Questions relating to the Diaspora, as in, outside of the land of Israel.
5
votes
1answer
231 views
What is the appropriate response of someone outside Israel during a war?
During a war or large scale military operation what are some of the best things for a person living in chutz l'arertz to do? Is saying tehillim and doing extra chesed enough? Should a person run to ...
2
votes
0answers
26 views
Preparing food for Yom Tov Sheni
Orach Chaim 503 says that one may not prepare from the first day of Yom Tov for the second day of Yom Tov. However, if one is going to eat even one piece of meat on the first day, they may full up a ...
0
votes
1answer
120 views
V'Sain Tal U'Matar for someone from Eretz Yisrael in Chutz L'Aretz (and vice versa)
In Eretz Yisrael we start saying V'Sain Tal U'Matar on the 7th of Cheshvan. If someone from Eretz Yisrael will be in America on the 7th of Cheshvan and will be flying back to Eretz Yisrael a few days ...
4
votes
1answer
100 views
Keeping one or two days of Yom Tov in towns outside the biblically stipulated borders of Israel?
If you’re living in Amman, Jordan, I believe that you need to keep two days of Yom Tov. But if you’re in Eilat, you keep one day. Why?
6
votes
2answers
97 views
Counting the omer with doubt before the fixed calendar
Currently, according to a previous question on this site, we count the omer without doubt: "Today is the Xth day of the omer" because we have a fixed calendar, and because counting with doubt is ...
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 ...
2
votes
0answers
70 views
What tribe are the Bene Israel in India descended from?
What tribe(s) are the Bene Israel of India descended from?
6
votes
1answer
120 views
Is the ketuba enforceable in American law?
The Ketuba is written in Aramaic, so it might not be easily understood by an English-speaking judge; however, it is still a contract. On the other hand, the ketuba is not (necessarily?) signed by ...
6
votes
11answers
302 views
Widespread American Minhag
What is the single most widely practiced minhag (religious Jewish practice that's not mandated by halacha) among Jews in the United States today? By "widely practiced" I mean practiced by the most ...
4
votes
0answers
37 views
“Secular” studies in the Rhineland academies of the 11th-13th centuries
This is perhaps a fairly specific question, and I don't know if it belongs here or on the History stack exchange, but I would like to know more about the Rhineland academies that were headed by people ...
-3
votes
1answer
73 views
Americans and Kippas [closed]
I'm from Israel, and when I just moved to the US, I went to one temple where things were different. I saw some women that wore kippot (plural kippa in Hebrew). Also, why is the kippa referred as a ...
3
votes
2answers
84 views
Why do some synagogues offer kidush and others not?
Some (orthodox) synagogues in the United States offer kidush after Shabas-morning services every week; others do not.
Is this division roughly along 'type' of synagogue? For example, do most Young ...
14
votes
2answers
215 views
Can one join an army?
Is one allowed to join an army (let's say not the Israeli one) as doing so is putting oneself in a place of sakana?
If one is not allowed to join an army in general, is one allowed to join an army ...
10
votes
2answers
98 views
Did Shuls in Europe display their countries' flags prior to the holocaust?
Prior to the holocaust, did Shuls in Europe display their countries' respective flags? Do Shuls currently display their countries' flags? When did it start and why?
3
votes
0answers
51 views
Selling land to Gentile to build Church
In YD Siman 151 it discusses the things that one is allowed and not allowed to sell to a gentile (for reasons that they might be used for Avodah Zara -- idol worship). I didn't see the following ...
3
votes
1answer
249 views
Did most Hasidic men wear the shtreimel and kapote in Eastern Europe?
I have heard that the shtreimel and kapote (and variations) were mostly worn only by the Rebbes, while most followers were too poor for a beaver-skin hat; most hassidim wore the ordinary clothes of ...
2
votes
0answers
77 views
Should a man remove his head covering during the national anthem?
The custom in the United States is to remove head coverings (and place them over the heart) during the recitation of the national anthem. Is there any Jewish reason for a man to, or not to, follow ...
5
votes
1answer
104 views
Why is Boruch Hashem Leolam not said in Israel?
Outside of Israel we say ...ברוך ד' לעולם after השכיבנו by Maariv. Why is this part of tefilah not said in Israel (or: why is this said outside Israel)?
11
votes
2answers
165 views
Is there a chief Rabbi of the United States?
Is there currently or has there ever been historically a chief Rabbi of the United States? If not, why not?
8
votes
3answers
226 views
Why is the Boro Park eiruv controversial?
I know I might be hitting a touchy subject, but I'm prefacing it with this so I can clarify right away: I don't want a Psak, or who holds what. That's for each person to figure out... I just want to ...
7
votes
5answers
195 views
An Ashenazi kohain lives outside Israel. When it is not Yom Tov, can he bless the people in a Sefardi shul?
I am a kohain living outside Israel where the Ashenazi custom is that we only bless the people (duchan) on Yomim Tovim. Where I live, there are Sefardi shuls where the kohanim duchan on Shabbos and ...
17
votes
2answers
236 views
Are you allowed to recite the Pledge of Allegiance?
Is the US Pledge of Allegiance a form of oath or vow, and if so may one recite it? If one has recited it has one incurred any new halachic obligations?
3
votes
2answers
90 views
Chanukiyot inside or out?
Shabbat 22a says that the halacha is that we should place the chanukiyah outside, within a hand-breadth of the door, to the left. In Israel I've seen people do this, placing the chanukiyah in a glass ...
4
votes
2answers
94 views
Tal UMatar - for whom?
According to the build-up in this question the point of Tal UMatar is to pray for good rains in one's local area. The same seems to be assumed in other questions and especially a couple of different ...
5
votes
1answer
66 views
Does Kelayim apply to road cantaloupe/courgette?
