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# 4086 Who is on the Phone?
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Q. Good evening. I was just at a conference where I heard Rav Shlomo Miller shlit’a answer questions about Halacha in business, and it seemed that he gave a P'sak that it was OK to phone a mincha minyan, if the balabos is unhappy if it takes too long to drive there and back , and be yotze kedusha and perhaps even Shemomei Esrei over the phone? Can you please clarify.
A. I consulted with Horav Miller Shlit’a and he explained what he said. He meant that if the minyan is indeed far, one is not obliged to travel there.
However as far as calling in to a minyan to comply with answering Kedusha or Kaddish by phone it is not that simple.
Please see questions 531, 4023, 4024 and others regarding zooming and phone communication for davening and reciting brochos.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/30/2023 6:40 PM |
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# 4085 A Hat Trick
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Q. May one wear a winter hood and on top of it a black hat during Shabbos?
A. If they fit well and there is no concern that one may remove them, they could be worn when needed due to the prevailing cold climate during Shabbos, even when in places where one does not carry.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/26/2023 10:37 PM |
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# 4084 A Marriage of Convenience?
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Q. Dear Rabbi. Should one avoid marrying a woman whose siblings are not Frum, if she is the right person and has all the qualities one needs and wants?
A. Talmud (Baba Basra 110a) teaches that before one gets married, he should check on the brothers of the woman he wants to marry, since most of the children to be born are similar to them.
However, Poskim omitted this Halacha, since it is considered only a “Mitzva Min Hamubchar” or a better mitzva and not an obligation. (Maharam Brisk 1: 130, Hanisuim Kehilchosom 2: 20 and others).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/26/2023 10:33 PM |
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# 4083 Be Up to Date
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Q. See question 4074 above. If Rosh Chodesh Shvat is so important and auspicious, should one make an effort to do a wedding or a Vort on that day?
A. Some Poskim maintain that one should avoid getting married on the first, third and fifth day of the month (Sdei Chemed 21, Sidur Shaar Yisoschor and others).
However, the common tradition is to be lenient (Darkei Teshuva 179: 14 and others).
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that in our case it is preferred to celebrate on Rosh Chodesh.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/26/2023 10:31 PM |
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# 4082 All Dressed Up
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Q. K’vod Horav. Someone who when he davens in shul almost always wears a suit and a tie as well as shoes. When he davens at home does he have to do all the above?
A. on question 3625 regarding davening without shoes on where there is a minyan in a house Motzei Shabbat and its winter in Toronto, so no one is wearing shoes inside the fancy house. Also a similar situation where the host regularly had a Maariv minyan at his home and he had slippers for everyone for davening.
To what we answered: The wearing of shoes in shul and during davening, has undergone a historical transformation.
Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 91: 5) rules that one should not enter a Shul with and uncovered head or feet, if the custom in that place is not to do so in front of great people. Mishna Berura (12) adds not to daven with boots on if the common practice is not to do so in front of leaders. (see also Maharam Mintz 38, Rashbash 285 and others)
Oruch Hashulchan (O. H. 151:9): rules; “And there are Muslim lands where they go to the synagogue barefooted, but this is not a good custom, and they learned this from the Muslims, and it should be abolished.”
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that, as mentioned in Mishna Berura it all depends. If one would receive and encounter guest of importance while wearing the clothes and shoes one is, he can daven and enter Shul with them on.”
In principle, the accepted tradition is to daven in a shul or elsewhere dressed as mentioned, as if one would be welcoming and encountering a guest of importance.
Horav Dovid Pam and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a added that one should dress when possible as if he was to receive the President or Prime Minister.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/26/2023 10:27 PM |
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# 4081 In Deep Water
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Q. See question 4073 above. If one is using the water that was warmed before Shabbat, was kept warm in an insulated tank, has no connection to any fresh water and comes down simply by gravity, as described above, and he wants to use it for ‘Tisha Kavim’ purification (he belongs to a group that immerse in a Mikva on Shabbat). Can he do it? Why is it any different than immersing in a Mikva?
A. Although in principle the above case may seem permissible for people who accustom to immerse during Shabbos, especially if a proper Mikva is not readily available, Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a and our other Rabbonim are of the opinion that this unusual method of Tisha Kabim purification should be avoided.
Not only for its peculiar and uncustomary nature and the many different necessary conditions to avoid desecration of Shabbos that could easily be forgotten, but also for the fact that the water emanating from the insulated tank could still be at the temperature of ‘Yad Soledes” or about 40 or 45 degrees and since it was heated before Shabbos on that container, it would be still considered a “Keli Rishon’ or a first vessel.
If the water flowing from it falls on the colder water usually found in the floor of the shower facility, it would be considered as being ‘Mevashel’ or cooking the cold water and one would transgress on a Shabbos prohibition.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/26/2023 10:24 PM |
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# 4080 Uncharted Waters?
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Q. On question 4060 the Rov mentioned that one has to avoid drinking water during the beginning of the Tekufa only for one hour. Yet, I’m aware that for those who keep that tradition, the prohibition stays on even after. What is correct?
