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# 3678 Have a Happy Bar Mitzva
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Q. Someone that usually keeps the first of period of mourning (for Rabi Akiva's disciples) that begins on the second day of Pesach and ends at Lag Baomer, is making a Bar Mitzva for his son then. Can he celebrate by playing music and dancing?
Should he better on this particular year change to the Minhag that keeps Avelus from Rosh Chodesh Iyar onward, after the Bar Mitzva?
A. Chaim Shoal (1; 21) quoting Kaf Hachaim (551: 40), permits dancing and playing trumpets at a Bris Mila during Sefira.
Kovetz Halochos ((9: 8) mentions that in principle one can be lenient in playing music and dancing at a Bar Mitzva during Sefira, however, the Minhag is to be stringent.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that following the rulings of Igrois Moishe (O.H. 1: 159 and 2: 95) it is preferable to change one's tradition on this particular year and follow the latter Minhag.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 4/29/2022 12:09 PM |
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# 3677 Hearing Voices?
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Q. There is a totally new apparatus in the market to amplify the voice of those who have a very low one. It uses something similar to a blue tooth and amplifies one's low voice. If someone uses it, does he have to turn it off when he is counting Sefira, since as mentioned on a question above, unnatural voices such as the ones created by vibrators are not good for counting Sefira?
A. Horav Dovid Pam Shlit'a compared the above apparatus to one speaking in a microphone.
On question 482 we were asked: "Since we do not fulfill our obligation with a bracha recited over the telephone, why do people answer amen when the sheva brachot under the chupa or at the seuda are said over the microphone? Are the chatan and kalah yotze if they hear the bracha mainly from the loudspeakers?
To what we answered: As is mentioned in Talmud (Suka 51b) in regards to the flag signals of the well attended Great Synagogue of Alexandria, we do answer amen even when we did not hear at all the recited brocho, as long as we are aware which brocho is being recited. So rules Igrois Moishe (O.H. 4: 91: 4) in regards to answering amen for a blessing heard via telephone or loudspeaker.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that under the chupa, where there is a requirement to be yotze with the first two brochos of the Rov, even when the Rov who performs the ceremony is reciting the brochos using a microphone, since he is so close to the Chosson and Kallah and they could hear him clearly anyway, they comply with his blessings, as they do not need the loudspeakers at all."
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that in our case one can comply with the mitzva of counting since that was after all his intention and the words did come out of his mouth.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 4/29/2022 12:05 PM |
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# 3676 Good Morning to Mourning
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Q. Rov I just don't understand the opinion of the many who maintain that the days of the mourning for the Talmidim of Rabi Akiva begin with the second day of Pesach and end at Lag Baomer, how and when can one mourn in Yom Tov?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that in a way we do since we do not cut our hair on those days.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 4/29/2022 12:01 PM |
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# 3675 One Last Meal?
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Q. We often have our children and their families staying with us for Pesach and leaving the day after traveling home. Is it worth it to celebrate with them before they leave a seuda or special meal on Yisru Chag? Would that be a Seudas Mitzva?
A. Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 429: 1) writes that it is tradition to add a bit to the eating and drinking on Yisru Chag. It is considered as if one built the Mizbeach and sacrificed on it all Korbonos.
There are different reasons for this particular tradition. Chassam Sofer (ibid) explains that it commemorates the joy of the people who came to Yerushalaim and now after complying and enjoying so much the Yom Tov, were ready to return home. Torah Lishma (140) quotes Arizal that the Kedusha and holiness of Yom Tov is still felt on that day.
He also quotes Yerushalmi (Avoda Zarah 1: 1) that Yisru Chag is called 'Briah Demoado' or the child of Yom Tov (See Nitei Gavriel 22: 4).
Horav Dovid Pam's opinion is that since after all Shulchan Aruch mentions only to add a bit to the food one eats, if the visiting children are pressed to return home, as often is, it may be better to avoid.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is hat one should follow the traditions of one's family.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch
Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 4/29/2022 11:58 AM |
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# 3674 Counting First
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Q. On the above question, if that was the last minyan for Maariv, should one count Sefira first or daven Maariv by himself first?
