Thursday, June 30, 2011

Can one use maaser money to purchase raffle tickets?

Vol. 1 Iss. 32

פרשת חקת

This weeks email is sponsored anonymously in honor of Rabbi Chananya Berman.

 

   We would like to wish mazal tov to Rabbi Goldman's Gemara shiur which will be making a siyum on maseches Kesubos on Sunday July 17th at 5 p.m.. The siyum will take place at Rabbi Schmidman's shul. We will be joined by Rabbi Dovid Goldman. 

   Gemara Shiur will be starting maseches Brachos on Tuesday, July 5th. Additionally the halacha shiur at night will be learning halachos that are connected to the daf learned that week.    

      Dvar Torah

             By: Rabbi Goldman

 

 

 

     

 

       

 

IS THE GLASS REALLY "HALF EMPTY" OR "HALF FULL"?

      We know that everything that Hashem does is for our benefit, and that Hashem wants to give us great things in both this world and the next world. However, its not always so easy to appreciate that. Many of the benefits that we do have, we are already are used to, and therefore, its difficult to appreciate them. That which we don't have, often will be highlighted in our minds. It is very difficult to change this tendency.

    Therefore, it would be reasonable to assume that even though the glass is really completely full (because) everything is for our benefit; however, it is difficult to feel that way. It is sometimes even difficult to feel that its even half full. Therefore, a reasonable goal would be to accept the fact that it seems to be "partially empty" however; we can slowly develop more of a recognition that its not so empty and we can slowly recognize how full that it really is!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        Dvar Halacha     

         By: R' Chananya Berman

 

 

Question:  Can one use maaser money to purchase raffle tickets?

Discussion:    Rav Moshe zt"l writes that there are two types of raffles; one in which there is an unlimited amount of tickets sold over a long period of time, and one where there is a limited amount of tickets being sold over a relatively short time period. In a situation where an unlimited amount of tickets are being sold, no ticket has any monetary value. Therefore, you can use maaser to purchase a ticket. When there is a limited amount of tickets being sold, each ticket has a value - the amount someone would pay for that chance to win the prize. Therefore, maaser money can not be used (O.C 4 Ch. 76:2).

        Rav Moshe also says that even in a situation where it is permitted to use maaser for the ticket, if you win it's proper to give the cost of that ticket to tzeddakah.

       If the value of the ticket is much greater then the chance to win the prize is worth,  one may deduct the difference and use maaser for the remaining amount. (For example if the ticket is $50 but the value is $5 one may use $45 from maaser.)

       Some poskim say that one may not use maaser money to buy a raffle ticket under any circumstances. 

        Rav Moshe also writes that if a person wins the raffle he should give the maaser of his winnings to that institution.

 Summary:  

   There is a dispute as to whether one may use maaser money to purchase raffle tickets. Rav Moshe zt"l held that under certain conditions one may use maaser money to purchase a raffle ticket. Rav Moshe also held that one should give the maaser from the winnings back to that institution.  

                      

 

 

For all practical questions please ask your Rav.

 

 

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Gemara Shiur 30 Min before Shacharis, given by Rabbi  Goldman.

Halacha Shiur preceding maariv at Ahavas Yisroel 9:00-9:30 Monday and Thursday, given by R' Chananya Berman.  

For any comments or suggestion please email Kollelboker@hotmail.com or speak to Rabbi Goldman

These times are for NYC only 

 For times out of NYC please click  Myzmanim.com

Shabbos zimanim are:

Candle lighting                 8:12

Sh'kea                             8:30

Sof Zman Kriyas shma   9:13

Mogen Avroham             8:37

This email was sent to chananyaberman.halacha@blogger.com by kollelboker@hotmail.com |  
TBT | 76-01 147th street | Flushing | NY | 11367

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Does one need to give maaser on a present?

