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Have a question? Send it in! Questions are answered by Rabbi Bartfeld.
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#5795 Never Too Late? Really???
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- Q. Hon. Rov Shlit’a.
Since as the Rov knows, we have a significant group of elderly people in our shul for Shabbat and it is B”H increasing.
Some can only come after we already started or even ended the Torah reading and join us for Musaf and Kiddush. (We are trying if possible to start a second minyan). However, some come only for Mincha and Maariv and we would like to have all of them hear the added parshios. Can we then by the Torah reading of Shabbat Mincha and before Maariv read by the four added Parshiot of these days?
A. On question 4880 we wrote:
Q. An elderly and ill individual that only goes these days to shul for Mincha on Shabbos being taken on a wheelchair. This next Shabbos is Parshas Shekalim, since he will not be there in the morning when that parsha is read, can it be read for him especially by Mincha, at it is close to Teruma and no second sefer in needed, he would not hear it otherwise?
A. On question 4119 we wrote: Birkei Yosef (685: 3) rules that if Parshas Shekolim was not read during Shabbos morning it should not be read after Musaf for individuals that did not heard it before. The reason given is that it is unlike Parshas Zachor that constitutes a personal obligation for all.
However, Shekalim is similar to the reading of the Shabbos parsha itself and requires a proper Minyan. See similar ruling in Piskei Teshuvos (685).
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 2/10/2026 10:04 PM |
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#5794 The Gold of Gold
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- Q. Rabbi can one honor in shul Yochebed Gold who passed away recently? Urgent answer please, as the kiddush offered is this Shabbat Vayehi!
A. Yocheved Gold, who recently died at the age of 102, lived a life that tracked the arc of modern Jewish history, from its deepest horrors to its defiant triumphs.
As a teenager in Nazi Germany, she came face to face with Adolf Hitler and refused to honour him. As a young woman, she helped build the Jewish state. And at 99, she survived Hamas’ brutal October 7 attack, only to insist on returning to her home. This is the story of a woman who refused, again and again, to be moved.
Yocheved was born in 1923 in Halberstadt, Germany, into a family whose roots in the country stretched back generations. Her mother, Sarah (née Bamberger), descended from a line of rabbis; her father, Rabbi Dr. Aharon Neuwirth, was known for his scholarship and deep piety. One of seven children, Yocheved grew up in a warm, proudly observant home that took Jewish life seriously.
In 1930, the family moved to Berlin. Three years later, Adolf Hitler became Chancellor, and the walls began closing in.
(from Aish.com).
There is no question that Yocheved Gold deserves recognition for all she went through and kept her spirit and stood up with honor.
Yet it depends on the established traditions of the particular shul in similar cases.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a.
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Posted 2/6/2026 3:06 PM |
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#5793 - The Late Tefilin Time
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Shalom, Dear Rabbeinu Shalit"a.
A few weeks ago, a yeshivah bachur was arrested by the military police. He was taken to jail and they refused to give him his Tefillin. He davened Maariv early and only after he was given the Tefillin.
The question is if he could, under the circumstances, put on the Tefillin then? Thanks!
A. On question 4045 we wrote:
An ill patient before Alos Hashachar or the beginning of the day contacted the Toronto Kollel and being very distressed wanted to know since he couldn’t (or forgot) to put on Tefillin on the day before, if there is something he could still do.
A. Some Poskim maintain that one can don Tefillin even during the night, as when one gets up early before he travels and won’t go to sleep anymore. See Igrois Moishe( O.H. I: 10) and Teshuvos V’hanhagos I: 49). Therefore, in order to calm down the distressed patient, one may suggest that he dons Tefillin then.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 2/6/2026 3:00 PM |
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#5792 Curing the Disease?
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- Q. See question above.
I have another question. Since my dear wife has many non-religious friends that get gifts from their husbands and friends on that day, she kind of feels neglected, is there anything that is permissible to be done?
