The rabbis tag has no wiki summary.
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1answer
31 views
Respected Haskamot [closed]
Sometimes I find a interesting looking Sefer (I know...I know...don't judge a book by it's cover) and want to take a look at the content. To my surprise, there are many Haskamot (approbations) from ...
0
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1answer
37 views
Accurate list of Gedolim [closed]
Wikepedia's list is missing Gedolim. Does anyone have a list of Gedolim that would be virtually unarguable?
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1answer
39 views
Why was Rabbi Yitzchok Alfasi known as the Rif - rather than the Ria? (הרי"ף - רבי יצחק אלפסי)
Rabbi Yitzchok Alfasi was known as the Rif. The Roshei Teivos of his name is רי"א, and as far as I know there is no other historic figure known as the רי"א. Then why was he known as the Rif?
7
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1answer
62 views
How is a Chabad-Lubavitch synagogue typically owned/governed/directed?
I'm used to an Orthodox Union-type synagogue that has a board, a president, and a rabbi as an employee.
How does it work with a Lubavitch shul?
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0answers
35 views
Sefer Torah Lishma **not** from the Ben Ish Hai?
Yabia Omer vol. 9 Orah Haim sim. 96:
גם ראיתי בקובץ "משנת חכמים", (תשרי תש"ס), במאמר מאת הרה"ג עזריאל מנצור (עמוד לה) שכתב, ששאל על זה מאת הרה"ג יעקב מוצפי זצ"ל, ואמר לו, שספר "תורה לשמה" אינו ...
4
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1answer
28 views
Was the Tzemach Tzedek related to the Metzudos Tziyon/Dovid?
The Tzemach Tzedek (of Lubavitch)'s father's name was Shalom Shachna Altshuler. Is he related to the Metzodos Tziyon?
3
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1answer
55 views
Difference between the Mishnah, Gemara and the Talmud
As a non-Jew, I would like to know the difference between the Mishnah, Gemara and the Talmud. I understand that the Oral Law was not written down until after the destruction of the second temple. That ...
4
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1answer
46 views
List of titles before different Rabbis
It is customary to put many honorific titles before most modern day Rabbis (I've even seen seforim that write Harav Hagaon etc. etc. So-And-So). Many times one sees long lines of adjactives praising ...
2
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1answer
39 views
Rif, Rosh, and Rambam about the Techelet
The Petil Techelet company (I believe) makes three types of colored strings:
Raavad- 1 full string of blue
Tosafot- 2 full strings of blue
Rambam- 1/2 string of blue
Does the Rif or Rosh mention ...
2
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1answer
56 views
Following old Rabbi's Pesak
Let's you asked your old rabbi a question and he answered you, but not let's say you lost contact with him or some other story. Do you still have to follow this pesak or can you change?
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1answer
98 views
HaGaon HaRav Asher Weiss Shelita and Techelet
Does anyone know if HaRav HaGaon Asher Weiss wears Techelet?
Also, why or why not?
2
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2answers
82 views
Gedole HaDor: who and how
1)Who do we know to refer to as a "Gadol?"
2)How do we determine who is a "Gadol?"
For example, how did we determine that Rav Elyashiv is a Gadol?
A Gadol HaDor is known as one of the most ...
6
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2answers
55 views
What financial arrangement did Rambam have with his jeweler brother?
I was taught in yeshiva that as a young man, Rambam just studied Torah and was supported by his brother, who was a jewel merchant. Then his brother died at sea, so Rambam became a physician.
Recently ...
3
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1answer
194 views
List of Techelet Wearers
I was looking online for a list of people famous for deciding or influencing halacha, who currently wear Ptil Techelet Techelet.
However I could not find one.
Does such a list exist? If not, could ...
2
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1answer
40 views
Rabbi Shlomo Zalman said Baruch Shepetarani with Shem UMalchut?
I heard a story about Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auebuch that he said "Baruch Shepetarani" for his son with Shem UMalchut. Does anyone have a source for this story?
Usually we only say Baruch ShePetarni ...
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4answers
134 views
Can we argue with gedolim when we are sure that we are right?
I recently saw a teshuva by Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, Ohrach Chaim Volume 1 Teshuva 109, that quotes a letter from Rabbi Menashe Klein asking a question on Rabbi Moshe's psak but saying that he does not ...
