Questions tagged [minhag]

Questions about Jewish customs and traditions.

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2 votes
1 answer
119 views

Placement of the Hoshanot service

I’ve noticed that some congregations (generally nusach ashkenaz) recite Hoshanot after Musaf on Sukkot, whereas others (generally edot mizrach, nusach sefard, some Israeli nusach ashkenaz) recite them ...
3 votes
0 answers
193 views

Custom of two people not clothing someone together

Probably a common occurrence is when putting clothes on a baby, both parents will try to do it together to make it easier (one puts on the shirt, one puts on the pants, etc.). Someone recently told me ...
4 votes
2 answers
143 views

Why do we say Ushpizin in Aramaic?

There are things that we say in davening in Aramaic. I have seen a few explanations as to why (as per this Q and A) but I don't know where Ushpizin fits in with that. I'm not sure if anyone would call ...
-1 votes
2 answers
193 views

What is the origin of the minhag of kapparot?

What is the origin of the minhag of kapparot? What if one chooses not to do the minhag? Is one less favoured by God? Is there a certain benefit to doing kapparot?
2 votes
2 answers
641 views

Pre-Rambam Teimani Siddur?

I have been told that Teimanim today use the Nusach of the Rambam. So, what Nusach did they use before him? Does anyone use such a Nusach today? And is there a Siddur of such a Nusach?
1 vote
0 answers
107 views

Is it appropriate to use the nusach of Rosh Hashanah on the days until Yom Kippur?

Is it appropriate or inappropriate to use the nusach of the High Holy Days when davening on the days in between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur? Because we put additions into the Amidah (Zokhreinu, etc) ...
-1 votes
1 answer
299 views

When to start saying Kaddish

In terms of halacha and minhag, when can one start saying kaddish for someone who has passed. Only after the burial?
1 vote
0 answers
282 views

Which officiants wear a kittel on Rosh HaShanah?

In many Ashkenazi congregations, most of the congregants do not wear a kittel on Rosh HaShanah; however, a number of the officiants do wear a kittel. It seems to me to be fairly common that at least ...
1 vote
1 answer
148 views

Outside of prayer/worship, where is it written that there is a requirement to wear a kippa?

Outside of prayer/worship, where is it written that there is a requirement to wear a kippa? I have heard that there's no halachic requirement to wear a kippa other than for prayer/worship.
1 vote
0 answers
173 views

Is a traditional Yekke Sargenes similar to the Skver style, all-linen, non-embroidered Kittel? I think so; I'm not sure about the "hood", though

Below is a link where one can view a Skver/New Square Style Kittel for sale
10 votes
1 answer
269 views

What is the origin of using tombstone symbols?

I was at a cemetery today and noticed a few interesting "icons" placed on certain tombstones. Someone explained to me the following: spread-out fingers used for a Cohen, representing the ...
0 votes
1 answer
177 views

Oleh and chazak chazak

I've heard that, when receiving the last aliyah in a particular sefer, the oleh (one who received the aliyah) should not say “chazak, chazak…” because it is a berachah given to him by the congregation ...
4 votes
1 answer
128 views

Should Baruch Hu Uvaruch Shemo ONLY be recited during blessings?

If one hears their friend reciting Torah verses, and says Hashem's name, should one recite BHUVS? Does this response only apply to brachot?
18 votes
3 answers
2k views

Stacking Seforim

Are we allowed to place less holy seforim on top of more holy seforim? I believe that the consensus is that you are only allowed to stack seforim in chronological order from top to bottom (e.g., ...
1 vote
0 answers
97 views

Did Rabbis in the Shtetl dip their shoes in water to travel on Shabbat?

Edit: I was informed that this is found in one of Sholem Aleichem's books. If you could help me figure out which one, I would appreciate it. I heard from someone I know that back in the Shtetl, Rabbis ...
10 votes
2 answers
530 views

Beer at a Shalom Zachor

There is a common custom I have observed to serve beer at a Shalom Zachor. This is also mentioned here with some speculation about the source. What is the source for this practice?
0 votes
0 answers
73 views

Are the Torah's 5 Book divisions (Bereshit, etc.) justified by the Hebrew text?

