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#4927 Bless One’s Frame of Mind
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– Q. See questions above. If when he changes the place of the mezuza to the other (inside) side of the door’s frame, he gives it to a sofer to check it, does that make a
difference?
A. On question 2824 Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one does not need to recite a new brocho when replacing a mezuza removed for having it checked, as long as it was removed for a usual and accustomed period of time, even if it more than a day. (Other Poskim disagree).
On question 2425 we wrote: Pischei Teshuva (Y.D. 289: 1) quotes Lashon Limudim that debates whether one should recite a brocho when placing back a mezuza that was taken down to be checked.
Poskim disagree on the above question. Many maintain that one should not say a brocho. (K’sav4 Sofer Y.D. 139, Maharam Shick Y.D. 285, Beis Yitzchok Y.D. 2: 51, and others).
Beis Shearim (Y.D. 370), and others assert that a brocho is needed.
Other Poskim opine that if it is replaced on the same day, no brocho is required. (Shaarei Mezuza 20: 15, Aruch Hashulchan (Y.D. 289: 4), Leket Hilchos Mezuza (4) quoting Horav Vosner and Horav Eliashiv zt”l).
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that when replaced on a different day, although normally one should reattach the mezuza on the same door frame it was taken from, in this case he should better change it to another one, in order to recite a brocho without any doubt.
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 4/11/2024 6:27 PM |
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#4926 Lord’s Word for Door to Door
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– Q. See question above. If he is permitted to move the mezuza to the other side of the door, when he changes the mezuza does he make a blessing?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that he does not have to recite a brocho when changing and installing the mezuza on the same frame, behind the door.
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 4/11/2024 6:22 PM |
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# 4925 - Frame the Frame?
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– Q. I asked the Rov if someone is living in a building that has also some unfriendly Muslims that display hate and harm to the Jewish tenants. Is it possible to move the
mezuza from the outside of the frame to the inside of the apartment to avoid the enemies harm?
A. Shulchan Aruch (Y.D. 285: 2and 289 :2) rules that the location for the placement of the mezuza is inside the frame of the house, on the “tefach” (about 10 cm.) facing the outside. Remah (ibid) adds that if those measurements were not met, it is still kosher as long as it is on the frame itself. Shach (2) and others explain that the reason to the above is that as soon as one is about to enter, one should encounter the mezuza first.
Also,they add that the mezuza should protect as much of the inside space possible.
Shach (289: 3) mentions a difference of opinions if the mezuza was placed on the back of the door to avoid identification and harm.
Horav Shlomo Millers Shlit”a opinion is that in need the mezuza could be moved.
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 4/11/2024 6:19 PM |
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#4924 Honor the Guest of Honor
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Q. If I am a guest at a Sefardi home on Passover, do I need to eat on disposable plates because they might have served rice or something else not permitted to an Ashkenazi?
A. On question 4179 we were asked: “I am staying with two sets of friends this Pesach. One is very machmir (stringent) and follows Chabad minhagim (traditions). Is it okay if I do my own thing (I eat a special diet) and eat on disposable plates so I can enjoy my usual Passover cuisine?”
To what we answered: “Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that you have to consult with your hosts with plenty of time before, and tell them in detail what are the products that you will be bringing to their table, even if you don’t share them and stay separate. If they agree, there is no problem consuming separately your own accepted meal.”
Indeed, in your case you should also use disposable plates.
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 4/7/2024 1:58 PM |
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#4923 Don’t Seek and Hide
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- Q. Dear Rabbi . If I see someone in an Orthodox shul using their phone openly on Shabbat, should I suggest that they do it in the bathroom as I thought public desecration of the Shabbat is a bigger problem than when done in private?
A. Our Rabbonim mentioned that you should just (reprimand and) say that one is not allowed to use a phone during 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 4/4/2024 10:23 PM |
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#4922 Not Spoiled by Choice
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- Q. Hello Rav, We had a non Jewish cleaning lady over on Shabbat becasue she wasn't able to come on Friday. We had a busy Erev Sabbat and left a massive pile of various washed eating utensils on the counter to dry out. It was clearly a “borrer” mixture with knives/forks mixed in among various size plates, bowls, etc.
When the cleaning lady sees it, she will put everything back in their proper places for storage in the cupboards and drawers which would violate borrer. My understanding is that generally, I can't allow her to do melacha for me that I can't do. However, even I would be able to un-mix the mixture by placing everything spread out on the counters or tables and then once its not in a mixture, I could put everything away in their proper places.
Since it is possible for me to put them away in a permitted way, am I allowed to let her put them away without unmixing it first? Thank you!
A. Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a explained that since you are not asking the maid to do it and she does the replacing back by and at her own convenience and easiest way, there is no Borer prohibition involved.
