Questions about Jewish customs and traditions.
11
votes
1answer
203 views
Is all-night Shavu'ot learning as prevelant in the Southern Hemisphere?
In the Northern Hemisphere, Shavu'ot falls in the late Spring or early Summer. As a result, sunrise is relatively early, so learning "all night" and then praying the morning service at the earliest ...
3
votes
2answers
169 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 ...
9
votes
1answer
58 views
Why do we read from Yechezekel on Shavuos and Yeshayahu on Parshas Yisro?
There are two times that we read about the giving of the Torah: When we read Yisro and on Shavuos.
On both days we read Haftoras of Neviyim going up to Shamayim. On Shavuos we read about Yechezkel ...
6
votes
1answer
147 views
Hand movements when lighting shabbat candles
When women light shabbat candles I often see them making hand gestures. These look like two or perhaps three circles around in the air. What is the source for this practice? Is it a law or custom? Is ...
13
votes
2answers
195 views
How old is the custom to eat dairy on Shavuos?
I don't think I've ever seen a rationalization for this custom in works earlier than those of the Acharonim. I've never seen any Rishonim even mention it; certainly not earlier authors.
What's the ...
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?
4
votes
2answers
148 views
Which sephardic groups forbid eating rice during Pesach and why?
I was recently at a shiur where this came up briefly and somewhat tangentially. Does anyone know which groups forbid rice but allow other kitniyot (e.g., beans) during Pesach? Any references/pointers ...
-4
votes
2answers
207 views
Why do people say “God” in English and not “Gosh”?
When people speak Hebrew, they say Hashem instead of Y-HVH, because saying His name is impossible/forbidden. Additionally, when writing, some people write G-d instead of God. Why when speaking ...
3
votes
2answers
158 views
What siddur do Satmerer Chasidim use?
Many Chasidic groups have a particular siddur that is used by most in that group. Does Satmer have such a siddur?
9
votes
6answers
311 views
Which Chasidic group departed the least from Ashkenazi minhag and nusach?
Chasidic groups vary in terms of their siddur's differences from nusach Ashkenaz, as well as their general minhagim and hashkafic approaches.
Is there a Chasidic group which most closely matches the ...
2
votes
1answer
200 views
What is the reason for V-neck Titzis?
When buying Tzitzis, I have seen that there are two types of garment:
A "round" neck (the hole has a racetrack shape).
A "V" neck (the hole for the neck has a diamond shape).
What is the reason ...
1
vote
0answers
63 views
Should people not say Vidui before Tachanun?
Assuming that it is a hefseik and forbidden to interrupt between amidah and tachanun, should a person who regularly recites vidui change his custom and delay the recital of vidui until later on, after ...
6
votes
2answers
162 views
How historically accurate is Josephus?
How accurate is the writing of Josephus? Can we rely on any of his writings to establish authentic Jewish practices or in areas of halacha?
7
votes
1answer
166 views
Why do we cover the challot on Shabbos?
The answer I learned growing up was that "we don't want to embarrass the bread because we are first making kiddush" or some variation thereof. I later learned that is a zecher for the ma'n which fell ...
7
votes
3answers
222 views
How does laughing confuse the Satan?
Sefardim have a practice (custom?) to laugh during habdalah. When I asked the reason for this practice I was told that it was "to confound the satan". I assume it has something to do with ...
3
votes
0answers
102 views
Following minhag of tzitzit in vs. out [closed]
When I became frum (around 2 years ago) I started wearing tzitzit hanging out. My grandfather just told me that he remembers that when he was a kid, he tucked his tzitzit in. He remembers his father ...
6
votes
1answer
159 views
Is there a custom to color eggs on Lag Baomer?
I heard from an old Lithuanian/Polish Jew (frum from Lithuania/Poland). He says that he had a custom to eat colored eggs in his shtetl, and everyone did it.
Is this custom documented anywhere, and ...
19
votes
2answers
168 views
Matza on 14 Iyar
I have seen a custom (it seems to me primarily among Chassidim) to eat matza on 14 Iyar (known as Pesach Sheni). What is the earliest source for this custom? What are the reasons given for following ...
