NOTE: Like Wikipedia, this site makes no guarantee of validity, and does not offer professional (particularly rabbinic) advice. Treat information from this site like it came from a crowd of your friends. // Jewish law. Specifically, the legal process beginning with the written Torah and continuing ...
2
votes
3answers
207 views
Should a Rabbi apologize for a comment that could be misunderstood?
If a prominent Rabbi (meaning someone who heads a community or institution, not just anyone who has semicha) makes a statement that is technically halachically correct/acceptable but is easily ...
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 ...
7
votes
1answer
192 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 ...
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 ...
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
1answer
33 views
Does Bishul Akum require intent?
In this answer, @AdamSimon suggested that:
Therefore, in our case (in which the power goes out on or before Shabbos and is subsequently restored during the course of Shabbos), provided that the ...
6
votes
2answers
99 views
May one refuse pain killers?
Given that one may not intentionally injure herself - see Rambam (Chovel U’mazik 5:1) and Shulchan Aruch (Choshen Mishpat 420:31) who rules that it is forbidden for a person to injure herself. ...
1
vote
2answers
104 views
Is it considered Pikuach Nefesh if you break Shomer Negiah to give someone emotional comfort?
I've asked myself this before, but I'm not sure. Say that you see someone depressed, severely depressed and they just need a hug. If they're the same gender, that's all fine and dandy. However, if ...
5
votes
5answers
296 views
7
votes
3answers
320 views
Is mixed gender volleyball permissible?
Are men and women permitted to play volleyball against each other, with each team only one gender?
Does it make a difference if they are separated by an opaque wall or a regular net?
15
votes
2answers
687 views
Can one throw out a Menorah?
Is it an issue to discard a menorah that has been used for the mitzvah of Neros Chanuka?
What if the menorah is made from something not usually used for a menorah? For example,bottles, cans, ...
4
votes
1answer
92 views
Do you have to listen to the mikveh lady?
From what I understand when a woman goes to the mikvah there is another woman who watches her immerse (dubbed 'mikveh lady'). Apparently this is for practical reasons to make sure everything is done ...
3
votes
2answers
84 views
Preferable time to light Chanukah Menorah
What is the preferable time to light before Marriv or after and after dark or before?
2
votes
0answers
28 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 ...
5
votes
1answer
41 views
Korbon tomid whilst Jews were travelling (as opposed to camping) in the desert
The benei kehos carried the miizbeiach whilst the Jews travelled. It would seem improbable that the mishkon was erected every day whilst they journeyed. What happened with the sacrifice of the Daily ...
5
votes
1answer
60 views
Relying on the tasting of a Jewish chef
In Yoreh Deah (Hilchos Issur V'Heter) we learn about the laws of relying on a chef ("kefelah") that is a goy to help determine if there is the taste of food that might be prohibited inside of a ...
-1
votes
1answer
89 views
How does Halacha view someone who converts to Islam? [duplicate]
What is the halachic status of the person who converts to Islam, does he remain a Jew in spite of conversion? I am specifically asking the Muslim case since they don't deny the Torah and believe it to ...
9
votes
1answer
190 views
Is it a sin to escape the death penalty?
If someone is sentenced to death by a Jewish court and is being held prisoner until the sentence can be carried out, if he escapes, is that a sin for him?
0
votes
3answers
112 views
What is considered work on the sabath?
I was reading about sabbath observances in modern practice and I found a lot of caution and effort is expended to not work: like, even switching on the lights or lifting things could be considered as ...
2
votes
1answer
56 views
Would I be allowed to sell my Chametz alcohol during the Prohibition?
During the Prohibition, owning alcohol was permitted, though selling it was prohibited.
If I had a barrel of Vodka which I bought before the prohibition was made law, would I be allowed to sell it ...
11
votes
2answers
134 views
“Avram” for when he was young?
The Gemara in Brachot 13a teaches us that we should only refer to Avraham as Avraham and not as Avram.
תני בר קפרא כל הקורא לאברהם אברם עובר בעשה שנאמר (בראשית יז) והיה שמך
אברהם רבי אליעזר אומר ...
1
vote
1answer
83 views
May the Sotah take the bitter waters intravenously?
In Naso, we read (Bamidbar 5:32) that the kohen blots out the curses (which include Hashem's name) in the bitter waters and then gives for the woman to drink (5:24).
What if the woman is unable to ...
2
votes
1answer
77 views
Why don't we count sefirah without shem u'malkhut
Our current practice is that if you forget to count one day of the omer (morning and night), it is still incumbent upon you to count, but you can't say a bracha.
As far as I understand, the reason ...
2
votes
1answer
56 views
'Kavannah' of Shem Havayeh in the first line of Kriat Shma
The requirement when saying the name 'Havayeh' to have in mind both the meaning of 'adon ha-kol' and 'hayah hoveh ve-yihyhe' takes me some time: longer than almost anybody I see in shul taking to ...
3
votes
3answers
134 views
I am or was a religious jew and purposely ate non kosher
I'm a religious Jew. I kind of lost faith and ate non-kosher purposely, and now I feel so bad with myself that I want to die. What should I do? Is there any type of repentance I should take upon ...
11
votes
2answers
212 views
May one walk under the Arch of Titus?
I have heard that it is prohibited (or at least that the custom is not) to walk under the Arch of Titus in Rome. Is this accurate? If so, what is the source? Would it make a difference if a large ...
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 ...
3
votes
0answers
32 views
What is a “time of kingdom's decree”
The gemara in Sanhedrin 74 talks about a time of oppression, during which even for "light mitzvot" one must die.
What exactly constitutes such a time? Is it any time when the government makes a ...