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3answers
63 views
Asara Haruge Malchut (Ten Martyrs), why were 10 Rabbis killed?
In Vayigash, Rabenu Bahya (also the Zohar) comments and says that the reason we had Asara Haruge Malchut because the brothers sold Yosef. However, Reuven didn't sell Yosef, so why should the ...
6
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1answer
39 views
Receiving Rabbinic smicha from a group
Is it possible for a man to receive his smicha simply from the fact that the Jews of his time all agree he should be a Rabbi? (I know this leaves out the ceremony part of it.) If a man so clearly ...
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4answers
324 views
How Is It That Rabbis Have Copies of Their Own Responsa?
(I could use some help with tagging.)
There are many seforim out there that are the compiled letters or teshuvos of this or that Rabbi. Those that come to mind are "Igros Moshe", from R' Moshe ...
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2answers
102 views
Which Hasidic rabbi has no beard, and what is the story?
There is a famous Hasidic rabbi who has no facial hair, and I seem to recall that there is a famous story as to why. But I can remember neither which rabbi (or of which sect), nor the story. I do not ...
5
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1answer
62 views
Semicha (ordination) by Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky Zatzal
I have never met anyone or heard of anyone that has received Semicha (rabbinic ordination) from Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky Zatzal. Did Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky ever give anyone Semicha? If the answer is ...
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2answers
106 views
Was R' Shamshon Rafael Hirsch anti-Zionist? Why?
I admit not being well read in the writings of R' Shamshon Rafael Hirsch, but I was recently taken aback when someone suggested that he was anti-Zionist. Is this true, is it obvious in his writings ...
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1answer
85 views
Was Rabbi Moshe Feinstein ever formally ordained? (Given semicha?)
Did Rabbi Moshe Feinstein ever formally receive semicha? From whom? I recall reading that he studied a great deal with his father, and that his first responsum was written "at his father's orders."
3
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1answer
71 views
Why refer to Isaac Luria as the Arizal, and not Arizatzal?
One of the common ways to refer to the R' Isaac Luria is "the Arizal". I understand this to mean, The Ari, zecher L'bracha (may he be mentioned/remembered for blessing).
However, one usually refers ...
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0answers
58 views
The Alshich and Lavan
There are many sources online mentioning the story of how the Alshich once gave a Drasha and the Arizal was present. In the Drasha he elaborated on the 100 different ways Lavan deceived Yaakov. At one ...
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2answers
76 views
What is “emunas chachomim”?
My daughter came home from school with a textbook response for what "emunas chachomim" is. I disagreed strongly with what was written in the book, so I'm not even going to say what they said. ...
7
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2answers
85 views
Who are all the descendants of Rav Pappah mentioned in the text of the Siyum for a tractate of Talmud?
Who are they, and why are they so important that we mention them all by name? Why don't we mention any other great rabbis from that era?
3
votes
1answer
43 views
Baal haTanya's donning shel yad seated
I have heard that the baal haTanya put on his t'fila shel yad while seated (as S'faradim do).
Does anyone have a source for this (or for the opposite: that he put on his shel yad standing)?
If he ...
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2answers
60 views
Non-Israeli pulpit rabbis who actively promote moving to Israel
Are there any rabbis who have pulpits outside of Israel and who have no plans to move to Israel themselves, but who actively and sincerely try to get their congregants to move to Israel?
I don't ...
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1answer
87 views
Shul Ravs: What is job outlook like and how much do they make
How much do Shul Rabbis get paid? Are there opportunities in smaller out of town communities for people looking to go into the Rabbinate?
3
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1answer
62 views
obligation of someone who reads a Psak Din sign in the street
Suppose I read a sign in the street headed Psak Din which says that such-and-such a thing is forbidden (these signs never say such-and-such is permitted), with the names of a list of rabbis at the ...
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0answers
41 views
Looking for biographical information about R. Avraham Halevi Fattal
I'm writing something for which I need a capsule biography of him. So far, about all I know is:
He is the father-in-law of (יבלח"ט) R. Ovadiah Yosef.
He was an important figure in the Syrian Jewish ...
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6answers
169 views
Am I allowed to answer my friend's Halacha question?
Preface: Assume I am not an ordained Rabbi.
