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5
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1answer
47 views

Aharon's and Miriam's Yahrtzeit

The Book of Numbers spans almost the entire 40 year period in the desert, documenting numerous events that occurred to the Jews as they wandered. I count only 5 dates mentioned in the text (listed in ...
5
votes
1answer
94 views

Some years have a siman, what does it mean?

I saw on a calendar that each year has a siman, for example 5772 has the siman 517. Here are the simanim for the next few years: 5773: 203 5774: 1523 5775: 517 5776: 1217 Does anyone know ...
5
votes
2answers
49 views

Why do Israelis keep one day of Yom Tov?

From what I understand, we outside of Eretz Yisrael we keep two days of Yom Tov as a continuation of the minhag that evolved from the time of the Bais Hamikdash when we would not necessarily know when ...
5
votes
1answer
71 views

Why don't islands read the m'gila two days?

Bavli, M'gila 5 amud 2, cites a doubt as to when the m'gila is read in T'verya: on the fourteenth of Adar, as in most places, or on the fifteenth, as in a city walled since the time of Y'hoshua. The ...
5
votes
1answer
213 views

First year counted from creation

What is the first year for which there exists a record of it being dated according to the currently used system that starts counting from creation?
5
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0answers
85 views

Late sunset times and Jewish observance

This question is distinct from other questions which ask how and when to begin Shabbat, etc. when there is no sunset. I am asking about places in which sunset occurs very late during certain times of ...
4
votes
3answers
447 views

Two days of Yom Tov outside of Israel

Why do we continue to keep two days of Yom Tov outside of Israel? The reason for two days was revelant during the temple era as we needed two witnesses to see the new moon. But today, with no Temple ...
4
votes
1answer
46 views

Why do the Ashkenazim say Selichos for a minimum of 4 days before Rosh HaShana?

The Ashkenazim start saying Selichos a minimum of 4 days before Rosh HaShana? What is the reason of a minimum of 4 days?
4
votes
2answers
66 views

Mattanos Levyonim via Jerusalem organazations

Am I yotzeh if I (a non-Jerusalemite) give it to an organization in Jerusalem who gives it out on their Purim since a mitzvas Hayom on my purim?
4
votes
2answers
188 views

Halachically skipping Purim

There have long been 'legends' of various liberal figures in Judaism, including Yeshayahu Leibovitz (brother of Nechama Leibovitz) that would 'skip' Purim. On the 14th of Adar they would be sure to be ...
4
votes
1answer
800 views

How long does one say Kaddish for a parent?

For example, if one's parent died on 1 Nissan, and was buried on 2 Nissan, what is the last day on which kaddish would be said for them?
4
votes
1answer
25 views

Southern Birkas Ha'ilanos

I've seen Saying Mashiv HaRuach in the Southern Hemisphere. Similarly, is Birkas Ha'ilanos (ברכת האילנות) said in Tishrei in the southern hemisphere? That's when the trees bloom.
4
votes
1answer
103 views

Rambam's method for calculating the conjunction of the moon (and sun)

I think I'm missing something basic here... The Rambam, in Hilchot Kiddush Hachodesh (6:3) says that the interval between one conjunction to the next is is 29 full days, 12 hours of the 30th day, and ...
4
votes
1answer
222 views

Mashiv HaRuach - V'Sain (veten) Tal Umatar

Why do we start saying Mashiv HaRuach on Shemini Atzeres yet we do not say V'Sain Tal Umatar until Dec 4 / Dec 5 (In Chutz L'Aretz)? Why should they not be on the same day when they are similar ...
4
votes
1answer
99 views

What is the proper way to write the year when it is a year that ends in מנצפך?

When the year ends with one of the letters of מנצפך - for example 5780 - What is the correct way to write it תש"פ or תש"ף?
4
votes
2answers
86 views

Why do we do anything for Pesach Sheini?

According to my handy Luach, on Pesach Sheini, some people omit tachanun (I haven't looked into any source texts to see who does) and according to the Wikipedia page, some eat matzah but I'm wondering ...
4
votes
1answer
59 views

When do we change back the ark-cover etc from white to the rest-of-the-year colour?