A. As we mentioned on the previous answer, it is not befitting and forbidden to commemorate or celebrate Valentine’s Day, due to its paganism involved as well as the Christian roots. One who desires to give his wife a gift, or a gift of flowers and sweets, can find any other occasion of the year to do so.
Some Rabbonim suggest to give the gift a day before.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 2/6/2026 2:53 PM |
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#5791 The Disease to Please?
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- Q. Dear Rabbi, Long Life to you and your family. In our a bit more modern synagogue, in order to attract and bring closer to keeping the Torah our many not so religious neighbors, we are considering this year to make some kind of party on Valentines Day. Can it be done? How?
A. On question 3563, we wrote:
I’m a Frum father living in a building where most of the neighbours are Jewish, some Frum and some not so much. All neighbors joined a Whats App link and it has so far worked nicely to unite the neighbours and solve common building issues.
The group came our recently with an idea of celebrating a Valentine Day party. The will give out chocolates, gifts and flowers to spouses and address how important they are. All with the intention of promoting Shalom Bait and family unity. Is there any problem joining? What exactly are the sources for Valentine’s Day?
A. A quick search on the Saint Valentine Day reveals that it likely originated as a pagan holiday named Lupercalia that was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture. The Luperci, an order of Roman priests, would gather at the cave where Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were believed to have been suckled by a wolf (or “lupa”). The priests would sacrifice a goat for fertility and a dog for purification.
Young men would be smeared with the blood, which was then wiped off. The goat’s hide would be torn into strips and dipped in the blood. The two young men would put on loincloths made from the goat’s skin and run around slapping women and crops with the blood-stained goatskin strips as a fortuitous omen for fertility. Given its Roman roots, it’s not surprising that the icon of Valentine’s Day is Cupid. Cupid is the son of Venus, the Roman goddess of love. (In Greek mythology, Venus is Aphrodite and Cupid is Eros, from which we get words like “erotic”).
Pope Gelasius declared February 14 to be St. Valentine’s Day in the year 498 and the Roman “lottery” system was outlawed. (From outora.org)
In the 800s, the Church adapted many pagan holidays into Christian holidays. The day commemorates the martyrdom of St. Valentine. Yet scholars know almost nothing about this St. Valentine. Most believe that Valentine lived in the late 3rd century C.E. However, the name Valentine (derived from the Latin word “valeo” meaning strong) was common in the ancient world. There are at least 30 mentions of the name in historical documents from this time period.
Some maintain that Valentine was a priest who was arrested by the Emperor Claudius. Following a theological debate about the merits of Christianity, Valentine was sentenced to live with a noble by the name of Asterius in a form of house arrest. With the help of G-d and true faith, Valentine miraculously restored the sight of his master's adopted daughter and, in doing so, converted Asterius and the 24 members of his house. When Emperor Claudius heard of this miracle and the subsequent conversions, he had Valentine killed.
An added related detrimental event happened during year 1349 when the Bubonic Plague, known as the Black Death, was sweeping across Europe, On Valentine’s Day a horrific mass murder when 2,000 Jews were burned alive in the French city of Strasbourg, being accused of causing the plague.
Although, sending cards, chocolates and giving gifts can be explained as a rational expressions of love and appreciation, independent of any possible Christian roots, however, based on the above historical sources of events of the day and on the opinion of Igros Moshe (Y.D. 4: 11: 3), most Poskim prohibit the festivities and traditions of Valentine’s day.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a
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Posted 2/6/2026 2:47 PM |
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#5790 Time for valentine?
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- - Q. Rabbi please kindly explain what are the sources, issues and restrictions of valentine's day?
A. Valentine’s Day, a holiday celebrated by many on February 14, as commonly designated in our liberal society, is the day when lovers express their affection with greetings and gifts.
Given their similarities, it has been suggested that the holiday has origins in the Roman festival of Lupercalia held in mid-February. The festival, which celebrated the coming of spring included fertility rites and the pairing off of women with men by lottery. At the end of the 5th century.
