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Have a question? Send it in! Questions are answered by Rabbi Bartfeld.
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# 3805 One for Two?
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Q. Can you ask Rav Shlomo Shlit'a if someone was Mekabel (accepts) to say a Perek Tehilim for two people, do they have to say it twice or can they say it once and have kavanah it’s for both.
Thank you!
A. Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a maintain that it depends on the intention of the one who undertook to recite the Tehilim.
See also question 67 regarding reciting Kaddish for several Neshomos at once. We wrote: "Many Poiskim agree that one Kaddish could be said for a number of deceased (Rana'ch 1,77 – Gesher Hachaim 1, 326,7 – Kol Bo p.376, Tzitz Eliezer 7,49, et al.).
However Igrois Moishe (Y.D. 254) and Doivev Meishorim (2,14) at least partially disagree. The fact that no contracts or monetary rewards are involved in this case is also favorable. Igros Moishe (ibid.) advises that at least one Kadish a day should be dedicated to each Niftar.
So too is the opinion of Horav Shloimo Miller Shlit”a. He recommends thinking in advance for whom this Kaddish is to be recited; the rest should be said with the intention for both."
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 7/21/2022 10:49 PM |
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# 3804 A Pearl of Wisdom
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Q. If I meet Professor Jordan B. Peterson, do I make a Brocho of SheNosan MeiChochmaso L'vosor Vodom?
A. Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 224: 7) base on Talmud (Brochos 58a) rules that when seeing a brilliant non-Jewish secular scholar one recites the brocho; "Blessed be He who has imparted of His wisdom to His creations.”
Mishna Berura (ibid 7) quotes Pri Megodim, that it refers to the "Seven Wisdoms."
Chida asserts that it means all of them. Therefore Piskei Teshuvos (224:5) writes that the minhag is not to make this Brocho since that is indeed most unusual.
He adds that even following the opinion that it can refer to just a most extraordinary knowledge on one field of wisdom (Birchas Habbais 29: 5), since Poskim maintain that one should recite the Brocho only on Gentiles that keep the Seven Mitzvos of Bnei Noach, it is most unusual to encounter such a case in our times. (Teshuva Meahava 2: 237, Minchas Elozor 5: 7).
Above all, Tzitz Eliezer (14: 37) opines that it has to be one that is accepted by all to be a colossal and truly extraordinary scholar, so recognized by all, and that is most unlikely in our case.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 7/21/2022 10:47 PM |
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# 3803 Curtain Lecture?
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Q. See question above. If one is staying in a hotel or a guest room, where it may be impossible to completely darken the room or it is Shabbat and the light was left on, and a separating Mechitza or curtain can not be placed, what can one do?
A. At night, when there is light in the room, in principle many Poskim forbid to have sexual relations even under the covers (Ra'avad; Smak; Ritva; S. A. 240:11 and EH 25:5; Eliya Rabba; MB 240:39).
However some are lenient (Ḥida, Pesacḥ Einayim on Nidda 17b; Kaf Ha-ḥayim 240:71). Mishna Berura (240; 45) mentions that in a case of need, an ethical individual may indeed be lenient and rely on the darkness provided by a blanket used a cover.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 7/21/2022 10:46 PM |
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# 3802 See the Light?
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Q. Is it proper to have marital relations in a bedroom that has an electric clock next to the bed that has light?
A. Following the Halacha that as a matter of modesty and privacy, marital relations should take place only on a dark room (Shulchan Aruch O.H. 240: 11), Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that if the light is strong enough that permits one can see, the clock should be covered or turned away.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 7/21/2022 10:45 PM |
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# 3801 All Hands on Deck
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Q. Can one fix or replace a deck that will be used for the Suka and may also be dangerous in its current condition, during the Three Weeks?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that one may fix it when necessary. However. when possible one should wait until after Tisha Beav.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 7/21/2022 10:44 PM |
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# 3800 If there's Life there's Hope
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Q. Dear Rabbi, does a responsible doctor have to inform his patient that he is terminally ill and incurable?
