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Have a question? Send it in! Questions are answered by Rabbi Bartfeld.
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#5637 Shtick Or Treat?
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- Q. Dear Rabbi I rent an apartment in a building that has many tenants that keep Halloween. This year (2025) October 31 is on Friday and some of the non Jewish tenants kids go around collecting candies since we want to keep good relations with all neighbors can we give candies to those children?
A. On question 1485 we wrote:
Q. We have some Modern Orthodox neighbors that let their kids join the others in the block (many Jewish) and go around collecting candies on Halloween, is that permitted?
Should we advise them not to do it? Can we give children that ring our bell candies?
A. Halloween is a shortening of All Hallows’ Evening, also known as Allhalloween, or All Saints’ Eve, is a festivity observed in a number of countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows’ Day. It begins the three-day observance dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the faithful departed.
It is widely believed that many Halloween traditions originated from ancient pagan Celtic harvest festivals, particularly the Gaelic festival Samhain, and was Christianized as Halloween by the early Church.
Today’s Halloween customs, are a combination of Celtic, Roman and Christian holidays. In essence, Halloween is not a secular holiday.
Halacha prohibits celebrating gentile holidays. (Remah Y.D. 178: 1). Even though some gentile holidays today may not considered idol worship, the law which commands us not to behave in the customs and manners of the gentiles, still applies.
Therefore, Horav Shlomo Miller”s Shlit”a opinion is to refrain from letting children join others on their Halloween traditions. However, if there is an issue of Chilul Hashem, the Rov maintains that you may give candies to the children that visit you.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 10/31/2025 10:21 AM |
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#5636 Meet Who at the Meeting!!!
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– - Q. Kvod Rabenu Shlit’a. Recently the Rov forwarded a petition from Kolel of Moreinu Horav Miller Shlit’a to attend a community meeting from the City of Toronto.
It was to hear public opinion about a major proposed government development at Lawrence Plaza of 2,693 condominium units and 1,298 vehicle parking spaces, that would affect greatly the Torah institutions and the well being of all Frum inhabitants in that area.
As requested I attended the meeting, and it was packed with Frum neighbors many wearing hats, and they had to stand on the sides of the hall. Yet very surprising, the lady directing the meeting was dressed very Not Tzinusdick!!! How was that allowed???
A. In truth the meeting was arranged as specified by the City of Toronto. I was given a place up front. Yet when I realized what was happening, as you probably noticed, I just left.
Iy”H b”n, care should be taken in the future to avoid such an embarrassing situation.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 10/30/2025 11:36 PM |
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#5635 A Breakfast Fast?
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- Q. See questions above. Can one just fast on Beahab half a day and still recite the Selichot?
A. It would depend on the traditions of each minyan. In many they recite the Selichos without fasting at all.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 10/30/2025 11:22 PM |
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#5634 Cast the Fast?
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- Q. See question above.
Is there a minhag to recite a special Mi Sheberach for the ones that fast? If someone answers Amen to the Mi Sheberah does he become obliged to fast?
A. Traditionally, on the Shabbat preceding these fasts, a special Mi Sheberach is recited for those who intend to fast.
Most communities recite this Mi Sheberach before returning the Sefer Torah to the Aron Hakodesh , but some (generally Western European communities) add it as an additional line to the Mi Sheberach recited for the community (recited after Yokum Purkan).
One who responds "Amen" to this blessing does not need to accept the fast upon oneself.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 10/30/2025 11:19 PM |
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#5633 Don’t Blast the Fast!
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- Q. What is the correct order for these fasting days, and why?
A. Mishna Berura (492:3), rules the fasts should always be on the first Monday, Thursday, and following Monday, following the first Shabbat after Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan and Iyar.
However, some communities have the custom to delay the fasts in Cheshvan until the end of the month. Since Shavuos is only one day (or two days in the Diaspora), there is less of a concern that one sinned, and there was no widespread custom to fast after Shavuot.
Nevertheless, there have been individuals who fasted on a Monday, Thursday and Monday after Shavuot.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 10/30/2025 11:15 PM |
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#5632 A Fast Reason to a Fast
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- Q. What is the reason for these above mentioned fasting days?
A. One general explaining is that the reason for the fasts is in case one sinned over the festivals of long Sukos or Pesach holidays, and others say that it should be for an atonement before the raining and harvest seasons.
The days of Monday and Thursday were chosen because they are considered days of extra mercy from Heaven.
It is also serves to atone for any forbidden work which one may have performed on Chol Ha'moed. (Eliyahu Rabba 492:3).
Some authorities suggest that the Beahab fast is actually therapeutic in nature, intended to strengthen our bodies in preparation for the changing seasons which occur following Pesach and Sukkot. Levush (492:3 as cited also in Nitei Gavriel
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 10/30/2025 11:13 PM |
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#5631 Have a Beahab?
