Questions relating to the Diaspora, as in, outside of the land of Israel.
6
votes
2answers
83 views
What are the different [para-]rabbinic roles in the UK?
If you look at the "Our Rabbis" page on the website of the United Kingdom's United Synagogue, you'll find people with the personal titles "Rabbi" or "Reverend," and with the organizational roles ...
11
votes
1answer
368 views
Praying for rain in the Diaspora
Why on this year (and on other years that precede civil leap years) do we start praying for rain in the Diaspora (by inserting the phrase 'Vetein tal umatar") at maariv of December 5 and not maariv of ...
6
votes
3answers
227 views
Illegitimacy in 18th-19th century Europe
I have been capturing genealogical information (Birth, Marriage, Death, Tombstones) in the Spis Region of Slovakia, which includes Jews who migrated from Galicia, parts of Hungary, or were living in ...
7
votes
3answers
211 views
Why the split between Sefardim and Ashkenzim?
Why is there a much bigger split between Sefardim and Ashkenzim and not, say, between Sefardim and people who lived in Bavel? The distance between Spain, and say, Israel should have been big enough to ...
9
votes
3answers
312 views
Is it okay to enjoy Christmas lights?
My daughter is always talking about how she hates everything Christmas, including the lights on the houses. I am trying to encourage her that she can like non religious things like the lights, so ...
1
vote
1answer
58 views
Israeli Chazzan outside of Israel says “tal umotor” at the right time for him but not us
We know that the shaliach tzibbur must follow the local custom even to the extent of his own silent Amidah .
What should be done, then, when a resident of Israel who is acting as shaliach tzibbur ...
2
votes
2answers
95 views
Non-Israeli pulpit rabbis who actively promote moving to Israel
Are there any rabbis who have pulpits outside of Israel and who have no plans to move to Israel themselves, but who actively and sincerely try to get their congregants to move to Israel?
I don't ...
10
votes
3answers
185 views
Can I omit ברוך השם לעולם אמן ואמן to catch up in Maariv?
If the Shaliach Tzibbur for maariv (outside of Israel) goes too quickly for me to start the Amidah with him, is there a source which would allow me to omit the section
ברוך השם לעולם אמן ואמן?
This ...
6
votes
1answer
80 views
Why don't those outside of Israel shake Lulav on Shmini Atzeres?
If one holds that Jews living outside of Israel should sit in a sukkah because of Sfeika Dyoma (We aren't sure what day it is), then why shouldn't we shake lulav and esrog? Worst comes to worst we are ...
8
votes
1answer
70 views
Shehechiyanu on Lulav
Why is it that we make Shehechiyanu both nights of Sukkos at candle lighting and Kiddush due to Sefeika DeYoma yet we only make Shehechiyanu on the Lulav on the first day?
3
votes
1answer
81 views
decree of two days of Yom Tov
The decree of keeping two days of Yom Tov outside of Israel is because Rosh Chodesh used to be determined by Beis Din and its messengers couldn't reach all of exiles in time, thereby requiring people ...
4
votes
1answer
129 views
Two Days of Yom Tov for Visitors
Assuming the reason for two days Yom Tov is because messengers could not reach those places in time to tell them the days of Rosh Chodesh, why is it that if someone visits Israel, but doesn't plan on ...
7
votes
1answer
164 views
What Halachot apply to serving on jury duty?
Halachically, what are the responsibilities of one who is called to jury duty? What if one of the litigants is Jewish, and the halacha would find differently than civil law does in the case, are you ...
4
votes
2answers
106 views
Which Shtetlach in pre war Europe had an Eruv?
Were there any Shtetlach in pre war Europe that had an Eruv? Which ones?
9
votes
1answer
117 views
Second day of Shavous
The main reason for the second day Yom Tov is because in the times of the Beis Hamikdash when we decided to declare months based on the seeing the new moon there where certain places that the ...
9
votes
2answers
152 views
Sefira Counting in Diaspora
Why don't we count two nights each night, if there was always a Safek (doubt) what the date is.
In other words: if we are not sure when the second night of Pesach is, why don't we carry that doubt ...
5
votes
1answer
79 views
Birchas Kohanim in the Diaspora
Why do we (ashkenazim) not do birchas kohanim in chutz la'aretz (except on yom tov), but in Israel, we do?
5
votes
1answer
115 views
2
votes
1answer
75 views
10
votes
1answer
109 views
Babylonian Jewry and Chanukah
For many years I have been bothered by the following.
There was a large Jewish population living in Babylonia during the time that the events of Chanukah played out. Yet, I have never seen any ...
1
vote
2answers
105 views
In Eretz Yisroel Kosher In Chutz Laretz Posul [closed]
How is it possible you make a Sukkah with the same conditions and outside Israel it is not Kosher and inside Israel it is?