A. Poskim mention that for those who keep the tradition of not drinking water during the hour of the beginning of the Tekufa, as mentioned above, once the water collected then, it maintains its restrictions even after that time and when used or mixed with other edibles, the ones that keep this tradition should abstain from consuming them.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/26/2023 10:17 PM |
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# 4079 Lots of Brochos on a New Shul
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Q. When a new shul is inaugurated, is it correct to recite the brocho of ‘Hatov Vehameitiv,’ as is customary when a sheared item is acquired and there is great joy and pleasure for many?
A. Mishna Berura (223: 11) rules that when a new shul was acquired or built, the Shaliach Tzibur should recite loudly and in front of all, while having in mind that they comply too the blessing of Hatov Vehameitiv.
However, Shaarei Teshuva (ibid. 9) quotes Poskim that rule not to recite this blessing and rules accordingly.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that it is preferred to make this blessing at that time on an new accepted by all opinions object and have in mind to comply with the new shul requirement.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/26/2023 10:15 PM |
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# 4078 Watch Your Seat
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Q. Dear Rov Shlit’a. I’m a member of a Bikur Cholim group and B’H I visit a number of the ill every week. I heard that when someone visits a sick person one should should avoid sitting at or near the bottom end of the bed is that true?
A. Aruch Hashulchan (335: 7) and others (See Bikur Cholim Kehilchoso) quote Zohar (Pinchas) that indeed one should avoid sitting at the bottom of the bed, since the Angel of Death could be found there.
However, Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a pointed that this Zohar is not familiar or known at all and the common Minhag is not to be careful with this tradition.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/26/2023 10:11 PM |
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# 4077 A Real Hard Question
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Q. Why does the Torah use three different expressions for the hardening of Pharoh’s heart in Parshas Vaeira?
A. The hardening of Pharaoh’s heart is referred to no less than twenty times in the course of the story of the Exodus. Sometimes it is Pharoh who is said to harden his heart. At other times, Hashem is said to have done so. The Torah uses three different verbs in this context: chazak, to strengthen, kasheh, to harden, and kobed, to make heavy.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that it depends in the case and context involved
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Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/26/2023 10:08 PM |
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# 4076 Lost ithe Wash?
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Q. HoRav Miller mentioned that Erev Yom Kippur there is a possible obligation to immerse in a Mikva. If one would find it extremely uncomfortable to do so due to Tznius reasons such as a person who was not brought up with the idea of going to the Mikva or a person who would have improper thoughts there or similar may he rely on showering instead?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that in such a case it is permitted to take a shower instead.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/26/2023 10:06 PM |
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# 4075 A Delete Shailah
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Q. Is it permitted to flush a toilet on Shabbos if a paper such as a receipt fell inside or is it Mochaik (erasing)? In need, can one use the left cover of the roll or other printed paper material as toilet paper? Does it matter which side one uses? Is there an issue of Mochaik when urinating on a solid bar deodorant placed on a urinal that has letters engraved on it?
A. Since one doing anything of the above has no intention of erasing anything written and besides it may not even happen, it is a case of a ‘Dovor Sheino Miskaven’ and not a ‘P’sik Reisha’ or a not intentional prohibited act that may not even happen and is therefore permitted.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/26/2023 10:04 PM |
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# 4074 Have a Real Happy Birthday
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Q. Dear Rabbi. My Hebrew birthday is on the coming up Rosh Chodesh Shevat. I heard that the day is of great importance and has an influence on those born on that day. Could you please explain. Thanks.
A. The name of the month Shevat originated from the Akkadian language during the Babylonian Captivity. The assumed Akkadian origin of the month is Šabātu meaning ‘to strike’ that refers to the heavy rains of the season. In Biblical sources, the month is first mentioned by this name in the book of prophet Zechariah (1:7).
The worldly sign for the month of Shevat is Aquarius, the waterbearer. This further ties Shevat to the rainy season, reflecting the posuk, “Water will flow from his wells.” Water, is also a symbol for Torah learning.
The month of Shevat was when Moshe Rabenu prepared for his passing in the following month on 7 Adar. He took from then on the opportunity to rebuke, morally fortify and strengthen the B’nei Yisrael, as recorded in Chumash Devorim. Out of honor and respect for the Jewish people, Moshe saved these words of rebuke and heartfelt criticism until right before he passed away.
Midrash explains that Moshe Rabenu spent the month of Shevat translating the entire Torah into the 70 major languages spoken.
Moshe Rabenu taught us on that day an incredibly important lesson: Every Jew has a connection to the Torah, even the ones who can not read it in its original tongue or have, like we all do, limitations in understanding it properly. It is, as some Gedolim mention, a day tantamount to Kabolas Hatorah.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 1/20/2023 11:22 AM |
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# 4073 Shower Again?
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Q. I was wondering if it is OK to shower using hot water on Shabbat. The water was warmed before Shabbat, and is kept inside a well insulated tank on the attic, that has no connection to any fresh water and comes done simply by gravity. Is that permitted?
