Tagged Questions
5
votes
1answer
74 views
are bionic abilities legal for shabbos
Today the world is high in technology; many medical fields are experiencing breakthroughs in artificial limbs and what not.
What are the legalities of these in Jewish law?
For example, a pace maker ...
2
votes
1answer
85 views
canned whipped cream on shabbas?
Can one use a pressure can of whipped cream on shabbas ?
It is funny because on the actual can it says to ask your Rabbi if one can use it or not.
10
votes
1answer
129 views
Overhead projector on Shabbos?
A discussion came up with some guests over shabbos. One asked if one could use an overhead projector on Shabbos if it was turned on from before, i.e. could one put a new plastic sheet on it or not? In ...
1
vote
0answers
192 views
May a Jew own/operate a blog open to comments?
In light of recent events I would like to know if a Jew may own and operate a blog or website which is open to comments if it is found that comments can often contain lashon hara, rechilus or motzei ...
2
votes
1answer
74 views
Using water filter/purification system on Shabbos
(Being asked as a theoretical question. Obviously everyone should ask their LOR.)
There is a water filter (or purifier) that works in the following way:
The water flows into a part where there is ...
15
votes
2answers
295 views
While playing a computer game, may I “worship” one of the game's “gods” to help me win?
I sometimes play a certain computer game. In this game, my character (whom I might name after myself but who does not otherwise resemble me) fights mythological creatures and collects handy items. In ...
1
vote
0answers
109 views
Am I allowed to wear my Pebble Watch on Shabbat? [duplicate]
The Pebble is a smart watch that connects to a smart-phone via Bluetooth and can deliver messages to your wrist. Am I allowed to wear it on Shabbat if I disconnect it from my phone? Think of it, then, ...
0
votes
0answers
83 views
May I let my web browser save my browsing session during Chol Hamoed?
To save electricity, I like to shut down my computer every night. First, I quit my Web browser.
My Web browser is set up so that, when I quit, it automatically saves my session: a list of open tabs ...
1
vote
0answers
86 views
May I vote Stack Exchange answers up or down during Chol Hamoed?
Stack Exchange websites, such as Mi Yodeya, include a "voting" feature. They let me click an "up arrow" icon to indicate that a post is useful, or a "down arrow" icon to indicate that it's not useful.
...
1
vote
0answers
34 views
What Bracha do we say on bread baked with evaporated mei peiros?
If one bakes bread made out of flour and pure fruit juice, it becomes pas haba bekisnin and the bracha is (at times) mezonos.
What if one distilled fruit juice (to produce water) and baked bread out ...
7
votes
1answer
191 views
Can I make a mikvah using artificial rain?
If I have a mikva which needs filling, and there is no rain, can I use the following mechanism -
I have a Mikva in a closed room. On top of this Mikva, there is a cooling system (let's say that this ...
4
votes
1answer
126 views
Solar Powered Wrist-Watch on Shabbos
Is one allowed to go out with a solar powered watch on Shabbos (where they know the watch is in a situation where they will surely benefit from the power produced through the sun?) What could be the ...
1
vote
2answers
140 views
Electronic sliding doors on shabbat
What can a person who is staying at a hotel which has only electronic sliding doors that open when one walks near them do to avoid any issue on shabbat?
Wait for someone else to enter and ...
1
vote
0answers
53 views
Typing on Shabbos
If one would type on a computer on Shabbos would he be ovar an issur d'oraisa in regards to the malacha of writing? (The other malachos involved aside for a moment.)
Is there any room to say this ...
2
votes
0answers
86 views
Can a healthy person use a shabbos elevator?
Can a person who has no health issues make use of a shabbos elevator?
3
votes
3answers
157 views
Does amirah L'akum apply to robots?
Can you ask/instruct a robot on shabbos to perform melacha on your behalf? Would this fall under the same category as amirah l'akum?
0
votes
1answer
72 views
Can an 'AGA' oven be koshered?
Can an 'AGA' oven be koshered?
