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
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 ...
0
votes
0answers
35 views
Why is the seder “beseder” (in order)?
Is there any halachic reason why we do the seder in the order that we do? It seems that many of the components of the seder are halachically mandated, but is there any halachic mandate that we do them ...
2
votes
1answer
90 views
Can the descendants of a mamzer ever become full Jews?
Is there any way for the descendants of a mamzer to ever become Jews with full rights, or are they stuck with mamzerus forever? For example, if a man who is a mamzer marries a non-Jew, and then their ...
4
votes
1answer
122 views
Can a shul give an aliyah to an openly gay Jewish man when it gives aliyah to people who violate Shabbos?
In a Young Israel shul I've attended, the rabbi would not allow the gabbaim to give Jewish men an aliyah if there is reason to believe that the person is openly gay (and acts on his inclination), ...
1
vote
1answer
42 views
Chasam Sofer on innovation
There is a famous quote of the Chasam Sofer, in which he applies the principle stated in Mishna 'Orlah 3:9 (החדש אסור מן התורה בכל מקום) to the question of innovation within Judaism. Rather than ...
10
votes
3answers
184 views
Can a single-parent father be exempt from time-bound mitzvot?
Rabbis such as Abudraham have explained a woman's exemption from positive time-bound commandments (mitzvot shehazman grama) in terms of a woman's ongoing and preliminary role in supporting her ...
1
vote
1answer
51 views
Repentance for stealing not accepted?
I've heard before that there is a Gemorah in Baba Kamma (also brought down in Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat Hilchos Genevah) that one who steals something and later wishes to repent and return what ...
0
votes
0answers
42 views
Standing up for an older person that is already sitting down
When an older person walks into a place where you are sitting, you must stand up for them (or least "rise" a little from ones seat.) If someone was sitting in a room and noticed that there was an ...
3
votes
2answers
89 views
May one say the letters of Hashem's name i.e. “Yud hei vov hei”?
We know we cannot pronounce the 4-lettered name of Hashem.
Is it allowed to say the letters of Hashem's name ie “Yud hei vov hei” as in the meditation before counting the Omer or must one say “Yud ...
3
votes
2answers
95 views
What can be done with my annoying smoke detector on Shabbos?
When your smoke detectors battery is dying it chirps every 30 seconds to remind you to change it. I am in middle of my Friday night meal when this began. May I move the smoke detector to a area where ...
0
votes
0answers
44 views
How should the items on the noticeboard in the synagogue be arranged?
On a board where the name of the week’s parsha and the relevant additions in the prayers are displayed as shown here for example, is there an order of placing the items accepted by halacha or minhag?
...
2
votes
2answers
76 views
Is idolatrous belief forbidden for Jews, or is it just practice?
Suppose a Jew believes that there are multiple gods, but he does not worship them in any way. Is this a violation of the prohibition against idolatry for Jews?
We see from this answer that similar ...
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 ...
2
votes
0answers
41 views
Time-limited promotional giveaways for some, fees for everyone later
If someone provides a discount for early payment, and raises the price for others, there is reason to consider this a form offorbidden usury.
What if someone is giving away a gift to some as a ...
1
vote
0answers
57 views
Cooperating with the authorities on Shabbos
To what extent, if any, must a Jew go through in order to cooperate with authorities, who are not seeking to persecute Jews, in ways that violate Shabbat? May he violate rabbinic ordinances, or actual ...
1
vote
0answers
43 views
Stopping gentile from doing borer on Shabbos
Consider the following situation.
A shul makes a large Kiddush every Shabbos morning after Davening. They have many food items that need to be prepared and set up for the Kiddush however the ...
10
votes
1answer
119 views
Do men on the women's side count toward a minyan?
If men are on the women's side of the shul during davening when there are no women there, do they count toward the minyan, or are they considered separate? Does it matter if the women's area is right ...
4
votes
2answers
73 views
Men davening in the women's section while they catch up
A seemingly knowledgeable guy who davens with me early each morning is sometimes found in the women's section (which is usually empty during that service). He says that he learned that from a ...
5
votes
1answer
63 views
May one say kaddish for a non-Jew?
I have read that Jews recited kaddish on behalf of Abraham Lincoln after he was assassinated. What is the halachic basis for this and has kaddish ever been said en-masse on behalf of other non-Jews?
4
votes
2answers
79 views
Can we really estimate halachic distances?
A mishna on Eiruvin 41b tells of a ship that was coming into harbor at dusk coming into Shabbat. Since Shabbat had already begun when the ship docked, those on board asked R. Gamaliel if they could ...
1
vote
0answers
32 views
If a Jew visits a mosque and offers a prayer to “Allah”, which commandments are being violated? [duplicate]
If a Jew visits a mosque and offers a prayer to "Allah" as a good-will gesture, which commandments are being violated? What are the views of the Jewish Sages on this type of interfaith ...
4
votes
0answers
92 views
Using a cell phone as a watch on Shabbos
I seem to recall learning that it is permissible to use a cell phone as a watch on Shabbos as long as the time is always displayed on the front and no buttons would need to be pressed in order to ...
2
votes
1answer
87 views
To what extent should one not sell unkosher goods?
I know that, as a Jew, I shouldn't sell unkosher goods. So, does this mean I can't directly make profit from selling unksher goods? For example, if I work for Walmart, and some one buys pork while I ...
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, ...
1
vote
0answers
34 views
Can I prevent trespass through (for example) my garden?
Does the Torah give me the right to stop other people using (for example) my garden as a short-cut between two places?
If I try to prevent this trespass, am I to be criticised (say for withholding ...
4
votes
1answer
59 views
Is idolatrous belief forbidden for gentiles, or is it just practice?
