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Have a question? Send it in! Questions are answered by Rabbi Bartfeld.
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# 3597 The Real Eishes Chail
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Q. See question above. I have heard that Eishes Chail is a reference to our Torah, is that true?
A, Aliva Dehilchesa (year 71) mentioned above quotes Horav Chaim Kanievsky Shlit'a that indeed it is also a praise song in honor of our Torah.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 3/11/2022 2:08 PM |
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# 3596 The True Eishes Chail
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Q. Does one who lost his wife sing Eishes Chail on Friday night?
A. Aliva Dehilchesa (year 71) quotes some Talmidei Hachamim that would point to their spouses when singing Eishes Chail. Horav Chaim Kanievzky Shlit'a is quoted as commenting that if she fills the description, it can be done.
However, Shelah, Ya'avetz, Kaf Hachaim (262: 8) abd others maintain that it is a reference to the Shechina.
In different Yeshivos it is also recited by unmarried youngsters.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 3/11/2022 2:07 PM |
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# 3595 Any More for Any More?
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Q. On Matonos Laevyonim during Purim, is it better to donate a smaller quantity of money to more poor people, or is it preferred to give a larger amount to just a few?
A. Poskim disagree. Bach (O.H. 695) maintains that it is better to donate smaller amounts to many, while Shvus Yitzchok (88: 2) opines that giving two important contribution takes precedence,. (See also Kovetz Halochos 16: 10, p. 92).
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that if the gift to the poor is large enough to not embarrass the recipients, giving more is preferable.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 3/11/2022 2:05 PM |
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# 3594 Don't Donate
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Q. Should someone donate to an institution that collects for the victims of Ukraine and brings them to Israel. The venue is managed by the Israeli (Leftist government) and the help goes to help mostly Gentile victims?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that such an institution should not be supported as the moneys donated, not only contravene the Laws of the Torah, but also the Laws of the Land, that rule that regarding aid and support to immigrants, Jews have priority. (Chok Hashevut).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 3/11/2022 2:04 PM |
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# 3593 Enlight the Pesach Lights
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Q. should
candlesticks that sit on a tray placed on a Shabbos table during the
year be Kashered for Pesach? Is it enough just to wash them if they
will be placed on the table where we are eating during the Pesach
meals?
A.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that if the candle sticks
were not washed with the regular Chametz dishes. they do not need to
be Kashered. They only need to be cleaned properly.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 3/11/2022 2:02 PM |
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# 3592 Are You Ready to Order?
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Q. I was recently told that when baking Challah for Shabbos, there is an Inyan (significance) in using the first Challah that is "made" for the Friday night meal. The second one should be used for the day meal and so on. If freezing the Challos one should keep track of the order in which they were made. Similarly, I understand that the nicest Challah is for Friday night. If that is the case why is it necessary to know which is made first? (usually no two challahs come out exactly the same, one is generally nicer than the other.} Which "Zechus" takes precedence? Can the Rav expound on the ordering?
A. Horav Dovid Pam Shlit'a pointed to the Teshuvos HaRaved and other Poskim detailed in Biurei Hadaf (Yuma 62a) that disagree in a similar mitzva matter, as to which takes precedence and priority. The Halacha seems to follow the Chacham Tzvi that being better tasting or nicer looking, preempts the order of creation of the mitzva item.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is similar. However, in regard to Shabbos the morning day seuda is more important than the night meal.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 3/11/2022 2:00 PM |
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# 3591 The Essence of Shabbos Hot Drinks
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Q. For Shabbat we prepare an essence of tea to be able to drink tea. Do we need to do the same with instant coffee or cocoa?
A. Igros Moshe, (O.H. 4:74,16) rules that since instant coffee is prepared by roasting the coffee beans, which are then ground and brewed. This is followed by the cooked beans being spray dried with hot air to remove all of the moisture from the beans. Both the cooking and the spray drying procedure renders the coffee powder as completely cooked and the rule of Ein Bishul Achar Bishul (there is no cooking of the same item twice) applies. See also Shemiras Shabbos K' (1: 55).
The commonly accepted Minhag for many, is to be a bit more stringent, and pour hot water from the kettle into a cup (Keli Sheini) and from that cup into another that contains the instant coffee in it.
