trapped afterwards it is rabbinical prohibition. However, it is permitted to set a trap before Shabbos.
In regards to flypaper, Poskim disagree whether you are allowed to hang it on Shabbos. Some rule it is prohibited (Tal Nosson p. 172, P'ri Hagan 4: 316 – p. 369, Sdei Tzoifim – Beitza 36a – p. 438). However, Piskei Teshuvos (316: 9) quoting Ateres Moishe (1: 77) permits hanging flypaper since to begin with, a fly may not immediately be caught. Besides, flies and the like are not normally trapped for any particular use (Beminom Notzud), and he is only doing it to be rid of them (Melocho Sheino Tzricho Legufo). Other Poskim permit when in great need (Sdei Tzofim ibid. See also Chashukei Chemed – Shabbos 5a, in regards to placing food on an already set glue trap).
Migdal Dovid (39 Melochos 3: Tzad n. 124) permits placing a bottle with a narrow opening and draw bees into it with an attracting substance when needed, since in essence they can still exit the bottle. You may also argue that the holding power of detergent is not necessarily the equivalent of glue, and the flies can still escape
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Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that when in need, you can set up the mixture of an attracting substance mixed with detergent on Shabbos.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 9/29/2023 12:16 AM |
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# 4468 A Fault Confessed but Not Redressed
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Q. Dear Rabino. I have a shaila from your old country. A fellow member from the sinagoga that I take care of, is a recent good Baal Teshuva. He is married to a lady that converted and they have three young children. The problem is that he is a Cohen, so he is not allowed to be married to a giyoreth (converse woman).
If I tell him that he has to divorce her, he certainly will not keep anymore anything, and will just leave our congregation. He understands well the issue, but he just can’t divorce the mother of his three small children.
He also wants to know if during the Viduy (confession) he can say to Hashem with honesty; ‘I ask you forgiveness for the ‘cheth’ (sin) I’m still committing’? Should one confess to a sin he is unable to abandon?
A. There may be a number of uncertainties and doubts if he is actually committing a sin. Firstly many of the people converting in my native country are likely to have some Jewish origins as a significant group of ‘Marranos” or hidden Jews settled in Mexico when running from the inquisition, so at least there may be some actual doubt in regards to her being a convert (see question 4171). Besides, since he is also a Baal Teshuva and son of a family that did not keep mitzvot, he may not be a Cohen at all. It is not unusual that some individuals maintain erroneously that they are Cohanim, simply by the lack of knowledge of what is considered in Halacha a true Cohen and not just a name or similar.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one should indeed recite viduy in such a case, as he quoted from the Yad Haktanah.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 9/29/2023 12:12 AM |
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#4467 A Number One Shailah
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Q. Rov, I heard about a very interesting ruling of the Mishna Berura that on can enter a bathroom without taking off his kitel (white robe used by men during Yom Kippur). Could that be correct?
A. Indeed, Mishna Berura (610: 18) rules that one may enter a bathroom just to urinate while wearing his kitel.
However, Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that although bathrooms are cleaner in our days than the way they were in the days of the Mishna Berura, yet they are used now for the relief of both bodily needs and therefore one should remove his kitel before entering the facilities.
That seems to be the common custom in our times.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 9/29/2023 12:07 AM |
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# 4466 A Compassionate Answer
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Q Can one answer and say the “Yud Gimmel Middos” (Thirteen Attributes of Compassion) during ‘Elokai Netzor’ at the very end of the Amida?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that if one has said already “Yichyu Lerotzon Imrei Pi” one can recite the ‘Yud Gimmel Middos’ together with the rest of the congregants.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 9/29/2023 12:05 AM |
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# 4465 Best to Prepare
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Q. One brings his Arba’a Minim (Lulav – Etrog etc.) to shul and then goes to a friends house for the seuda. Must he leave them there or can he take them home?
A. Horav Dovid Pam Shlit’a maintains that if they will not be used on that day anymore for a friend etc., he should leave them there an pick them next day, since one should not prepare from one day Yom Tov for the next.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 9/29/2023 12:00 AM |
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# 4464 Eye Opener Shailah
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Q. Sometimes I forget to say the shema until I'm in bed with my head uncovered. So I cover myself with the blanket and say it. Do I still need to cover my eyes with my hands since the blanket is covering them?
A. Our Rabbonim maintain that you should still cover your eyes as it is the proper minhag even in a dark room or for the one who cannot see. (Yalkut Yosef p.536).
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 9/28/2023 11:58 PM |
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# 4463 Bless the Brake?
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Q. Kvod Harav. In our shul on Yom Kippur we take a brake after Musaf for two hours and many go home to rest. When they come back and wear the Ta’alis again, do they have to make a new bracha
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that since they exited the shul leaving the ta’alis behind for an extended time, it is different from going to the bathroom and a new brocho should be recited.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 9/28/2023 11:56 PM |
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# 4462 Meditate This Well
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Q. Kvod Harav. Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan in his book Jewish Meditation, describes a method for doing Teshuva by applying the not so commonly used methods of meditation. Does the Rav recommend it?
What is Horav Miller Shlit’a say about it?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’ais not very familiar with this particular book, so he didn’t provide an opinion.
However, there is no question that Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan z’l was a major factor in the development of the Ba’alei Teshuva movement especially for the younger crowd.
Horav Moishe Feinstein Zt’l addressed him in one of his Teshuvos as “my friend the Rav’ (O.H. 1: 94) and many other Rabbanim recognized his great kiruv achievements in the NCSY and the close to fifty sefarim he wrote.
