seeing, sight, vision, watching, blindness
1
vote
0answers
28 views
What does “שברירי ברירי…” do? How?
Bavli, P'sachim 112:1:
ת״ר לא ישתה אדם מים לא מן הנהרות ולא מן האגמים בלילה ואם שתה דמו בראשו מפני הסכנה מאי סכנה סכנת שברירי ואי צחי מאי תקנתיה אי איכא איניש בהדיה לימא ליה פלניא בר פלנתא צחינא ...
6
votes
2answers
191 views
May a woman look at a man for pleasure?
It's ossur for a man to look at a woman for pleasure. Even to look at her small finger with the intention of having pleasure from it (See EH"E Siman 21 Sif 1.)
Is there any prohibition for a woman to ...
4
votes
1answer
25 views
Southern Birkas Ha'ilanos
I've seen Saying Mashiv HaRuach in the Southern Hemisphere. Similarly, is Birkas Ha'ilanos (ברכת האילנות) said in Tishrei in the southern hemisphere? That's when the trees bloom.
2
votes
2answers
60 views
Seeing, fearing, then faith?
It says in the Pasuk (Shemos 14:31 Beshalach)
וַיַּרְא יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת הַיָּד הַגְּדֹלָה אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה יְהֹוָה בְּמִצְרַיִם וַיִּירְאוּ הָעָם אֶת יְהֹוָה וַיַּאֲמִינוּ בַּיהֹוָה וּבְמשֶׁה עַבְדּוֹ
...
2
votes
0answers
38 views
Continuing to eat in a place that is visible from the initial eating place
The Shulchan Aruch Harav brings in Orach Chaim 178:1
א) היה אוכל בחדר זה ונטל המאכל בידו והלך לחדר אחר לאכול צריך לחזור
ולברך שכיון שעמד והלך למקום אחר עמידתו זו היא גמר אכילתו וזו אכילה
אחרת ...
6
votes
1answer
91 views
Explanation for couple not seeing each other before the wedding?
What is the source and reason for a couple not to see one another before the wedding?
4
votes
2answers
88 views
Wearing reflective armband in place without an eiruv
In SA OC Siman 301 it's discussed many of the things a person can and can't go out with on Shabbos in a place where there is no eiruv.
Is one allowed to wear a armband or wristband on Shabbos with ...
1
vote
0answers
32 views
Looking at the Nasi
It says in the Gemorah in Chagigah Daf 16a
המסתכל בג' דברים עיניו כהות בקשת ובנשיא ובכהנים ...בנשיא דכתיב ונתת
מהודך עליו
That the eyes of anyone who looks at the "Nasi" (a leader of the ...
3
votes
1answer
72 views
If I want to keep a bentcher in my pocket wrapped, can I use a clear sandwich bag?
I carry a mincha/maariv bentcher in my pocket, and I keep it wrapped in a paper covering in case I walk into the bathroom. (I know that some hold that bathrooms today don't need a double covering, but ...
5
votes
1answer
95 views
How can you see words?
Has anyone else noticed the seeming incongruity in Lekh Lekha, Gen 15:1...that Avram is "seeing" the words? The verse states:
אַחַר הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה, הָיָה דְבַר-יְהוָה אֶל-אַבְרָם, ...
5
votes
2answers
244 views
Can one pray in front of a mirror?
Can it be considered avodah zarah if one prays while looking at themselves in the mirror? I mean, if you're looking at yourself, is it wrong for someone to think that you're praying to that person? ...
6
votes
1answer
103 views
Universal theory of Biblical eye-raising
Do any of the commentaries or Midrashim offer a universal interpretation (perhaps of the form "any time you see this, it means that") of Biblical idiom of "raising eyes"?
Below are some examples that ...
5
votes
1answer
65 views
Was the tana Rebbi Meir blind?
I have heard that the name Meir (lit:enlightening) is actually a "lashon naki" because he was actually blind. Similar to "sagi nahor". Is there any source for this notion that Rebbi Meir was blind?
