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 ...
1
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1answer
25 views
learning non-jewish topics as a creative process
Is 'learning' non-Jewish topics a prohibited creative process on Shabbat? If so, on what grounds is learning Tanakh exempted? I read the study non-Jewish subjects is banned or frowned upon, and I ...
3
votes
0answers
33 views
Borrowing a talis and wearing a talis katan. Say a b'racha?
The common and accepted practice among married Ashk'nazim, at least, is that they don a talis katan in the morning without saying a b'racha (benediction) for the mitzva, and, later, when donning the ...
10
votes
5answers
244 views
0
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1answer
19 views
Talmid that is an Avel going to a wedding of his Rebbe
I had heard once that there is a Teshuvas Ranach that says it's muter for a student that is an avel (in the year of mourning) to go to a wedding that his Rebbe is making for one his children. I ...
2
votes
1answer
104 views
Does a rapist have any parental rights to a child conceived from the rape?
An interesting question was asked regarding whether the child conceived by a kidnapper and his victim, and who is still held by the kidnapper, is also considered kidnapped. I think that a more basic ...
3
votes
1answer
52 views
Going to lectures with overhead projector on shabbat
Is attending public lectures (and looking at the screen) permissible on the Sabbat? Information from a computer is projected onto a movie screen and the lecturer may be using a microphone. The ...
9
votes
1answer
188 views
In a city with many shuls, how much loyalty do I owe to the shul of which I am a member?
In a city with many shuls, in what way should we think about the individual shuls?
a) They are “service” (no pun intended) providers and I will take the services as they suit me best. Even if I take ...
1
vote
1answer
30 views
Borer on Shabbos — Spilling food from a spoon with 2 foods on it
Is the following case a problem of "borer" (separating) on Shabbos?
We know there can be "borer" even when dealing with two edible foods, one food that a person does want to eat and the other that ...
1
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1answer
146 views
Large gap in Sukkah wall(s)
I happened to see this design (or see below) for a pergola, and I thought, "What an easy way to have a Sukkah frame up all year round!"
But then, when I noticed that it only has a depth of four ...
3
votes
2answers
84 views
Is there a way to expand a canvas Sukkah?
After playing around with ideas for seating in my Sukkah, I began to wonder, what if I just expanded it? The problem is that it's made of canvas, which is wrapped around a metal frame. This does not ...
2
votes
2answers
155 views
When a Bris is being done for a baby at the same time as his Pidyon HaBen
If a baby who is a Bechor had his Bris delayed to the 31st day, and now on the 31st day he is ready to have his Bris and it is also the day of his Pidyon HaBen - which Mitzva should be done first? Do ...
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
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0answers
20 views
Can I cut my toenails consecutively? [duplicate]
Should I be careful about this issue or there is no rule regarding this?
7
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1answer
57 views
Does an unnecessary brocho pesucha on Hallel necessitate a brocho siyuma?
We had an interesting question arise in our Shul this past Yom Yerushalayim. Our shul has a minhag of saying Hallel without a brocho in Shacharis. At one of the minyanim, the chazzan said a brocho at ...
0
votes
1answer
140 views
Cohen and Vasectomy Marrying a women who wants to have children
If it is prohibited for a women who want's to have children to marry a a man who had a vasectomy and the man told her before the wedding that he had the vasectomy and she had in mind to get invitro ...
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votes
1answer
125 views
Does halacha permit a Jew to practice Islam simultaneously? [closed]
It is explained here that a Jew cannot lose his 'Jewishness', It seems from this answer that Jewishness is a genealogical status and little to do with religion. So is it possible for a Jew to practice ...
5
votes
3answers
161 views
Kiruv and halachik compromise
What is the basis for a blanket allowance of halachik compromises by organizations involved in kiruv, if any?
The purpose of this question is to see if there were responsa that give blanket ...
11
votes
2answers
181 views
May a Jewish cemetery refuse a body?
Based on a recent news item wherein cemeteries have been refusing to inter the body of one of the (alleged) Boston bombers, found here I was curious if a Jewish cemetery's operators were allowed to ...
2
votes
2answers
93 views
Source for washing by your bed
What is the source in the Halachic literature outside of the Mishnah Berurah who says it is a requirement to place a washing cup by your bed instead of going to the sink to wash your hands upon ...
2
votes
0answers
61 views
Talking in shul
Most pasken according to the Shulchan Arukh that mundane talk in shul during tefilot is forbidden.
With some exceptions: Is mundane speech allowed in shul?.
