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# 3783 Equal Rights?
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Q. In our small early minyan we had a Shaila on the correct shape of a letter in the Sefer Torah,
It was a case that requires a child of about six or seven to recognize the letter. There was only available in the shul a girl that goes to Bais Yaakov and reads as well as any boy at that age. Was it proper in such a situation to ask that girl to read the letter
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that in need it is permitted and acceptable. Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a suggested that the Sefer Torah should be taken to a table in the Ezras Noshim.
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 10:20 PM |
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# 3782 A Bundle of Joy
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Q. I was invited to a wedding, being acquainted with one of the parents of the bride. I do not know either the bride or the groom and I am also not the kind of person who is able to gladden the groom through dancing. Is there a problem of eating at the wedding having not participated in the gladdening of the groom?
A. Indeed Shulchan Aruch (E. H. 65: 1) rules that, “There is a mitzvah to rejoice with the Chosson and Kallah and to dance before them.” Poskim mention different ways to comply with this mitzvah. Beer Sheva (50), based upon the above source, writes that the main form of fulfilling this mitzva is by congratulating and complimenting the chosson and thereby enhancing his simcha (see Yaskil Avdi 8" 20:58, Divrei Torah 1:8).
2. Likewise, Harav Chaim Kanievsky Zt'L rules that in order to fulfill one’s obligation one must go over to the chosson and wish him “mazal tov” (oral ruling cited in the Sefer Yismach Lev 251).
3.Horav Elyashiv zt”l rules that if one comes to a wedding when the Chosson and Kallah are still in the “yichud room,” he may partake from the meal and even leave before the couple exits the “yichud room.” He explains that the mere fact that he came and was another person at the wedding gladdens the chosson and kallah. The chosson and kallah desire there to be a lot of people at their wedding and merely by attending the wedding he fulfills his obligation. (Sefer Yismach Lev ibid.)
4. The Shulchan Haezer (vol. 2 page 72) writes that there are those who are not gifted in singing and dancing and are unable to gladden the chosson and kallah in the classical ways. They, therefore, can give gifts that would give simcha to the chosson and kallah.
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 10:18 PM |
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# 3781 Address the Stress
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Q. See questions above regarding Ner Tamid . If there is a general blackout in town, does the Gabai in charge, have to go to the shul and light a candle for Ner Tamid?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that since Ner Tomid is in principle not an obligation, he should go if he is able to do so without excessive stress.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 7/10/2022 5:31 PM |
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# 3780 Fast and Furious
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Q. I have a tradition from my parents to fast on Erev Shabbos Parshas Chukas, even though we don't usually fast on Fridays. I usually fast the complete fast (Mashlim) until after Ma'ariv when I come back from Shul. Due to health issues we began this year making an early Shabbos, and daven Ma'ariv after Plag, not waiting until proper night begins. What should be done with the Ta'anis this Friday?
A. Not many are aware of this unusual Ta'anis and it is proper to explain. On question 2246-47 regarding the source for some fasting on Erev Shabbos Parshas Chukas and why would there be a fasting day on Erev Shabbos when we usually avoid it, we wrote: “Magen Avrohom (580: 9) and Mishna Berura (580: 16) quote the Tanya, that on Erev Shabbos Parshas Chukas, yechidim or some individuals accustom to fast. (Oz VeHadar Mishna Berura explains that it refers to the Arizal's teachings (Shaar HaKavannos of Rav Chaim Vital, Drushei Tikkun Chatzos 1 and Pri Eitz Chaim, Shaar Tikkun Chatzo 3).
The reason given, is that on that day (in the year 1242), twenty (or twenty four) wagons replete of Sefarim Gemaros. Talmudic literature including many works of the Baalei Tosafos and other priceless and irreplaceable manuscripts, (it predated the printing age), were burned in Paris by agents of the Church and King Louis IX.
Magen Avrohom adds that it is “worthwhile for every Jew to cry for the burning of the Torah.” He then proceeds to tell of a customary annual fast specifically for this purpose, on Erev Shabbos Parshas Chukas.
Additionally on year 5408 (Tach) – 1648, two great European communities were destroyed.
