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# 3309 Head-On John
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Q. Re- question 3295 regarding the permit for someone traveling by plane to face the bathroom wall or door while davening. Does the same Heter (permit) apply for someone facing in the street or his window a construction portable toilet?
A. Although in the case of the bathroom plane we mentioned that Poskim are lenient, in this particular situation Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that one should avoid davening or saying any words of Kedusha facing a construction portable toilet.
This applies even if the walls and door are of two layers, since they are mainly made for the purpose of the inside room and not for any room on the outside, and unlike an airplane, they are placed on open spaces.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 8/12/2021 10:27 PM |
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# 3308 Flies Away
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Q. Can one sleeping in a Suka on Shabbat and Yom Tov wear the recently available watches or bands that emit ultrasonic waves to repel mosquitoes, bees and other harmful insects?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that they are not muktza when needed and are similar to the common electric watches.
Although many maintain that those watches and bands are ineffective, if one wants to use them anyway, he is permitted to do so.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 8/12/2021 10:06 PM |
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# 3307 Sho-Far So Good
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Q. I go every year to blow shofar to people residing in a Old Age institution. It happened a number of times that when I enter a room, the occupant tells me that he already heard the Shofar by listening to someone else who was blowing in an adjacent room. Do I have to blow for him again since after all whoever was blowing on that room probably did not have any intention to be moitzi (make comply) someone in another room?
A. Mishna Berura (589: 17) rules that if one heard the blowing of the shofar from a neighbors house, as there where blowing for the sick, he does not comply, since they likely did not have any intention for others outside that house to be yotze.
However, the situation when blowing in a hospital room is different, since it is common that others in other adjacent rooms may also want to hear the voice of the Shofar.
Chashukei Chemed (Rosh Hashana 29a) and others rule likewise and so is also the opinion of Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 8/12/2021 10:01 PM |
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# 3306 Turn a Deaf Ear
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Q. 3) See questions above. I'm considering using a cochlear implant will that be any different? Should I install it only on one ear?
A. See question 2013; A cochlear implant is a small electronic device that electrically stimulates the cochlear nerve (nerve for hearing). The implant has external and internal parts. The external part sits behind the ear. It picks up sounds with a microphone. It then processes the sound and transmits it to the internal part of the implant.
Inserting a cochlear implant destroys any residual hearing in the operated ear. Thus, one can not turn back.
Doctors recommend that a person should be completely or almost completely deaf in both ears, and get almost no improvement with hearing aids. Anyone who can hear well enough with hearing aids is not a good candidate for cochlear implants. Therefore, if one uses them he cannot comply with the mitzva of Shofar and cannot blow for others.
If he has only an implant on one ear, if he can disconnect the electricity source or plug that ear, Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that he can still comply if he can still hear a little with the other.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 8/12/2021 9:58 PM |
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# 3305 Long Time No Hear
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Q. 2) See question above: If he can only hear with a hearing aid can he still be a Baal Tokea?
A. Poskim maintain that he cannot comply as an electronic reproduction of the sound of the Shofar is not acceptable.
If he can still hear a bit by himself and uses also a hearing aid, most Poskim maintain that he is not Yotze, since at least he is listening to a mixture of sounds from two sources, one proper and one not, and is similar to listening to an echo.
Poskim recomend that is such a case they should avoid using the hearing aid at least during the blowing of the Shofar (Minchas Yitzchok 2: 113, quoting H"T'P Frank zt'l, Piskei Teshuvos 589: 3, and others).
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 8/12/2021 9:55 PM |
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# 3304 A Dialogue On The Deaf
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Q. I have been a Baal Tokea blowing the Shofar on Rosh Hashana for over thirty years. I have now become hard of hearing and have therefore a number of shailos.
1) Can someone hard of hearing be a Baal Tokea?
A. Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 589: 2) rules that one who cannot hear even if he is able to speak does not comply with the mitzva of blowing the Shofar, and therefore cannot be the Baal Tokea for others.
However, if he can still hear even faintly the blowing of a close by Shofar, he can comply with the mitzva himself and also for others.