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 4/4/2024 10:13 PM |
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#4921 The Hidden Fire?
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Q. See question above: Does that mean that is one is traveling by plane or is (l’a) in hospital and cannot turn on a fire to burn his chometz, or one who for any other reason is unable to burn the chometz on Erev Pesach, should instead eat it?
A. Indeed if the time is correct it would be permitted as many do. He may also dispose of it the bathroom.
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 4/4/2024 10:09 PM |
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#4920 The Fire in Eating?
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Q. See question above. If one is indeed complying with the mitzva of Biur Chometz, when eating chometz or drinking beer or chometz liquors, although one does not recite a brocho, should not one at least have the intention necessary to comply with all the available possible biblical positive mitzvos?
A. Whether one complies with the mitzva of Biur Chometz when eating it, is subject to the opinion of different Poskim.
Rashash (Psochim 21b) maintains that one who eats chometz or feeds it to animals indeed complies with this mitzva, and adds that even according to Rav Yehuda that the destruction of the chometz has to be done by burning, the natural heat process involved in digestion is similar, as the Pasuk teaches “a human is alike the the tree of the field”. (See Piskei Teshuvos 445: 2, p.423) . See also prior answer.
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 4/4/2024 10:01 PM |
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#4919 The Endless Ending?
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Q. Should one who owns a fire place or has a discarded oven burn leftover bread, cookies and cakes during the thirty days before Pesach to comply with the Biblical mitzva of Biur Chametz or the burning of the chometz? Since even just diluting them in water and then disposing of them in the sink is easy and possible, should one not comply the whole month every day and many times a day with such an important Biblical mitzva?
A. Talmud (Pesachim 6a) quotes Rabbi Yehuda in the name of Rav : “One who sets sail or journeys with a caravan thirty days before Peisach, he is not obligated to burn his chometz; If it is within thirty days, he is obligated to burn it.” That also corresponds to the learning and expounding on the laws of Pesach thirty days before the festival.
Remah (O.H. 636: 1) rules that a brocho should then not be recited, however Biur Halocho and Mishna Berura (ibid.) quote some opinions that a blessing should also be recited then.
The reason why we do not follow a due process to comply with this important mitzva during the whole month prior to Pesach, as mentioned by Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a is that our sages did not want to impose a constant everyday and every moment mitzva that would create and result in a great loss of food, time and effort.
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 4/4/2024 9:51 PM |
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#4918 A Broken Vort?
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Q. Many years ago, I was engaged to someone who broke up with me prior to the vort. The ring had been bought and was given to me but was too big so it was left with the jeweler to resize. In reflecting why it is taking me so long to remarry, I was wondering if this situation requires a get.
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that if the ring was not given in front of “Eidim” or two designated proper witnesses and the accustomed traditional words recited when performing Kiddushin were not said, it would be obvious that no intention of an act of marriage was intended.
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 4/4/2024 9:45 PM |
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#4917 A Household Name
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Q. Is it recommended when avoiding the giving of a baby’s name by zoom for the grand-father or other person to be honored, but can’t be present to name a Sheliach (agent) to represent him when naming the baby?
Should the Shaliach announce before giving the name that he is representing the one that was honored with the name giving but was unable to come?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that it could be done and is indeed correct to mention the name of the honored one represented.
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 4/4/2024 9:41 PM |
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#4916 A Yum Frum Zoom?
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Q. If the naming of the baby was done indeed by zoom, should the Koire Hashem be holding a separate cup of wine?
Should in the case above, the person making the Bracha drink the entire cup right away or wait till after Krias Sheim? If he should wait should he hold the cup the entire time?
A. Our Rabbonim maintain that since the zooming is only commendable in need, it is better that the cup of wine should be held and drank by the person actually present by the bris
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 4/4/2024 9:39 PM |
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#4915 Not This Baby?
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Q. If as mentioned above on times of crisis and need zooming could be used for naming a newborn child. Would you then say: ״קיים את הילד הזה״ or is there a different nusach if the baby is not in the same room?
A. In such a case when need permits zooming the giving of a name, Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one should omit the word הזה״" since the baby is not actually present.
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 4/4/2024 9:35 PM |
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# 4914 Bring Bright Bris Future?
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Q. See question above. As the Rov of a Shul should I be nervous that this will set a precedent in how people do a Bris in the future?
A. On question 3898 we wrote: “Usually, any Zoom contact does not contribute to mitzvos that require a minyan. On question 2845 regarding saying Tashlich during the Aseres Yemei Teshuva via zoom we wrote: Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one should not.