4
votes
0answers
48 views
Is seeing the fire a requirement for havdala? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How seriously do we take the finger-inspection in Havdala?
Is it necessary to see the fire for havdala? In shul, people usually crowd around whoever is holding the ...
6
votes
2answers
116 views
Orla and Decorative Kumquat Trees
We all know that fruits of a new tree are prohibited to enjoy from, during first 3 years. Is enjoying the fruits must be physical like: eating or burning (as "השורף קליפי עורלה") or also not physical ...
7
votes
2answers
198 views
What did the 70 elders see?
Parshat Mishpatim says of the 70 elders who went up on Har Sinai with Moshe and Aharon:
וַיִּרְאוּ, אֵת אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל; וְתַחַת רַגְלָיו, כְּמַעֲשֵׂה לִבְנַת הַסַּפִּיר, וּכְעֶצֶם הַשָּׁמַיִם, ...
8
votes
1answer
152 views
How does a blind person make havdalah if he has to benefit from the light?
Per this answer, the one making havdalah must benefit from the light. How does a blind person make havdalah, assuming there is not another Jew present to do it for him? Does he omit the blessing ...
8
votes
2answers
180 views
How seriously do we take the finger-inspection in Havdala?
After saying the blessing over fire during Havdala, we do something (customs vary) involving looking at our fingers by the light of the Havdala candle. I'm wondering how seriously we take this part of ...
5
votes
1answer
124 views
Looking at a picture of the face of a Rasha
The Zohar (and Megillah 28a thanks DoubleAA) says that it is Assur to gaze at the face of a Rasha. Would this also apply to looking at an image or painting of a Rasha?
3
votes
5answers
110 views
The Plague of Darkness
This is a two fold question
1)The plaque of darkness has considerable commentary, however I have yet to find a rabbi who speaks about what created the darkness. Therefore, What created the darkness ...
15
votes
3answers
190 views
Glasses and Shema
The Shulhan Aruch records the custom of placing one's hand over his eyes in Shema in order to increase concentration. What about someone who wears glasses? Must he move them or remove them?
11
votes
1answer
181 views
Rainbow in water spray
You can often see a rainbow in a spray of water such as from sprinkler irrigation. Is the brocha for a rainbow applicable in that case?
Also, does a rainbow that comes from a prism get a brocha too?
5
votes
2answers
56 views
David and Jerusalem
David takes over Jerusalem (finally) in Shmuel II, Perek 5. It says that David wants to be rid of the סירך ועורים . This is commonly translated as the blind and the lame. Metzudat David understands ...
11
votes
2answers
416 views
Am I allowed to view a Kotel Cam on Shabbos?
If there is a camera in Israel that is operating on Shabbos, am I (a person living in America, where Shabbos only starts 6 or 7 hours later) allowed to view such a camera?
I suppose the same could be ...
3
votes
1answer
170 views
Rainbow: Making a Bracha on a bad Omen
As discussed in some earlier questions Rainbows are a bad Omen yet we are Halachicly commanded to make a Bracha on it. The Gemara in Chagigah (16A) says you may not gaze at one so how do you make the ...
7
votes
2answers
138 views
Can a Sukkah have all-glass walls?
Would a Sukkah that has walls that are completely transparent be kosher for use?
3
votes
1answer
84 views
Looking at a Kohen's hands on Video
One is not allowed to look at a Kohen's hands while he is performing Birchas Kohanim (source: my Artscroll siddur, but it is well-known too)
Would this also apply if one was looking at a video of the ...
4
votes
2answers
131 views
Exercises to prevent eyes tiring
It often happens to me that after learning the whole day and reading lots of text especially with small letters I feel my eyes very tired. Who knows good set of exercises that don't takes lot of time, ...
7
votes
7answers
260 views
Wearing photo gray glasses on Shabbos
In the question Pregancy Test on Shabbos a notion was raised in an answer that the chemical reaction is a problem due to tzovaya.
So what are the boundaries of this, in terms of chemical reactions ...