A. A doctor should take into account a number of facts before he discloses to the patient or his family his findings. First of all, physicians are only human and sometimes make mistaken diagnoses or prescribe incorrect treatment and end up harming and even killing the patient.
Even when the diagnosis may be correct, doctors still don’t have the last word. The Torah repeats the words, Verapoh, Yerapeh, “And heal, he will heal…” (Ex. 21:19). This “repetition” of the word “heal” teaches that doctors are allowed to heal people. Why would I ever think in that healing is forbidden? Because the Torah also says, “I, Hashem, am your Healer.” (Ex. 15:26) Maybe only Hashen is “your Healer;” maybe healing is from God, and no mortal has the right to interfere in this process? Therefore the Torah has to tell us “he [the doctor] will heal…”
Meforshim explain that Doctors are given the right to heal, but they have no right to despair.
Therefore the terms 'terminally ill' or 'incurable' should not be used. A doctor may say, “We have no known cure for this disease at the present time,” or “This case is beyond my expertise,” or “There’s nothing more we can do now” but the word “incurable” should not be used.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 7/21/2022 10:40 PM |
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# 3799 Paper Over?
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Q. Kvod Harav, is one allowed to repair during the three weeks wall paper that fell of a wall, by just gluing it back to the wall
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A. Kovetz Halochos (5: 19) quotes Igros Moshe (O.H. 3: 82) regarding placing new wall paper during the Nine Days.
However, just gluing back existing paper that fell, Poskim permit.(See Nitei Gavriel 29: 3)
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 7/21/2022 10:37 PM |
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# 3798 Fear No Colours
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Q. Is there an especial colour for the animals one offers as Korbanot?
A. Besides the Red Heifer that had to be red, there were no specific conditions as to what colour the sacrifices had to be. Although, the two goats that were brought on Yom Kippur had to be identical in look and colour, there were no conditions as to what colour they had to be.
There may be an interesting symbolic message in the above. Since Korbonos represent the person that brings them, the colour of the person or his animal standing for him, is of no consequence.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 7/21/2022 10:36 PM |
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# 3797 A Battle of Wills?
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Q. The Gemoro says in Shabbos one should not treat one son different among his sons. Is it proper or not proper to leave in a will a double portion to a Bechor, (first born). On one hand we see that when there is no will the bechor gets a double portion of the inheritance.
On the other hand, perhaps that doesn't create jealousy because that is what the Torah commanded for inheritance. Whereas when it comes from the father’s will to give the Bechor a double portion, perhaps this does create jealousy and is not what Chazal intended. Similarly, what would be the proper outlook as far as the sons inheriting and not the daughters?
A. See question above. If one was to write a correct will that follows both Halacha and the law of the land, one can distribute his assets in proper different ways as is needed and following the opinion of the competent Bis Din, Rabbi and legal authority, he may also follow therein some of the ways that the Torah sponsors.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 7/21/2022 10:34 PM |
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# 3796 If there's a Will, there's a Way
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Q. Is it possible, for someone following Halacha to write a will, that will distribute his assets after his death in a different way that the Torah dictates?
A. On question 1912 addressing the question if a secular will written by an attorney valid according to Halacha, we wrote: In principle a secular will, by which an individual estate is divided according to his own wishes and does not follow the dictum of the Torah, may not have any Halachic validity, since it takes effect after the death of the bestower.
According to Halacha, dead people have no rights over the property they owned while they were alive. Therefore, they have no right to dictate what happens to their property after they die. (Shulchan Aruch C.M. 258: 2).
The above greatly differs from secular law which, in principle, recognizes the right that people have to testamentary independence and can do whatever they want with their property after their demise.
On question 1913 we added: Some contemporary Poskim indeed maintain that secular wills are Halachically valid based on the principle of dino demalchuso dino, which translates as the law of the kingdom governs This obligation applies mainly in civil law, and not in matters of ritual law.