3
votes
1answer
406 views
What is the source of the Birkat Habayit?
What is the source of the text of the Birkat Habayit:
I've seen them written on a hand, and some come with garlic, multi-colored beads, and some other strange objects.
Inspired by: ...
3
votes
2answers
64 views
Who reads the Haggadah?
In my family's Seder, and in one of the two others I've been to, the reading is done by taking turns going around the table. Mostly it is read in the language of one's preference, but some (myself ...
3
votes
0answers
53 views
The, um, Seder of the Seder [closed]
Since I have only experienced a handful of families' traditions of how they conduct their Sedarim, I thought I'd ask what others do.
What are some of the widely practiced customs for how to actually ...
5
votes
2answers
193 views
Hardboiled eggs and salt water at the Seder
I've participated in only 3 different families' Passover Seders, so my experience is limited in terms of different families' traditions.
How widespread is the custom of eating a hardboiled egg in ...
6
votes
2answers
82 views
Why a Beitzah on the Seder Plate?
Why do we use a roasted (maybe?) egg on the Seder Plate to represent the Festival offering?
4
votes
1answer
72 views
Were Maftir Honors in 19th Century different from today?
I received a travel-diary for a man who was born in Huncovce (also known as Hunsdorf, once a famous yeshiva town, second only to Pressburg), Slovakia. He was born in 1851, presumably had some Torah ...
8
votes
2answers
137 views
When there are four aveilim (mourners), Is it better to have one minyan of 40 people or 4 minyonim of ten each?
Today I was in a shul where there were four parallel mincha services because four mourners wanted to lead the services. I thought there was a principle of ברב עם הדרת מלך?
What sources are there that ...
4
votes
1answer
46 views
Can we say the “Adir bamarom” prayer after the prayer which we say instead of “Birkat Kohanim”?
Extracted from here:
The prevailing custom in the Diaspora to relegate the Birkat Kohanim to the major holidays.
After Birkat Kohanim, the congregation silently recites the short Adir bamarom prayer.
...
13
votes
1answer
261 views
Time-frame for naming a newborn girl
I have heard many differing Minhagim as to the time-frame for naming a newborn girl. There are those that name at the first possible opportunity and some that wait till the second Shabbos. Many others ...
3
votes
1answer
74 views
Posuk (Breishis 24:1) said after the end of Hallel on Rosh Chodesh
Artscroll Hebrew Siddurim - and 1 2 among others have at the end of Hallel to say the following Posuk.
וְאַבְרָהָם זָקֵן בָּא בַּיָּמִים וַה' בֵּרַךְ אֶת-אַבְרָהָם בַּכֹּל
Artscroll says it is a ...
3
votes
0answers
98 views
Young boys returning Chumashim after Torah reading
I often see young boys going around shul after the Shabbos/Yom Tov morning Torah reading to collect Chumashim and return them to their shelves. Is this an actual 'minhag' with a history behind it? If ...
2
votes
1answer
69 views
Fasting on Modern Days of Mourning
I was wondering if some people fast on Yom HaShoah or Yom HaZikaron. After all, these are somber days and hit close to home for many people.
Do some people fast on these days? Why or why not?
5
votes
2answers
81 views
What is the source of the additions before תתקבל צלותהון, יהא שלמא, עושה שלום in Kaddish Tiskabel?
In Kaddish Tiskabel, there are parts to be said (see page 131) by the congregation just before the three phrases that begin: תתקבל צלותהון, יהא שלמא, עושה שלום.
These do not appear in all siddurim ...
7
votes
1answer
83 views
Is one allowed to eat foods that were grown from non-kosher materials?
There is a known story of how one time a person brought a giant carrot on Erev Pesach to the Belzer Rebbe (back in Europe) for Karpas. After the donor left, he said "burn it with the Chometz". As the ...
2
votes
0answers
41 views
When did the Ashkenazi custom to NOT bake matza on Pesach start?
Historically, when did the Ashkenazi custom to not bake matza on Pesach start? I am specifically interested in when this custom arose, rather than the reasons/opions pro/against.
3
votes
2answers
62 views
When did the Ashkenazi custom to bake matza on erev Pesach afternoon start?