8
votes
3answers
165 views
Saying Tanach by Heart
מִזְמוֹרֵי תְהִלִּים וְכֵן שְׁאָר
פָּרָשִׁיּוֹת מִתּוֹרָה נְבִיאִים וּכְתוּבִים
שֶׁאֵינָם שְׁגוּרִים בְּפִי הַכֹּל, אָסוּר
לְאָמְרָם בְּעַל פֶּה. אֲפִלּוּ מִי שֶׁהוּא
יוֹדֵעַ לְאָמְרָם בְּעַל פֶּה, יֶשׁ לוֹ
לִזָּהֵר ...
10
votes
3answers
391 views
Infant seeing reflection in mirror
I have heard that some people do not allow a child to see his or her reflection in a mirror before they can speak (or say their name, possibly). Is there any traditional source for this practice?
3
votes
1answer
37 views
Does a person need to see 2 trees to make birkat ha'ilanot is this preferable or is this completely unnecessary and carries with it no benefit?
Does a person need to see 2 trees to make birkat ha'ilanot is this preferable or is this completely unnecessary and carries with it no benefit?
7
votes
1answer
150 views
Blind and Marriage
The Gemara tells us that a man may not marry a woman without first seeing her because if she turns out to be displeasing to him then he will transgress the mitzvah of "Ve'ahavtah lerei'acha ...
10
votes
1answer
727 views
Can you see your wife unclothed?
I think someone in another question here (or on another site?) said he was told by his "chassan teacher" not to look at his wife unclothed. It seems like this is not the real halacha to me, or at ...
8
votes
1answer
711 views
Can a live video feed remove the prohibition of Yichud?
I was wondering if and how a public videostream could affect a potential yichud situation. For example, may a single guy and girl be secluded if they set up a continuously broadcasting camera and ...
6
votes
6answers
219 views
Saying words of prayer or Torah while an immodest photo or drawing is in your field of vision?
The halachah is clear (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 75) that one may not recite Shema, or any other words of Torah or prayer, while in the presence of parts of the human body that should be covered.
...
3
votes
4answers
140 views
How did Hashem hide the light from the wicked? What do Chazal mean by this?
Rashi says in Breaishis Chapter 1, Verse 4:
אף בזה אנו צריכים לדברי אגדה ראהו שאינו כדאי להשתמש בו רשעים והבדילו לצדיקים לעתיד לבא.
"Even this requires words of Aggadah, He saw that it was not fit ...
1
vote
1answer
57 views
Burden of proof for birkas “she'Asa nisim”?
The הלכה is brought down in Shulchan Aruch et al. that one who sees lit Chanuka lights and has not lit his own should say the ברכה of שעשה נסים לאבותנו. Could he say this ברכה on a נר that was lit ...
4
votes
3answers
98 views
5
votes
1answer
71 views
Minor tying tzitzis
Some poskim say that a minor may tie tzitzis even for an adult (see Artzos HaChayim cited by Mishnah Berurah 14:4), as long as he is being supervised by an adult (gadol omed al gabav). Does this mean ...
4
votes
3answers
115 views
Kallah's Veil under Chupah
Why does the Kallah wear a veil under the Chupah?
(and why is it generally transparent?)
4
votes
3answers
167 views
is it considered watching
Would milk be considered cholov yisroel if someone was watching via webcam
3
votes
1answer
174 views
What to do with the candles during Havdalah
What is the proper procedure after saying the Brocho בורא מאורי האש? I understand you "look," but at what?
8
votes
3answers
329 views
Why do you make a Bracha on seeing a monkey?
Why do you make the Bracha Mishaneh Habriyos on seeing a monkey?
4
votes
1answer
193 views
Is live video a halachic substitute for physical presence?
If you are in a room with cameras in it, is it like the people looking through those cameras are in the room?
1
vote
2answers
132 views
Pictures of Chometz on Pesach
Is viewing pictures of Chometz allowed on Pesach? To be more specific this would be in reference to an article or event.
