The rabbis tag has no wiki summary.
8
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2answers
89 views
Who was the קדוש מרדוש?
Today, in a shiur, I heard someone quote an opinion of the "קדוש מרדוש" (pronounced "Kadosh Meradoosh", I think). The Bet Yosef in E"HE 35 seems to quote the מרדכי who quotes him, so apparently he's a ...
12
votes
4answers
182 views
Rabba bar bar Chana
There is a rabbi in the Talmud referred to as רבה בר בר חנה. Why is he called that way? It says that Rabba was the grandson of Chana.
Who was Chana? Was it(?) a woman? Why wasn't he called after his ...
2
votes
3answers
417 views
Rav Scheinberg and Tzitzis (series of questions)
I have heard that Rav Scheinberg wore many garments with ציציות on them at a time. . .
Is this true?
If so, why did he do it?
If not, why do other people do it?
How many ברכות do they make when ...
7
votes
1answer
72 views
How did they establish in the USA, post-WW II, that a Rav had smicha prior to the Holocaust?
This is probably something that happened many times after World War II, when documentation was lost.
Here's the scenario:
A rabbi, who had led a kehila (congregation) in a small town in ...
5
votes
1answer
110 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 ...
7
votes
1answer
106 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 ...
7
votes
1answer
120 views
Unique signature of the Chida
The Chida has a very unique signature.
What is the significance of this signature (if any)?
Is it in any way related to the seven kabbalistic seals?
Are there other similarly unusual signatures by ...
14
votes
2answers
153 views
Insults in the gemarah
Why do tanaim and amoraim use disparaging terms (bavlai tipshai, for instance) or insults when talking with one another. If there is something positive to be learned from this behavior why is it no ...
6
votes
2answers
83 views
What are the different [para-]rabbinic roles in the UK?
If you look at the "Our Rabbis" page on the website of the United Kingdom's United Synagogue, you'll find people with the personal titles "Rabbi" or "Reverend," and with the organizational roles ...
4
votes
1answer
320 views
Why did Rabbis stay away from Amei Haaretz?
The Gemara tells Torah scholars that they should not mix with Amei Haaretz, and shouldn't be around them, eat with them, etc. The reason is that the Torah Scholars would learn from their bad ways.
...
7
votes
1answer
110 views
How does the Rabbanut Harashit work?
Who picks the Chief Rabbi of Israel/Cities? Is it a vote of all citizens/Shuls/Politicians or all of the above?
Who picks the lower Dayanim on the Rabbanut Beis Din? Is it the "Chief Rabbi" or some ...
4
votes
1answer
346 views
Rav Yaakov Moshe Hillel and wearing tzitzios out
Does someone know anything about Rav Yaakov Moshe Hillel shlita hamekubal stating that tzitzios should be worn outside the clothes? I read it once but without any sources on a web forum.
It would be ...
5
votes
2answers
93 views
Information about the office of the Chief Rabbi of England
Who determines the Chief Rabbi of England?
Is he picked by a general vote of all Shul attendees in Great Brittan?
Is he picked by a committee picked by boards of different Shuls?
What are his ...
7
votes
3answers
136 views
Semicha and Gneivas Daas
If today's semicha is only an "echo" of the true semicha which ceased with the loss of the sanhedrin then
Why do we still give it?
Why isn't it gneivas daas (the assumption is that people who have ...
5
votes
1answer
121 views
Was the Tzemach Tzedek related to the Metzudos Tziyon/Dovid? [closed]
The Tzemach Tzedek (of Lubavitch)'s father's name was Shalom Shachna Altshuler. Is he related to the Metzodos Tziyon?
8
votes
1answer
199 views
Are there any Synagogues or Rabbis available in Pakistan?
There was once a very thriving Jewish community available in Pakistan. There was a Synagogue in the port city of Karachi as well till 1985.
What is the current situation now? What if someone would ...
5
votes
1answer
44 views
Chafez Chayim checked copies of (which) books?
I've heard that the Chafetz Chayim inspected each page of each printed copy of the Mishna B'rura to be sure that it was printed correctly (with no large ink splotches or the like).
Is there a ...
5
votes
2answers
169 views
What is the greatest number of pages (daf) you can go in the Babylonian Talmud without encountering Abayei or Rava?
What is the greatest number of pages (daf) you can go in the Babylonian Talmud without encountering Abayei or Rava? I've heard it was 3?
10
votes
1answer
112 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 ...
0
votes
1answer
45 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 ...
9
votes
1answer
119 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?
8
votes
1answer
195 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?
12
votes
6answers
226 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?" ...
3
votes
1answer
493 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
104 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?
4
votes
1answer
192 views
HaGaon HaRav Asher Weiss Shelita and Techelet
Does anyone know if HaRav HaGaon Asher Weiss wears Techelet?
Also, why or why not?
4
votes
1answer
83 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
votes
1answer
113 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
votes
2answers
148 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
votes
2answers
91 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
62 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 ...
6
votes
1answer
82 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 ...
2
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0answers
118 views
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 ...
7
votes
0answers
127 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 ...
7
votes
1answer
268 views
Whose semicha (ordination) was the last one signed/granted by Rabbi Joseph Dov Soloveichik? By Rabbi Moshe Feinstein?
Whose semicha (ordination) was the last one signed/granted by Rabbi Joseph Dov Soloveichik? What about by Rabbi Moshe Feinstein?
(The answer may be "the yeshiva ABC class of 1981" or whatever.)
7
votes
1answer
195 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."
0
votes
1answer
64 views
Poems on Atticism by Samuel David Luzzatto (Shadal)
Can anyone find poems on Atticism for me by Samuel David Luzzatto (Shadal)?
11
votes
1answer
234 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?
2
votes
2answers
95 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 ...
7
votes
1answer
78 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 ...
5
votes
1answer
79 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 ...
0
votes
3answers
211 views
Sherlock Holmes & the Maharal of Prague [closed]
What is the connection between the Maharal and SHerlock Holmes?
4
votes
1answer
104 views
Answering others' sh'elos
Would it be surprisingly improper for the author of a legal responsum to publish his own answer to a question asked, answered, and published by another such author because he believed he had a better ...
8
votes
1answer
255 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 ...
2
votes
2answers
112 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
votes
1answer
78 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, ...
5
votes
1answer
47 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?
8
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2answers
152 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?
4
votes
3answers
301 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?
7
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0answers
96 views
Identifying Ba'alei Tosafos [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Who is the voice of Tosafoth?
How much do we know about which specific people wrote which comments of Tosafos?
