Questions about Jewish customs and traditions.
2
votes
1answer
118 views
Is it true that proselytes immersed in their birthday suits in ancient times?
I was told that Jewish proselytes immersed in their birthday suits in ancient times. Is this true? If so, could you please provide sources stating this fact?
6
votes
2answers
300 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 ...
5
votes
0answers
56 views
Minhag of bothering the chazzan on Simchas Torah
I have seen the custom of bothering the chazzan during the musaf service on Simchas Torah. I have seen people tie the chazzan's gartel to a chair, or try to move the chazzan to a diffrent place. I ...
2
votes
2answers
97 views
Hanging the kesubah on the wall?
I've heard from some people that there is a problem with hanging/displaying ones kesubah on the wall. Others have told me that it's good to display the kesubah as a reminder to the husband to fulfill ...
1
vote
2answers
97 views
What kavanos should one have when sharpening a challa knife Erev Shabbos?
What are some kavanos should one have in mind when sharpening a challa knife on Erev Shabbos? I'm sure I heard that there are kavanos but never learned what they are.
0
votes
1answer
128 views
Post-conversion ketubah
She's Jewish. He wasn't. 2+ decades later, he converted. (I don't know when he first intended to... these are the parents of co-workers of a friend of mine.)
Can they get a ketubah now? Should they?
...
5
votes
1answer
60 views
Moving Sefer Torah with Tallis (source?)
Often times, when someone will move a Sefer Torah from one place to another, on top of what the Sefer Torah is already normally covered with, he will put an additional covering of a Tallis-Gadol. ...
3
votes
2answers
90 views
Chanukiyot inside or out?
Shabbat 22a says that the halacha is that we should place the chanukiyah outside, within a hand-breadth of the door, to the left. In Israel I've seen people do this, placing the chanukiyah in a glass ...
2
votes
2answers
73 views
Minhag Kaparos with Money - What's the source?
In the Rama on SA OC Siman 605, we find the custom of "Kaparos" that many do Erev Yom Kippur. Of those who perform this custom a chicken is used. However many also use money (i.e. instead of waving a ...
6
votes
2answers
236 views
Eating by one who doesn't separate glass
Some, mainly Ashkenazim, hold that glass dishes must be separated between milk and meat. Some, mainly Sefardim, do not. May the former eat on the latter's glass dishes?
2
votes
1answer
89 views
What is the source for “the custom of our forefathers is in our hands”?
Where does "minhag avoseinu byadeinu" as a halachik concept, which is commonly cited as the source for keeping two days of yom tov outside of Israel, originate from?
2
votes
2answers
87 views
Source listing all Jewish wedding customs?
Is there a comprehensive source that lists all various orthodox wedding customs (mitzvah tantz, mezinkah, etc.)?
5
votes
0answers
59 views
Original source for Maharil endorsing tunes as “MiSinai”?
Cantor Goffin describes how over 500 years ago, Maharil endorsed several cantorial tunes as "MiSinai" -- "so authoritative it's as if they go back to Sinai" -- for use in the prayers.
What's the ...
4
votes
1answer
45 views
Source and reason for throwing the Hoshanos on top of the Aron Kodesh
I have seen in many Shuls on Hoshana Raba after using the Hoshanos people throw the used Hoshanos on top of the Aron Kodesh. What is the reason and source for this Minhag?
2
votes
1answer
60 views
When is the end of the Tishrei holiday “season”?
(Inspired by this question)
I'm curious if there is any discussion on when the Tishrei holiday "season" officially ends.
Just off the top of my head, I'm curious if anyone recommends refraining from ...
7
votes
1answer
74 views
Where/when/how/why did flags become part of Simchas Torah celebrations?
Kids today all know that they have flags when dancing on Simchas Torah.
How, when, where, and/or why did the flags originate? (Someone decided it was fun, and then it caught on?) What pictures were ...