Here are encyclopedia and video explanations of what an AGA oven is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AGA_cooker
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxRp9b1yFGA
2
votes
0answers
58 views
Sources on the Halachic status of creating three parent child
See here for the background. The basic idea is that the DNA is taken from the mother and father, but rather than traditional IVF, the nucleus is implanted in a donor egg. So there is no male donor ...
3
votes
1answer
120 views
Removing facial hair by laser treatment (for a man)
May a man remove his facial hair with a laser treatment?
(that is the hairs that are normally ossur to remove by way of a razor.)
8
votes
1answer
333 views
Is programming against Judaism?
I just recently learned about this site when I saw Judaism was one of the stack overflow topics. I have been Jewish all my life and two years ago I started programming.
I was wondering if there ...
2
votes
0answers
42 views
Downloading Torah in the bathroom [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Hashems name on device
I know this sounds a little ridiculous, but this has actually happened to me. Let's say you are using a smartphone to download a lengthy Devar ...
8
votes
1answer
88 views
Attending a Siyum virtually
If one attends a Siyum virtually, whether by phone, Skype, or some other means of mass communication, can one partake of the Se'udath Mitzvah (relevant to allow eating during the 9 Days for Ashkenazim ...
7
votes
2answers
122 views
Cryonics in Judaism
I was recently reading an article about cryogenics, there are around 200 bodies frozen in cryogenics labs around the world, and in the article they said that in the near future they may be able to ...
7
votes
1answer
99 views
Does halacha require me to install ad-blocker software?
There are so many Internet banner ads out there that contain immodest content.
Say I own a personal computer and I use it every day for Facebook, email, and Web surfing. Does Jewish law require me to ...
5
votes
0answers
68 views
Is it acceptable to use software which incidentally blocks ads?
A question on this site on whether ad-blocking software is permissible suggests that the answer is that it probably, but not definitely, is acceptable.
I don't use ad-blocking software myself, but I ...
2
votes
0answers
116 views
Prosthetic limbs in halacha [closed]
What is the status of prosthetic limbs in halacha? For example would a prosthetic hand require netilas yadayim? Is there a difference depending on what material it is made out of?
7
votes
0answers
83 views
Does closing a browser with His name count as a sin? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Hashems name on device
Is it permissible to erase the name of G-d from an E-reader?
What are the practical limits of shaimos in the common era?
Forgive me if I get ...
1
vote
1answer
289 views
Does Jewish law forbid Internet usage?
The Ichud HaKehillos LeTohar HaMachane anti-Internet rally is coming up in a few weeks, on May 20, 2012. What do contemporary halakhic authorities say about the permissibility or prohibition of using ...
5
votes
2answers
208 views
Are robo-calls permitted?
A robo-call is an automated phone call that does not involve a human caller. The majority of these are uninvited solicitations (either for money or votes), and these are the ones I'm asking about. ...
14
votes
3answers
309 views
Is ad-blocker software permissible?
Kalashnikover_Rebbe at hashkafah.com asks:
Isn't blocking ads stealing??? The people put them on the sites for a reason....
He elaborates:
On one hand the argument can be made that [forum ...
8
votes
3answers
141 views
Beracha upon seeing a friend on a webcam
The Shulchan Aruch (OC 225:1) rules:
שולחן ערוך אורח חיים הלכות ברכת הפירות סימן רכה
הרואה את חבירו
לאחר שלשים יום, אומר: שהחיינו, ואחר י"ב חדש מברך: מחיה
מתים, והוא שחביב עליו הרבה ושמח ...
5
votes
1answer
56 views
Birkot HaTorah and Typing
Shulhan Aruch (Orah Haim 47:3) as well as Yalkut Yosef (47:14) write that before one writes down words of Torah, he must recite Birkot HaTorah (because people that write sometimes voice their ...
4
votes
1answer
153 views
How can I slow-cook dairy if my slow-cooker is meat?
I have a (meat) slow-cooker and very occasionally want to be able to slow-cook dairy foods. Is it possible to adapt my existing appliance for this purpose?
The slow-cooker consists of a glazed clay ...
4
votes
2answers
63 views
Is a head-mounted lamp better than a candle for bedikas chometz?
A LED or Xenon lamp attached to the head (link shows example) seems to be ideal for bedikas chometz and superior to a candle? Do contemporary poskim offer a view?
