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 ...
8
votes
1answer
82 views
Is a Jewish farmer allowed to raise animals for non-kosher slaughter?
Is a Jewish farmer allowed to raise animals for non-kosher slaughter? Does it make a difference whether it is a non-kosher animal (e.g. pig), vs. a kosher animal? Does it make a difference whether the ...
13
votes
2answers
208 views
May a man become a gynecologist?
Is there any discussion among the halachic authorities as to whether or not a man can choose to pursue a medical career in gynaecology? The issue that I would presume exists is that unlike other parts ...
3
votes
0answers
46 views
Insurance and Ribit
What is the halachick treatment of a long term insurance contract issued by a company held by a Jew?
In particular -
Is the underlying investment that contributes to the ultimate amount of the ...
2
votes
1answer
41 views
Sofek d'rabbanan by tevillah of an isha
Normally we say "sofek d'rabbanan l'kulo" and will be lenient in a case of a doubt that is only an issur d'rabbanan. I have heard that there are poskim who say this doesn't apply in the case when ...
8
votes
3answers
89 views
Is there a concept in Jewish law similar to a corporation?
In modern law, a corporation, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is an "artificial person or legal entity created by or under the authority of the laws of a state or nation . . . ordinarily ...
1
vote
1answer
52 views
Is it a mitzvah to save someone from execution by Beth Din?
I am wondering how the laws of pikuach nefesh might apply to a situation of mitath beth din. Would bystanders be obliged to save the condemned from his lawful execution? What about members of the beth ...
5
votes
2answers
71 views
Shehecheyanu on sefiras haomer
Why don't we make a shehecheyanu blessing on counting the Omer? It is a mitzvah which we get to do after a very long break (more than 300 days)?
Some arguments I have heard:
In a similar situation ...
2
votes
0answers
40 views
What if the non-Jew who owns the chametz dies? [duplicate]
What happens if the non-Jew who the chametz was sold to on Pesach dies?
If he has a will, then the chametz would be passed on to someone else, and we could try to buy it back from him. However, if ...
5
votes
3answers
144 views
Do sefirah mourning restrictions occur on Isru Chag?
Many North African Jews celebrate the day after Pesach (which is Isru Chag) with the festive Mimouna. Does such a party atmosphere conflict with the customs of mourning during sefirat haomer? Could ...
7
votes
1answer
99 views
Correct way to deal with a damaged mini-torah?
My son is 4 years old.
When he entered Hebrew School at the local (Reform) synagogue, they gave him a mini-torah as part of a Consecration ceremony. Specifically this one: ...
4
votes
1answer
49 views
Violating the prohibition of wearing Sha'atnez
When does one become liable for wearing Sha'atnez? Is it merely putting the garment on one's body? Is it when the act of dressing is complete (ie., buttoning the last button, zipping up the zipper, ...
3
votes
0answers
33 views
Tattoo of an image of idolatry
According to this exhaustive article on the subject of tattooing in Halachah, there is an important opinion with many ramifications that states that one is only liable for the biblical prohibition of ...
4
votes
1answer
81 views
Would a convert/Ba'al Teshuvah have to remove any tattoos they may have?
A Jew is prohibited from tattooing himself. If a person with tattoos were to convert to Judaism, would they be required to have the tattoos removed?
Would a Jew who got a tattoo and later repented be ...
10
votes
3answers
102 views
Why is there a difference of opinion about whether modern magic is prohibited or permitted?
I'm an amateur magician.
All of the Ashkenazi rabbis that I've talked to said that as long as my audience knows that I am just doing tricks and not real magic, the Torah allows me to perform magic ...
1
vote
1answer
53 views
Allowing the forbidden for the sake of a Mitzvah
There are a few mitzvot which are effected through the use of that which is specifically forbidden. The first two examples are of tzitzit being made from shatnez and the mei sotah being infused with ...
2
votes
1answer
48 views
Eating Karbon Pesach — Must lean?
