Questions about Jewish customs and traditions.
4
votes
6answers
290 views
Stepping Back Before Amidah
Why do people step back three steps before the Amidah (as mentioned here in Mishnah Berurah, S'if Katan Gimmel) if the Gemarah only mentions stepping three steps forward? Is there a kabbalistic source ...
7
votes
1answer
226 views
Yachid blowing shofar during Elul
During the first few days of Elul, I will be away in a city with no minyan. I have a shofar, but was wondering whether a yachid blows a shofar if possible.
On the one hand, the reasoning exists, but ...
7
votes
5answers
363 views
“Jumping” at the end of Shemoneh Esrei
Some people are accustomed to performing a few little "jumps" at the end of Shemoneh Esrei (after taking the requisite three steps backward and forward) by lifting their heels a number of times. Is ...
1
vote
1answer
62 views
Sleeping on Stones
Where does the Minhag come from that we should sleep uncomfortably on Tisha B'Av?
7
votes
2answers
165 views
The Split Between Sefardim and Ashkenazim
How did this split happen historically and halachically before Shulchan Aruch, and why is not like having two Torahs? Where is the source for the split?
6
votes
3answers
331 views
Cutting Tefillin Retzuos
As we know, the outside of the tefillin's retzuos (phylacteries' straps) must be black. Lately, I've noticed that the very end of the retzuah of my shel yad (tefillin of the arm) is cracking and ...
5
votes
1answer
235 views
When to make a bracha on lightning
The general practice is to make a bracha on the sky illuminating from lightning without actually seeing the bolt.
Does anyone know a source for this? Is this the most appropriate practice?
Also, ...
3
votes
3answers
205 views
Modern nations and Umos Haolam
Where can I find a discussion about the roots of modern nations, in the Umos Haolam mentioned in the Torah and Chazal?
6
votes
2answers
105 views
Repeating Seder HaKitores
Why do Nusahos Ari, Sefard, Edot HaMizrah, and Ashkenaz of Eretz Yisrael repeat the order of the kitores (incense offering) at the end of Shaharis every day and why does Nusah Ashkenaz of Hutz LaAretz ...
11
votes
5answers
605 views
Wearing your tzitzis out
Why do certain people wear their tzitzis out for people to see, and others do not?
2
votes
2answers
125 views
Nusach for silent Amida when chazzan in an other-nusach congregation
My understanding (based, if I recall correctly, on R' Moshe Feinstein) is that when I pray in a congregation that uses a different version of the prayers (nusach) from the one I usually use, I should ...
8
votes
3answers
427 views
Custom of not giving knives as a gift?
I'd heard that some people have a custom not to give knives as a gift (as knives are a sign of shortening life, not extending it); I asked one rabbi who said he hadn't heard of such a custom, but it ...
3
votes
3answers
97 views
3
votes
1answer
159 views
Al Hannisim for Yom Ha'atzmaut and Yom Yerushalayim
Are there any special additions one can add to the shemoneh esrei on Yom Ha'atzmaut and Yom Yerushalayim?
Is there any problem with saying these additions? Do any major shuls in America say them?
5
votes
5answers
174 views
Shavuos and Malachim(angels)
We all know that there is a custom on Shavuos to eat dairy. One of the reasons given is based on a Medrash that When Moshe Rabbenu went up to Heaven to receive the Torah the angels complained and said ...
7
votes
1answer
88 views
Why do we do Hagbaah?
After "leining" the Torah, we pick up the Torah scroll to show everyone. Why do we do this?
4
votes
2answers
88 views
Ma'aseh Rav-the Rabbi did such and such
Often times in the course of halachic discussions it will be related that a certain Rav did such and such. When do such accounts have halachic significance? How do we safeguard against ...
7
votes
3answers
119 views
Staying up all night on Shavu'ot
Every year, when I stay up learning Torah through the first night of Shavu'ot, I invariably fall asleep during the subsequent morning prayers. Last year, I tried something new: Learn all night, but ...
14
votes
4answers
175 views
Why is Lag Baomer celebrated the way it is (or at all)?
Why do we celebrate lag baomer with bon-fires and bow-and-arrow. Why do we celebrate lag baomer at all?
6
votes
1answer
214 views
When is a Minhag no longer a Minhag?
It can be all too easy for people to underestimate the halachic significance of minhagim (traditions/customs). While there are, as I understand it, a variety of halachic issues/differences of ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views
Trimming Toenails in sequence
As a follow up to the question "Rules for Cutting Nails" it occurred to me that while we spoke about the idea of not trimming one's nails in sequence (as well as discussing the relevancy of lenient ...
4
votes
3answers
667 views
Eating at a shiva house
What is the basis for some people's practice not to eat the food at a shiva house; is there a halachik basis for this, is it a minhag or perhaps just superstition?
5
votes
4answers
117 views
Is it required to knock on doors before entering?