A. Kovetz Halochos and others maintain that in such a case it is better to count Sefira first with the many of the minyan present (Rov Am) and avoiding to forget to count which is more common when one davens by himself.
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 4/29/2022 11:53 AM |
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# 3673 Do I Really Count?
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Q. Dear Rabbi I would like to know the following Shaila. I usually daven Maariv in a shul that has many Minyanim one after another. I daven after Tzeis (nightfall) and then count Sefirah.
If I came late and practically missed Maariv, but I can still count Sefirah with everyone. Since I'm going to stay anyway for the next Minyan, should I count Sefirah now before Maariv, since we say that a mitzva that becomes available should not be postponed, or should I daven first Maariv as usual and then count Sefirah?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that you should daven first Maariv and then count, since Maariv includes the Shema which is a Biblical mitzva as opposed to Sefirah and is also 'Todir' or more constant and usual and therefore takes precedence.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 4/29/2022 11:49 AM |
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# 3672 Not So Fast !
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Q. Someone in my family is getting married on the day after Pesach. (they keep the minhag of beginning the prohibitions of Sefira from Rosh Chodesh Iyar). Does the Chassan fast on Issru Chag?
A. Mishna Berura (429: 14, quoting Magen Avrohom. mentions the accepted general tradition of not fasting on any Issru Chag.
Poskim mention that that even a groom on the day prior to the Chupa does not fast specially on the month of Nissan.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 4/29/2022 11:41 AM |
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# 3671 Talks to Hear Own Voice
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Q. Regarding question 3658 above, the Rov mentioned that for Sefirath Haomer counting with body signals and even with objects moved by brainwaves is not valid since actual sound waves are needed. How about then using electronic voice vibrators or medical handheld battery-operated devices about the size of a small electric razor that is a pressed against the skin under the mandible and produce speech?
A. On question 3050 regarding reading the Megilah as follows: "An elderly mute person that is ill and can’t come to shul. Until now someone read the Megilah for him reciting the bracha ‘Lishmoa mikra megilah, as women do, since he is unable to read it himself. I was wondering since he has an electronic voice maker that he places by his throat and can thus speak a few words that make sense. Can the normal bracha for men ‘al mikra megilah’ be recited for him?
We answered: "Indeed Shaagas Aryeh (6) rules that a mute is obliged on listening to the Megila. However Ridbaz (3: 867) maintains he is exempt as the blind are from the reading of the Torah. P’ri Megodim ( M’Z 285: 2) mentions that even according to the Ridbaz, he may be liable to hear the Megila as women do, and the brocho will be the same as them lishmoa mikra megila.
On question 1593 Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that since without the external artificial vibrations, the mute would not be able to create by his own any speech, the words that he can now articulate are not valid in Halacha. Therefore, he would still need to hear the speech-involving mitzvos from others, and comply by being Shomea Keoneh."
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that in our case since he was determined to count and had Kavanah and intention to do so, it will create at least a Sofek (doubt) on the compliance of the mitzva.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 4/26/2022 10:11 AM |
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#3670 Right from the Beginning
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Q. Can a Bar Mitzva boy that following family tradition puts on Tefilin thirty days before his Bar Mitzva and that falls in Chol Hamoed Pesach, put them on then without a brocho?
A. On a similar question (1033) as follows:. "Following our minhag my son should put on tefilin first time thirty days before his bar mitzvah and that would be on Sunday, the Isru Chag of Pesach. Due to the fact that the family will be together during Yom Tov, can he put on tefilin first time on Chol Hamoed (our minhag is to put on tefilin in Chol Hamoed without a brocha) and make a seuda then, when all the family is home? Should he make then sheheyanu on his new hat and the tefilin?"
We answered: "We find in many mitzvos, events and occasions that the beginnings are vital and crucial. From the Bereishis of Creation, the Rosh Hashono of every year, the “shono rishono” (first year)of a marriage and many others, whatever is built after, stands on the foundations of the commencement. As the well know maxim teaches “everything follows the beginnings”.