While one would eat the Karbon Pesach would they have to make hasabeh (lean) like when one eats matzah or drinks daled cosos (the four cups) b'zman hazeh (nowadays) at the Pesach Seder?
(I've heard ...
0
votes
0answers
81 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.
...
2
votes
1answer
43 views
paskening in front of Rebbi who is your father inlaw
It is assur to pasken (rule on a halachic matter) in front of one's Rebbe (Eiruvin 63).
If one's father-in-law is his Rebbe and his wife asks him (her husband) a halachic question in front of her ...
5
votes
2answers
61 views
Thought about Sefirah but did not say it verbally
I thought (in the middle of Shemona Esray of mincha) that I must count the first day of sefirah after I finish; but did not do it verbally. Should I continue on to make the brocha from the second day? ...
1
vote
1answer
64 views
Receiving someone else's chametz mail
Yesterday, I heard the door open and close. I went over and discovered that the mailman had delivered the mail. A magazine (which I looked forward to reading), some envelopes and a small package. I ...
1
vote
1answer
45 views
Are you permitted to weigh Maror on Pesach night?
Are you permitted to use a mechanical scale to weigh the correct Shiur of Maror on Seder night?
5
votes
1answer
101 views
Taanis Bechoros for a first born from a C-section
Does someone who was a first born, but was born from a C-section have to fast on Ta'anis Bechoros?
The only source I know which addresses this is the Kaf HaChaim on Shulchan Aruch (470:3) who says ...
0
votes
0answers
18 views
Amen over the Telephone [duplicate]
If a person says a blessing on the telephone. Can you (who is on the other end of the line) say amen?
if yes, is this an obligation?
4
votes
1answer
74 views
Can you join a minyan in another room?
I recently davened (prayed) at a hassidic Rebbe's minyan. I found something peculiar, namely that the Rebbe didn't actually daven in the same room as everyone else. Instead, he davened in a different ...
1
vote
1answer
77 views
Why don't we salt newborns, per Ezekiel?
If* salting newborns is a good thing, why don't we do it anymore?
This is not a "Why don't we follow the Sages' medical advice?" question. If, in fact, Ezekiel 16:4 is emphasizing how neglected we ...
6
votes
1answer
96 views
Working in a Potentially Sinful Industry
I work for a company that provides a service that is considered morally objectionable by some Rabbis (see Gambling at casino). The work I do is generic, in that the output could potentially be used to ...
1
vote
0answers
24 views
Does a cotton blanket for daytime use need tzitzis?
Regarding blankets, standard practice is that we don't attach tzitzis and we don't round off any corners.
Reddit user ShamanSTK asks:
I have a blanket on the couch with four corners which is ...
1
vote
1answer
46 views
While sleeping in a sukkah, are you exempt from prayer?
Someone engrossed in one mitzvah is sometimes exempt from certain other mitzvot.
So, I wonder, based on a question from Reddit user GutsAndGlory2:
While engaged in the mitzvah of sleeping in a ...
1
vote
2answers
119 views
Opening a fridge on Shabbat
There are many problems with using electricity on Shabbat, and many ways to understand those problems. The issue of using a fridge is especially problematic (as explained in depth by Rav Nissan Kaplan ...
3
votes
2answers
69 views
Maror and vinegar at the Seder?
May the horseradish used for maror be put in vinegar after grating it on Erev Yom Tov and still be used for the mitzvah?
My understanding is that it may not be done.
Is that the case? If so, how do ...
2
votes
1answer
78 views
Animal testing of cosmetics and other products
To what extent does tzaar baalei chayyim--the prohibition on causing needless pain to animals--apply to animal testing of products such as cosmetics? What are the potential halachic problems for both ...
1
vote
2answers
80 views
Does a synagogue have the right to dispose of objects abandoned there?
A particular synagogue has large numbers of abandoned tallesim and tefilin in the drawers in the chapel.
Does the synagogue have the right to dispose of objects abandoned there?
Does the law change ...