Pope Gelasius 1 forbade the celebration of Lupercalia and it is sometimes attributed with replacing it with St. Valentine’s Day, but the true origin of the holiday is vague at best. Valentine’s Day did not come to be celebrated as a day of romance until about the 14th century.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 2/6/2026 2:43 PM |
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#5789 Learning About Learning
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- Q. See question above:
Just one more question, thanks. If one does not review his learning constantly and therefore forgets some of it, does he transgress the above prohibition? Should then one avert learning new topics so he wont forget the and thus violate the above prohibition?
A. Our Rabbonim naintain that as long as a person learns Torah in the normal, proper and established way of learning, even if he often forgets at least some of it, it is part of the normal and usual process of learning Torah. (See coming questions.)
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 2/6/2026 2:40 PM |
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#5788 - Be More Mitzva Covered?
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- Q. See question above:
Kvod Rabenu Shlit’a, more questions. I wear two taalit ketanim, can I put them on and remove them together?
A. Even if it is not a widespread custom even amongst Tzaddikim to wear more than one Taalis Katan, nevertheless if one desires to do so there is no prohibition (of Baal Tosif) involved. It is well known that great Torah sages were accustomed to wear more than one Tallis Katan in order to fulfill the mitzva of Tzitzis more completely or extensively.
This applies whether one wears a Tallis Gadol and Tallis Katan at the same time, or wears two or more pairs of Tallis Katan’s simultaneously, and this is indeed the general tradition everywhere to wear a Tallis Katan and Tallis Gadol simultaneously during Davening.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 2/6/2026 2:38 PM |
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#5787 – What a Chat on That Hat
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- Q. See question above: If one’s keeps his Yarmulke under his hat, and it was blown away by the wind and fell off together, may he place the hat back on his head together with the Yarmulke?
A. Based on the above ruling, one is to beware not to place his hat and Yarmulke on his head simultaneously. (RuachChaim 2:3; Kaf Hachaim 2:6)
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 2/6/2026 2:29 PM |
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#5786 - Remembering the Removal?
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- Q. See question above: Does the above prohibition also apply to removing the clothes together?
A.Some Poskim rule it is not necessary to beware against removing two pieces of clothing together and the above adherence is limited only to putting them on together. (Orchos Chaim on Shulchan Melachim on the Kitzur Shulchan Aruchand Halichos Shlomo 2: 22.)
However, other Poskim rule the above adherence prohibition also applies regarding removing the clothing. (Shulchan Hatahor 2:1 [Komrono]; Minchas Aron 22:12; Yayin Tov 11; Shraga Hameir 4:87)
Our Rabbis also offered different opinions.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 2/6/2026 1:28 PM |
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#5785 - Even More to Remember!
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- Q. - See question above:
Is putting on a scarf at the same time with one’s coat Kasha Leshikcha? (creates forgetfulness). Is it then prohibited?
A.The Arizal Shaar Hakavanos Inyan Birchas Hashachar writes that one is to be careful not to put on two pieces of clothing together, as doing so brings one to forgetfulness. [Thus, for example if one’s shirt is inside his coat, or his undergarment is inside his pants, he should not put them on together.]
The poskim debate whether performing these activities falls under the biblical prohibition stated above. Rav Chaim Palag’i, Rav Yosef Chaim Zonnenfeld zt”l and the Aruch Hashulchan all feel that performing theses acts are biblically forbidden. However, the Sefer Chassidim seems to indicate that there is no prohibition. (See Yabia Omer Y.D. 2:8 and Sefer Shemiras Haguf V’Nefesh Mavo chapter 18 for a full discussion.)
Our Rabbis offered different opinions.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 2/5/2026 7:19 PM |
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#5784 – A Shaila to Remember!
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- Q, Kvod Rabenu, Long Great Life. As we are about to read Parshas Yisro, telling the story of Kabbalat Hatorah (receiving of the Torah) and as from former questions the Rov well knows, I also teach Judaic studies in a Jewish day school. So I have a few questions that I need an answer for my young students. And I thank greatly the Rov for answering me again and again.