If the cocoa powder is produced in a similar fashion, the same would apply.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 3/11/2022 1:57 PM |
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# 3590 Outlay the Clay Display
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Q. good afternoon Rabbi I have a couple of questions to ask you.
I am doing ceramics and using stoneware clay. the trays, vessels, and plates I make from raw clay go thru a 2 step "baking" process in a kiln. this kiln is turned on sometimes by a non religious jew, and other times by a Gentile. We do not know who turns on the kiln. Do I have to take the trays, plates etc to the Mikvah?
A. Stoneware is not a utensil carved from a stone, it is made from a coarsely grained clay that is easy to work with. It requires a higher kiln temperature than earthenware to harden. And it’s usually lighter gray, tan or brown after it’s fired. Stoneware is more durable, less porous, always food safe and able to survive a dishwasher.
As further explained by phone, we are dealing with a course given at Jewish Community facility and the one's lighting the kiln are the instructors paid by the facility. Therefore, Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that since they did not at any part of the process became owners in any way of the vessels being created, the utensils don't need Tevila.
Besides, since as also explained by phone, the glazing is only placed on the outside of the vessels, and as mentioned in Shulchan Aruch (Y.D. 120: 1) such utensils don't need Tevila, even when acquired from Gentiles.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 3/11/2022 1:56 PM |
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# 3589 A Real Hot Shaila
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Q. On question 3578 you wrote: "Using a single spout does not avoid the Bishul or cooking prohibition of the cold water being heated as it encounters the water emanating from the hot pipe that is Yad Soledes. It only cools down after being in contact with the cold water and having already transgressed on Bishul."
Is that correct? Does not Halacha permit pouring a small amount of hot water into a cool water container, if the temperature of the cold water will not increase to Yad Soledes (About 45o)?
A. Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a indeed correctly questioned the above as is mentioned in Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 318: 12) that it is permitted to add small amounts of hot water that will nor rise the temperature of the container to a prohibited level.
However, one spout single taps, as explained on the next question, someone who wants cold water, usually and out of habit, turns on the faucet with the handle facing the middle and then pushes it over to the right or left to the desired temperature. In such a common case, the initial running water may indeed be over Yad Soledes at the beginning of the flow.
Besides, there are a number of taps that have built in pre-warming or cooling chambers and those may indeed create a bishul situation.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 3/11/2022 1:54 PM |
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# 3588 Praying for the Living and the Dead
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Q. Are we allowed to say Tehilim and Tefilos this Shabbos (Pekudei) for our brethren in danger and suffering in Ukraine?
Should not we also daven for the survival of the many Kevarim and burial and holy sites of Gedolei Hadoros and Tzadikim buried all over Ukraine?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that indeed we should recite Tehiim for both, the living and the dead.
I remember that about ten years ago a group of our Mispalelim and friends traveled for about a week, driving almost all day and night to visit and daven at the Holy Kevarim and sites in Poland and Ukraine.
They included Ger, Lublin, Radomsk, Krakow, Riminov, Sanz and Lizensk.
In Ukraine it was Belz, Yampol, Anipoly, Shepektiva, Polnne, Berditchev. Mezibuz, Uman and others, including the Tzadikim and Kedoshim resting there.
An incredible beautifully spiritual Shabbos was our stay by the Kever of the Baal Shem Tov at Mezibuz. Yet the Shabbos was tragically disturbed by the knowledge that a tourist had been then assassinated, presumably by an antisemitic local terrorist.
An interesting fact, was that although the people of Mezibuz depended for their welfare and living on our tourism. we could not avoid feeling their hate and dislike of us, as they stared when we walked Shabbos on their streets.
And yet, those places are full of the memories and graves of so many Tzadikim and Kedoshim throughout so many generations. Therefore our tefilos should include not only the living, but also the Neshamos of our Kedoshim and their resting places.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 3/6/2022 4:38 PM |
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# 3587 The Pain in Ukraine
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Q.Why should we Jews worldwide daven for the welfare of Ukraine? Ukraine has historically acted terribly (to put it mildly) against the Jews and perhaps this is HaShem's way of deservedly settling the account, Kein Yovdu Kol Oy'vei Am Yisroel.
