Questions about Jewish customs and traditions.
2
votes
0answers
46 views
Is a convert free to choose his own minhagim?
Back when Jews lived in the same communities for generations, they were obligated to follow the minhagim (customs) of their community. The classic example is that East European Jews held that one ...
11
votes
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 ...
3
votes
1answer
50 views
Can one say “Hazak u'Baruch” to both men and women? If not, is there a female equivalent?
When returning from an Aliyah la'Torah, I am commonly met with "Hazak u'Baruch". I have encountered this saying in other situations when someone does something praiseworthy.
Can one say "Hazak ...
6
votes
3answers
156 views
Lag Baomer - why not Laomer?
Nusach Askenaz says Baomer, Nusach Sefard and Sefardim say Laomer - Why does everyone call it Lag Baomer - why not call it Lag Laomer?
7
votes
3answers
201 views
Meforshim Nick"names
It has become common practice to refer to most meforshim by acronyms of their name (eg Rashi, Rosh, etc.). When and why did this practice start, and is it proper?
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 ...
11
votes
3answers
116 views
2 Sifrei Torah for close readings
This morning we read Parashat Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1 - 24:18) and the special reading of Parashat Shekalim (Exodus 30:11-16). The custom everywhere I have ever seen is to remove two Sifrei Torah from ...
2
votes
1answer
54 views
Can a man marry a woman with the same name as his mother? (Or vice-versa?) How?
Rabbi Yehudah Hechassid wrote in his testament (Testament of R. Yehudah Hechassid, sec. 23) that a man should not marry a woman whose name is the same as his mother’s, and a woman should not marry a ...
8
votes
3answers
335 views
Lubavitch not sleeping in a Sukka?
If Lubavitch is careful not to eat or drink anything outside of the sukka, why does Lubavitch not sleep in the Sukka?
2
votes
0answers
156 views
What is the proper greeting for Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Day)?
Here in Israel, there are many customs surrounding Yom HaShoah; the morning siren, ceremonies, storytelling from survivors, etc. However, I'm not sure I've ever heard a way to greet someone that ...
6
votes
3answers
366 views
Baby boy's MOTHER as the sandek(et)
I have recently come upon historical evidence of the mothers of baby boys serving as the sandek(et) during the brit milah.
From page 18 of The Orthodox Jewish Woman and Ritual: Options and ...
8
votes
3answers
254 views
Is it permissible to name one's child with a name from the opposite gender?
Is a person allowed to name a boy with a girl's name and vice versa?
I remember seeing that one musn't, although in Nach one finds these things a lot.
I understand it is not best practice for ...
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 ...
3
votes
0answers
22 views
Are there any minhag and customs specific to Czech Jews and have they been documented?
I'm a baal teshuva with Czech Jewish ancestry. I have an interest in the minhag of my ancestors as well as in common cultural practices, and perhaps pass them on where I can. Have they been documented ...
3
votes
1answer
39 views
Kohen removing watch and cufflinks before performing the Priestly Blessing
My late father told me to take off my watch and cufflinks before going up to perform the Priestly Blessing. I did not ask him why.
Two possible reasons suggest themselves:
To avoid diverting the ...
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 ...
0
votes
6answers
321 views
Lubavitch and Daf Yomi
I know that most lubavitchers won't learn Daf Yomi.
Is there any Sicha (please bring sources) which says if one should or shouldn't learn it?
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 ...
0
votes
2answers
73 views
Torah personalities chosen for blessings on Friday nights
Why do we bless our children on Friday nights with non-correlated blessings between the boys and the girls?
I can understand that we want our daughters to emulate the Matriarchs. Yet we don't bless ...
8
votes
3answers
959 views
Sefira Restrictions During Chol Hamoed Pesach
For those who hold sefira from the first day until the thirty-third, are the restrictions in effect during chol hamoed? While you are not allowed to cut your hair even during chol hamoed Succos, can ...
1
vote
1answer
34 views
Sephardim and Two Sifrei Torah
On a day when we take out 2 Sifrei Torah do the Sephardim put both on the bima and open one and read from it leaving the other closed? Or do they put only one on the bima and leave the other in a ...
3
votes
1answer
47 views
Bracha on Hallal Chol HaMoed Pesach (in regards to Sephardim)
I know that according to the psak of the Shulchan Aruch the Sephardim (among others -- The Gra, many Kehillas in Yerushalayim including Chassidei Karlin, Chassidei Biyan I think, and Chassidei Chabad ...
3
votes
1answer
63 views
What were the original kitniyos?
I know many people (chiefly S'faradim) don't have the custom altogether of refraining from eating kitniyos on Pesach. Among those who do have such a custom, moreover, there are varying customs as to ...
2
votes
1answer
69 views
Drinking Water after Eating Fish
Is anyone familiar with the practice of not drinking water after eating fish? I know that something has to be used to clean your mouth before eating meat, but somehow I got the idea in my head that ...
4
votes
0answers
26 views
Shir Hama'alos in “Barech”?
Among the many hagada versions in use at the seder I attended this year, some of them included Shir Hama'alos before birkas hamazon in the "Barech" section and others did not. Is there any reason to ...
4
votes
1answer
144 views
Beracha on lighting yom tov candles : before or after?
There are two minhagim concerning the time the beracha should be said on lighting yom tov candles for a woman, before or after (like shabbos neros).
I've read arguments like these :
before, because ...
2
votes
0answers
50 views
What to do with Elijah's leftover wine? [duplicate]
Appears his thirst was quenched by the time he got here. Can I assume he just took a sip and the rest can be shared among the guests? Is it better to wait until everyone is gone so they don't see me ...