The cause that it was instituted on the day of the week (Erev Shabbos) rather than on the day of the month, as all other days of fasting are, is because it was spiritually revealed to them that they should fast then, by using the Targum translation on “Zos Chukas Hatorah”
Moed Lekol Chai (quoted by Nitei Gavriel – Bein Hamtzarim 1: 1: 3) mentions that on that Friday, as he remembers from his younger years in Izmir, people would refrain from leaving home and would try to arrange all that was needed for Shabbos on the prior Thursday. Even in his present day, he adds. people avoid traveling from city to city. He further quotes from Kisvei Hakodesh, the tradition to awake early and recite the Kina or lamentation of “Shaali Serufa Baesh.”
We may add to the above that the Targum on “Zos Chukas Hatorah” is “Do gezeras ora'yso” meaning, this is the gezera (decree) to the Torah. There seems to be a different version on the Targum adding a vav or “VeDo” on day “Vav” or the sixth day, Friday, became gezeras ora'yso (Shibolei Haleket 263).The Torah is foretelling the future tragedies that will occur, and we now mourn the great loss to the Torah that happened on that day.
There is no question that the burning of that collection of Seforim in Paris, at a time when every book was painstakingly written by hand and when many were original and irreplaceable, was a most terrible tragedy. It represented the destruction of generations of Jewish learning and work. It's estimated that the wagons held about 10,000 sefarim and manuscripts. For how many Sages and Baalei Tosafos, it represented the extinction of a life’s work!"
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that although you did not accept or kept this Ta'anis as a Neder or oath, it is proper to be Mattir Neder and perform prior to the fast day an act of Hattoras Nedorim or absolution of oaths and promises as printed in Sidurim.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 7/7/2022 10:44 PM |
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# 3779 The Right Light
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Q. See questions above. Can one use LED lights for Ner Tamid?
A. Ohel Yitzchok (4) permits using electrical light for Ner Tamid in Shul, since no specific requirement regarding this light is mentioned. Chelkas Yaakov (1: 154) mentions that it depends on the tradition of the shul. Mishpetei Uziel (O.H. 2: 23) is also lenient.
Yerushas Pleita (6) maintains that since it is in memory of the Menorah in the Beis Hamikdash, no electrical light should be used. Following the above, Kochabei Yitzchok (12) recommends to use olive oil.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that since Ner Tomid is not an obligation, one can use any kind of light including LED as it usual nowadays.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 7/7/2022 10:41 PM |
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# 3778 Where is the Flare?
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Q. Is there are recommended place to place the Ner Tamid in Shul?
A. Many of the Sefarim quoted above, mention that in a similar way to the Menorah of the Beis Hamikdash, it should placed in front and next to the Aron Hakodesh. However, most unusually, some place in the back.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 7/7/2022 10:39 PM |
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# 3777 Enlightening the Light
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Q. What is the Talmudic and Halachic source for having this tiny flickering light in the Shul above the Aron HaKodesh, called a Ner Tamid, and what does it symbolize, other than having one more thing in Shul with a plaque honouring the donor or the dearly departed in whose memory.
A. The Ner Tamid, also known as the eternal light, usually Hangs above the Aron Hakodesh in every synagogue. It is a symbol of Hashem's eternal and imminent presence in our congregations.
Medresh Hagodol (Tetzave), Medresh Chazis (2), Trumas Hadeshen (345) Mekor Chaim (150; 9), Binyan Tziyon (12), Kochabei Yitzchok (12), Yerushas Pleito (6), and others mention that it is in memory of the Menorah in the Beis Hamikdosh.
Sheloh (Torah Shebeksav) mentions that it is 'merumaz' or implied in the word 'Tamid' used in the Menorah of theTemple, signalling that it will last for all generations, even after the Churban Beis Hamikdash.
Maharam Shik (Y.D. 374) relates about a Rov that on the inauguration of his shul when he lighted for the first time the Ner Tamid, recited complete brocho: 'Lehadlik Ner Tamid.' however, the author disagrees.
Curiously, Mateh Aharon, presents a negative position regarding the Ner Tamid in a shul and maintains it seems to follow the ways of the Gentiles and 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 7/7/2022 10:38 PM |
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# 3776 Magnitude of Gratitude
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Q. If someone is a great swimmer and swims more than five or six hours (about 5 km. there and back) into the sea far from the shore, which is about the common maximum for regular good swimmers, does he have to say Hagomel when he returns?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that no Hagomel brocho should be recited.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 7/7/2022 10:36 PM |
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# 3775 Daily Hagomel?