Altough, he was himself a Baal Teshuva and also in his beginnings served in conservative institutions, he then joined the Klausenburg Yeshiva and became close to the Rebbeh, who later suggested, after some time of learning at Yeshiva Torah Vodaas and Mir Yeshiva in Brooklyn, that he go and further his studies in Israel.
Rav Aryeh enrolled at Mir Yeshiva in Jerusalem. In 1956, he received his rabbinical ordination from Chief Rabbi Yitzchak Hertzog and also from R. Eliezer Yehudah Finkel, Rosh Yeshiva of the Mir.
Rav Kaplan zt’l died at his home of a heart attack on January 28, 1983, at the age of 48. He was buried in Har Hazeisim, Yerushalaim.
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Posted 9/27/2023 10:50 PM |
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# 4461 Feast of Reason
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Q. Rov. Does the mitzva of eating on Erev Yom Kippur mean just eating one seuda in the morning and then another before the fast begins or the Seuda Hamafsekes, or does one have to eat the complete day? If yes, does one have to eat a Kezais each time?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that if possible a person should eat as many kezaisim or olive volume pieces of bread during the day, since each one is a mitzva by itself.
However, since likely it will not be possible to eat constantly, he advises to do what other great Tzadikim also did, and that is to suck a candy as long and constant as one can on that day, as it is also considered as eating on that day.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 9/24/2023 5:11 PM |
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# 4460 Safe Light Saves
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Q. Does one have to make Teshuva during Yom Kippur for a sin commonly committed, namely leaving the light on when not needed, as when someone leaves home during the day and no one stays there, since one transgresses on the prohibition of Ba’al Tashchis, (destroying or wasting usable items)?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that although there is reason to turn off lights when not needed at all even for security, one should avoid creating a fight with a spouse or child and similar for that reason.
The Rov Shlit’a also mentioned, to consider what would the saved amounts be used for, if at all.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 9/21/2023 11:55 PM |
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# 4459 Make Your Mouth Water?
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Q. Can someone suffering from severe dry mouth, just take some water on Tzom Gedalia place it in his mouth, swivel it and then just spit it out?
A. Oruch Hashulchan (O.H. 567: 3) permits washing one’s mouth in the minor days of Taanis, if he does so while ones head is bending down and with a small amount of water. Mishna Berura (567: 11) permits in cases of great pain even on Tisha Beav. (see also Minchas Yitzchok 4: 109).
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 9/21/2023 11:53 PM |
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# 4458 Eat While You Can
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Q. Dear Rov, as you know, due to my severe illness I’m unable to fast on Yom Kippur. Do I still comply with the mitzva of eating on Erev Yom Kippur?
A. Nitei Gavriel (p.22 – 15: 8) quotes Sdei Chemed that this are two separate mitzvos, and one in your situation should wash and eat and enjoy the seuda of Erev Yom Kippur. He mentions that this meal may make it easier and you may be able to eat less during Yom Kippur.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 9/21/2023 11:51 PM |
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# 4457 Safe Travels
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Q. I am able to daven on Yom Kippur in a yeshiva where there will be hundreds of Bnei Torah and I will come b’n from the asara rishonim (first ten), and the davening is extremely beautiful etc. However to get there i will have to travel on Erev Yom Kippur which understandably is not so geshmak and it is a tircha and tiring to schlep with my luggage etc.
Should I travel there or rather daven in my current location where I will have more yishuv hadaas (calm) on Erev Yom Kippur?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that you should daven in the place were you learn Torah.
You should try your best to maintain your calm and enjoy the travelling by learning Torah and enjoying food that you like during that day. You have to wash and eat bread.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 9/21/2023 11:49 PM |
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# 4456 Have Stars in Your Eyes?
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Q. Hi. My minhag is to keep shabbos until 72 minutes after shkia. However often I go to places for Shabbos where there are at least 3 stars visible by 45 minutes after shkia. Can I start doing melacha immediately upon seeing 3 stars even though its before 72 minutes after shkia or do I have to wait until 72 after shkia to do melacha? Thank you.
A. Keeping 72 minutes after sunset applies as is to locations where three stars can be seen earlier. This Halacha opinion does not regard the three stars as the time when Shabbos ends, so you must keep your minhag of 72 minutes.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 9/21/2023 11:47 PM |
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# 4455 Why Wi-Fi?
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Q. I have a secular Jewish tenant who uses my WiFi. Should I be turning it off on Yomtov and Shabbos?
A. Providing your WiFi is not any different than using the electricity you supply to your tenant. It is the tenants responsibility to use it only in the permitted way during Shabbos and Yom Tov.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 9/21/2023 11:46 PM |
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# 4454 First In - First Win
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Q. Would the mitzvah of being the very first person in shul override going elsewhere to answer brachos or kaddishes? Is there a difference between Yom Kippur and other days.
A. Poskim write that it seems from most of the Rishonim that the appreciation and reward for the first ten individuals that create the minyan, is the same for all.
However, Ma’adanei Yom Tov maintains that each one of the first ten, receives recognition for all the remaining of the ten that join after him.
Meir Oz (p. 166) quotes Siach Hassode that the very first one, is indeed above all others. Shulchan Shlomo (1,1) mentions that he is granted the qualities of a Tzadik.
It would be reasonable that the merit is greater during Yom Kippur.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
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Posted 9/21/2023 11:43 PM |
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Important Numbers