I wonder if the Hebrew text divides the scroll of Moses as clearly into 5 Books/Sections as modern translations do (by adding titles as if they are 5 books of Moses), or whether, for example, the ...
6 votes
2 answers
2k views

Is a female convert "bas Avraham" or "bas Sarah"?

...Or, I suppose, "bas Avraham v'Sarah?" What is the most authoritative name to use: 1) In tefilo? 2) On a document such as a conversion certificate or ketubah? If this varies by community, please ...
4 votes
1 answer
376 views

How was it permissible to send the daughters out to dance?

As discussed in Taanis 31a, it was on Tu B'Av that the men of Yisrael sent their daughters to dance in the vineyard as a loophole to their vow not to marry their daughters off to Shevet Binyamin, in ...
1 vote
0 answers
109 views

Praises about Chok L'Yisroel

I have started learning Chok L'Yisroel and enjoying it thoroughly. I'm just wondering if there are any praises / segulas associated with it?
3 votes
1 answer
100 views

Doing something good 3 times is like a neder. Can the 3 times be even in the same day?

An acquaintance told me that the 3 times must occur on 3 separate days but I cannot find a source for this, please let me know if you know of a source either way.
2 votes
0 answers
100 views

Authorities on Dutch Minhogim

Does anyone know of any rabbonim who are considered experts/authoritative in regards to Dutch minhogim. I know Rabbi Hamburger is considered the go-to authority for minhog Ashkenaz at large, but are ...
13 votes
1 answer
1k views

When and why did we stop wearing sackcloth?

When and why did we stop wearing sackcloth in times of mourning and other times of distress (e.g., when fasting for rain)? (I presume sackcloth was quite uncomfortable.) Sackcloth is mentioned in ...
4 votes
1 answer
740 views

Which non-garments really need to be tested for shaatnez?

Shaatnez (a mixture of wool and linen) is forbidden to be worn. I always thought this applied only to garments but, after looking at lists of items to be checked, I see that they also list many non-...
7 votes
1 answer
240 views

How to kiss tzitzit while wearing a mask

An offshoot of this question. It is some people's practice to kiss their tzitzit during davening. When one wears a mask, one is really kissing the interior of the mask. Should one still bring the ...
21 votes
2 answers
2k views

Different traditions in Hebrew pronunciation [closed]

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 ...
8 votes
2 answers
780 views

Speaking while wearing Tefillin - revisited

In today's day and age the vast majority of the time we only wear Tefillin when we are Davening. However, in theory, we should wear them all day (ibid). So what about the requirement not to speak ...
0 votes
1 answer
143 views

Why skip wife's name in invitations?

Although there is certainly a wide range of 'customs' regarding this question, why do some Orthodox communities skip the wife's first name in invitations saying: "Mr. and Mrs. [Husband First and ...
17 votes
4 answers
7k views

Minhag of married women shaving during marriage

The custom for married women to shave their heads is, evidently, a fairly widespread custom that exists at least amongst (certain) Hasidim. I have heard a variety of supposed, non-authoritative ...
1 vote
1 answer
67 views

"zeved habat" or simkhat habat [duplicate]

Is there any mention in jewish law about "zeved habat"or shimkhat habat?? And what are the things to be done according to the law? Also is it necessary to do this zevad habat if it cross many years?
0 votes
2 answers
130 views

Are computer-generated vocals permissible during Sefirah and the Three Weeks?

According to those traditions which prohibit music during the Three Weeks and parts of Sefirah, but permit a capella, would listening to computer-generated vocals be permissible during Sefirah? Is the ...
9 votes
2 answers
1k views

Minhag not to view moon through a window?

I have a vague memory of being told not to gaze at the moon through the glass of a window. I think it had something to do with kabbalah. I know it's permitted to say kiddush levanah by looking at the ...
4 votes
1 answer
410 views

What is the significance of a yahrtzeit meal?