A neighbour of mine, on the American east coast had a fire hydrant replaced in front of the house, right at the curb, and the fill used settled leaving a hole. He filled it with compost. Alas he now ...
0
votes
0answers
67 views
Landau at Rabbi Kluger Yeshiva [closed]
Am trying to determine any involvement the "Landau" family may have had with the Rabbi Kluger Yeshiva in the early 20's. Any information would be appreciated.
5
votes
1answer
146 views
Historical Kippot
I want to know what kind of kippah would be worn by an "average" Jew in Manhattan in 1860. This is for an historical impression.
In "real life," I am Conservative, but I know the movement did not ...
7
votes
2answers
142 views
Speaking Yiddish vs. the host language at home
I understand that, before World War Ⅱ, the Jews of Hungary and Germany mostly spoke Hungarian and German, respectively, amongst themselves (at home), whereas the Jews of Poland mostly spoke Yiddish ...
6
votes
0answers
71 views
Modern Maaser and Terumah
Why is it that in modern times, we tithe maaser on non-agricultural income, but not terumah? Does it have anything to do with living outside of the Land of Israel?
7
votes
1answer
76 views
Agudath Israel not in the Conference of Presidents
Does anyone know why Agudath Israel of America is not a member of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations?
6
votes
1answer
134 views
Jewish views on patriotism/nationalism
I heard a lecture in which a rabbi espoused very. negative views against nationalism in a July 4th speech. What are Jewish sources that counter his claim, that is, sources in which the Rabbis/great ...
4
votes
0answers
77 views
Is there any place I can rent or borrow a Megillah from?
Specifically in or around Brooklyn, NY: I was wondering if anyone knows of a place that rents or lends out Kosher Megillos for Purim.
10
votes
3answers
201 views
9 Days of Chanukah?
All Yomim Tovim we celebrate in Chutz Laretz an extra day because of A safek, why do we not do the same for Chanukah?
28
votes
7answers
529 views
Did any Achronim comment on the American Revolutionary or Civil Wars?
I've heard that for instance, in the 1800s, the American rabbis in the South were pro-slavery, and the American rabbis in the North opposed to it. But what were the views towards America of the ...
18
votes
3answers
453 views
The Fanatic Badge
Here on Mi Yodeya, one can earn the "Fanatic" badge for visiting the site for 100 consecutive days.
Is it halachically possible to earn the fanatic badge in the Diaspora?
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 ...
5
votes
5answers
187 views
Chodosh - where does it apply?
Does the prohibition against consuming new grain ("Chodosh") before the second day of Passover (Leveticus 23:14) apply only in the Land of Israel or in the Diaspora as well? (Sources appreciated)
6
votes
1answer
208 views
When Israel and the diaspora are out of sync on parshiyot, why don't we take the first opportunity to re-align?
This year (5772) the seventh day of Pesach is on a Friday, so the diaspora has an 8th day of chag on Shabbat but Israel does not. The diaspora will thus read Sh'mini on April 21, Tazria-Metzora on ...
3
votes
1answer
79 views
Cooking on Yom Tov, for Yom Tov
Why can't one cook for the second day of Yom Tov on the first day? Why won't something along the lines of Eiruv Tavshilin help in this case as well?
5
votes
3answers
142 views
If you forgot to make an Eruv Tavshilin
I recall hearing that if you forgot to make an Eruv Tavshilin there is a way to make it on the first day of Yom Tov. Does anyone know how this is done?
3
votes
1answer
125 views
Why do people outside Eretz Yisroel keep 2 days Yom Tov for Shavuos? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Second day of Shavous
Shavuos is one Yom Tov that has nothing to do with the day of the month. It is 50 days after the first day of Pesach. Even in the times of making ...
10
votes
3answers
253 views
Why not two days for all holidays?
For those outside of Israel the requirement is for two days of yom tov (and sometimes Rosh Chodesh), originally due to uncertainty and now due to tradition. But we don't do this for all holidays even ...
1
vote
1answer
348 views
Second day of Yom Tov outside of Israel
Can someone living outside of Israel ask a visitor from Israel to do a melacha for them on the second day of Yom Tov if the visiting Israeli is only keeping one day of Yom Tov?
3
votes
2answers
171 views
Yom Tov Sheni - Seeking All Relevant Sources
There is an article on Wikipedia about Passover that gives a very non-traditional (if not anti-traditional) explanation - rather, a series of explanations - for the origin of Y"T Sheni Shel Galuyoth. ...
9
votes
3answers
295 views
why do we say Pesach seder brachot both nights?
During the Pesach seder, but not during the rest of Pesach, we say b'rachot for the mitzvot of matzah and maror. (I mean the "asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav" b'rachot.) So it seems that we are only ...
6
votes
1answer
47 views
Why do we have different customs for the second day of Shmini Atzeret in the diaspora?
In the diaspora, where two days of yomim tovim are celebrated, the second day is typically an exact repetition of the first day. We say the same prayers, make a second Seder on Pesach, make kiddush ...
2
votes
2answers
165 views
Must I take maaser from my income nowadays?
I heard that we don't have to give maaser from our income nowadays because we are outside of Israel and without the Beit Hamikdash. Is this true?
10
votes
2answers
101 views
How is a kohen allowed to go outside Israel?
There is a decree which says that all the land outside of Israel is Tamei (as there is a ch'shash that the non-Jews bury their dead outside of official cemeteries).
If so, how are Kohanim allowed to ...
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 ...
5
votes
0answers
39 views
Why is the prayer for dreams repeated in Birchas Kohanim? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Who says the Ribbono shel Olam's in Birkas Kohanim?
At Birchas Kohanim outside Israel, where it is only said on Yom Tov (Ashkenazim), we say twice a prayer for bad ...