Therefore, Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that this most important event of donning tefilin for the first time, should be done at a time when the mitzvah of tefilin is undisputed and can be said with a brocho, as opposed to your minhag during Chol Hamoed. See question # 918 on this forum in regards to reciting sheheyanu on new tefilin"
In your case it would be reasonable that he should begin donning Tefilun with a Brocho before Yom Tov begins.
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Posted 4/23/2022 11:06 PM |
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# 3659 Pesach's Last Day Kneidlach Emergency
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Q. This year when the last day of Pesach is Shabbos and eating Kneidlach on that day is a very important tradition in our family. Since we don't eat Gebrochts (Matza dipped in water or matza flour baked, as Kneidlach are), the whole Yom Tov and we have to cook them on Friday, do we have to invite someone that does eat Gebrochts then so we can cook them on Yom Tov for him?
A. On a similar question (1675) we wrote: "Poskim permit preparing the kneidlach on Erev Shabbos, the Seventh Day of Pesach, even for those who strictly refrain from having matza touch water or liquids during Pesach. Although, it cannot be eaten on that same day for them, many others are lenient and eat matza shruya all Pesach, and it would be fit for them.
This applies only if an Eiruv Tavshilin was done. (Machazik Brocho 467: 6, Haelef Lecha Shlomo 343, Mikroei Kodesh 2: 60, Nitei Gavriel 3: 19 et. al.)
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 4/21/2022 2:29 PM |
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# 3658 Count Codes Count?
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Q. Can an elderly and mute person count Sefira by blinking his eyes to signal how many days it is today?
Can a Paraplegic patient that can move his wheelchair using only his brainwaves, use those same waves to count Sefira by moving an object with his mind several times?
A. On question 785, 788 and 789 regarding twitting sefira, using sign language or counting with one's fingers, we wrote: "Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that although twitting is indeed similar to writing and if you maintain that writing is like speaking, you would comply with Sefira counting. (See question 785 that Poskim disagree).
However, you cannot use any sign language for Sefira counting, since for the purpose of this particular mitzvah that requires actual counting, it is not considered as verbal counting.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 4/21/2022 2:03 PM |
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# 3657 Where Are my Children?
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Q. Regarding a complete family with children that converted to Judaism, how does the father comply with the mitzva of 'Vehigadeta Levincha - telling the story of Pesach to his children? (When they convert Halacha rules that they cease being his children and they are considered being newborn). To whom should he now relate the Hagadah?
A. Since he has to remarry his wife immediately after the conversion, he can tell the story to her.
He may also do what people without children do, tell it to his guest as by Halacha standards his children are.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 4/21/2022 1:19 PM |
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# 3656 The Taste of Things Gone
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Q. This year we ended the Sedorim very late, almost at 5.00 AM. To keep awake can one drink coffee after eating the Afikomen.
Can one use mouthwash after eating the Afikomen?
Kovetz Halochos p. 458 maintains that although one can drink tea after eating the Afikomen, one should avoid coffee since the flavor is stronger.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is to permit coffee as needed. The Rov also permits the use of mouthwash since one does not swallow it.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised
by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu
Shlit'a
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Posted 4/20/2022 10:50 PM |
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# 3655 Weighing One's Options
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Q. If one is allowed to use a scale for weighing the Matza, does the scale require Tevila in the Mikva?
Some scales offered on line use only a hook or a clip to hold the piece of Matza or Maror, does that make a difference?
A. Tevilas Kelim (11: 77) rules that one should immerse the plates on which the food is placed without a brocho. If one places a tissue or napkin to separate the food from the plate, no Tevila is required.
Horav Aharon Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that no Tevila is required.
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Posted 4/20/2022 10:47 PM |
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# 3654 The Scale of Things
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Q. Is it permissible to keep a mechanical (non-digital) food scale next to the table on the Seder night to measure the appropriate amounts of Matzah and Maror for all those present?
A. Shulchan Aruch 306: 7 rules that our Sages forbade measuring or weighing anything on Shabbos or Yom Tov, for these acts resemble the weekday actions of merchants conducting business. However, one can generally do so for the purposes of a Mitzva (Shabbos 126b). For instance, one may measure a Mikveh on Shabbos in order to ascertain whether or not it is lacking water.
