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 ...
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4answers
421 views
Leniencies for someone keeping Kosher in a non-Kosher home
My family is not frum, but they do not eat non-kosher meat at home, although they do eat other not-certified-kosher products, including cheese. They don't mix meat and milk, but they do wash meat and ...
12
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2answers
185 views
Why does one need to kasher burners on a stove for passover?
I don't use separate burners for milk and meat during the year, nor do I think there's any reason to do that. So why the need to kasher burners before passover?
12
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3answers
144 views
If a person voids a purchase/sale, what happens to the Bracha?
You buy a new Talis and after you wear it you notice a defect. You want to return it to the store for a refund or replacement. However a person is only obligated in Tzitzis if he owns or borrows the ...
12
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2answers
262 views
Is getting a “fake” tattoo a violation of halacha?
Inspired by Curiouser here:
Is getting a "fake" (temporary) tattoo a violation of halacha? I'll define this broadly as any tattoo that doesn't permanently show on your body. This includes transfer ...
12
votes
2answers
301 views
Orthodontics and period between eating fleischig and milchig
Since orthodontics often impose many artificial little crevices and wires and generally make one more susceptible to having bits of food stuck in the mouth for extended periods of time, is it ...
12
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2answers
424 views
Do Shaving Restrictions Apply to Bearded Women?
For example, if a woman were to have a beard, would she be permitted to shave it off with a razor or otherwise destroy it, or do these restrictions apply to both men and women?
12
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2answers
462 views
Can a non-Jew don tefillin?
May a non-Jew or a person who is in the conversion process don tefillin? If not, what are the reasons that they cannot?
12
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3answers
244 views
Why is Rosh Chodesh sometimes TWO days?
Why for certain months of the year do we celebrate the festival of Rosh Chodesh for two days while on other Roshei Chadashim we have one day of Rosh Chodesh?
12
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1answer
238 views
In case of diphallia, how is brit-milah affected?
Diphallia is a rare medical condition in which a male infant is born with two penises.
Does brit-milah requires both penises to be circumcised? Is there any reference in the litterature about such ...
12
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2answers
263 views
Are you allowed to benefit from an electrical appliance turned on during shabbos?
If a jewish person were to accidentally turn on the light in their bedroom, or if the television were accidentally turned on (for these purposes, let's assume that the person in question woke up, ...
12
votes
1answer
147 views
Kibud Av v'Ach?
As I understand it there is an obligation (See Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 240:22) to honor an older brother similar to that of honoring one's father. Since the obligation to honor one's father can have ...
12
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1answer
172 views
Who knows science?
On whom does one recite the blessing "ברכת שנתן מחכמתו לבשר ודם" (the blessing recited on non-Jewish scientists)?
Does he have to be a Ph.D? Does he have to have inventions to his name?
Did he have ...
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3answers
284 views
What is the status of a pull-apart challah for “lechem mishneh”?
On Shabbat, we're supposed to begin the meals with two whole loaves - "Lechem Mishneh." According to Shmirat Shabbat KeHilchato as quoted in the article linked above, "If two loaves bake together in ...
12
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3answers
568 views
Is Metzitzah B'peh a must?
There is a lot of talk in the news, etc., about Metzitzah B'peh that employs direct oral contact being dangerous.
First: If it is dangerous, shouldn't pikuach nefesh push it off?
Second: How ...
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votes
2answers
231 views
Marital Prenups
In 1993 Rabbi Mordechai Willig, a Rosh Yeshiva at YU and a member of the Beth Din of America, drafted a prenup for use at Jewish weddings to avoid future Aguna/Mesorevet Get problems. The agreement ...
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3answers
249 views
Loshon Hara against an Online Identity
Does the prohibition of Loshon Hara apply when the target is an online name or identity, where the person behind it is anonymous, such as an anonymous user on this forum ?
12
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1answer
114 views
Sukkah in the Soviet Union
The opinion of the Shulchan Aruch Harav is that one isn't allowed to build a Sukkah on public property (because it is considered stolen).
In the Soviet Union all property was nationalized and they ...
12
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1answer
192 views
Does Down Syndrome make one a Shoteh?
I had a very strange experience and I would like to know what halacha thinks.
I was in shul on Shabbos, and an adult with Down Syndrome ripped by opening the box of tissues. I was not going to say ...
12
votes
1answer
284 views
Is it ok for spouses to touch in public?
Are spouses allowed to touch one another in public (when the wife is not a niddah) or is this a violation of tzniut? I am asking specifically regarding touch that is not in any way sexual or even ...
12
votes
1answer
242 views
What is the meaning of psak?
I have asked many people this question, and not yet got a comprehensive answer: What is psak?
Like, let's say I have a certain piece of food of uncertain status. If I ask my 6 year old kid if it's ...
12
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2answers
572 views
Does a fathers obligation to teach his sons a parnassah extend to his daughters too?
A father has an obligation to teach his sons Torah, a parnassah and to swim. To what extent do these obligations extend to his daughters too?
(edited to include my explanation from the comments)
As ...
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3answers
94 views
Falling behind during selichos
Related to, but not duplicating Falling behind during davening, how should you attempt to keep up with overly-quick recitation of selichos?
I would assume that you interrupt the piyut you’re reciting ...
12
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1answer
172 views
Non-Jews Tending to Abandoned Cemeteries
Those of you who may have read my profile know that I have been reading and transcribing information on tombstones in towns in the Spis Region of Slovakia, in which no Jews remain. My colleague is ...
12
votes
1answer
156 views
How much must one do to to sign a contract?
Nowadays most software comes with a EULA. In order to install the software one must click the "agree" button. However, there are some software that says are distributed through different licenses. For ...