Historically, when did the Ashkenazi custom to bake matza on erev Pesach afternoon start? I am specifically interested in when this custom arose, rather than the reasons/opions pro/against.
1
vote
0answers
45 views
Is one allowed to listen to music during Pesach? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Sefira Restrictions During Chol Hamoed Pesach
One of the reasons given to pushing off the Aveilus period until after Rosh Chodesh Iyar is because one should avoid ...
5
votes
4answers
202 views
May musicians practice their instruments during Sefirah?
Although one should not listen to music during Sefirah, may musicians practice their instruments during this time?
Would it matter if their livelihood is or is not dependent on their musical talent ...
4
votes
0answers
96 views
Matzah Shemurah on the 8th day of Pesaḥ (in the Diaspora)
According to those who hold that there is a Kiyyum Mitzvath 'Aseh DeOraitha (a fulfillment of a positive Biblical commandment) every time one eats a KeZayith (olive size's worth) of Matzah on Pesaḥ, ...
7
votes
1answer
92 views
Is the Haftarah a Minhag?
Is reading the Haftarah a Minhag?
I know that the practice was instituted when we couldn't publicly read torah, and then it was kept. Does that make it a Minhag?
4
votes
1answer
144 views
“Motzi Matzah” or “Motzi and Matzah” (separately)? Passover Seder
In some haggadot, I have seen the numbers of sections as being 14, with Motzi Matzah being combined, and in other haggadot, I have seen 15 with them separated. What is the reason behind each side?
4
votes
2answers
124 views
What is the halachic source for the minhagim of mourning during Sefira?
What is the earliest halachic source for the minhagim of mourning during sefira? Note that this does not mean the story of R' Akiva, I'm talking about halachic references to prohibitions such as not ...
11
votes
0answers
191 views
Source for the minhag of 'gebrokts' [duplicate]
There is a not-uncommon minhag, primarily in chassidic circles called 'gebrokts' where matza is not allowed to come into contact with water during Pesach. What is the earliest source for this custom ...
3
votes
1answer
75 views
Does one light candles by the Bima when not an Avel?
When someone is a chazzan during his mourning period, the Lubavitch custom is to light five candles.
Does a Chazzan who is not a mourner light any candles? I have seen people turn on an "electric ...
8
votes
2answers
138 views
Why don't some people say Vihi Noam Motzei Shabbos of Shabbos Hagadol 5772?
Regarding saying Vihi Noam on Motzei Shabbos Shabbos Hagadol which falls out a week before Pesach (The first night of Pesach is on Friday Night) Luach Kollel Chabad writes:
On Saturday night, we ...
8
votes
3answers
224 views
Is one allowed to make Kneidlach when the last day of Pesach is Shabbos?
According to those who eat Gebrotz only on the last day of Pesach, is one allowed to make Mazta balls when the last day of Pesach is Shabbos?
On a normal year, one can cook and eat Gebrotz on the ...
4
votes
4answers
268 views
Matzah meal before פסח
On the subject of not eating Matzah before פסח, may one eat products containing Matzah meal in that time?
6
votes
3answers
139 views
Bedikas Chometz - why use a wooden spoon?
The common custom that I am aware of is that a Bedikas Chometz set has a wooden spoon. Why do we use a wood spoon by Bedikas Chometz?
7
votes
1answer
104 views
Origin of Spilling Wine by 10 Plagues
The custom among all Jews (as far as I know) is to spill a drip of wine for each of the plagues as they are mentioned in a list in the haggadah. This custom is not mentioned anywhere in the Talmud (as ...
7
votes
2answers
164 views
bracha on tefillin while sitting
The shulchan aruch apparently writes (by hilchos tzitzis) that one should stand while reciting birchas hamitzvah. Tefillin are a mitzvah. So why is the Sfardic minhag to sit while putting them on and ...
8
votes
1answer
176 views
Who should walk the Chosson and Kallah to the Chupa?
At the Chuppah in some weddings I've been to, the father and father-in-law escort the Chosson and the mother and mother-in-law escort the Kallah. In others, the mother and fathers each escort their ...
8
votes
2answers
421 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 ...