First thing they want to understand why do we repeat again and again our Torah learning so we wont forget. The kids are not accustomed to do that with other teachings?
A. Firstly, as already informed in other questions, we must explain that our Torah gives a grand amount of importance on gathering and amassing Torah knowledge and not to, Hashem forbid, forgetting one’s learning.
Throughout the Talmud and Midrashim our Sages tell us of numerous activities which one should avoid since they are “kasha l’shichcha,” they may cause one to forget his Torah knowledge.
The Mishnah in Pirkei Avos (3: 8) teaches that one who forgets what he has learned is considered to be deserving death. The source for this is a verse in Parshas Va’eschanan, which says: “Only beware for yourself and greatly beware for your soul, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen and lest you remove them from your heart all the days of your life, and make them known to your children and your children’s children” (Devarim 4:9).
Likewise the Gemara in Menachos (99b) mentions in the name of Reish Lokish that someone who forgets what he has learned has transgressed the negative commandment of the same posuk. The Gemara explains that since the verse uses the words “hi’shamer” (beware) and “pen” (lest), this verse constitutes a negative commandment. This prohibition is cited by the Smak (9, 105), Smag (Lo Saaseh 13) and Yireim (28).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller,
Horav Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 2/5/2026 12:13 AM |
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#5784 A Shaila to Remember!
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- Q, Kvod Rabenu, Long Great Life.
As we are about to read Parshas Yisro, telling the story of Kabbalat Hatorah (receiving of the Torah) and as from former questions the Rov well knows, I also teach Judaic studies in a Jewish day school. So I have a few questions that I need an answer for my young students. And I thank greatly the Rov for answering me again and again.
First thing they want to understand why do we repeat again and again our Torah learning so we wont forget. The kids are not accustomed to do that with other teachings?
A. Firstly, as already informed in other questions, we must explain that our Torah gives a grand amount of importance on gathering and amassing Torah knowledge and not to, Hashem forbid, forgetting one’s learning. Throughout the Talmud and Medrashim our Sages tell us of numerous activities which one should avoid since they are “kasha l’shichcha,” they may cause one to forget his Torah knowledge.
The Mishnah in Pirkei Avos (3: 8) teaches that one who forgets what he has learned is considered to be deserving death. The source for this is a verse in Parshas Va’eschanan, which says: “Only beware for yourself and greatly beware for your soul, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen and lest you remove them from your heart all the days of your life, and make them known to your children and your children’s children” (Devarim 4:9).
Likewise the Gemara in Menachos (99b) mentions in the name of Reish Lokish that someone who forgets what he has learned has transgressed the negative commandment of the same posuk.
The Gemara explains that since the verse uses the words “hi’shamer” (beware) and “pen” (lest), this verse constitutes a negative commandment. This prohibition is cited by the Smak (9, 105), Smag (Lo Saaseh 13) and Yireim (28).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 2/5/2026 12:07 AM |
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#5783 – The Tu Bishvat Superior Orders!
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Q. Dearest Rabbi.
When we eat the Tu Bishvat meal in shul or at home with the different usual fruits what is the correct order of the eating and brochos?
A. On a similar question 4639 we wrote:
First is the brocho Hamotzi on the bread or Mezonos (for cakes), followed by the brocho of ‘P’ri Hagofen’ on the wine (or grape juice) and then ‘Bore Pri Haetz’ on the olives, followed by a ‘Shehakol’ on some KOSHER beer.
Once the blessing of Haetz was recited on the olives the different fruits can be eaten.
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 2/1/2026 11:53 AM |
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#5782 – Plant, Plant Closer, than Away!!!
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- See question above. Q. If it is a mitzva, does it have to be on ones home or a Jewish institution, or can it also be everywhere in the wilderness?
A. Most likely it should be for the benefit and well being of a member of the community or an institution.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 1/30/2026 11:57 AM |
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#5781 Plant, Plant, Away!!!
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- Q. Should, one also plant a tree outside of Israel on Tu Bishvat? Is that also a Mitzva?
