Questions relating to children under the age of 13 (for boys) or 12 (for girls). Children of this age are minors with respect to various rules, including the obligation to fulfill mitzvos (God's commands).

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4
votes
1answer
263 views

Is playing board games on Shabbat prohibited?

I have heard different opinions on playing games on Shabbat. Are games using money (ie Monopoly) mukza? What about games without money. (obviously games with writing necessary are muksa and need not ...
3
votes
2answers
108 views

Childrens' Tombstones

Why are childrens' tombstones smaller than those of adults?
3
votes
2answers
82 views

chinuch and tzitzis

At what age do boys need to be educated to wear tzitzis? How careful do the parents need to be in ascertaining that they remain kosher at all times?
3
votes
2answers
153 views

Child and Lights on Shabbos

Can you put a Child who is not Yet old enough to understand (Lo Higyah Lichinuch) Shabbos in front of a Light switch in order that they turn it off or on and is there a difference between the two ...
3
votes
1answer
49 views

Why do children wear crowns on Shavuot?

Here in Israel, the tradition is for young children to wear flower crowns to celebrate Shavuot. (Along with the obligatory white shirts.) See my twins: Why is this? Is it related to Shabbat 88A ?? ...
3
votes
1answer
251 views

Haircuts Erev Pesach

Are you allowed to take a Haircut The day of Erev Pesach after Burning the Chometz? Does it make a difference if your are a Male or female are small children Different?
3
votes
1answer
63 views

What are the parameters of Kiddush ha-shem?

Kiddush Hashem, the sanctification of the name of God, is often associated with choosing death rather than violating a core tenet of Judaism (this is known as dying "al kiddush Hashem"). However, more ...
3
votes
1answer
87 views

Converting a baby - When to do Circumcision

I know that one can convert an infant (and if he doesn't recant when he becomes of age, the conversion is retractively chal) but what about milah? For a Jewish child, milah before the 8th day isn't a ...
3
votes
1answer
99 views

Would a gentile child that sees/touches wine make it into Yayin Nesech?

Would a gentile child - under the age of 13/12 - that sees/touches wine make it into Yayin Nesech? Or can only an adult make it into Yayin Nesech?
3
votes
1answer
60 views

Why are children given money on Purim?

There seems to be a minhag (or at least what appears to be a minhag) that children who deliver mishloach manos are given a small sum of money by the recepient. Is this an actual minhag? And if so, ...
3
votes
1answer
58 views

Sha'atnez and small children

I was sent an email today alerting my community that Sha'atnez has been discovered in a line of baby pants. A quick internet search turned up other baby clothing that has been discovered to have ...
3
votes
0answers
33 views

Is there a prohibition against bringing children to a shiva house?

Is there a prohibition against bringing children to a shiva house? I know that children aren't usually brought and that it's respectful to ask in each case, but does anyone know if there is an actual ...
3
votes
0answers
39 views

Hataras Nedarim for 12 yr old boy

When a boy reaches 12 years old, his nedarim (vows) are considered to be binding. However, I don't believe I've ever seen a 12 year old boy make Hataras Nedarim on Erev Rosh HaShanah. Is there 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
86 views

First Barren Woman to Bear Children [closed]

Who was the first akarah (barren woman) in the Torah to bear children?
2
votes
1answer
107 views

Godparents in Judaism

Does Judaism have any tradition resembling the Christian practice of assigning godparents? Godparents are a man and a woman entrusted by the birth parents to take care of their child spiritually and ...
2
votes
2answers
109 views

Kids listening to music in sefira: what age

At which age should children be trained not to listen to music during sefira.
2
votes
1answer
58 views

maftir 7th day of Pesach

The Luach Kolel Chabad says a minor can't be maftir on the seventh day of Pesach. Why?
2
votes
1answer
36 views

When should a minor be the one lighting the Chanuka candles? [closed]

When should a minor L'Chatchila be the one lighting the Chanuka candles?
2
votes
1answer
89 views

Burial of Children

Why is it customary to bury children on the outskirts or in a separate section of the cemetery?
2
votes
2answers
153 views

Permissible laundry during the 9 days

Is there laundry that is permissible to wash during the 9 days? Kids' clothes, undergarments, socks, etc.? I've heard yes, but I'm looking for a source. (This blog post cites the RaM"A but doesn't ...
1
vote
2answers
93 views

Fasting for a child bechor before Passover

I've heard that some men fast on erev Pesach for their firstborn son until that son old enough to fast for himself. Is that halakha? Where does this come from?
1
vote
1answer
73 views

A child that commits suicide (R"L) — losing certain merits

A person who kills himself (R"L) as far as I know loses certain zechuyos (merits) in terms of their kavurah (burial) and other dinim (rules. See here for more). Is the same true if it was a katan ...
1
vote
2answers
83 views

May one allow children to play in water on minor fasts?

May one allow children to play in water on minor fasts? Are the rules the same (depending whom you follow) as for an adult?
1
vote
1answer
95 views

Shaving vs. Hair cutting on Chol Hamoed

In the Shulchan Aruch, 531:2, the text reads אין מגלחין במועד and then continues to have a discussion about whether one can be מגלח, a word I learned to be "shave." It also later (in s"k 5) it reads ...
1
vote
0answers
37 views

Is a child believed (neman) for halachos in regards to himself?

I will pick 2 examples however I don't have any makoros at the moment (so please help to provide or correct me/help edit.) If a katan (child) is not neman (believed) in regards to tovelling celim for ...
1
vote
0answers
106 views

Is wine touched/shaken by a non-idolatrous Gentile child forbidden to drink?

Shulchan Aruch (YD 124:1) states: A Nochri child who does not mention idolatry or Meshamshim, if he touched wine he forbids only drinking it, but not benefit from it. (See this related ...
0
votes
1answer
49 views

Question on Mordechai — Chiyuv m'drabbanan being motzei chiyuv m'doraisa

The Mordechai in Megillah Siman 798 has a case if a blind person can make kiddush for his family since (according to Rebbe Yehuda) a blind person is patur from mitzvas, then his obligation in making ...
0
votes
0answers
56 views

Women fasting on Taanis Bechoros [closed]

The Machaber in OC Siman 470 writes that there is an opinion that holds a woman that is a bachorah should fast on Taanis Bechoros. The Rema adds there however that this is not the minhag. The Rema ...

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