Do we have to knock on people's doors before entering?
15
votes
7answers
1k views
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 ...
6
votes
2answers
245 views
Can you turn your back to the Aron HaKodesh?
I'm quite certain that it is mentioned in the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch that one should not turn one's back to the Aron HaKodesh (ark which holds the Torah Scrolls).
Can anyone tell me where this is ...
4
votes
1answer
324 views
Mizmor l'David (Psalms 23) at Shalosh Suedos
There is a common minhag (custom) to sing Mizmor l'David at Seudah Shlishis, the third Sabbath meal. It is common to sing this song three times in a row and I was asked this Shabbos by a friend why ...
5
votes
2answers
364 views
Trop (cantillation) for leining
Who created the trop (cantillation) for leining? Is it a Mesorah from when the Torah was written?
1
vote
4answers
210 views
Shalom Aleichem and Eishes Chayil
Who wrote Shalom Aleichem and Eishes Chayil? Is it minhag Yisrael?
8
votes
1answer
340 views
matzah = mezonos or hamotzi
What is the reasoning of the 2 different minhagim (traditions) on what bracha to say on matzah when its not Peasach?
15
votes
2answers
400 views
Why do we say Mazel Tov? Shouldn't we thank Hashem?
Why do we say "Mazel Tov" when something good happens to a person? Doesn't that mean "good luck?" Are we saying that what happened, happened because of luck?
10
votes
7answers
567 views
4
votes
2answers
215 views
7
votes
4answers
507 views
Schlissel Challah
What is the source for the "Key Challah" Segulah (charm) that is said to bring Parnassah (prosperity)? And which is it: do you put the key in the Challah or do you make the Challah in the shape of a ...
2
votes
2answers
227 views
Red/White wine at the Seder
Is there any Halacha or Minhag that specifies if red or White wine should be used for the four cups of wine during the Passover seder and does it matter what you use to spill out during the 10 ...
7
votes
6answers
509 views
Custom to refrain from eating meat at the Pesach Seder?
I recently heard from two separate people about a custom not to eat any meat at the Seder (i.e. only fish and chicken are eaten). This was surprising to me, as the minhag mentioned in the Mishnah, ...
5
votes
3answers
356 views
5
votes
1answer
357 views
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue?
Is there a problem of "chukat goyim" with the bride having "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" at her wedding?
4
votes
2answers
631 views
What makes something “chukat goyim?”
One of the most famous examples I have heard is that one should not even tie one's shoes like the non-Jews do in times of persecution. That seems rather excessive. What if the Jews started doing some ...
6
votes
1answer
204 views
Walking around the house after shiva
I'd heard something about how some people, when getting up after the week of "sitting shiva" (mourning), take a walk around the outside of their house before going back to "normal" life. Has anyone ...
3
votes
3answers
236 views
Kitnios on Pesach
Why and when did the minhag start that allows Sephardim to eat Kitnios (Legumes)but not Ashkenazim?
4
votes
1answer
92 views
Who hides the afikoman?
Is the leader of the seder supposed to hide the afikoman so that the kids can find it, or are the kids supposed to hide it so that the leader can find it? And what is the point of this hide-and-seek ...
4
votes
3answers
350 views
Should I wear tefillin during Chol HaMoed?
If I don't have a known family minhag regarding this, how should I decide whether to wear tefillin during Chol HaMoed? Which communities generally follow each option, and what are the reasons behind ...
3
votes
4answers
478 views
Do bananas make the best karpas?
For karpas at the seder, one is supposed to eat a food on which the blessing "borei pri ha'adama" is made. However, many of the most commonly used food items for karpas (e.g. parsley, raw onion, raw ...
12
votes
4answers
531 views
Why do people frequently change tunes toward the end of Lecha Dodi?
Frequently, perhaps even most of the time, I've noticed that the chazan (prayer leader) for Kabalat Shabbat switches tunes for the last four verses of Lecha Dodi. Is there any reason for this, or are ...
5
votes
4answers
141 views
Why do we stand when we do toward the end of Tachanun?
In the Tachanun prayer, it's traditional to sit for most of the core of Tachanun, but then to stand three words into the last paragraph, between "Va-anachnu lo neida'" and "ma na'aseh" ("And we won't ...
6
votes
1answer
479 views
Different traditions in Hebrew pronunciation
The theme of Hebrew pronunciation is one that facinates me and, as such, I want to get some feedback on some issues I've been thinking about for years. I have already discussed some of these issues ...
5
votes
3answers
449 views
8
votes
3answers
206 views
Wear your tzitzis out or in?
There seems to be some misunderstanding/machlokes (disagreement) on how you should wear your tzitzis - with the strings sticking out or tucked in. What's the proper way?
7
votes
2answers
227 views
Naming your child using a dead relative's initial
Is there a Jewish tradition of naming your child using the first letter of the name of a recently deceased relative?