Some people are particular in having a yahrtzeit meal on the anniversary of someone's passing. Does this custom have any documented source, significance, or reason?
10 votes
3 answers
3k views

Why are challot traditionally braided?

What is the reason that challot are traditionally braided? When did this tradition begin?
3 votes
1 answer
221 views

Why did Jews stop saying RaḤmana

At the times of the Mishna and Gemara, one of the more commonly used names to refer to God among Jews was RaḤmana, literally the Merciful. It seems like this was widely used as Hashem is today. When ...
6 votes
3 answers
340 views

Costumes On Purim

Why is there a Minhag to dress up in costumes on Purim?
3 votes
0 answers
53 views

How did the mesorah for how to put on tefillin change? [duplicate]

I understand that there are many differences in customs between Ashkenazi and Sefardi Jews, since they follow the rulings of the sages from their own communities. The differences in pronunciation (...
0 votes
0 answers
108 views

Reform wedding ceremony changes

I saw a video of a Reform wedding ceremony, and noticed many differences between theirs and a traditional Orthodox ceremony. Sheva Berachos were recited before Kiddushin (the giving of the ring) No ...
7 votes
1 answer
210 views

Where should the stone left on a grave come from?

I will be traveling for an unveiling soon and intend to leave a stone at the grave. Since I will be traveling I have the ability to bring the stone from where I live or to find a stone near the ...
1 vote
0 answers
194 views

Could a recipe achieve the force of halachah?

A binding custom may have the force of halachah, eg wearing a kippah in the everyday. Apart from festival dishes, though (where I can see a certain customary force to, say, cheesecake at Shavuot, and ...
0 votes
2 answers
540 views

Why is gefiltefish eaten at passover?

This is something I've been wondering for a while, so hopefully I can get a good answer. Why do we eat gefiltefish during passover, and where did this tradition come from? Is there a story, similar ...
1 vote
2 answers
412 views

use the bathroom as a changing room

from shulchan aruch orach chaim 2 mishna brura there and shulchan aruch orach chaim 239.2 (davka feldheim translation 2: THE LAW REGARDING PUTTING ON CLOTHES mishna berura 1. "...For this reason, ...
12 votes
4 answers
2k 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
1 answer
223 views

Is there a Jewish non-verbal greeting?

Some cultures have non-verbal greetings (e.g., https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/handshake-alternatives-gestures-around-world-trnd/index.html) and these are being recommended in lieu of a handshake ...
4 votes
0 answers
59 views

Psalms after the evening prayer

The other day I was discussing with a friend the daily recital of Psalm 83 after the morning prayer, when this friend told me that it was also said after the evening prayer if it was said early,* and ...
1 vote
1 answer
322 views

Has there always been a standardized size for Tefillin or did the size vary throughout history until recently?

I recently came across an image which showed a variety of Tefillin boxes that were much smaller than what I am use to seeing. The image shows them lined up by size with the smallest being roughly ...
1 vote
1 answer
49 views

Praying based on national merit - Early examples

It seems to be a common theme in the prayer service that we ask for our needs basing our requests on the mercy of G-d, and, occasionally, on the merit of our forefathers. Nonetheless, we find some ...
10 votes
2 answers
3k views

Why do the mothers break the plate?

At a wedding [or by the engagement], a plate is customarily broken at the "tena'im." This has already been discussed over here. As I have seen at weddings, and as is brought over here the custom is ...
1 vote
0 answers
31 views

Davening without a Minyan - Hallel Pesach night [duplicate]

There are those that say Hallel, Pesach night after Maariv. This year when it looks like, due to COVID-19, we will still not be Davening with a Minyan Pesach night, does one who is Davening without a ...
5 votes
0 answers
123 views

Fasting in Nissan for epidemic

In general we refrain from observing fast days during the month of Nissan (S"A O"C 429:2). There are some exceptions, like a taanis chalom. For a communal distress such as a deadly epidemic a ...

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