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Q. See question above. How about if someone is a plane pilot, does he say Hagomel every day?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that one should not. He may recite at the end of his term, when he takes a vacation. It is better to have the above in mind when one recites Hagomel for other reasons.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 7/7/2022 10:35 PM |
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# 3774 Long Time Coming Thanks
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Q. See question above. How about if someone travels by boat from a town to another town, does he have to say Hagomel?
A. Mishna Berura (219: 1) maintains that when traveling by boat and arriving to a town where one will spend one or two days, Hagomel is not recited since one is still in the middle of the journey.
Betzel Hachochmo (1: 21) and Shevet Halevy (9: 45) are of the opinion that if one has reached the place of the purpose of his travel and he will stay there three days, Hagomel should be recited. the same applies, if one returns home and will stay three days before starting a new journey.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that thirty days have to pass in order to recite more than one Hagomel
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Posted 7/7/2022 10:33 PM |
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# 3773 Thanks So Far
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Q. . How far does one have to travel in a boat (24 ft.) during the summer to have to say Hagomel when he returns?
A. Poskim disagree as how far should one travel on a sea to be required to recite Hagomel. Following the Sephardic tradition, Ohr Letzion (2: 4) maintains that if one travels on the regular depths of the sea to a distance where the shore cannot be seen anymore and it is over 72min.of travel on one direction, one may bless Hagomel.
The Ashkenazy tradition is to recite only if the travel was longer than a couple of days.
Minchas Yitzchok (4: 12), Betzel Hachochmo (1: 20), Kinyan Torah 1: 16) and others rule that crossing the English Channel (21 miles) does not require Hagomel.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 7/7/2022 10:32 PM |
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# 3772 Have a Head for Heights?
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Q. See question above . Sometime ago we received the following shaila; Q. Would it be a correct action for our shul to rent out some of its roof space for the installation of a high communication antenna. Two benefits are involved. a) Increasing the height of the shul above all houses in the close area. b) A much needed income for our shul. Is that permitted?
A. Rema (O.H 150: 3) rules that if only one corner of the shul is higher that the other houses it suffices. Mishna Berura (150: 8) adds that when just a metal pole is added to one of the roof corners of the shul, it does not count as a part of the shul.
Similarly, Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that as far as the antenna being considered as creating a higher building and structure for the shul, it likely is not, since it is not a functional or needed addition for the shul itself. However, as an income benefit it should be considered propitious. However, other details regarding the Kedusha of the roof of the shul should be addressed.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 7/7/2022 10:31 PM |
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# 3771 A Tall Shaila
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Q. The Gemoro makes it quite clear that a shul should be higher than the roofs of where people live. In an area which has houses, this may not be so difficult, but in a city full of apartment buildings, how does one adhere to this rule? Does it make a difference if there are balconies or roof tops that are used and are above the level of the shul?
A. The Talmud (Shabbos 11a) and Shulcha Aruch (O.H. 150: 2) specifies that the shul should be the tallest building in town, and warns that any city in which the roofs of houses are higher than the synagogue will eventually be destroyed.
However, in modern cities, the above is not practical. The modern high structure of buildings we need, and the zoning laws of our times create a new reality. As such, it is permitted for one to build one’s house taller than the synagogue—though it is preferable to refrain from doing so when possible. (Mishna Berura ibid. 5). Therefore, adjoining balconies or roof tops would not matter in our times.
There are other interpretations to the Talmudic requirement that the shul should be the tallest building, some of them are:
Meiri (Shabbos 11a) explains that it refers to the height of the internal hall of the shul, namely that the ceiling, should be higher than customary rooms in houses.
Zichron Yehuda (1: 59) quoting Rambam, maintains that it applies only when building a new shul.
Orach Neeman (O.H. 151) opines that it refers to the beauty of the building itself and not the actual height.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 7/7/2022 10:29 PM |
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# 3770 Body Shame?
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Q. If the above is permitted, can it be done as a regular business? (I resold that head at a great gain).