4
votes
2answers
86 views
Pinchas and Halacha In Front Of One's Rabbi
The Gemara in Eiruvin 63a,b learns that one is not allowed to paskin a halachah in front of one's Rebbi.
Multiple examples and details are brought. In particular, Elazar haKohen taught the soldiers ...
5
votes
2answers
81 views
Fixing incorrectly-said word in davening
When one has incorrectly uttered a word or syllable of davening and immediately realizes it, how far back does one go in order to correct it?
Does one need to return to the beginning of the pasuk or ...
3
votes
1answer
60 views
At what cost must one perform a mitzvah?
To what lengths must one go to fulfill a positive commandment, or avoid transgressing a negative one?
Obviously, with few exceptions, one must not go so far as to die in order to fulfill a ...
2
votes
1answer
69 views
Purchasing products that were not manufactured in a Torahdik manner?
Are there any restrictions on purchasing or using non-food products that were manufactured in violation of the Law? If so, on what grounds?
For example: A non-Jew manufactures a product, and, in ...
1
vote
1answer
37 views
Does caring for children in foster care count as work?
If someone looked after foster children on weekends (from Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon) and received remuneration does this count as work and not permissible on the Sabbath?
5
votes
1answer
62 views
Is it permissible to embarrass a thief?
Here's a story I witnessed:
Someone trying to get his car out of the public parking lot next to his building found his way out blocked by two cars parked right on the ramp out, whose owners went into ...
4
votes
2answers
120 views
Rollerblading on shabbas?
What's the halachic problems if any to rollerblade on shabbas? Do we compare it to biking (Kaf Hachaim assurs it)? Are there any contemporary tshuvos which discuss this? I have heard two problems if ...
1
vote
1answer
110 views
Starting the Seder after Sheki'ah (sunset)?
In my experience, there is a lot of emphasis on waiting until after Tzeith HaKochavim (the stars come out), which is seen as definitely after nightfall, to start the Seder. The reason is that we want ...
3
votes
1answer
48 views
Hagales celim in “tzir”
When one wants to make celim (vessels) Kosher by purging non-Kosher absorbed tastes from it, one method is hagaleh, which normally is done with water. The Rema says in SA OC Siman 452:5 that b'dieved ...
3
votes
0answers
35 views
Making bedikas chometz early — ossur in malacha, eating, learning?
When someone leaves their home within 30 days of Pesach without someone to be bodek it from chometz, they themselves have to be bodek it early (See Siman 436.) In the normal case of bedikas chometz ...
7
votes
2answers
131 views
When can I speak after eating?
After making a Berachah on food, it is considered a Hefsek to speak before eating said food.
At what point after beginning to eat is it permissible to speak?
After the first bite?
After the first ...
7
votes
1answer
126 views
Changing minhag about tallit gadol
I first became involved with a non-orthodox congregation where it was customary for everyone over Bar Mitzvah age to wear a tallit gadol. However, I understand that it is an Ashkenazi minhag not to ...
1
vote
1answer
48 views
Decorated Tallis gadol [duplicate]
It is quite common to see people with colorfully decorated tallises in non-Orthodox (especially Conservative) shuls, but much less common to see the same thing in Orthodox shuls. Is there any halachic ...
1
vote
2answers
93 views
Fasting for a child bechor before Passover
I've heard that some men fast on erev Pesach for their firstborn son until that son old enough to fast for himself. Is that halakha? Where does this come from?
2
votes
3answers
206 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 ...
9
votes
1answer
287 views
Is Guinness Beer no longer kosher?
A new Smithsonian article has discovered Guinness Beer's use of isinglass, a technique that Guinness Beer has confirmed that it does to the Huffington Post, and even declared "Guinness Black Lager is ...
4
votes
2answers
177 views
Is it permitted for a Jew to accept an invitation by the Pope to attend mass
The chief rabbi of Rome received a special invitation from Pope Francis to attend a special mass on March 19.VINNews article. Normally, a Jew is not even allowed to visit a church, much less a ...