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- Q. Kvod Horav
Shlit’a. Is it true that people who don’t keep the fasting and
the Selichot of Beahab, should still refrain from eating then meat
and drinking wine? What exactly is the Beahab tradition and its
meaning?
A.
he Fast of Behav (תענית
בה"ב)
refers to a tradition of Jews from Ashkenasi communities to fast on
the Monday, Thursday, and then following Monday after the Yomim Tovim
of Peisach and Sukos. While today few people fast, many Ashkenazi
communities recite the Selichos for these days. Practically, the
fasts are observed in the months of Iyar and Cheshvan, so as not to
fast in the happy months of Nisan and Tishrei
See
next question.
Rabbi
A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam,
Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs
Shlit’a
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Posted 10/30/2025 11:04 PM |
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#5630 Oy Vay AI?
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- Q. We recently had in some ways a quite a few similar questions relating to the constantly changing new AI technologies.
One was an actually common one. If one forgot to turn off his cellular phone when traveling with his wife and left the phone on the night table between the beds in the room they are staying, If the phone will keep on ringing and receiving loud messages, can one just indirectly push it from there to the floor and then kick it under the bed or cover it with pillows so it wont disturb?
A. Indeed one should try to ask a Gentile helper to place it where it will not be heard and disturb. If that is not available, the procedure mentioned above in the question could be done.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 10/30/2025 11:02 PM |
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#5629 Need a Goy for That Toy?
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– - Q. See question above. If he is not allowed to play with it, how can we remove the toy from his room on Shabbat?
A. It is best to ask a gentile helper to take it out and place it where it will not be heard. If that it not available one should ask the child or another able young child to take it out.
See next question.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 10/30/2025 10:59 PM |
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#5628 – OY! What a Toy!
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- Q. Dear Rabbi. My four year old child recently at his birthday was given a present of a snake described on the box as an: “Electric Smart AI Snake Toy Automatic Induction, Realistic Cunning Movement for Exciting Pet Playtime Complete Interactive Toy Set - Rechargeable Smart Sensing Interactive Snake Toy”. Since it reacts by AI all by itself, if left on before Shabbat can my child play with it?
I’m sending some pictures and info.
A. Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a opinion is that although it reacts by AI all by itself, it can not be used by even a young child since the noises and sounds can be heard all over. See next question.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 10/30/2025 10:57 PM |
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#5627 Our Most Blessing Women!
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- Q. Kevod Horav Shlit’a. Do women also have to recite one hundred brachot every day?
A. Poskim seem to maintain that there is no obligation for women to recite one hundred brachot every day as men do. (Shebet Halevi 5: 23, Halichos Shlomo 22: 25, Rivavos Efraim 3: 47 and others).
However, Yabia Omer in Halichos Olam (4: 80), Yoshiv Moshe quoting Horav Eliyahiv maintain that they are included.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 10/27/2025 5:02 PM |
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#5626 Drawing the Raffle?
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- Q. Dear Rov Shlit’a as quoted in recent shailos, some times people in a shul disagree as to what Aliya and bracha for the Torah they should be receiving.
If the disagreement and conflict can’t be settled can they or the Gabaim (leaders of the shul and minyan settle it by casting a goral or raffle to settle their dispute?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller”s Shli”a and Horav Aharon Miller”s Shlit’a opinion is that it is permitted.
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Posted 10/27/2025 4:59 PM |
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#5625 Support the Support!
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- Q. If one davens (prays) next to a bookcase of Torah sefarim and when he reaches the amida he needs to help support himself a bit by leaning against the bookcase, so he removes a few of the sefarim to be able to have a place where to place his arm and have support, yet immediately after the end of the amida he returns the sefarim to their place, is that permitted?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller”s Shli”a and Horav Aharon Miller”s Shlit’a opinion is that it is permitted.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 10/24/2025 12:06 PM |
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#5624 The Time to Thank?
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- Q. Kvod Rabbenu Shlit’a. Was the exchange of the 1900 Palestinian prisoners and likely future terrorist for the 20 living hostages permitted? Can one stop now reciting special Tehilim or celebrate with a Kiddush or a Seuda? Is this the Time to Thank?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller”s Shli”a opinion is indeed that no reciting of special Tehilim is now necessary, and that is what applies and is done in the Rov’s Shlit’a Kolel.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 10/24/2025 12:03 PM |
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#5623 Blame the Name?
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- Q. See question above. How about in a Ketuva or Tenaim? Do they have to be redone if the name of the month was as above misspelled?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller”s Shli”a opinion is that in this particular case of the naming of the month Cheshvan or Marcheshvan, one complies with both spellings.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 10/24/2025 11:51 AM |
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#5622 – The Best of all Months?