A. In general we rule the mitzvos that depend on the land or “Mitzvos Hatluyos Baaretz”, apply only to the land of Israel unless they were explicitly included by the Torah in different ways. (Kidushin 36a, etc.). However, we may maintain that it is also a mitzva on the people to plant trees. The first opinion seems to be the rule.
It is not common to see Gedolei Yisroel devoting time and effort to the planing of trees outside Eretz Yisroel.
However, in some particular instances, as required by the private needs of individuals and their families, it could be a mitzva.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 1/30/2026 11:12 AM |
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#5781 Plant, Plant, Away!!!
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- Q. Should, one also plant a tree outside of Israel on Tu Bishvat? Is that also a Mitzva?
A. In general we rule the mitzvos that depend on the land or “Mitzvos Hatluyos Baaretz”, apply only to the land of Israel unless they were explicitly included by the Torah in different ways. (Kidushin 36a, etc.), however, we may maintain that it is also a mitzva on the people to plant trees.
The first opinion seems to be the rule. It is not common to see Gedolei Yisroel devoting time and effort to the planing of trees outside Eretz Yisroel.
However, in some particular instances, as required by the private needs of individuals and their families, it could be a mitzva.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 1/30/2026 11:01 AM |
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5780 - Celebrating the Eating Real Kosher Fruits?
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- Q, Dear Rabbi. Why is the planting of trees and eating their fruits so important that we have a special day to celebrate?
A. In the Land of Israel each year's crop must be tithed separately. In addition, different tithes are given on different years of the seven-year Shemitta cycle. In years 1, 2, 4 and 5, a second tithe called "Ma'aser Sheini" is separated.
In Temple times it or its monetary equivalent would be consumed in Jerusalem, while today it is redeemed on a coin which is later destroyed. In years 3 and 6 the "poor man's tithe" ("Ma'aser Ani") is separated. And fruit which grow in the 7th year are sacred Shemitta fruit.
The "new year for trees" is actually on a different date – namely Rosh Hashanah.
During a tree’s first three years – both in Israel and the Diaspora – its fruits are forbidden under the biblical injunction against eating Orlah (Leviticus 19:23). If a tree was planted sufficiently prior to Rosh Hashanah, it concludes its first year with Rosh Hashanah and then begins its second year of growth.
When partaking of fruits grown in Israel, they must be properly tithed. Otherwise, the fruits are not “kosher.”
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 1/30/2026 10:55 AM |
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#5779 –The Treating of a True Tzadik Tree on Tu Bishvat
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-Q. Kvodo. I have the first Yohzait for my mother on Tu Bishvat. My family and all the granchildren usually get together and celebrate with a simcha meal, since it is now a Yohrzait can we still do it?
A. on a similar Shaila 5781 we wrote:
“Q. Rov Shlit’a. Our dearest Talmid Chochom and Tzadik grandfather, who you knew well, and as you also know, was niftar a month ago and his Shloshim will be on Tu Bishvat.
He, for many years would organize a beautiful simcha on that day and gather all the children an even the great grand children to a seudah together.
Since it is not permitted to do any act of Avelus (mourning) on Tu Bishvat, is there any way we could still get together and maintain in his Kovod and Zechus (honor and merit) that tradition this year?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that if only a siyum (ending of a Talmud or Mishna treaty) is made and words in regards to Tu Bishvat are said, without any Hespeidim or eulogies, it is permitted.
I would add, that this is analogous to a kiddush often served in shul on the day of the shloishim even on Shabbos.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 1/30/2026 10:37 AM |
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#5778 Another Vort on that Vort
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– Q. Me again, as I was discussing and searching this shaila, I saw an opinion that avoids weddings on the first half of the month of Shvat, does anyone keep that in our times?
A. Indeed as, Poskim mention it is a rare opinion. Nitei Gavriel (Bein Hametzarim 1: 5) and others maintain that it is a rare and not kept opinion.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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Posted 1/30/2026 10:31 AM |
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Important Numbers
