Literally "Germany". Questions about the Jews of all the area that was once medieval Germany, more generally of all Catholic and Protestant (and some Eastern Orthodox) lands, and their laws and customs.
3
votes
1answer
63 views
What were the original kitniyos?
I know many people (chiefly S'faradim) don't have the custom altogether of refraining from eating kitniyos on Pesach. Among those who do have such a custom, moreover, there are varying customs as to ...
3
votes
3answers
236 views
Kitnios on Pesach
Why and when did the minhag start that allows Sephardim to eat Kitnios (Legumes)but not Ashkenazim?
3
votes
1answer
95 views
Why do Ashkenazim say a b'racha for each of the four cups?
Normally if you have wine and refill your glass during the meal you don't make a new borei p'ri hagafen. Why do we (at least Ashkenazim) say a new b'racha for each cup at the seder? I think I've ...
3
votes
2answers
62 views
When did the Ashkenazi custom to bake matza on erev Pesach afternoon start?
Historically, when did the Ashkenazi custom to bake matza on erev Pesach afternoon start? I am specifically interested in when this custom arose, rather than the reasons/opions pro/against.
3
votes
2answers
44 views
Kitniyos or Matzah Ashira?
Ashkanazim are forbidden to eat kitniyos or matzah ashira (matzah made with fruit juices) on Pesach. If an Ashkanazi would be sick (or when dealing with an older person) and would have to eat either ...
3
votes
2answers
97 views
Yotz'ros — but no ahavos
Why are there yom tov additions to the first b'racha before sh'mone esre in the morning and to the third, but never to the second?
(In maariv, by contrast, every birchas k'rias sh'ma has yom tov ...
3
votes
1answer
88 views
women's saying a b'racha on s'firas haomer
Mishna B'rura 489:3 says women do not say a b'racha on s'firas haomer; Aruch Hashulchan 489:4 says they do. What is the practice of various Ashk'nazi communities (for example, chassidic (various ...
3
votes
1answer
158 views
May an Ashkenazi wear Yemenite Tzitzith?
Many Ashkenazim now wear Tzitzith with Techeleth tied in the tradition of the RaMBa"M. However, my understanding is that Ashkenazim minimally require a double-knot at the base of the tassle in order ...
3
votes
0answers
22 views
Are there any minhag and customs specific to Czech Jews and have they been documented?
I'm a baal teshuva with Czech Jewish ancestry. I have an interest in the minhag of my ancestors as well as in common cultural practices, and perhaps pass them on where I can. Have they been documented ...
3
votes
0answers
41 views
Can egg Matzo be used to make an Eruv Chatzeiros on Pesach?
Inspired by Matzah eruvin on erev Pesach
Can egg Matzo be used to make an Eruv Chatzeiros on Pesach? On Pesach, Ashkenazim do not eat egg Matzo; however, it is not Chometz. In certain instances it ...
3
votes
0answers
74 views
Ashkanazim paskening like Rema
Was it always a straightforward presumption ("davar pashut") that in general the Ashkanazim should decide Halachic questions ("pasken") in accordance with the Rema over the Machaber/Beis Yosef (when ...
2
votes
1answer
83 views
Selichos start: Ashkinazim vs. Sefardim
Why do Sefardim start saying Sleichos earlier than Ashkinazim?
2
votes
1answer
54 views
Ashkenazi unsure whether he or she counted the 'Omer one night
According to the Daily Halacha website:
If a person is unsure whether or not he counted a day of the Omer, and cannot determine conclusively if he had counted or if he had missed that day, he ...
2
votes
1answer
95 views
Is the Magen HaElef Sefaradi or Ashkenazi?
There is a Sefer written by someone named Yaakov Ben Yaakov Moshe called Magen HaElef. Is he Sefaradi or Ashekneazi?
2
votes
1answer
88 views
When did upsherins become part of standard American Orthodox practice?
According to Rav Wikipedia, the upsherin is a custom that was brought from Muslims to Palestinian Jews to Tzfat Sephardim to Chasidim.
Recently, I've noticed mainstream (non-charedi) Orthodox Jews ...
2
votes
0answers
104 views
Pronunciation of מסכתא (tractate)
Sometimes I hear מסֶכתא (pronounce: masechta) pronounced as מסִכתא (pronounce: masichta) by some people, particularly in Ashkenazi circles. Why is this?
2
votes
0answers
41 views
When did the Ashkenazi custom to NOT bake matza on Pesach start?
Historically, when did the Ashkenazi custom to not bake matza on Pesach start? I am specifically interested in when this custom arose, rather than the reasons/opions pro/against.
0
votes
1answer
94 views
How much is an ashkenazi kesuba today
A standard Ashkenazi kesuba is a document no different to a post dated cheque; there is nothing religious or holy about it. It says that the man will pay his wife upon divorce or death the sum of 200 ...