The reason is that reciting Tashlich next to a body of flowing water is similar to other mitzvos, where the presence of the article, place or situation that brings about a blessing or Tefila, has to be real. After all one recites a brocho only on real lightning or thunder, kiddush levana only on actually seeing the moon and not a picture or reflection or listening to the Megila and answering Kedusha or Kaddish only when the voices are real and present.”
Indeed, one of the concerns would be that this will set a precedent in how people do a Bris or similar mitzvos.
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 4/4/2024 3:22 PM |
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# 4913 No Room for the Zoom?
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Q. Is there any chisaron (negative outcome) in giving a baby his name when doing the bris, if it is via Zoom?
A. On a similar question 2644 during the recent covid pandemic times resulting in the pandemic assistance and travel restrictions, we wrote: “Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that during normal times, he would not recommend to honor important people of the family, who are unable to attend, for them to give the baby’s name at the bris mila ceremony, or to recite the horachamons of bentching via Zoom, online or phone. However, in times of crisis, although the Rov still does not endorse it, he understands why for some in need, it could be done.”
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 4/2/2024 10:36 PM |
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#4912 When Should a Present be Present?
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Q. Is it better to give the needed to be given simcha presents, like for a bar mitzva or a wedding on Purim to increase the simcha that is after all a mitzvah on that day?
A. Our Rabbonim Shlit’a agreed that there is no real cause or reason to give the presents mentioned during Purim, since the reason for the simcha and joy of Purim is different and reflects to the teachings that are mentioned in the Megilah and corresponding Talmud and meforshim.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a.
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Posted 3/29/2024 12:21 AM |
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#4911 The Right Time?
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Q. Dear Rov Shlit’a. On this year (2024) when Purim is on Sunday, is it not better at the end of Shabbos, to stay eating shaleshudes, saying Divrei Torah and prolonging Shabbos and then bench just before Maariv about a half an hour later, to permit the women to drive and come to shul?
A. In principle you may be right, that the best option would be to spend the most time possible as being still in Shabbos and also used for hearing words of Torah or singing the zemiros of shaleshudes.
However, in practice the men attending shaleshudes, will likely want to go home and help their wifes and the children come, so they would like to daven Maariv on time and end Shabbos.
One may dedicate the time after maariv to an interesting Torah shiur that will have all the remaining and waiting join, until the megila reading begins.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a.
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Posted 3/29/2024 12:18 AM |
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#4910 More Intentions Limitations
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- Q. See above questions. Are there anymore limitations to that formerly great principle?
A. Sadly there are. Nesivos Hatalmud (Nesiv 5) maintains that it only applies to the mitzvos we do directly for Hashem’s name, but not on the ones that are “lechavero” or for the benefit of other humans. Since in those last ones, the real benefit intended is actually essential.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a.
Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a. added recently that: Maharal maintains that every (mitzva) bein adam lchaveiro is also bein adam lamakom, (Every mitzva that applies to others, is in essence also a mitzva to Hashem).
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Posted 3/29/2024 12:15 AM |
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# 4909 – Full Atention to Intention
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- Q. Rov. the above is indeed very, very interesting and powerful, since all I have to do is daily spend some good, great time after davening, thinking and planing to all the many, many mitzvos and learning Torah that I can possibly do and really, truly would love to do them if possible. Does the above really apply to all possible mitzvos or is there some limitations?
A. Firstly, we must mention that the Yerushalmi (Gittin 7: 6) disagrees with the above principle and maintains that if one who abstained by accident or against his will from performing a mitzva he wanted and decided to do, does not get credit for it at all.
Then, the Binyan Shlomo (On Rambam H. Milah) is of the opinion that even by the Talmud Babli, it only pertains to mitzvos that could be performed by ordering a shaliach or agent to do them for you and in one’s name since they are not mitzvos that have to be performed “Begufo” or personally.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a.
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Posted 3/29/2024 12:11 AM |
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#4908 All Purposes of Intent
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Q. Dear Rov. If someone avoids doing an avera (sin) our Sages tell us that it is considered as if a mitzva similar or corresponding was performed. If the mitzva involved was Biblical, does one need to have in mind the Kavana to keep that mitzva, as is required in the performance of all positive Biblical commands?
A. Actually you may be referring to the saying of Rav Ashi quoted in Talmud (Brochos 6a);
“If one thought of performing a mitzvah, yet against his will could not comply with it, it is considered as if he actually did it. That being the case, since he actually was fully committed to the compliance of the mitzvah, it is considered as he actually had the right and proper intention.
Chasam Sofer (Res. C.M. 1) explains that it reflects Hashem’s love to us and it is not a truly a legal Halacha legal obligation.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a.
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Posted 3/29/2024 12:07 AM |
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Important Numbers