A. Showering or washing one’s entire body, with water that was heated even in a permissible way before Shabbos, is forbidden during Shabbos
However, it is permissible to use water that was heated before Shabbos to wash one’s face, hands or feet, when the warmed water uses gravity to come down and not the water pressure from new water coming in the pipes.
The above does not apply to one’s entire body.
The reason for this Rabbinical prohibition is called “Gezeras Merchatzo’os.” Meaning, that the people working in the bathhouses used to heat the water on Shabbos in a prohibited manner, but claimed that they heated the water before Shabbos.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/20/2023 11:11 AM |
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# 4072 Face the Music
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Q. Dear Rov. As you know my father passed away last year and I’m about to commemorate his first Yohrzait. I have seen people listening to music on the day they have Yohrzait. Is that permitted? Even on the first one? Thank you.
A. On the first Yohrzait, one may not. Regarding a subsequent Yohrzait, Poskim disagree. Taz holds that all the limitations of the year of Aveilus apply also on that day, and one should not listen to music. However, the Shach disagrees. He holds that the limitation not to attend and eat at a wedding applies on a Yohrzait, but other limitations do not.
According to him, one could listen to music. Poskim write that Halacha follows the Shach, but it would seem to be commendable to be stringent like the Taz.
(See Remah Y.D 395, Shach 3 and Taz 3, Pischei Teshuvo 8, and others).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/20/2023 11:07 AM |
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# 4071 Please Take a Shower
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Q. A man who goes to the Mikva for the honor of Shabbat or after having relations, can he take a shower after exiting the Mikva. This is most important in our times when we a very concerned with possible infections?
A. On question 2676 regarding women that have to go to the Mikvah during the coronavirus days, if they should take a shower after they get back home, but not inside the Mikvah place itself, we wrote:
“Remah (Y.D. 201: 75) maintains that women should not take a bath after immersing in a Mikveh. Shach explains that this is based on Talmud (Shabbos 14a), to prevent observes thinking that the bath is the main purifier.
However, Mareh Cohen quotes that Shevet Halevy (5: 125) is lenient for all women when it is done at home, and also quotes RS”Z Auerbach zt’l, that taking a shower is permitted. (See also Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 162 :9 and Taharas Yisrael 161).
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that in your particular case it is also permitted, as it is not considered being in the Mikveh site”.
Most Poskim maintain that men can surely shower after immersing in a Mikva, as a man in our days of not eating Kodshim, Teruma, or entering the Bais Hamikdosh is never truly required to immerse in a Mikva. Indeed, with the possible exclusion of Erev Yom Kippur, all men’s immersion in a Mikva today is essentially a tradition and not an obligation. (Mevasseret Tzion, O.H. 7).
V’aleihu Lo Yibol (2 p. 286), mentions that Horav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zt’l was very strict and careful to take a shower before immersing in a Mikva, so to keep the water as clean as possible. He said that doing so is a fulfillment of “You shall love your fellow as yourself.” He adds that he would also shower after using the Mikva, knowing that there are those who do not shower before immersing in the Mikva thereby compromising the cleanliness of the water and the possible infections of others.
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 1/20/2023 11:03 AM |
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# 4070 Shows a Lot of Promise!
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Q. When I was a kid (close to Bar Mitzva) while I was in Eitz Chaim. I made a Neder (oath) not to get married until I am 40 minimum and until I am wealthy.
How can I be matir (release me from) this Neder?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that you have to contact your Rov and have him assemble a Beis Din (court) of three people and after following the correct procedure, release you from your Neder
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/15/2023 12:28 PM |
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# 4069 Confused by Mixed Plants?
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Q. Does Hilchos Kilayim (mixed plants) for Zeraim (not trees or grapes) apply outside of Eretz Yisrael? If there is some application outside of EY, to what extent is it Assur? Specifically I'd like to know if I can plant several herbs and vegetables next to each other in the same large pot.
A. It is a generally accepted Halacha and tradition that Kilayim Zeraim does not generally apply outside of Eretz Yisrael, and one is allowed to plant several herbs and vegetables next to each other in the same pot.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/15/2023 12:17 PM |
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# 4068 At Your Earliest Convenience
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Q. I, along with countless others in a Haredi Community, were able to be Mekadesh the Levana (moon) literally on the last night, on Friday night. It was a tremendous Pachad (fear), with many traveling out of state on Thursday night in hopes of seeing the Levana, and others saying it on Shabbos. May I from now on always say it at the earliest Zeman, even without a minyan or waiting for Motzoi Shabbos, to avoid a repeat of this near miss?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that indeed in places where the winter is severe and the prolonged cloudy skies are not uncommon during the winter, one should recite Kidush Levana, the earliest Halacha permits.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/11/2023 1:14 PM |
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# 4067 Don’t Get Carried Away
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Q. May one carry a Siddur during Shabbos in a place with an Eruv, if he usually tries to avoid relying on it, in order to be Mekadesh the Levana (moon) during Shabbos?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that it depends why he usually does not carry. If it is just a “Chumra” or stringency since the Eruv is good and properly acceptable, he may be lenient in need for complying with the most important mitzva of Kidush Levana.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 1/11/2023 12:55 PM |
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Important Numbers