On question 2568 regarding the reading of the Megilla we wrote: "Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 689: 2) and Mishna Berura (ibid. 5), rule that one that can talk but is totally deaf, cannot read the megilla for others, since there is a requirement for pirsume nissa, or publicizing the miracle regarding megilla reading. Mishna Berura quoting Shaarei Teshuva asserts, that the above applies only when he cannot hear at all, but if he hears when being addressed loudly he may read for others.
However, Tzemach Tzedek (E.H. 323) maintains that if he reads with a normal voice that he cannot hear himself, they do not comply. (See Piskei Teshuvos ibid. who quotes more lenient opinions).
Horav Shlomo Millers’ Shlit’a opinion is that if he reads loud enough, that he can hear himself without the hearing aid, he can read lechatchila (on the onset) for others."
The Rov maintains that the same would apply to Shofar blowing.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 8/12/2021 9:50 PM |
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# 3303 As Far As I Can See?
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Q. Someone who follows the tradition to make the bracha of 'Ose Maase Bereshith' when seeing the sea from a plane. At what distance from the sea can he make that bracha?
A. Many Poskim maintain that the blessing to be recited on seeing the major seas, to comply with all opinions is indeed 'Ose Maase Bereshis.' (Chaye Adam 63: 3, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 60: 5, Aruch Hashulchan and others).
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that he should be close enough to be able to see even from high the waves and the strength of the sea. (See also similar ruling in Hilchos Brochos quoting Horav S. Wosner zt'l).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 8/12/2021 9:44 PM |
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# 3302 The Responsible Party
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Q. I'm a caregiver for an elderly woman residing in an Old Age Home. I noticed that my client had scratches and bruises on her. Out of years of experience, I was reasonably certain that they were inflicted by the other caregivers that complement her care. I called the police, the did ask some questions, but were unable or unwilling to determine anything helpful. I feel responsible for my client, what can I do?
A. Since there is obviously a family member or members that hired you, are paying for the care, and are likely the responsible persons for your client, it stands to reason that you should make them aware of what is happening, and make them responsible for the outcome.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that them or you should set up recording cameras in all the areas she frequents.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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Posted 8/12/2021 9:37 PM |
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# 3301 Show How Much You Care
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Q. A Rov teaches a shiur in a Yeshiva and lost his father and is still within the year of Avelus. One of his close disciples is getting married in the near future and he feels that it is very important for him to be at the wedding and show how much he cares. Is he allowed to go, while he is still an Avel?
A. In principle he could just attend the Chupa and leave before the music and dancing begin. (See Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 391:3. Gesher Hachaim permits after Shloshim).
Horav Dovid Pam Shlit'a mentioned that he can also attend the Chosson's Tish and be a witness or read the Tenoim, if at that time there is no music.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Dovid Pam Shlit'a
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Posted 8/9/2021 6:14 PM |
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# 3300 The Double Pocket
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Q. Can someone carry in his pocket pages of Divrei Torah or a Siddur when he enters a bathroom?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a permits in principle since the pockets of jackets are made of double material.
However, as Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a told me, the Rosh Hakolel is stringent himself.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Dovid Pam and Horav Akiva Steinmetz Shlit'a
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Posted 8/5/2021 10:12 PM |
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# 3299 Not Enough Room
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Q. I have divided my garage in two and created an area of about 4 x 8 feet that had a separate door. I also keep there besides other items the garbage cans that are not always covered and there is also an odor. Do I have to place a mezuza?
A. The minimum size for placing a Mezuza in a room is 4 amos by 4 amos, equivalent to 36 square feet. The area of a room of 4x8 = 32 is not obliged on placing a Mezuza.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Dovid Pam and Horav Akiva Steinmetz Shlit'a
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Posted 8/5/2021 10:05 PM |
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# 3298 It Has Your Name On It
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Q. My son's wife when she became a Baalas Teshuva, she was a teenager and didn't know what her Hebrew name was, so she choose her own name as Rachel Leora - her parents recently discovered when they were clearing out their house after they sold it, that she was called Leah Alexandra when she was born in a Reform shul which makes sense as her English name Celia Alexandra. Does she have to change her Kesuva?
A. On question 438 regarding someone that was severely sick and a name was added, then he got B”H well, if he has to change his Kesuvah, we wrote: "Horav Itzchok Zilberstein Shlit”a in Aleinu Leshaveach (1 p. 611) rules that a Kesuva already written in the past does not have to be changed when a name is added, other Poiskim seem to agree (Avioh Segulos p. 468, Kuntres B’rich Rachmono 36 quoting the Steipler Gaon Zt’L, et al.).