2
votes
2answers
151 views
Can sefardim eat lafa before Pesach?
There is a custom(?) to abstain from eating matza 30 days before Passover so that the taste will be new. There are some sects of sefardic or teimani Jews who eat a type of matzah that is more akin to ...
1
vote
0answers
59 views
Who should observe Isru Chag?
I have been trying to understand Isru Chag. While there is a source in tehillim for the words and the gemara derives a notion of extra celebration, there seems to be little about the scope of the day.
...
0
votes
0answers
50 views
Is there an 'Inyan of Upsherin for girls?
Upsherin is cutting a boy's hair at or about the age of three for the first time. Is there any 'Inyan (idea) of an Upsherin for girls? Why or why not?
2
votes
1answer
69 views
Egg matzah in early Nisan
This shabbos, my LOR announced that the shul was done being kashered for Pesach, and so kiddush would be pesadich. To fulfill the need for mezonot, he had brought in egg matzah, saying that egg matzah ...
6
votes
2answers
298 views
A Convert taking on customs of ashkanazim or sephardim
When someone converts is there any determining factor on what minhagim (customs) they will take upon themselves in terms of Ashkanazim or Sephardim? Should it be dependent on the Beis Din they ...
0
votes
0answers
22 views
Kitniyot for gerim? [duplicate]
How does a ger decide whether to follow Ashkenazic or Sephardic minhagim? In particular, can a ger eat kitniyot during Pesach?
3
votes
2answers
168 views
Marovis on Yom Tov
Does anyone know of shuls that still say Marovis (piyutim) on Yom Tov nights? I'm particularly interested in any place in Teaneck.
Many seem to think that it's a yekki minhag but it's pretty clear ...
13
votes
5answers
323 views
What is the source of the Magen Dovid (Star of David)?
What is the source of the Magen Dovid (Star of David) in Rabbinic Judaism?
When was it first used, and for what?
7
votes
1answer
105 views
Up part of the night on Shavuos
As described by Stephanie Hegarty for the BBC, Roger Ekirch, an historian, has evidence — and is convinced — that people used to have
a first sleep which began about two hours after dusk, followed ...
6
votes
4answers
288 views
Peeling vegetables on Pesach
It is a minhag in Chabad to only eat vegetables that you can peel on Pesach. There is a possibility that either the wax coating on certain vegetables contains chometz or that certain processing of the ...
2
votes
2answers
261 views
Are (opaque) stockings under a skirt considered enough to cover ervah?
This is a question about skirt lengths. From this answer:
The halacha is that "tefach b'isha ervah" - a tefach (about 3.5
inches) uncovered on certain parts of a woman's body is ervah -
...
6
votes
11answers
302 views
Widespread American Minhag
What is the single most widely practiced minhag (religious Jewish practice that's not mandated by halacha) among Jews in the United States today? By "widely practiced" I mean practiced by the most ...
3
votes
1answer
84 views
Do modern Jewish cemeteries separate the “righteous” from the “wicked”?
Do modern Jewish cemeteries separate the "righteous" from the "wicked"? I have read in various sources that "we don't bury rashim near tzadikim"--that people must be buried near others of similar ...
2
votes
2answers
65 views
What constitutes roasting with regard to Minhagim?
Roasting in Halachah generally refers to dry heat, such as broiling and barbequing. But with respect to Minhagim, such as not eating roasted meat (or poultry) at the Seder, do we follow the same ...
4
votes
2answers
133 views
Is there a custom not to eat roasted chicken at the Seder?
Does the custom to refrain from eating roasted meat at the Seder extend to chicken, turkey, and any other fowl one might serve roasted?
2
votes
2answers
73 views
Source for starting one limmud after finishing another
What is the source for starting a new limmud (learning) immediately after finishing the previous one? For example After finishing one mesechta I have seen people immediately start the next one, even ...
5
votes
0answers
51 views
Are there any ancient Jewish dances?
From what I've seen most (orthodox) Jewish dancing consists of people running or walking in a circle, sometimes with exciting variations such as foot stomping. Are there any records of ancient ...
11
votes
1answer
115 views
Is there a Beta Israel Siddur?
Ashkenazi siddurs are different from Sephardic siddurs, do Beta Israel Siddurs even exist?
0
votes
2answers
224 views
Dreidel - Nun (Neis) Gimel (Gadol) Hei (Haya) Shin (Shom) - (Pei - Po)
Outside of Eretz Yisroel when we play Dreidel we use - the Nun for Nochamol (go again), the Gimel for Gantz (empty the bank), the Hei for Halb (half the bank), and the Shin for Shtel Arain (put money ...
8
votes
1answer
354 views
What is the origin of hazak u'baruch?
Hazak u'barukh is a phrase commonly said after one does something in the synagogue (e.g., after an aliyah). What is its origin?
5
votes
3answers
150 views
Not sitting in the Sukkah on Shemini Atzeres
Shouldn't the obligation to sit in the Sukkah also fall into the category of Sefeika D'yoma? If so why do some not eat in the Sukkah on Shemini Atzeres?
6
votes
2answers
155 views
wording of the invitation to birkas hamazon
I know some Ashk'nazim say rabosay n'varech, some rabosay mir velen bentschen, and some hertzi rabosay mir velen bentschen. (Any other forms?) Is there any particular reason given for one or another?
5
votes
2answers
126 views
Yemenite Sefira
What is the source for the custom that Yemenite Jews people count Sefira in Aramaic? and why do they do it?