Vol. 1 Iss. 31

פרשת קרח

   We would like to wish mazal tov to Rabbi Goldman's Gemara shiur which will be making a siyum on maseches Kesubos on Sunday July 17th at 5 p.m.. The siyum will take place at Rabbi Schmidman's shul. We will be joined by Rabbi Dovid Goldman. 

   Gemara Shiur will be starting maseches Brachos on Tuesday, July 5th. Additionaly the halacha shiur at night will be learning halachos that are connected to the daf learned that week.    

      Dvar Torah

             By: Rabbi Goldman

 

 

 

     

 

        As we all know, Hashem created us and He created everything in the world for our benefit. There is a big mitzva to thank Hashem for all that He has done for us. We are also responsible to recognize that we owe Him everything. As a result, we must listen to anything that Hashem tells us to do.

       In order to fulfill our responsibilities of "Thanking Hashem" and "Being dedicated to serving Him "we must beleive that Hashem has done us a favor by creating us and giving us the life that He has given to us. To whatever extent that we think that our lives are great, to that degree that we will be able to achieve these goals.

       Therefore, it seems that it is necessary to spend a lot of time analyzing our lives and making sure that we develop a perspective that our lives are great and that we have so much to be thankful for. It seems that this is a major part of Avodas Hashem - to develop this perspective - that life is great.

       The intellectual knowledge that "life is great" can bring us to a certain level of thanking and serving Hashem. However, the more that we "feel" that "life is great"  the more we can be thankful!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        Dvar Halacha     

         By: R' Chananya Berman

 

 

Question:  Does one need to take maaser from a gift?

Discussion:  There are two different categories of gifts and each has its own halacha,

The first category is a monetary gift. Everyone agrees that such a gift requires one to separate maaser from it. The exception to this rule is if the giver specifically tells him not to separate maaser. The reason is that one is not allowed to use a gift for something other then what the giver allows (Choshen Mishpat 241:5 Sm"a 16). However, if one is able to he should separate maaser from his own money. If one's parents give a gift for a specific purpose then we assume that they do not want him to take off maaser since they will have to give more to cover the maaser. If, however, the parent gives a gift for general use the child would have to separate maaser (Rav Shlomo Zalman Aurebach).

     There is a dispute as to whether one must separate maaser on a non-monetary gift. One opinion is that maaser must be taken based on the value of the item (Rav S.Z. Aurebach). Others maintain that one would only have to separate maaser if he would have purchased the item on his own and now does not have to. 

      According to the second opinion there is a question which comes up; a person received an item that he would have bought as a present. But, he would have a bought a cheaper substitute. What  amount does he give maaser on? This is also subject to debate. One opinion holds he must give maaser on the amount that he would have spent for the item, in this case the cheaper one. Others Say that one should estimate the amount he would be willing to pay for the more expensive item and separate maaser from that. 

      However, the accepted custom is not to separate maaser from a non-monetary gift. This is the opinion of many poskim such as Rav Chaim Kanievsky and the Chazon Ish, as well as others. 

Summary:

 If one receives a monetary gift maaser must be separated unless the giver stipulates that he is giving it on condition that no maaser is taken off. If ones parents give money for a specific expenses then maaser need not be taken off. The accepted custom is not to separate maaser form a non-monetary gift. But, as there is a dispute in the matter a rav should be consulted.          

 

 

For all practical questions please ask your Rav.

 

 

View our profile on LinkedIn

   

 

 

Gemara Shiur 30 Min before Shacharis, given by Rabbi  Goldman.

Halacha Shiur preceding maariv at Ahavas Yisroel 9:00-9:30 Monday and Thursday, given by R' Chananya Berman.  

For any comments or suggestion please email Kollelboker@hotmail.com or speak to Rabbi Goldman

These times are for NYC only 

 For times out of NYC please click  Myzmanim.com

Shabbos zimanim are:

Candle lighting                 8:12

Sh'kea                             8:30

Sof Zman Kriyas shma   9:13

Mogen Avroham             8:37

This email was sent to chananyaberman.halacha@blogger.com by kollelboker@hotmail.com |  
TBT | 76-01 147th street | Flushing | NY | 11367

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Can one make ice on Shabbos?