A. Since according to the European Jewish Congress, as of 2014, there are 360,000–400,000 Jews in Ukraine, the tefilos are mainly directed for them and for the Chasidei Umos Haolam that protect them, or share with them and are also suffering.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that this crisis is one more warning from Hashem to all humans, that we are living in a world where things can change swiftly and catastrophically for all, if we don't all better our ways and behavior.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 3/4/2022 1:45 PM |
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# 3586 The Storm of the Eye
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Q. I go to Yeshiva in a large vacation town full with hotels and women walk in the streets year round practically in their bathing suites. During the week I have a car ride, but during Shabbos it is a great problem for me. Is it correct for me to wear on Shabbos a hoodie that covers my head instead of a Shabbos suit to protect my eyes?
A. You may wear dark glasses (if there is an Eruv) or just a large cap. Best is to wear a Taalis and cover your head, even if you don't normally wear one yet.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 3/4/2022 1:43 PM |
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# 3585 Don't Ask - I just Work Here
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Q. I heard that women are not allowed to work on Rosh Chodesh. I work as a secretary and can't just miss those many days during the year or I will loose my job. I also haven't seen other very frum women refraining from work on Rosh Chodesh. What is the correct thing to do?
A. Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 417: 1) writes that it is a good minhag for women to avoid doing work on Rosh Chodesh. Rema (ibid) maintains, that if their tradition is just not to do some work, they should follow their tradition.
Mishna Berura (3) quotes as a source, the fact that they were rewarded for refusing to contribute their jewelry for the making of the eigel.
Biur Halocho (ibid.) is quite stringent in having women keep the tradition, at least by partially refraining from doing some work, so it would be recognizable that this Rosh Chodesh day is special and different.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that she should definitely try to do some significant change on the work she does on that day.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 3/4/2022 1:41 PM |
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# 3584 What's Up?
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Q. On question 3556 wrote that Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that there is no issue of using Whats-App when positive and helpful activities are involved such as for a group that engages in helping elderly or ill people or providing a minyan or attendants to a shiur by using that program. Would it be correct to provide some safeguards for that use?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that indeed it is recommended to have a reliable and trustworthy participant taking responsibility to watch over the actual activities of the group when they are constantly involved in communicating with each other, since they can easily degenerate to Lashon Hora or worse.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 3/4/2022 1:38 PM |
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# 3583 On the Pill
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Q. Is one allowed to take sleeping pills just to help one sleep better during Shabbat? Is one allowed also to take wake up pills?
A. Poskim disagree regarding sleeping pills. Shemiras Shabbos K' (33: 17), Horav Moshe Heinemann Shlit'a and other Poskim maintain that if the lack of sleep will cause the person to be unable to function normally the next day, he may take a sleeping pill on Shabbos. Otherwise, he should not do so.
On question 3220 we wrote: "Ketzos Hashulchan (138: n.31) and other Poskim maintain that one suffering from insomnia or fatigue is permitted to take sleeping pills to stimulate sleep. He argues that it is not considered a ‘Refuah” or healing, which would be prohibited on Shabbos, since lack of sleep is not in itself a sickness and the pills taken are not a cure."
(See also Minchas Yitzchok 3:21, Eshel Avrohom 327, Tzitz Eliezer 9:17, Be’er Moshe 1:33 and Shalmei Yehudah, p. 176, Shulchan Shlomo 328 and others for different views).
Chazon Ovadia (Shabbat, 3: p. 367) also permits without the fear of becoming ill if one does not take them.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is similar and one can be lenient including taking wake up pills, which are basically just caffeine as in coffee.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 3/4/2022 1:36 PM |
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# 3582 Spray On!
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Q. Can one add water to a cold water humidifier on Shabbat when it is close to turn itself off because the water is bellow the on limit? If you are allowed why is it it different than a vaporizer?
A. The basic difference is that a steam vaporizer or warm-mist humidifier uses electricity to power a heating element. It boils water and creates steam. The steam cools down before it leaves the machine and enters the air. When you add water to the vaporizer that water will be boiled on Shabbos and therefore it is prohibited.