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2answers
204 views
Is a gabai allowed speak during chazaras hashatz, kaddish or kriyas hatorah for the sake of the tzibbur?
Is a gabai allowed to speak during chazaras hashatz, kaddish or kriyas hatorah for the sake of the tzibbur? For instance, can a gabbai ask someone if they are a kohen or levi during these times?
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2answers
374 views
Is a Jew allowed to be knighted? Problem with kneeling?
Is there any halachik problem with going through the knighting (or Damehood for women) process of kneeling etc?
The current ceremony does not contain many of the Christian or pagan overtones of the ...
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votes
7answers
642 views
Do Chasidim avoid wearing ties?
Do Chasidim not wear ties as a rule?
If so, is this by design or an accident of history?
If by design, where can I find said intended reason in print?
11
votes
4answers
363 views
Getting married in age order
Those that refrain from allowing a younger sibling to get married prior to an older sibling mention the verse from Lavan, "Lo Yaiose Kain BimiKomeinu Losais Hatziyira Lifnei HaBechira, In our locale ...
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3answers
259 views
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4answers
1k views
Making seltzer/soda water on Shabbat or Yom Tov
Can a person make seltzer on shobbos or yom tov with something like sodastream?
11
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4answers
260 views
Should a woman avoid singing in front of her husband while she is a niddah?
Should a woman avoid singing in front of her husband while she is a niddah? Is it strictly prohibited or just inadvisable? (Obviously I am not talking about deliberately seductive songs.)
11
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4answers
311 views
Is belief in a G-d a commandment?
I am studying to convert to Judaism and one of the questions I was asked was about the Ten Commandments. I remember reading at that time that there was debate about the division of the statements ...
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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 ...
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4answers
298 views
Clapping on Shabbos
Is one allowed to clap one's hands on Shabbos? Does it matter whether one is clapping to a beat or trying to get someone's attention?
11
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2answers
366 views
Why don't brides (always) cover their hair for their weddings?
Why don't brides (always) cover their hair for their weddings? I understand that in some ultra-religious groups they do, but there seem to be many groups within Orthodoxy where they do not cover their ...
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4answers
227 views
Are Twist-ties allowed to be used on Shabbos?
A twist tie is a metal wire that is encased in a thin strip of paper or plastic and is used to tie the openings of bags, such as garbage bags or bread bags. A twist tie is used by wrapping it around ...
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2answers
308 views
What does “prohibited l’chatchila” mean?
To me the phrase prohibited l’chatchila seems a bit confusing. Can someone explain what this means in plain and simple english?
(context: someone says "action X is prohibited l’chatchila")
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4answers
200 views
Pesach Sheni when Moshiach has just come
Suppose Moshiach arrives between Pesach and Pesach Sheni - would we bring a Korban Pesach on Pesach Sheni as we did not bring one for Pesach or was there no Chiyuv in the first place and we would not ...
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3answers
201 views
Trustworthiness of “new” dishes
When one buys new dishes from a store (e.g. cutlery, plates, bowls), is there any concern that they are not as "new" as they are claimed to be?
For example, someone buys some cutlery and plates, ...
11
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3answers
330 views
Eating on someone else's untoveled dishes
One must tovel (immerse in a mikve) various kinds of dishes before first use, and may not eat from his own dishes until they are toveled. Is it likewise forbidden to eat from someone else's untoveled ...
11
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7answers
326 views
Do surgically removed body parts require Kevurah?
If one has surgery (may it never be necessary) that requires the removal of an organ of the body (e.g. a gallbladder or appendix), is burial required? Or can the body part simply be discarded?
11
votes
1answer
434 views
Drinking cold kosher beverages in a non-Jewish relative's house
Let's say you're staying at a non-Jewish relative's house. He bought you kosher food because he knows you keep kosher. He buys you a drink such as milk. You see him pour the drink for himself into his ...
11
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3answers
170 views
I heard not to say “Good Shabbos” after mincha. Is it true, and what defines mincha?
I heard from somewhere that, on Shabbos, one does not say "Good Shabbos" after mincha. I am not sure whether it's in a halacha sefer somewhere (I tried looking) or just a minhag.
First of all, is ...
11
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3answers
423 views
Inviting a non-observant Jew on Shabbat or Yom Tov
Can I invite a Jew for a meal on Shabbat or Yom Tov if I know they will drive to my house?
11
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4answers
389 views
Would a Karaite be required to undergo conversion?
If a Karaite who knows that his mother is Jewish (Karaite) wanted to join the Orthodox Jewish Community - would he be required to undergo a conversion?
11
votes
4answers
1k views
What do you do if you forgot to turn off the refrigerator light before Shabbat?
The first time you open a fridge on Shabbat, you notice the light is on. Your intention is to take out food, not turn on the light. Is closing the fridge a problem? Can I open it again? Is it better ...
11
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3answers
233 views
Peanut butter Bracha
What Brochah or Blessing is said when eating plain Peanut butter? Does the chunky variety (with pieces) versus regular make a difference?
I am referring to a case where it is eaten on a spoon, with ...
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4answers
1k views
Can you be buried in a Jewish Cemetery if you have a tattoo?
Can you be buried in a Jewish Cemetery if you have a tattoo?
I.e., is it just urban legend that you can't?
11
votes
2answers
227 views
Stacking Seforim
From the things I heard in yeshiva category:
Are we allowed to place less revered seforim on top of more revered seforim? I believe that the consensus is that you are only allowed to stacks seforim ...
11
votes
1answer
185 views
Woman and Zimun: What is the requirement?
What is a woman's requirement to say Bircat Hamazon with a Zimun of women?
What is a women's requirement to say Bircat Hamazon with a Zimun of men?