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one should not make a business of this kind, since it also denigrates human life.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 7/1/2022 10:43 AM |
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# 3769 Watch the Head
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Q. Dear Rabino, it was great communicating again after so many years. I got an unusual question, as I told you, I much enjoy visiting the old open market places in Mexico City and other smaller villages, sometimes you find most unusual items and I like to buy and then resell in other countries at a high profit.
I found recently a stand that sold shrunken human heads the seller said he got secretively from Ecuador. They were not expensive and out of curiosity I bought one. After having a medic inspect it and giving a letter that it was indeed human, I found a client in the a Northern country that was willing to pay a considerable price and used for a conversation item for his many guest.
My question is is one allowed to derive ant benefit from human bodies (non-Jewish)?
A. Poskim disagree whether a Gentile's body is prohibited from deriving benefit of it and in need it is permitted.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that it can in principle be sold.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 7/1/2022 10:41 AM |
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# 3768 Catch that Name!
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Q. See question above. In a large shul where there is two people with the same name and one is a Levi, should then this title be included in the name? Will the title be said after the end of the name that includes the mother, or after his name?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that indeed in such an unusual case the title should be included to distinguish between the individuals.
The title should be said after the man's name.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 7/1/2022 10:37 AM |
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# 3767 Making a Name
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Q. When one davens for a Choleh (sick person) does one include in the name the Cohen or Levi title?
A. The common custom is not to mention any titles when reciting a Mi Sheberach for the ill.
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 7/1/2022 10:35 AM |
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# 3766 The Strange Blessing
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Q. Hello Rav, regarding the bracha on people with unusual feature and on strange animals (meshane haberiyot), I read that you can't say it if you've seen them before. Would seeing them in pictures (not in person) make it prohibited to then say the bracha when seeing them in person? Any difference for sephardim? Thanks.
A. On question 1816 regrading this brocho when watching an unusual fighting match on a screen we wrote :
On question 1712 regarding reciting the blessing of birchas hailonos on flowering trees, we wrote; Ateres Paz (p. 224) quotes Horav O. Yosef zt’l that one recites birchas hailonos when observing the flowering fruit trees using binoculars or a monocular tube. Avnei Chen (26: 20), distinguishes between simple straight telescopes and the more evolved instruments that employ mirrors and the reflection of prisms. Pesach Hadbir (224: 10) equally permits their use for the brocho recited on a king.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is similar. The Rov also wrote a teshuva in Maayanei Shlomo (O.H. 77) in regards to different halachos involved in the use of mirrors and lenses.
Poskim therefore agree that watching any phenomena were we recite a special brocho on, is limited to only seeing it directly and not in a screen or a picture. (Betzel Hachochmo 2: 16, Piskei Teshuvos 224: 12)."
As is Poskim maintain that on very unusual cases you can recite the brocho again after thirty days
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 7/1/2022 10:34 AM |
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# 3765 But, not that Late
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Q. See question above: Does a woman that usually davens every day also daven Ma'ariv?
A. Most Poskim maintain that women are not obligated to daven Ma’ariv, since Ma’ariv was initially established as a voluntary prayer even for men, and while eventually men accepted Ma’ariv as an obligation, women did not.
A minority opinion holds that women should daven Ma’ariv as well if they are able due to their family and home duties. See Aruch ha-Shulchan 3.106:7 and Kaf Ha-Chayim 299:62, and this is the custom of some women.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 7/1/2022 10:32 AM |
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# 3764 Never Too Late?
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R-e question 3744. I'm still confused. I understand from the answer that once a woman davens Shabbos morning she should wait to hear kiddush before eating. But is there a time limit as to how long she can drink and hold off with davening? if she wakes up late, say 11.AM, can she still drink before she begins to daven?
A. Poskim maintain that a woman who davens usually Shemone Esrei, should do so before the end of Z'man Tefilah (before 11.00 AM depending on the date. See Shulchan Aruch O.H. 89: 1). This tradition of davening Shemone Esrei, should be kept voluntarily, after expressing that it is 'Beli Neder'.
After the fact, if a woman is unable to daven before then, she may daven Shemone Esrei until Chatzos or midday (See Rav M. Feinstein quoted in Ko Somar l’Beis Yaakov, pg. 34); and Machazeh Eliyahu 19:5-14).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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Posted 7/1/2022 10:30 AM |
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Important Numbers