Igros Moshe, (E.H. 1: 104) mentions: “that although we are dealing with a gift to be made after the death of the donor, and there is no such thing as a gift after death, as the object no longer belongs to the donor and such a gift is therefore not valid in Jewish law, nevertheless, according to the law of the land a person can legally transfer with effect after death money or any other object which at that time obviously no longer belongs to him or her … but in essence it is clear, according to my humble opinion, that a testament of this kind, the dispositions of which will certainly be put into effect by the authorities of the country, does not need a kinyan as one could not imagine a more effective kinyan than this. Hence, since a kinyan is not necessary, the beneficiaries can uphold their right also against those persons who are the proper heirs by Torah law.”
Achiezer (3: 34) also sponsors the principle of dino demalchuso since it makes the receiver a muchzak.
However, a number of Poskim disagree, and follow the opinion of the Remah, that it does not apply in monetary conflicts between two Jewish individuals, for if it would then all the monetary laws of the Torah would become void (Remah C.M. 9: 11, 253: 32) Pischei Choshen H. Yerusha 4: 34).
Binyan Ariel (p. 170), Minchas Yitzchok (6: 164) and other Poskim advise to make a proper tzavaah or testament following Halacha, but at the same time also write a legally executed will, that supports the tzavaah.
There are a number of Halacha ways available whereby one may distribute a significant part of his estate according to his wishes, as long as a certain amount of it is distributed according to the Torah’s laws of inheritance (See Kuntress Mi'Dor l’Dor and Mishapt HaTzava’ah, p. 66.). One should contact a competent Rov or Beis Din familiar also with the Law of the Land, and have them with a lawyer, draw up the required documents. But it is imperative that all changes from the Torah’s laws of inheritance be stipulated and finalized prior to the death of the testator.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 7/21/2022 10:32 PM |
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# 3795 All Intents and Purposes
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Q. Since the Kavana and intention of putting on Tefilin is that we should learn Torah, why is that not mentioned at all in the Yehi Ratzon or any Tefilah in the common Sidurim said before putting them on?
A. Indeed, Mishna Berura (8: 19) quotes Bach that there are three mitzvos that require an additional special Kavanah or intention when performing them. They are Tzitzis, Tefilin and Suka.
In regard to Tefillin the pasuk mentions (Shemos 13: 9): 'They shall be for a sign to you on your arm, and a memorial between your eyes, so that the Torah of Hashem may be in your mouth."
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that it is actually included in the words of the Yehi Ratzon said before donning Tefilin, namely: "Sha'ar Chushai Vekochosai Kulam Yiheyu Meshuvodim La'avodoso" So that the soul in my brain – along with all my other senses and powers – be subjugated to His service, and that is achieved by learning Torah.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 7/17/2022 3:54 PM |
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# 3794 Pray Together Stay Together?
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Q. A person who Davens Vasikin in a place where they struggle for a minyan, when there is no minyan should he daven beyechidus (no minyan) by the Netz (sunrise) or delay his Shemoneh Esrei a number of minutes past the Netz until the others will come?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that he should wait and daven with a minyan.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 7/14/2022 10:38 PM |
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# 3793 Hot Check
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Q. What temperature does a cheres (clay) Matza oven need to be in order to burn up the left over dough that was not baked before 18 minutes?
A. Horav Aharon Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that whatever temperature burns properly the left over dough is correct and needed.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 7/14/2022 10:36 PM |
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# 3792 Good New Times?
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Q. Dear Rov I'm moving into a new building that uses facial recognition to let one enter the building. Guest have to ring bells. What should one do during Shabbos?
A. As you also figured face identification triggering electrical circuitry is tantamount to pressing a button to connect electricity and prohibited during normal conditions on Shabbos.
However, you may wait until someone else enters or exits the building, and then follow.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that this is permitted even if the one entering or exiting is Jewish.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 7/14/2022 10:34 PM |
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# 3791 Ethical Machine?