Poskim therefore write that it is permissible in need to weigh Matzo and Maror on Yom Tov or Shabbos (when the Seder night coincides with Shabbos). Chazon Ovadia- Shabbat, Volume 6, page 26 and others. The above applies only to a mechanical scale, not a digital one.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion as explained by Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a is that all measurements and weighing should be done before Shabbos and Yom Tov.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised
by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu
Shlit'a
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Posted 4/20/2022 10:46 PM |
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# 3653 Stands to Reason
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(See question 3652 above) Q. A housewife during the busy serving of the Sedder drank one of the four cups of wine while she was standing did she comply or does she have to drink another cup?
A. Although Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 472: 4) and other Poskim rule that women do not have to recline while drinking the four Kossos of wine, they maintain that they should be at least seating down while drinking them.
Mishna Berura (422: 28) quotes Shibulei Haleket that although Hallel is required to be recited usually while standing, during the Sedder night it is read while seating, since the night requires that we should behave in the ways of free people and released slaves.
Kovetz Halochos (21: 11) quotes Horav Shmuel Kamentzky's Shlit'a opinion that after the fact, if a woman drank a Kos while standing, she does not have to repeat.
However, Horav Dovid Pam's and Horav Aharon Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that she should drink another cup.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised
by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu
Shlit'a
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Posted 4/20/2022 10:45 PM |
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# 3652 Decline to Recline?
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Q. If a woman at the Sedder chooses to recline while eating Matza or drinking the four cups as mendo, can she do so?
A. Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 472: 4) and other Poskim rule that although women do not have to recline while drinking the four Kossos of wine or eating Matza, if they are considered women of importance they should do so.
Remah (ibid.) adds that even if they are of the essence and honorable the tradition for them is not to lean, since they rely on the opinion of the Rabiah that times have changed and no women recline at all in our days. Mishna Berura's opinion (12, 13) is similar.
Kovetz Halochos (21: 11) quotes Horav Shmuel Kamentzky's Shlit'a opinion that they are allowed to recline if they choose to. Horav Aharon 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 4/20/2022 4:00 PM |
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# 3651 Have A Gut'n Moed
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Q. This morning first day Chol Hamoed (Pesach) by mistake I davened for Shacharis the Yom Tov Shemone Ezrei. I was told that I have to repeat and say the weekday one and add Yaale Veyovo. I wonder why is that so? After all Chol Hamoed is also a part of Yom Tov as we explicitly repeatedly mention in Yaaleh Veyovo and Mussaf? Besides I have been in Chasidisshe shuln and they great each other with a Gut Yom Tov also in Chol Hamoed?
A. Mishna Berura (490: 5) indeed rules that Chol Hamoed is not called Yom Tov and that is why one has to repeat the Amida in such a case. He also mentions that one should not recite at the end of Birchas Hamazon the Horachamon dedicated to Yom Tov.
Although, in principle and in the meaning and symbolism of the day, Chol Hamoed may be seen as a part of the Yom Tov, in Halacha it is not.
(It isalso a fact that the common greeting that people use on Chol Hamoed is not 'Gut Yom Tov' but rather a 'Gut'n Moed'
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Posted 4/18/2022 9:56 PM |
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# 3650 Something to Lean On
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Q. If one is sitting in a regular chair that does not have armrests, how can then reclining be done at the Seder?
A. Horav Shlomo Millers Shlit'a opinion is that, if one can't recline on a neighboring chair, he may sit a bit sideways in his chair. so the back will be at an angle and he will be able to lean on his left side on it.
The Rov also permits to lean with his left hand on the table. (See similar ruling in Kovetz Halochos 21: 7)
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 4/15/2022 1:24 PM |
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# 3649 Tzedaka Matza?
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Q. Due to the very high price of Matza this year some Tzedaka institutions offer subsidized Matza for the ones in need that can't afford them. If one was offered by a friend some leftovers that he bought at a special discount, can he accepted them or is that morally wrong? If he did accept them what should he now do?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that it is not correct to use Tzedaka subsidies when one does not need them. If he accepted the Matzos, he should try to compensate the institution for the difference in price.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
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Posted 4/15/2022 1:22 PM |
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Important Numbers