6
votes
2answers
138 views
“Tzon k'doshim!” ―“Baa!”: source/provenance
In some synagogues, on Simchas Tora, someone will shout "Tzon k'doshim!", meaning "holy sheep/goats", or "Tzon kadashim!", meaning "sheep/goats of sacrificial-offering sanctity". He's replied to with ...
8
votes
1answer
85 views
Using Hoshanos more than once
On Hoshana Rabba after one uses (Klaps) his Hoshanos may another person use the same Hoshanos?
0
votes
0answers
54 views
Stuffed cabbage on Sukkoth
There is a well-known custom to eat stuffed cabbage on Simhath Torah. But many also eat it on Sukkoth. Is it an extension of the same reason? Are the reasons cited for Simhath Torah (in the answers to ...
3
votes
2answers
68 views
What is the right way to wave the lulav and esrog in the down direction?
We wave the lulav and esrog (4 minim) in six directions including “down”.
What is the right way to wave down?
I have seen two procedures.
1) The 4 minim are held lower (nearer to the ground) than ...
4
votes
2answers
226 views
Why do some Jews get married at night?
In images and other media I have seen of Jewish weddings, there seems to be a trend to get married in the evening or night time. Is this a Jewish custom a halachic requirement and what is the origin ...
5
votes
2answers
141 views
Is there a justification for the practice not to whip on Erev Yom Kipur?
The Shulchan Aruch (607:6) writes that on erev Yom Kipur, everyone gets whipped 39 lashes. However, I have not seen this done in practice. Is there any source who justifies the practice not to do ...
3
votes
2answers
132 views
Candles in bedroom over Yom Kippur
What is the reason for the minhag to have a yartzeit-size candle lit in the bedroom over Yom Kippur?
(this is unrelated to candles lit for deceased parents for Yizkor).
Is it just so we have a new ...
5
votes
2answers
106 views
How/why does kaparot work?
The ritual of kaparot [lit. atonement], which is usually done just prior to Yom Kippur (usually the day before), where one waves a chicken or an [unspecified] amount of money over one's head in a ...
0
votes
0answers
49 views
Davening by a Tzaddik on Rosh HaShanah
Where does the inyan of davening with a Tzaddik on Rosh HaShanah come from? Where did it start? Was there ever such a minhag before chassidus come along? (Assuming it started with the Chassidim -- my ...
5
votes
6answers
142 views
Apple on Rosh HaShanah
There is a custom of eating an apple dipped in honey on first night of Rosh HaShanah (among the other foods) as a sign that we should have a sweet year. Why is this done specifically with an apple and ...
7
votes
1answer
114 views
Kapparos on money - How much?
Is one does the Minhag of Kapparos on money - How much money should be used for each person? (sources)
2
votes
1answer
65 views
What is the point of Hataras Nedarim every year?
The second paragraph of Hataras Nedarim has the person being mattired saying that "I am making a modaah that any oaths being made in the future are considered to be as if 'bli neder'".
Is this ...
0
votes
2answers
111 views
Bal Keri and Learning
Many are stringent: if they become a bal keri (have a nocturnal emission) for any reason they don't learn or pray before going to the mikveh ("tevilas ezra"). However, even according to those that are ...
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 ...
1
vote
0answers
65 views
What if there is no object for use in a mitzva?
There is a story I once heard about the Ben Ish Chai examining the only known etrog available in Iraq. Despite the great need for it, he declared the etrog passul for use and no one could fulfill the ...
1
vote
1answer
101 views
Yom tov kiddush tune
There's a popular tune used for kidush on the nights of the shalosh r'galim. (It's available on YouTube (but ignore the "shehechiyanu" part of that recording).)
What's its origin?
Does it have the ...
5
votes
1answer
92 views
Minhag of saying Selichos only before Rosh HaShanah
There is a minhag to only say Selichos before Rosh HaShanah and not during Aseres Yemei Teshuva. I know in Chabad this is in the minhag. Is this minhag practiced anywhere else? Where does it come ...