When do we change back the proches (ark-cover) etc from white to the rest-of-the-year colour? I would have thought right after Simchas Torah or possibly Isru Chag?
4
votes
1answer
63 views

Why be happy Shushan Purim?

Rama (695:2) quotes from the Maharil (though I don't see it there): וחייב במשתה ושמחה קצת בב׳ ימים י״ד וט״ו and one must have a drinking party and joy, a little, on two days: the fourteenth and ...
4
votes
1answer
210 views

When and why did we start reading the Parshat Hashavua?

My question is twofold: When did we start reading a new parsha (torah portion) every week? Why did we start reading a new parsha (torah portion) every week?
4
votes
1answer
60 views

Why do Cheshvan and Kislev vary in length?

In general, Jewish-calendar months alternate in length: odd-numbered months have thirty days each and even-numbered months have twenty-nine. However, it is sometimes necessary for a year to have one ...
4
votes
1answer
82 views

An improved Jewish calendar after this one expires?

Conventional wisdom has it that about 1600 years ago, the latter Hillel utilized his Sanhedrin to sanctify the Hebrew calendar as we know it today until the year 6000. (Presumably by that point we'll ...
3
votes
5answers
200 views

When Adar Begins we increase our Joy-משנכנס אדר מרבים בשמחה

משנכנס אדר מרבים בשמחה- When Adar Begins we increase our Joy (I know it is not in Shulchan Aruch or the Rambam) What is the practical application of it?
3
votes
2answers
118 views

Calculating Tekufas Teves

Although often associated with the Winter Solstice, Tekufas Teves is an independent date. How is Tekufas Teves, or the other Tekufos (?) determined?
3
votes
1answer
93 views

6 chapters of Avos in 7 weeks

Some study pirke Avos weekly through the summer, from Pesach to Rosh Hashana. Others do so only for the six Shabasos between Pesach and Shavuos, one chapter a week. I've heard the latter custom ...
3
votes
4answers
459 views

Where can I find a chart of the Mishna Yomit (daily Mishna learning)?

Where can I find a chart of the Mishna Yomit (daily Mishna learning) - either online or offline?
3
votes
1answer
68 views

Minimum number of days in the first week of the Hebrew calendar?

Does the first week of Nissan have a minimum number of days? Or does it range from 1-7? If it does have a minimum (greater than 1 ..obviously), why?
3
votes
1answer
119 views

Why is Shavuos all alone?

Why is it that, out of the 16 days of non-High Holiday biblical festivals (7 days of Pesach + 1 day of Shavuos + 7 days of Sukkos + 1 day of Shemini Atzeres), only the single day of Shavuos is without ...
3
votes
1answer
116 views

“B'shem Hashem” for 11 Tishre

Some call the eleventh of Tishre "b'shem Hashem" ("בשם ה׳"). (I assume this is a hasidic term, since, according to what I've heard, the name comes from the Baal Shem Tov.) Why is it called that?
3
votes
1answer
104 views

New Moon Based on Sighting Outside of the Land of Israel

I would appreciate someone directing me to a source that states/indicates/suggests whether the visibility of the new moon outside the Land of Israel may be used to begin the Jewish month in that ...
3
votes
1answer
108 views

Tuesday and Friday nights

Bavli P'sachim 112:2 has a story of an angel of destruction who would work daily (see Rashash) until asked to quit. When she requested some time to work, the rabbi she was talking with allowed her ...
3
votes
1answer
45 views

What are the 14 types of Jewish Years?

As a way of explanation, I'm working on Objective-C code that calculates parashat hashavua. Initially, I ported the Javascript offered by YYDL as an answer to this question. I've found that my port ...
3
votes
1answer
134 views

Splitting Sefira Mourning Practices According to Rav Moshe Feinstein

People hold of the restrictions of the seven-week omer period (shaving and listening to music, for example) at various times: some hold approximately the first five weeks; others, approximately the ...
3
votes
2answers
88 views

Haftarah for yahrtzeit

If one's yahrtzeit falls on a day when there is a haftarah, there is a discussion about whether it's a bigger merit for the deceased to recite the haftarah on that day or before the day of the ...
3
votes
1answer
55 views

Reasoning for doing/not doing mourning customs in second half of the omer

In my observation, most people observe certain mourning customs between the beginning of sefirat ha'omer and lag b'omer (such as refraining from shaving, listening to live music, etc.). Some people ...
3
votes
0answers
22 views

Shemonei Esrei regarding the seasons in Divine Might

Every time I pray the Amidah, I get very hesitant regarding what season is appropriate for me to pray. I live in the southern hemisphere in a tropical climate. Therefore, we have one season dry and ...
3
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0answers
36 views

Why is 1 Elul / 1 Tishrei the New Year for livestock?