Vol. 1 Iss. 30

Parshas Shilach
 

      Dvar Torah

             By: Rabbi Goldman

 

 

 

     The Alter of Slobodka says that the world offers many opportunities for happiness. All of our senses can be constantly used in order to bring us a lot of pleasure. The ability to appreciate all forms of beauty is available to us because of our ability to see. Our vision also gives us the ability to recognize and understand the world that is around us. The opportunities that are available to us based on our vision alone are endless.

      However, it seems to be very difficult to appreciate and enjoy all of the benefits and pleasures that we are surrounded with. The Alter explains that anything that we are used to having, we take it for granted and we don't appreciate it or enjoy it anymore.   

      The purpose of making a "Bracha" is in order to force us to stop and think about the pleasures that we have and to appreciate them. One benefit that results from this appreciation is that we can recognize how much Hashem gives us and cares about us. We thank Hashem for this through our Bracha. Another benefit of this process is that we will be much happier when we are recognizing how much we have. If we internalize this message and realize how much Hashem loves us we will be able to live happier lives. Have a great Shabbos!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        Dvar Halacha     

         By: R' Chananya Berman

 

 

 

Question:   Is one permitted to make ice on Shabbos?

Discussion: There is a rabbinic prohibition of Molid (creating a new entity) on Shabbos. There is a dispute among the Reshonim why molid is prohibited. One opinion is, it looks similar to a milacha since you are creating something. Another opinion is it resembles the milacha of Sechita (squeezing) and is therefore prohibited so that people don't come to actually do Sechita. The third opinion is that causing something to change forms is prohibited even if you are not directly doing anything to change it.

       According to the first two opinions one would be able to put water into a freezer since he is not doing anything directly to cause the water to freeze. However, according to the third reason one would not be allowed to put water into the freezer. We paskin stringently here and say  that one should not put water into the freezer on Shabbos. But, if one inadvertently did so the ice could be used for Shabbos.

       There is an exception to this rule. If one is in a situation of great need then he would be permitted to rely on the lenient opinion and make ice on Shabbos. The poskim say that great need means if one is having guests or for Oneg Shabbos. So if one is running out of ice then he may make more on Shabbos.

       There is another opinion that is brought among the poskim; that the only prohibition against freezing things is regarding other liquids besides water. According to this one would be allowed to make ice even without a "great need". Rav Moshe zt"l is quoted as having said "since the whole purpose of the ice is to melt into the liquid that you want cooled down, making it into a solid is not considered molid at all."

 

Summary:

There is a machlokes whether one can make ice on Shabbos. The first opinion holds that one should not make ice unless there is a "great need" i.e. guests or for Oneg Shabbos. The other opinion holds that one may make ice on Shabbos because the prohibition was only made for liquids other then Water.   

For all practical questions please ask your Rav.

 

 

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Gemara Shiur 30 Min before Shacharis, given by Rabbi  Goldman.

Halacha Shiur preceding maariv at Ahavas Yisroel 9:00-9:30 Monday and Thursday, given by R' Chananya Berman.  

For any comments or suggestion please email Kollelboker@hotmail.com or speak to Rabbi Goldman

These times are for NYC only 

 For times out of NYC please click  Myzmanim.com

Shabbos zimanim are:

Candle lighting                 8:10

Sh'kea                             8:28

Sof Zman Kriyas shma   9:09

Mogen Avroham             8:33

This email was sent to chananyaberman.halacha@blogger.com by kollelboker@hotmail.com |  
TBT | 76-01 147th street | Flushing | NY | 11367

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Can one brush his teeth on Shabbos?

Vol. 1 Iss. 29

פרשת נשא
 There will be a special TBT program Shavous night in Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim. Details will follow.