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- Q. Dearest Rabbi shalita. I wonder what is the most correct way to write in a Matzeiva the name of the month we just started, Cheshvan or Marcheshvan?
A. On question 4503 we wrote:
"Q. My family is planing to erect the Matzeiva of our grandfather A’H who died during the month of Cheshvan, in the near future.
What is most correct when writing the date; to name the month as Cheshvan or MarCheshvan?
A. Rema (Shulchan Aruch Even Haezer 126: 70) mentions that ”Marcheshvon” should be written with only one letter ‘Vov’.
Kav Noki and Nachlas Shiva (they are the accepted guides for the writing of divorces and Ketubos) quote the month as Marcheshvan, and it is usually the way the month is written in those official documents.
In regards to the adding of the prefix ‘Mar’ to Cheshvon, there are two opposite thoughts and explanations.
Some communities have the tradition of not celebrating any weddings on this month. Sdei Chemed (Ma’areches Chassan Vekalah) mentions that the added prefix of “Mar” or bitter is due to the sadness due to the fact that there are no festivities and Yamim Tovim in this month. Also adding that it is the month when Sarah Immenu passed away.
However, Nitei Gavriel (1; 48 p.304) mentions that it is a most important month since it reflects and represents the establishment of the dates and commemorations for the whole year. The word ‘Mar’ stands and represents the ‘Master,’ or leader for the leading month to come. Therefore, the most correct name to be used is Marcheshvan.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch
Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 10/24/2025 11:47 AM |
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#5621 Acumen When No Amen
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- Q. See question above:
Since I’m due for an urgent medical operation and I will be spending from the afternoon onward, time in hospital, can I comply with the hundred brachot by answering Amen on the phone?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller”s Shli”a opinion is that one does not comply in such a case.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 10/24/2025 11:44 AM |
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#5620 – Give and Receive a Hundred Blessings!
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- Q. Kvodo Shlit”a. I make a great effort to recite a hundred Brachot (Blessings) every day. Since I’m due for a urgent medical operation and I will be spending from the afternoon onward, time in hospital, Do the ones said in the Shemone Esre in shul in the morning or the Amen one answers for the Brachot of others also count?
A. Indeed, as mentioned in Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 46: 3) , based on the Talmud (Menachot 43b) one has an obligation to recite a hundred Brachot (Blessings) every day.
Mishna Berura (ibid.), Magen Avrohom and others maintain that in need one can comply by listening and answering amen to the brochos recited in Shul during the repetition of the Amida and other parts of the Tefila and also by the blessings of others.
See next question.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 10/24/2025 11:41 AM |
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#5619 – Choose The Rest of The Best
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- Q. Dear Rabbi. Long Life. I have thanks to Hashem and my good friends recently become a “Baal Teshuva.” I have contacted you for guidance a few times, and I thank you much for your great help.
Since I have a very demanding professional ocupation, I have sadly limited time to spend on learning Torah. Could you ask Rabbi Miller what is more important to spend more time on learning the Halacha, to know how to keep Shabbat correctly and what is kasher to eat, etc. Or to spend time to learn ethics, spiritual values and principles including “Musar”?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller”s Shlit”a opinion is that you should spend more time on the Musar learning, as it will guide you how to find more time and opportunity to learn the rest of what you need to know.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch
Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 10/24/2025 10:58 AM |
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#5618 The Final Report Card!
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– Q. Dear Rabbi as you mentioned “The very last posuk of the Torah finishes with the words; “Moshe performed before the eyes of all Israel”: Rashi explains that this refers to the incident where Moshe Rabbenu smashed the Luchos, as it is said, “and I shattered them before your eyes” (Deut. 9:17- Shabbos. 87a).
Since those are the very last words of the Torah, the ones that we read on the great siyum on Simchas Torah and we eternally honor and rejoice with. Would it not have been more fitting to choose another more positive, appropriate and magnificent chapter to finish the Torah with, than the pathetic making of the eigel and the subsequent tragic braking of the Luchos?
A. My young grandson Binyomin Gestetner once answered to that question the following: ”What I think the answer is that Moshe’s parting words hinted to the idea that no matter what sins Israel commits Hashem will always let out his anger on objects rather than destroy us.”
I wrote to him back: “Beautiful answer that stresses the principle of the survival and perpetuity of Am Yisroel as the most important parting message.
More yet, there is so much more that is being alluded to here. Another perception deals with the Luchos and the Shivrei Luchos , the broken down pieces of the Luchos, both resting in the Aron of the Mishkan. “
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 10/21/2025 10:09 PM |
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Important Numbers