1
vote
0answers
39 views
Can a Jew cut a non-Jew's nails consecutively?
Can a Jew cut a non-Jew's nails consecutively? This would relate to a profession in which one trims nails such as podiatry, nursing, pedicurist etc.
0
votes
0answers
22 views
What should one do if he forgets the changes in the tefilla during the Aseret Yemei Teshuva?
What should one do if he forgets all the changes in the Tefilla during the Aseret Yemei Teshuva? When should he go back, when may he continue?
4
votes
3answers
4k views
Rules for Cutting Nails
My question about nail-cutting is whether each of the following is halacha, minhag, or old-wives' tales.
Not cutting both fingernails and toenails on the same day.
Not cutting nails at night (is ...
1
vote
0answers
33 views
When do we add Ye'aleh V'yaboh?
According to Shulchan Aruch, (please cite Saeef and Siman so I can read further):
What are all the days we add Ye'aleh V'yaboh?
What happens if we forget to say it?
5
votes
1answer
101 views
Is a child born to a kidnapper also considered kidnapped?
According to Torah law if a man kidnaps a woman and has a child with her is that child now considered kidnapped as well? The question being has the man now violated the prohibition of kidnapping ...
3
votes
1answer
27 views
What is an example of a “Tavshil Shel Baser”
In Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah Siman 89 Sif 3 we find the following rule. According to the Machaber if one ate a "tavshil shel baser", then, in order to eat cheese afterwards, one must only wash their ...
1
vote
1answer
44 views
How can Birchoth Keriath Shema' substitute for Birchoth HaTorah?
Birchoth Keriath Shema' are able to substitute for Birchoth HaTorah in case one cannot remember if he said the latter, or in case one did not sleep and is in doubt whether or not he should say them.
...
1
vote
1answer
68 views
What parts of the service do you say when late to Shacharit?
According to the Shulchan Aruch (please cite Saeef and Siman so I can read further):
What should one do when he's late to Shachrit? What should he skip and what must he say?
6
votes
1answer
50 views
Hatoras Nedarim for wife taking her husband's Minhagim
According to Minchas Yaakov 112:2 and Darchei Teshuva 112:94, one who is always careful with Pas Yisrael and now wants to start eating Pas Paltar would have to be Matir Neder. Suppose a girl who was ...
3
votes
1answer
43 views
Someone who keeps one day Yom Tov Cooking on Chol HaMoed for someone else's Yom Tov Sheini
It says in SA OC Siman 539 Sif 11 (in the Rema) that one may buy things on Chol HaMoed that are needed for the Yom Tov Sheini (of the last days of Yom Tov), which is rabbinic in nature for those ...
0
votes
0answers
39 views
How to act when somebody walks into a minyan?
According to Shulchan Aruch, (please cite Saeef and Siman so I can read further):
How must one conduct himself when he is in a minyan that hasn't yet begun, or a Minyan that has already begun, and ...
1
vote
1answer
34 views
When do we add Al Hanisim?
According to Shulchan Aruch, (please cite Saeef and Siman so I can read further):
What are all the days we add Al Hanisim? (Just Purim and Hanukkah?)
What happens if we forget to say it?
0
votes
0answers
22 views
When do we add Avinu Malchenu?
According to Shulchan Aruch, (please cite Saeef and Siman so I can read further):
What are all the days we add Avinu Malchenu?
What should one do if he forgets to say it?
0
votes
0answers
30 views
When do we switch from Morid Hatal to Morid Hageshem and vice versa?
According to Shulchan Aruch, (please cite Saeef and Siman so I can read further):
When do we switch from Morid Hatal to Morid Hageshem and vice versa? What about Barechenu and Barech Alenu?
What ...
5
votes
1answer
50 views
Would a replacement kohen gadol be anointed on yom kippur?
Here is what I know:
When a kohen gadol dies we replace him. In fact we've got a replacement kohen gadol waiting in the wings on yom kippur just in case
Any kohen who becomes kohen gadol gets ...
3
votes
3answers
173 views
Is tevel dough muktzah on yom tov?
If one baked bread on yom tov in Eretz Yisroel (from dough kneaded prior to Yom Tov) and relized when the bread was still in the oven that he forgot to take off challah, must the bread then be ...
7
votes
1answer
174 views
Amira Lakum: say you can't say?
One is not allowed to tell a non-Jew to do a melacha on shabbas, but one can hint and say "it is cold in here", hoping he will realize and shut the air conditioner.
Is one allowed to explain to the ...
4
votes
0answers
33 views
Are placebos permitted without telling the person they are getting one?
Does Judaism allow placebos where the person thinks it does something, and is thereby cured, even though the item does nothing?
Is this gnevas da'as (or some other issur), or because it can help them ...
4
votes
2answers
145 views
When a Bechor's Bris is delayed beyond the day of the Pidyon HaBen
If a baby who is a Bechor had his Bris delayed beyond the 31st day - should the Pidyon HaBen be pushed off until the Bris is ready to be done? On one side you do not want to delay a Mitzva in its ...
2
votes
2answers
201 views
P'sak halacha by AI?
How good does artificial intelligence need to be before we can turn to a robot for piskei halacha?
The accepted reason that even the most knowledgeable people need to ask legal advice from poskim is ...
10
votes
1answer
82 views
Ta'amei Mikra and the Torah Scroll
I have heard that a haftorah klaf (scroll) is still considered kosher and usable if the Ta'amei Mikra have been written on it. Yet I've always been told that this is not true for a Torah scroll. Why ...
3
votes
2answers
77 views
Eating bread on Shabbos
A friend was on a diet and was told that if he does not want to eat bread on Shabbos, he does not have to. Is this correct? Do we have an obligation to wash for bread and have three meals on ...
