Questions about Jewish customs and traditions.
7
votes
1answer
145 views
May a man learn Torah without a Kippah?
Is it permissible for a man to learn Torah without a Kippah?
Let's say that he can't wear a Kippah at work, or he lives someplace where it is dangerous to outwardly display signs of being Jewish, ...
3
votes
1answer
65 views
What's done on Zos Chanuka?
I know people call the last day of Chanuka "Zos Chanuka" (taken from Bamidbar 7:84, read on that day). How is it specially commemorated if at all? I've heard it is, but know no details.
I'm not ...
2
votes
0answers
55 views
Should I rend k'riyah if I witness the death of a non-relative? If so, what's the procedure?
In "Must EMTs and others rend Kriyah each time they see a patient die?", Chalutznahal cites Yoreh De'ah 40:5, which says that when I witness a fellow Jew die, I must rend my shirt out of sadness. And ...
14
votes
3answers
191 views
Must EMTs and others rend Kriyah each time they see a patient die?
I was looking at Yoreh De'ah 40:5 (יו"ד סימן ש"מ ס"ק ה) and Moed Katan 25b (כה עמוד ב), which require Kriyah (garment-rending) for all who are there at the time of death. It would seem to me that an ...
3
votes
1answer
202 views
Traditions what to do with removed foreskin
In Germany we recently started a debate, whether foreskin-amputation of children (not only Jews, but Muslims as well) has to be forbidden according to our fundamental laws.
Some magazine illustrated ...
6
votes
2answers
226 views
Why do some women light additional shabbat candles for the past weeks they didn't light?
Some women have the custom to light an additional shabbat candle for every week which, for whatever reason, they did not have a chance to light shabbat candles in the past. For example, if a woman ...
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 ...
3
votes
0answers
38 views
Best practices for long-distance Nihum Aveilim and Kavod HaMeith
What are some best practices for people who learn from afar of the passing of an individual (not immediate family) and who want show their respects to the deceased and the surviving family?
If they ...
4
votes
1answer
64 views
Why do we let the tzitzit go after saying Shema at either לָעַד or צָרֵיהֶם
In the answer to When we say "עַל צִיצִת הַכָּנָף" at which point do we kiss the tzitzis? we were told that it is the Chabad Minhag to kiss the tzitzit six times, at the words tzitzit, ...
2
votes
1answer
95 views
Communities where men didn't put their טליתות over their heads?
I heard that the Rambam in his commentary to the Mishna mentioned cases where the custom of the place was different, one such place being יָוָן, where men didn't cover their heads with their tallitot, ...
4
votes
5answers
149 views
Sources for/about breaking a plate at a wedding
Are you aware of any literature that either provides a source for or discusses the significance of the two mothers breaking a plate at the "Tisch" at a wedding?
It's not hard to find mentions of this ...
3
votes
4answers
215 views
Lighting candles Motzei Shabbos
I have seen different Minhagim regarding lighting one or two candles on Motzei Shabbos. What is the source and why 1 or 2?
5
votes
4answers
350 views
Kiddush cup handoff
Why do some Jews (Sephardic, Hasidic, et al.) place the kiddush cup into the hands of another?
5
votes
1answer
270 views
What are the halachot of Chanukat Habayit?
What are the laws and customs appertaining to chanukat habayit?
At what point, if at all, should you make a shehechiyanu; upon closing? Moving in?
Should you make a chanukat habayit on a home that ...
4
votes
1answer
78 views
Wrapping up Tefilin to form dove's wings
Gemara Shabbos 49a mentions a story about Elisha Baal Kenafayim who was saved by his Tefilin turning into dove's wings. Magen Avraham Orach Chaim 28:4 says the Minhag is to wrap the Tefilin like ...
3
votes
4answers
189 views
Fasting on the wedding day - when getting married right before or after a fast
When a person gets married a day before Yom Kippur or a day after Tzon Gedalya - does he/she have to fast two days in a row?
2
votes
1answer
95 views
What is the significance of the shtreimel?
What is the esoteric or hashkafic significance of the shtreimel? Some things I have seen but without details or sources are that it is like a crown, that the number of pelts involved have numerical ...
11
votes
2answers
491 views
What is the red string all about?
Where did the concept of wearing a red string come from? I have heard different opinions ranging from "you should definitely wear it" to "its forbidden like idol worship" - who is right?
3
votes
2answers
64 views
What is the source for lighting a candle for the whole year after the death of a close relative?
I am familiar with the idea of a yahrzeit candle.
I have observed a custom of keeping a flame alight for the whole year (or maybe 11 months) after the death of a close relative. (When one goes out, ...
5
votes
1answer
66 views
Where does the concept of “shirayim” come from?
Please explain the concept of shirayim (literally, leftovers) wherein the followers of a chassidic Rebbe will receive portions of his food to it, these leftovers are considered holy or special in some ...
1
vote
0answers
50 views
Triennial reading cycle for guests
On one Shabbos, to accommodate a large number of guests from another shul who follow a triennial Torah reading cycle, can we revert to the triennial cycle reading for that one Shabbos?
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?
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 ...
10
votes
3answers
168 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 ...
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.
11
votes
7answers
642 views
Do Chasidim avoid wearing ties?
Do Chasidim not wear ties as a rule?
If so, is this by design or an accident of history?
If by design, where can I find said intended reason in print?
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. ...
6
votes
1answer
213 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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
6
votes
2answers
235 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?
4
votes
2answers
145 views
What determines a Minhag?
How does a Minhag become a Minhag? More specific is it possible to enact new Minhagim in todays generation?
2
votes
2answers
86 views
Source listing all Jewish wedding customs?
Is there a comprehensive source that lists all various orthodox wedding customs (mitzvah tantz, mezinkah, etc.)?
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?
8
votes
2answers
420 views
Hand motions for trope in Torah reading
I've seen people standing next to Torah readers and making hand signals during the Torah reading, presumably to prompt the reader in the trope. I think @Shalom mentioned this in Method for practicing ...
9
votes
2answers
216 views
Shliach Mitzva money
Many people give their friends money to give to Tzedakah when they are traveling. The reason they do this is that it says "Shluchei Mitzva Ainom Nizakim". If someone is travelling to Eretz Yisroel ...
9
votes
1answer
235 views
Does Drinking Seltzer == Drinking Water?
Inspired by this revision of this answer:
There are various minhag implications with regards to drinking water. Seltzer is essentially carbonated water. So how do those minhagim apply to seltzer?
...
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 ...
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 ...
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?
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 ...
4
votes
2answers
154 views
Source for not having picture taken
Is there any source, halachic or otherwise, for an aversion to having one's picture taken?
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?
1
vote
5answers
271 views
Cholopshkes or stuffed cabbage on Simchas Torah
Many people eat Cholpshkes or stuffed cabbage on Simchas Torah. Is there a source for this Minhag, and are there other names for this dish in the other languages of Jewish communities?
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 ...
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 ...