There are three basic kinds of cold water humidifiers. One type uses a fan to draw air through a wet wick (or wick filters) and then release the vapor into the air. Another uses ultrasonic vibrations to disperse a cool mist of water into the air. A third kind uses a disk submerged in the machine that is rapidly turned. As it moves, it breaks up the water into tiny particles that can also be release into the air and also inhaled.
Since these device are already on before Shabbos began and constantly working, and no boiling of water is involved their use is permitted.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that although the Melacha of Zoreh (winnowing, as in separating the chaff from the grain using the force of wind) could be involved, it is similar to the spray of aerosol cans into the air, that many Poskim permit.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 3/4/2022 1:29 PM |
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# 3581 Stick to Your Guns?
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Q. The neighborhood I live has lately became very crime ridden. Some of my neighbors have bought guns for self defense with permits. If there is an Eruv can you carry the gun on Shabbos? Which is the best way to do it?
A. There are numerous Teshuvos and opinions given by Poskim regarding weapons being carried and used by Israeli soldiers on Shabbos.
However, Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that in general it is best to avoid carrying that gun on Shabbos. His reasoning is based from the experience that people tend to panic and overreact even when just a single case of violent crime occurs in their close neighborhood. And even when the chances of future similar crimes are very small.
Nevertheless, The Rov's opinion is that cases and situations are always different and if one has any doubt about one's particular danger, one should consult with a competent local Rabbi that is familiar with the particular situation.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 3/4/2022 1:24 PM |
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# 3580 Don't Get Rolling
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Q. In a minyan where there is one Sefer Torah and when the extra Four Parshios are added as in the Adar days, they roll the Sefer Torah to the extra parsha. Is it correct to do Hagbaha and Gelila to the Sefer after finishing the first reading?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that it is not correct and no Hagbaha and Gelila should be done between the reading of the two Parshios.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 3/4/2022 1:23 PM |
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# 3579 In Deep Water?
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Q.See question above. I did some research on Sefarim on my last Shaila and found that many recommend not to use a water faucet that has a single spout. Is that because of the reason you mentioned above?
A. An excellent description of this Shaila and the issues involved is given by Rav Tzvi Goldberg from Star-K as follows; On a one-handled faucet, both hot and cold water are controlled by one handle. Generally, it works as follows: When turning on the faucet with the handle set in the middle position, there will be an even mixture of hot and cold water. As the handle is turned towards the right, a valve closes off the hot water and the water will be mostly cold; if the handle is pushed all the way toward the right, the water will be only cold. In this case, to avoid Shabbos transgressions, one would use the one-handled faucet with the handle turned towards the far-right position.
Nevertheless, this handle poses a Shabbos challenge since one always has to remember to first push the handle lever towards the far right before turning on the faucet. This is not how it is normally done, as usually someone who wants cold water turns on the faucet with the handle facing the middle and then pushes it over to the right. Force of habit might cause one to do this on Shabbos. Also, a guest or child may not realize that this is an issue at all, and may unwittingly transgress the issur of bishul on Shabbos! An additional concern is that some one-handled faucets do not have a way of turning “all the way to the right.” They turn 360o around and around. A person can easily misjudge where to turn the handle.
Due to the above it is highly recommended to avoid having and using single spout faucets during Shabbos.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 3/4/2022 1:21 PM |
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# 3578 A 'Hot' Shaila
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Q. I moved lately to a building with over seventy tenants, some Jewish some not. I'm wondering if I can use the hot water during Shabbos if I keep it lower than Yad Soledes (40 Centigrade), just to take off the chill of cold water. Since the water comes out from the hot and cold taps in a single spout, the cold water never really warms up enough to create Bishul.
I understand that in a single house, where the opening of the hot water would immediately causes cold water to enter the hot water boiler and one would transgress on bishul. But in such a large building water is constantly used, so it is unlikely that the use of water in one unit, would make any difference. Is it permitted? Why not?
A. Using a single spout does not avoid the Bishul or cooking prohibition of the cold water being heated as it encounters the water emanating from the hot pipe that is Yad Soledes. It only cools down after being in contact with the cold water and having already transgressed on Bishul.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that the fact that one is in a very large building, does not avoid that a likely few or even a single small drop would be added to the large boiler when you open your tap and that is enough to transgress on the prohibition. (See next question).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 3/4/2022 1:18 PM |
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