Is there anywhere a halachic point of view ...
3
votes
1answer
71 views
Magazine not delivered - what are they responsible for?
If someone has a subscription to a Jewish weekly or magazine or newspaper (for example: Mishpacha, Binah, Ami, Jewish Press, Yated, Hamodia, etc.) and they are supposed to deliver on a specific day of ...
1
vote
2answers
101 views
How do we know that homosexual relations is a sin?
I recently heard that the Ibn Ezra brings down a minority opinion that the pasukim talking about "laying with a man as you would a woman" are actually talking about androgynous people. The Ibn Ezra ...
2
votes
1answer
42 views
Do we embarrass someone in cheirem?
Let's suppose that someone in a community has been put in cheirem, for whatever reason. This would generally ban him from the community shul. Should this person show up in the community shul, however, ...
0
votes
1answer
58 views
Employment questions I have [closed]
I have three questions.
1) Can a religious Orthodox Jewish employer, refuse to employ a Non Observant Jew on Shabbos or other Jewish holidays, if the Non Observant Jew volunteers to work on this, ...
2
votes
1answer
39 views
Shoe-tying order when tying another's shoes
Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 2:4–5:
ינעול מנעל ימין תחילה ולא יקשרנו ואחר כך ינעול של שמאל ויקשרנו ויחזור ויקשור של ימין
One should don his right shoe first but not tie it, then don his ...
4
votes
2answers
161 views
Conversion to Islam
Although Islam is considered monotheistic I would imagine that in a case of 'oness' (coercion) one would still not be allowed to convert. Is conversion to Islam considered to be a case of יהרג ואל ...
8
votes
1answer
376 views
Daughter of a Jewish woman and non-Jewish man
Is a Kohen allowed to marry a woman who is the daughter of a Jewish woman and non-Jewish man?
9
votes
2answers
390 views
Can only the husband in a gentile married couple convert?
We are a gentile married couple and my husband wants to convert orthodox and im still not sure if i want to convert at all. i found out that the conservative would let my husband convert and stay with ...
7
votes
1answer
206 views
Intermarriage Attendance
Is there a Halachic problem with being in attendance to an intermarriage preformed in a regular hall meaning not a problematic location? What is the source in the Halachic literature if there is an ...
2
votes
2answers
782 views
Is it permissible for a Jewish woman to marry a Muslim man and vice versa?
As both Abrahamic religions, Islam and Judaism have the same God and share a common law then how do Rabbis see the marriage of a Jewish woman marrying a Muslim man and vice versa? Also how is it like ...
1
vote
2answers
232 views
Can a Jew marry a Free Mason?
I am widowed and know little of my Jewish Heritage. Of this, I know, I observe the Torah and do my best to abide by it. Since I know little, and I am interested in marrying a non-Jew who is a Free ...
3
votes
1answer
51 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
58 views
Wearing Tefillin over toupe
If someone wears a toupe which is only removed twice a month, is there any way to still get the mitzvah of wearing tefillin? Removing the toupe every morning to put in the tefillin would be an extreme ...
1
vote
1answer
36 views
Does one mourn during the days following Shavuot?
We say the four verses starting "Yehi Shem" (instead of Tachanun) after Shavuot because of the bringing of the Korbanot. Does this have any impact on mourning after Shavuot?
0
votes
1answer
57 views
Preparing a dish on Shabbos by night for the day time (in regards to Borer)
It says in SA OC Siman 321 Sif 19 in the Rema that normally it's ossur to peel garlic or onions however that's only to leave them to eat at a later time. However if it's being done to eat right away ...
6
votes
4answers
175 views
Halachot learned from gematria
The gemara in nazir learns that an unspecified nezirut is 30 days long from the pasuk "kadosh yihyeh" with yihyeh having gematria 30. Can anyone think of other places where halachot are learned from ...
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votes
3answers
237 views
Did the Rambam say it's OK for a Jew to convert to Islam? [closed]
I read that the Rambam considered a Jew who converts to Islam NOT to be an Apikorus(אפיקורוס)\heretic or an ovdei avodah zarah, as opposed to a convert to Christianity who he considered to be heretic ...
12
votes
2answers
206 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?
0
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0answers
19 views
Where is the source of the prohibition of listening to Kol Isha? [duplicate]
It is well known that listening to a women sing is forbidden. Where is the source to the Prohibition?
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
139 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
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 ...
10
votes
1answer
127 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
288 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
101 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
319 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
684 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, ...