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Q. See questions above regarding the use of new computer programs, artificial intelligence and digital libraries as a help for learning Torah.
Can one use such a program to give him Mussar and ethical spiritual discourses and awakening talks, giving concrete instructions on how to live a meaningful and ethical life?
A. It is likely questionable that one would listen to a machine's reprove; reprimand; censure or reproach on bad conduct and admonishing one to conquer his Evil Inclination, overcome their particular moral challenges or to serve Hashem wholeheartedly. Likely, it would not be very effective.
However, one may program the computer to quote as necessary parts of the actual speeches and Musar lectures given by the Gedolei Hamusar.
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 7/14/2022 10:33 PM |
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# 3790 Intelligent Friend?
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Q. See questions above regarding the use of new computer programs, artificial intelligence and digital libraries as a help for learning Torah. Can one use such a program to be a Chavrusa or learning company and learn with it, when traveling or alone at home?
A. In our recent times proactive cognitive artificial intelligence products have been developed that initiate conversation to help seniors stay in touch with family or loved ones, engage in healthy behaviors — including nudges to take medication — and stay connected with the outside world.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that although a human Chaverusa is certainly preferred, when not available, if a program like that is available, and it would help one to learn Torah better and more constant, one can use it.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 7/14/2022 10:30 PM |
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# 3789 Spin Machine?
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Q. See question above regarding the use of new computer programs and digital libraries as a help for learning Torah.
2) Can you use the computer program above to question it on Halacha and what a person should do on a specific cases? What is permitted and what is not?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that one cannot consult directly any computer program or any artificial intelligence system to decide what the Halacha is in a specific case or question as deciding Halacha is a human undertaking given to Poskim and qualified Rabbonim.
However, the above, may consult from the program sources and information pertaining the shaila they are dealing with, yet the decision should be done by a qualified and competent Posek or Rabbi and not by a machine.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 7/14/2022 10:29 PM |
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# 3788 Don't Lag, Log In
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Q. Kevod Harav. A group of great Lomdei Torah, experts in modern Halacha questions and some skillful computer and information specialists, have been working together to develop different computer programs that can greatly help now and in the incoming future to all who learn Torah seriously.
We have a number of questions that we would appreciate Horav Miller and the other Rabbonim that work with you to address.
1) Is it permitted using a computer program while learning in a Beis Medresh, to communicate and answer questions as to where Seforim and the topics you want to learn are to be found?
A. Computer programs of this kind have been available for many years now. Some contain 120,000 Judaic Seforim,and have been used practically by all. The novelty of this new program is that it can communicate verbally with the learner, while he is learning.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that it is permitted to consult the program as to what and where Seforim, Meforshim, Poskim, etc. say and for some even commendable and propitious to do so. since it is a great time saver.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 7/14/2022 10:27 PM |
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# 3787 Quick Fast
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Q. See question 3780 regarding fasting on Erev Shabbos Parshas Chukas. If one follows the vast majority of people who are not even aware of this particular mournful and tragic anniversary of the burning of so many Sefarim and original unique texts, and does not fast the whole day until Shabbos begins, should he at least fast a few hours in the morning if possible?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's shlit'a opinion is that it is commendable and propitious to do so. (Specifying that it is done 'Beli Neder')
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 7/14/2022 10:25 PM |
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# 3786 Early Wedding?
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Q. Is it better for one to get married before Shiva Assar Betamuz and then have some of the Sheva Brachot during the Three Weeks, or better wait until after Tisha Beav and do the wedding then?
A. Nitei Gavriel (Bein Hametzarim 1: 1) quotes a few opinions that one should avoid on the onset celebrating a nuptials when some of the Sheva Brachos will be during the Three Weeks.
Horav Shlomo Miller's shlit'a opinion is that it is better to do the Mitzva as soon as possible and not to delay it.
One may add that weddings performed on the first half of the lunar month are more propitious in our traditions, than the ones done at the second half of the month.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 7/14/2022 10:24 PM |
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Important Numbers