1
vote
0answers
78 views
Saying Misod and Reshut (introduction) for piyutim, then skipping them
I have seen that many yeshivos (and recently, even some shuls) often say just Misod and the Reshus on RH and YK, and then skip the actual piyutim they are meant to introduce!
This is even more evident ...
14
votes
1answer
115 views
Why do we open the ark for important prayers?
What is the origin of the custom of opening the ark for important prayers (not connected with the need to take out the Torah scroll)?
4
votes
1answer
101 views
Customs surrounding fasting when a sefer torah falls to the floor?
Based on this question I would like to know what the earliest source for fasting when a sefer torah falls comes from? Is is true that if a person is in the room but turns away so as not to see it ...
6
votes
3answers
226 views
spitting in aleinu leshabeach
Does anyone know the origin of the custom to spit in Aleinu after the words
Shehem mishtachvim lahevel vlarik
Where did it start? and in which sforim it is mentioned?
I have seen the sefer Hayom ...
6
votes
7answers
524 views
Why do Sephardic Jews dress in black and white?
Many observant sephardim in Israel, especially those in yeshivot, dress in black and white. Does anyone know how this happened?
There is no tradition of Jews in North Africa or in the Middle East ...
3
votes
1answer
114 views
Source for checking talis over shoulder
What is the source for checking one's tzitzis while the talis is over one's right shoulder: isn't the halacha just to check the knots and strings? Can't the checking be done on a table?
6
votes
1answer
116 views
Origin of the nine days
I just learned a gemara (taanit 30a) that seems to pretty clearly state that the mourning for tisha b'av starts the beginning of the week that tisha b'av falls out on, and ends with tisha b'av itself.
...
3
votes
2answers
98 views
Why no play on words for apple and honey?
The other simanim eaten on Rosh Hashana contain a play on words with the name of the food and either a wish for a good omen or a wish for bad to befall our enemies. The yehi ratzon for the apple has ...
2
votes
1answer
90 views
Earliest source for diping apple in honey on Rosh Hashana
What is the earliest source for the custom of dipping an apple in honey on Rosh Hashana?
(It is found in the Tur (Siman 683), the Abudraham (quoted by the Rama there) - believed to be a student of ...
6
votes
4answers
149 views
Why do we say Vhu Rachum before Maariv?
Before Maariv, we say the pasuk "Vhu rachum yichaper avon..." (Psalms 78:38). Why?
10
votes
3answers
169 views
Women and Mayim Acharonim
I very often eat at meals where after the meal, all of the men wash mayim acharonim, but none of the women do so.
I am aware of a number of halachic sources that say both men and women should wash ...
2
votes
1answer
95 views
What is the origin of BS“D / B”H? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
B'siyata D'shmaya or Baruch Hashem
What is the origin of putting BS"D (or Beis Samach Daled) on the top right hand corner of anything one write?
5
votes
3answers
171 views
Have not gone to parents grave in seven years
A friend recently mentioned that she has not gone to her parents grave in over ten years due to its distance and when she wanted to go she was told by a Rabbi that if she has not been there for over ...
6
votes
2answers
113 views
When do we start reciting Psalm 27?
Yesterday being the 30th of Av (and Rosh Chodesh Elul), prompted a question at shul: exactly when do we start saying Psalm 27—on the first day of Elul or the first day of Rosh Chodesh Elul? Most ...
8
votes
1answer
117 views
Accepting parents' minhagim
Since the Conservative movement tends to take most of its minhagim from the German tradition due to its German roots, most Conservative Jews in America tend to practice the German customs (such as ...
1
vote
1answer
58 views
The “Shir Hamaalos” etc before Maariv: is it said before nightfall?
The German nusach contains the following explanation of the “Shir Hamaalos” etc said before Maariv.
When ערבית is recited after nightfall, it is preceded by the following
פסוקים, which speak of ...
2
votes
0answers
31 views
What are the customs for looking at fingers during havdalla [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What to do with the candles during Havdalah
According to this question, there are many different customs about looking at fingers after the bracha borei m'orei ha'eish ...