Suppose a non-Jew believes that there are multiple gods, but he does not worship them in any way. Is this a violation of the prohibition against idolatry for gentiles?
4
votes
1answer
65 views
Is a non-Jew reliable for Sha'atnez?
Suppose someone is fabulously wealthy, and they have their own personal tailor who is not Jewish. May this tailor be relied upon not to make anything which contains Sha'atnez? May this tailor be ...
9
votes
4answers
389 views
Is the observance of Jewish law/tradition “all or nothing”?
Sometimes my job gets in the way of my observance of Jewish holidays. I often need to work on Saturdays or late on Fridays, inhibiting my ability to attend synagogue on Shabbat. Sometimes I am ...
0
votes
1answer
41 views
Stitches on Shabbos
If someone cut their finger (lo aleinu!) on Shabbos in a way that wasn't going to threaten them however is a fairly deep cut may they get stitches put in by a non-Jew on Shabbos? Theoretically they ...
2
votes
0answers
45 views
Speaking in the middle of Havdallah
Someone was making havdallah and, after saying the bracha on besamim (spices) and then smelling them, exclaimed "Ah! A mechayah!". Is this considered a hefsek (interruption) in the havdallah? Meaning ...
0
votes
1answer
38 views
other names of Hashem (instead of Ado..) in davenning and brachos?
IS there halachic basis for using other names of Hashem (instead of Ado..) in davenning and brachos, if one chooses?
0
votes
0answers
52 views
Halacha concerning use of secular court [closed]
If a fellow Jew wrongs someone, under what circumstances may he gain a heter arkaot(permission to go to secular court). Does he have to try to adjudicate his case before a Rabbi or a Beit Din?
What ...
2
votes
1answer
79 views
Playing with a pet on Shabbos
Is there any opinion that holds one may play or touch a pet on Shabbos (even though animals are normally muktzeh on Shabbos.) Specifically one that is meant for this purpose (to play with.) I heard ...
1
vote
2answers
188 views
Does Judaism permit sexual relationships outside of marriage?
I am eager to know more about different religions from Islam to Judaism. Furthermore, how different religions look at women and comparing their kinds of approaches to the matter of gender and ...
2
votes
1answer
75 views
What is the reason that you are not allowed to learn Torah shebictav at night?
I saw in some books (Rav Belsky, Arizal) that you are not allowed to learn torah Shebictav at night without mefarshim. Why is that?
11
votes
2answers
190 views
Is it forbidden to wear a snap-brim Borsolino fedora on Shabbos?
The Talmud, at Shabbos 138b, presents the opinion that one may not wear a siyana -- which Rashi defines as a wide-brimmed hat -- on Shabbos if it has a brim that is one tefach (hand-bredth) wide ...
2
votes
0answers
26 views
Difference between leaving place of eating and place of smelling besamim
We learn in Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 178 the laws if one leaves the place where they were eating if a new bracha has to be made or not when they come back (or if they change to a different place.) ...
1
vote
0answers
52 views
What is the Halachic difference if people are kosher or not?
The Ramban derives that people are kosher from the gemara in Kerisos (21a i think) That since the rabbis said that human milk is kosher using concept that anything that comes from kosher animal is ...
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 ...
8
votes
0answers
127 views
Are we allowed to ask someone if he's a convert?
I remember learning that we are forbidden to "remind a convert of his past". The implication, as I remember it, is reminding someone that he used to be an idolater. (Though not all converts were.) ...
4
votes
1answer
257 views
Kohen flying over a cemetery?
Is there a problem with a kohen flying in an airplane that may fly over a Jewish cemetery? If so, how can a kohen be sure that a flight does not go over a Jewish cemetery?
3
votes
1answer
90 views
100% Polyester or Silk suits requiring checking
According to the Shaatnez testers of America
Suits and Sport jackets, (Men's/Boy's): Require testing even 100% polyester and 100% silk suits.
Why so? Isn't there a simple Sefek Sefeka? Safek if ...
0
votes
1answer
41 views
Challah dough that loses its amount
A theoretical question:
Someone was making a dough and in the process a large piece fell out from the mixture onto the floor. They had made exactly the right amount in order to take challah with a ...
5
votes
1answer
410 views
Is metzitzah b'peh required when an adult is circumcised or in the case of hatafas dam bris?
As we've discussed in a general question regarding the requirements for metzitzah b'peh (MBP), the direct-oral-contact technique to draw blood from the penis of an 8-day old infant at his bris milah ...
0
votes
1answer
75 views
Why is the Kitzur so much more popular than the Chayey Adam?
The Chayey Adam was considered to be the "popular kitzur Shulchan Aruch" for almost a century before the "Kitzur Shulchan Aruch" was printed. Why did people stop learning the Chayey Adam and switch to ...
6
votes
1answer
68 views
Does a lady count as a Panim Chadashos?
Even Ha'Ezer 62:7 says that in order to say Sheva Brachos at the meals that are made for the week after the wedding for the Chassan and Kallah there needs to be a Panim Chadashos (new face) present. ...
3
votes
1answer
86 views
Is it permissible for a single woman to have a baby through artificial insemination by an anonymous sperm donor? Is it moral?
Single women, approaching or past 40, hear their biological clock alarm ringing with tremendous volume. One that I know has decided that her love life is not going to come around soon enough for her ...
5
votes
1answer
75 views
Sleeping between meat and milk
I have heard in the name of the Chasam Sofer that if one sleeps after eating meat that they can be lenient in the amount of time one would normally wait between eating meat and milk. Is this written ...
6
votes
1answer
64 views
Do cremated remains contaminate with tumas mes?
If a body is cremated, do the ashes transmit tumah as do other human remains, or does cremation render the body no longer tamei?
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 ...