      Dvar Torah

              By: Rabbi Goldman

 

 

    

        The Mishna in Pirkei Avos tells us that when someone dedicates himself to Torah, then he is saved from being involved in other endeavors.
Rabbeinu Yonah explains that there are two different concepts that are included in this mishna: First of all there are many different situations that we may encounter in life which may keep us busy all of the time and we may often be too busy to do what we would like to be doing. Hashem tells us that there is a special zechus that if we are spend our time learning Torah then we will not have many of these frustrating distractions. A second lesson that the Mishna is teaching us is when a person spends his time learning, he will often develop an appreciation for what is really important in life. That includes the recognition that it is not important to be involved in luxuries. Once we recognize that, we now do not have a need to spend time and energy in order to access those luxuries.  

       When we compare the two possibilities- of either having the ability to be satisfied without too much (but also not having the means to acquire too much); or, to have a need for "a lot" but to have the ability to work hard to fill those needs. It seems that as long as the person is really happy with "less" then it's much better because the time and energy that is necessary to work for more, can be avoided.
Shavuos may be a time to focus on what is important and to try to find as much time for Torah as we can!

 

 

        Dvar Halacha

       By: R' Chananya Berman

Question:   Is one permitted to brush his teeth on Shabbos?

Discussion:   Last week we discussed the melacha of smoothing (ממרח) in regards to using soap. A related topic is brushing teeth. However, there are other things to be concerned about even where smoothing is not a problem. First we will discuss a situation when the person is using toothpaste. Using toothpaste would not be allowed under any circumstances (Iggros Moshe vol. 1 chapter 112). This is because you are smoothing the paste on your teeth. 

    Using a dry or wet toothbrush  

     If a person wants to brush his teeth with out toothpaste then there are two other issues that come up. If the brush is dry the one would be allowed to use it as long as his gums do not bleed when he brushes them. If they occasionally bleed one should ask a rav. 

        There is a dispute in a situation where one's gums do not bleed and one wants to use a liquid (either water, or some sort of liquid tooth cleaner) to brush his teeth. According to Rav Moshe zt"l (ibid.) one should not use any liquid because this would be a problem of squeezing (שחיטה). According to Rav Shlomo Zalman Aurebach one would be allowed to use a liquid on the toothbrush (Minchas Shlomo vol. 2 chapter 25:3). We are only discussing a regular toothbrush. If one has a "Shabbos toothbrush" they should ask their rav if there is a problem of "squeezing" with that toothbrush.

 

Summary:  

      Toothpaste may never be used on Shabbos because of "smoothing". A dry brush that will cause bleeding should not be used. However, if no bleeding then one may use it. There is a dispute as to whether one may use a liquid on his toothbrush or not.

 

      

 

 

 

 

For all practical questions please ask your Rav.

 

 

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Food For Thought

We celebrate the holiday of Shavous as the time of receiving the Torah, however, when the Torah discusses the holiday it does not mention this aspect at all. Furthermore, every other holiday has a "practical" mitzvah associated with it (Shofar, Lulav etc.). Shavous has no "practical" mitzvah associated with it. Why is this holiday different?   

 

 

Gemara Shiur 30 Min before Shacharis, given by Rabbi  Goldman.

Halacha Shiur preceding maariv at Ahavas Yisroel 9:00-9:30 Monday and Thursday, given by R' Chananya Berman.  

For any comments or suggestion please email Kollelboker@hotmail.com or speak to Rabbi Goldman

These times are for NYC only 

 For times out of NYC please click  Myzmanim.com

Shabbos zimanim are:

Candle lighting                 8:03

Sh'kea                             8:21

Sof Zman Kriyas shma   9:09

Mogen Avroham             8:33

This email was sent to chananyaberman.halacha@blogger.com by kollelboker@hotmail.com |  
TBT | 76-01 147th street | Flushing | NY | 11367