6
votes
1answer
54 views
Water from hydroelectric plant for netilat yadayim?
The Shulchan Aruch OC 160:2 rules that water with which one has done "melachah," is disqualified from netilat yadayim. Does this include water which has flowed downstream from a hydroelectric plant?
4
votes
2answers
146 views
What does “aerosol” have to do with spitting in the wind, or winnowing?
In this answer over here it is explained, that a "question" comes up with aerosol cans, based on a gemora which asks if spitting in the wind counts as winnowing.
Now, the spitting in the wind case ...
7
votes
2answers
310 views
Is there any issue with using aerosols on Shabbos?
I've heard from many people that you shouldn't use aerosols (such as air fresheners, disinfectants or deodorants) on shabbos, usually citing some vague reason of changing the form from liquid to gas, ...
6
votes
2answers
162 views
Is Listening to a Torah Tape considered Talmud Torah?
It says in the Baal HaTanya's Hilchos Talmud Torah that one fulfills his obligation to learn Torah only if he says the words. Moreover, a Chavrusa fulfills his obligation only because Shomeya Keoneh.
...
7
votes
2answers
193 views
Can you leave video chat on over Shabbos?
Basically:
Can you leave your computer with video chat on (to another person) on over shabbos? And what if there's also audio?
For example a relative in the hospital, relatives that in a far away ...
14
votes
3answers
204 views
Can I cause a Melacha to happen in a place where Shabbat has already started?
For example, if I live in New York, could I send a fax (causing the machine to print a document) to Israel on Friday afternoon, before it is Shabbat for me, but after Shabbat has started there?
11
votes
2answers
174 views
Rabbinic Responses to Landline Telephones
Recently the use of cellphones and smartphones has met with a lot of criticism in some communities. I'd be interested to see if landline telephones encountered any similar opposition when they were ...
15
votes
2answers
265 views
Does artificial meat grown in a petri dish have the halachic status of meat?
Scientists are developing means of growing artificial meat in a petri dish. Does such 'meat' have the halachic status of meat?
Source: ...
11
votes
2answers
418 views
Am I allowed to view a Kotel Cam on Shabbos?
If there is a camera in Israel that is operating on Shabbos, am I (a person living in America, where Shabbos only starts 6 or 7 hours later) allowed to view such a camera?
I suppose the same could be ...
10
votes
1answer
148 views
May one reheat food on top of a crock-pot or urn on Shabbos?
According to my understanding cooked or baked food that is currently cold, may be placed on top of a pot that is on a blech on Shabbos to warm up.
What about putting cooked or baked foods on top of ...
6
votes
1answer
178 views
Do Orthodox synagogues have audio induction loops? Can they use them on Shabbat?
Let's assume we follow Rabbi Moshe Feinstein's ruling that hearing aids are permitted on Shabbat, but microphones are not.
What about installing an audio induction loop in the synagogue? It would ...
5
votes
0answers
98 views
What are the practical limits of shaimos in the common era? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Hashems name on device
I've tried to always be careful in regard to shaimos, but I'm still having difficulty understanding how it maps out in the age of the computer.
...
20
votes
3answers
532 views
May one use a computer script to do something specifically on Shabbos/Yom Tov?
May one run a program or machine that will operate on Shabbos, either by setting a timer to activate once Shabbos has started, or by leaving it running continually? What if the action is one that is ...
10
votes
3answers
267 views
DNA and Jewish Law
Why isn't DNA seen as a valid source of Halachic decision making?
Is it because it's too small for the naked eye? A margin of error propblem? What?
Normally, physical evidence is plenty of ...
2
votes
1answer
124 views
Could the 'air conditioner' shown here be run during shabbat?
I saw this DIY video, and was wondering if such a fan could be run before shabbat started and left running as shown?
The video on this page (Ignore the article):
...
3
votes
1answer
92 views
Wirelessly recharging a light-emitting diode on Shabbos
Could one use wireless recharging technology (see http://home.howstuffworks.com/question292.htm) to power a light-emitting diode (which does not have a filament that gets hot (see ...