Horav Refoel Alter Shmulevitz Shlit’a mentioned to me from his own experience that he was told by a Horav Yisroel Yaakov Fisher zt”l to change his Kesuva. (Horav Fisher, was supportive of name changing and choosing the right name as a segulah. Please note that any changes of a Kesuva, have to be done by a competent rabbinical authority)
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlita opinion is that an existing Kesuva does not have to be rewritten."
Horav Akiva Steinmetz Shlit'a added that the same would apply to one that through the years changed his/hers name simply by moving to another location or similar. The Kesuva is still valid, if that was the correct name at the time it was written.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Dovid Pam and Horav Akiva Steinmetz Shlit'a
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Posted 8/5/2021 10:01 PM |
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# 3297 Say it Right
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Q. A person drank wine and didn't have in mind other drinks that were not on the table. He then made a Shehakol on soda. Does he need to bless both al Hagefen and Bore Nefashos?
A. Mishna Berura (208: 72) rules that if the other drinks were not present at the time one recited the blessing on the wine or even if they were present but one did not have any intention to drink them, one has to recite both a separate first and last brocho. (See also Vesen Bracha p. 358).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Dovid Pam and Horav Akiva Steinmetz Shlit'a
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Posted 8/5/2021 9:52 PM |
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# 3296 No to the Noise
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Q. A person is davening and a moment after he started Shemone Essre, all the people in the minyan decided to go to a different location to daven because of noise disturbances, may he also go there? Does it make a difference if the noise bothers him also or if he would have extreme Agmas Nefesh (pain) and lack of kavana over having to daven beyechidus (alone)?
A. Poskim permit to move to another location after having started the Amida, when one finds it impossible or very difficult to concentrate, due to the noise created or the movement of people close by (Salmas Chaim 117). Or when it is too cold, too hot or a constant disturbing noise such as a ringing telephone, make it hard to maintain one's attention (Tefila Kehilchasa 12: 6, quoting Horav Eliashiv zt'l).
Poskim permit even taking a quick rest sitting down when one strongly needs it. (See Piskei Teshuvos (104: 3).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Dovid Pam and Horav Akiva Steinmetz Shlit'a
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Posted 8/5/2021 9:48 PM |
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# 3295 A Clean Break
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Q. Someone traveling by plane can he face the bathroom wall or door while davening?
A. See Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 83: 1). Mishna Berura (5) rules that one should not daven facing the walls of a bathroom. However, Igros Moshe (E.H. 1: 114), is lenient regarding our bathrooms since everything is flushed. He argues that the doors and walls are also usually made of two layers, with only the inside plate facing the bathroom.
Halichos Shlomo (19: 38), Shevet Halevi (4: 10) and others are also lenient.
Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a opinion is similar.
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Posted 8/3/2021 10:02 PM |
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# 3294 On Camera
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Q. Is it permitted to be an Uber driver if one has to drive women passengers at night in deserted streets. due to the prohibition of Yichud (seclusion) with individuals of the other gender?
How about a woman taking a similar ride even on a taxi. is that permitted?
A. Indeed it is a difficult situation to solve. Even during daytime the Uber car should not have tinted windows.
However, there is relief if the Uber driver places a video camera in his vehicle, as is common in similar situations.
On question 828 we wrote: "Horav Nissim Karelitz Shlit”a (quoted in Moriah-Elul 5771 p.146) maintains that security cameras are to be regarded as an open door to the street in regards to the Yichud prohibition, which the Node Beyihuda (E.H. 71) permits. He mentions that they do not have to be scrutinized on real time, as long as there is a possibility that the tape (or digital recording) could later be seen, it is an effective deterrent.
Minchas Ish (p. 267) permits yichud inside the safe deposit-box room in banks, due to the presence of security cameras. See also Nitey Gavriel (Yichud 45: 8 – p 283). See also questions 2666, 2252 and 2288.
As far as a woman traveling in a Taxi or an Uber in those conditions, we wrote in a similar question (828): "Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a has advised on similar situations to take your cell phone with you and leave it with the camera on facing you, while a friend is checking on you.