Suppose I'm having lunch with my friend and he asks me "do I have to say a bracha on this dessert?" or "when's the last time I could daven mincha today?" ...
7
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1answer
104 views
Looking for more information about a story of positive atheism/heresy
In a 2006 article, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks tells the following story:
“DO YOU believe,” the disciple asked the rabbi, “that God created everything for a purpose?”
“I do,” replied the rabbi.
...
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2answers
101 views
How do you CYLOR after posting on judaism.stackexchange.com?
We recommend CYLOR. How do I:
ask the OR a shaaloh that one has already posted on judaism.stackexchange.com. Should I acknowledge its use when asking?
introduce the concept of ...
4
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2answers
57 views
Who was R' Jacob Pidanki?
Every once in a while the Judaica Press English translations (such as this one) will quote R' Jacob Pidanki in their commentary anthology.
Who was R' Jacob Pidanki? Where did he live? What ...
7
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1answer
111 views
What was the topic debated in the series of Satmar/Lubavitch talks?
I'd heard there was a point in the late twentieth century when the Lubavitcher Rebbe (R' Menachem Mendel Schneurson) would give an address, which would be relayed to the Satmar Rebbe (R' Yoel ...
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2answers
54 views
What are the main source texts for the chavruta and teacher-student models in Jewish learning?
I'm working on an outline for a short presentation on how new online tools, especially this site, interact with the traditional Jewish learning models of chavruta and teacher-student. What are the ...
4
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1answer
39 views
Choosing Rabbonim in shtetlach
How were Rabbonim chosen in Shetlach?
Was there an Election (like in Crown Heights), and if so, who were eligible to vote?
Was it all men were allowed, or just learned members of the community?
3
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1answer
56 views
seeking text of a notice published by the Malbim
Someone told the following story today (or something like the following story. I may be remembering it incorrectly to some extent). He said he had gotten it from a book called Em Habanim S'mecha, ...
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2answers
91 views
Who was the first Chasidishe Rabbi to settle in the USA?
Who was the first Chasidishe Rabbi to settle in the USA? Where did he settle?
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5answers
283 views
Why is it necessary to ask a Rabbi?
In various places on this site, including the FAQ, we have the following disclaimer:
Like Wikipedia, this site makes no guarantee of validity, and does not offer professional (particularly ...
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0answers
47 views
Did the Rosh (Rabbeinu Asher) describe the culture clash moving from medieval Germany to Spain?
Rabbi Asher (the "Rosh") moved from medieval Germany to Spain. I know he describes some different halachic practices that were done in Spain (e.g. linen tzitzis); but does he describe the difference ...
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0answers
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Who gave the “yadav rav lo” ordination a few decades ago?
According to Rabbi Hoenig's article, "The Orthodox Rabbi as Military Chaplain" (Tradition Fall 1976, emphasis in the original):
This situation brought up the question of
proper ordination, the ...
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0answers
67 views
What did a “don't-issue-rulings” semicha (ordination) look like?
Again from the biography of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein found in Igrot Moshe Volume 8 (emphasis added):
Many approached [him] for ordination, and he was not difficult on them. Some ordinations were ...
4
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3answers
96 views
What is the typical retirement plan for a Chabad-Lubavitch shliach (emissary)?
If a Chabad-Lubavitch couple decide to live as shlichim (emissaries) in some place far from New York, what's the most common age and location of retirement? Do they tend to remain in their location? ...
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7answers
205 views
Reliable Ask-a-Rabbi Websites
There are some times on this site where questioners will be directed to "ask their Rabbi." While it's always optimal to have such people discuss the question with their own Rabbi (and such action ...
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2answers
152 views
Is a rabbi required to be married?
I have heard (I honestly cannot remember where...) that to be a rabbi a man must be married. Is there any truth to this?
I am more interested in knowing if this "WAS" true in time of Jesus, than if ...
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5answers
115 views
Beginner on Rav Soloveitchik
I am looking to delve into the teachings of Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik (1903-1993). Any recommendations on a good starting point?
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3answers
170 views
Is there a difference between a Rabbi and a Temple Priest?
I was reading about Perushim and Tzedukim on Wikipedia and the articles seems to suggest that there is a difference between them.
Is there a difference between a rabbi and a (Temple) priest?