The first Mishna in Rosh Hashanah says that 1 Elul is the new year for livestock, i.e. I can only tithe one year's "crop" of livestock at a time, so 1 Elul delineates the herds. (Update: we follow the ...
2
votes
4answers
103 views

Jewish Leap Year

Why when we add an additional month to the year do we only add it in Adar? Why not have a second Chesvon or a second Shevat, etc.?
2
votes
2answers
287 views

Why use Babylonian calendar instead of our own?

Why did the Hebrews not create their own calendar system instead of copying the pagan Babylonians'? I find it interesting that they use a pagan calendar which often honours pagan gods. Why is this ...
2
votes
3answers
68 views

History of 2 Teveis

New Series **Looking for answers as to what happened in Jewish history on this date. It can include both positive and negative occurrences. It can also include birthdays or Yarzheits of well known ...
2
votes
1answer
83 views

Selichos start: Ashkinazim vs. Sefardim

Why do Sefardim start saying Sleichos earlier than Ashkinazim?
2
votes
3answers
192 views

Moshe Rabeinu's Yarzheit

It is common knowledge that Moshe Rabeinu was Niftar on 7 Adar. Was it a plain year with 1 Adar or a leap year with 2 Adars? If it was a leap year on what Adar was he Niftar?
2
votes
1answer
118 views

Why is my molad-time chart off by a day?

The HaMaor Mikraos Gedolos chumash has a chart of molad (forecasted first visibility of the new moon in Jerusalem, based on averages observable to the naked eye, assuming Jerusalem local time; am I ...
2
votes
1answer
91 views

What Hebrew date requires the most space to spell out in a Ketubah? [closed]

What Hebrew date requires the most space to spell out in a Ketubah?
2
votes
2answers
80 views

Holocaust Rembrance Day(s)?

What is with the different Holocaust Remembrance Days? When I was a kid, my entire community observed Yom HaShoah. This came about approximately one week after Pesaḥ. Although I'm not totally sure, I ...
2
votes
1answer
60 views

When is the end of the Tishrei holiday “season”?

(Inspired by this question) I'm curious if there is any discussion on when the Tishrei holiday "season" officially ends. Just off the top of my head, I'm curious if anyone recommends refraining from ...
2
votes
2answers
116 views

How to calculate 60 days from tekufat tishri for any given year?

I'm trying to pin down an algorithm for calculating when to start saying ותן טל ומטר in diaspora. (In Israel it begins 7 Cheshvan.) I've gotten that we need to know how many centuries passed since ...
2
votes
3answers
240 views

The 70 weeks in Daniel 9

How does one understand the 70 week prophecy in Daniel 9? When does the decree to rebuild Jerusalem take place, and how do you interpret the "seven weeks; and for threescore and two weeks" from that ...
2
votes
2answers
119 views

In which month is it impossible to become Bas Mitzva? [closed]

In which month is it impossible to become Bas Mitzva?
2
votes
1answer
37 views

Eating new grains on the 17th vs the 18th of Nisan

The Shulhan 'Aruch (OC 489:10) states: אסור לאכול חדש אף בזמן הזה בין לחם בין קלי בין כרמל עד תחלת ליל יח בניסן ובארץ ישראל עד תחלת ליל יז בניסן "It is forbidden to eat new (grains) even ...
2
votes
1answer
71 views

What sources are there for the meaning of Yom HaMeyuchos (2nd Sivan)?

Ohr Sameach gives the chronology according to Rashi of the giving of the Torah. Early the following morning, the 2nd of Sivan, Moshe goes up Mt. Sinai for the first time. He is instructed to ...