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Posted 8/3/2021 9:55 PM |
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# 3293 Cover Story
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Q. See question above. Can the same setting of a Mechitza made by people standing next to each other be used in the house of an Avel, where a minyan takes place, and some women present in the same living - dining room setting are not dressed for the occasion?
A. Horav Akiva Steinmetz Shlit'a maintains that this case is more acceptable than the case above, since in a house there is no need to place a proper Mechitza as one would have to do in a shul. Only the need of the present to daven when not facing women dressed improperly has to be met and that human Mechitza serves the purpose.
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Posted 8/3/2021 9:52 PM |
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# 3292 What a Cover Up!
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Q. Some cemeteries in Latin American cities, due to zoning restrictions, are located on very poor and crime ridden neighborhoods. It is not unusual to find garbage or feces thrown over even relative high fences. Can attendants to a Levaya or the unveiling of a Matzeiva that are close to that site, make a Mechitza by asking some of the attendants to line up with their backs to that location and cover the site, so Kaddish and other Tefilos and Tehilim can be said? Can those people forming the Mechitza also answer Kaddish?
A. See Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 82: 1, 83: 1) regarding the prohibition of davening or reciting Devarim Shebekdusha facing such a situation, and the Mechitza needed.
Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 630: 12) rules that one can place people to create a Mechitza that constitutes a missing wall of a Suka.
Har Tzvi (O.H.1: 86) indeed addresses our shailah and maintains that a Mechitza made of people can be placed for exactly that purpose. Furthermore, he maintains that the people forming that Mechitza, can also answer amen and participate in the ceremony.
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Posted 8/3/2021 9:44 PM |
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# 3291 True Undivided Love
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Q. Sefer Haikrim writes that true love is only when it is undivided and totally dedicated only to one entity. He thus explains the closeness and following of Hashem Echad, He is the only One with Veahavta, you shall love Him, in the parsha of Shema.
Shev Shematsa (introduction) further explains why before the Akeida, Hashem instructed Avraham Avinu to; 'Take your son, your only one, whom you love.' Then after he successfully passed the test, Hashem said to Avraham; 'For now I know that you are a G-d fearing man, and you did not withhold your son, your only one, from Me.' Now, Hashem omitted the words; 'whom you love.'
All the above indeed as said poses an incredibly difficult and exceptionally challenging question.
What is the Torah telling us? We should not love our spouses, our children, or our parents? What about other things in life we like and love, maybe some special food, a nice abode, a great vacation, etc. etc. Is that all forbidden since our love should be totally dedicated and undivided to Hashem? Could we survive that?
A. The answer must be that what the Sefer Haikrim refers to as the true love that has to be undivided and totally dedicated to Hashem, also includes all the rest of other loves. These are not separate feelings and emotions, but are a part of our recognition of Hashem's love and care for us and also is an integral component of appreciating Hashem's goodness and love. All these are the cause and reason for our thanks and love to Him.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld
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Posted 8/3/2021 5:56 PM |
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# 3290 It's All About Love
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Q. Recently we learned in the parsha the greatest mitzva of loving Hashem mentioned in the Shema. How can one be commanded and compelled to love anything? After all love is fundamentally a feeling of the heart and emotion that you either have or you don't. How then can one be ordered to adore something he distastes, or to enjoy what one dislikes?
A. Rabi Akiva Eiger zt'l comes to our rescue with a true and simple answer. He maintains that Ahavas Hashem is actually a natural human response that even a child with some cognizance and awareness can easily attain. As the pasuk (Mishlei 27: 19) reads "kamayim hapanim lapanim ken lev ha'adam le'adam - Like water reflects faces, so too, do the hearts of people." If one is treated with love, one will naturally respond back with love. All it takes is to realize and comprehend that one is being loved and cared, for that natural human reaction to kick in.
He further explains why the bracha we recite just before the Shema ends with; " The One that chose His Nation Yisrael with love. When we realize the great and constant love Hashem always has for us, we also react with feelings of love to Him. All it takes is realizing and comprehending all the incredible great and good things the constant chassadim, kindness and favors He always does for us. That would make this great mitzva a simple one to follow.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld
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Posted 7/30/2021 12:03 PM |
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Important Numbers
