measurements relating to the performance of different Mitzvot
14
votes
2answers
115 views
Hagalah in Denver?
In high-altitude cities, water boils at a lower temperature than the standard 212 degrees Farenheit. For example, in Denver the boiling point is about 203 degrees. Can one kasher utensils with hagalah ...
12
votes
4answers
792 views
Is a rare steak kosher?
If you have a steak medium to rare, such that it's still pink in the middle, is it kosher? At what point is meat cooked enough?
11
votes
3answers
454 views
Why do we say “You should live till 120”?
Prior to the Mabul people lived for hundreds of years. After the Mabul lifespans shortened although we see that the Avos lived in the 180 year range. In the Pasuk in Tehilim we say Yemei Shenoseinu ...
11
votes
2answers
308 views
Why does writing on Shabbos need two letters?
In order to transgress "writing" (כותב) on Shabbos, (m'd'oraysah) one must write two letters. (See for example here.)
Why is this so? Shouldn't writing anything still be considered writing?
For ...
11
votes
2answers
79 views
Why does Ezekiel describe the maneh as 20 + 25 + 10 + 5 shekels instead of just saying 60?
Ezekiel 45:12, in discussing just weights and measures, says:
וְהַשֶּׁקֶל, עֶשְׂרִים גֵּרָה; עֶשְׂרִים שְׁקָלִים חֲמִשָּׁה וְעֶשְׂרִים שְׁקָלִים, עֲשָׂרָה וַחֲמִשָּׁה שֶׁקֶל--הַמָּנֶה, יִהְיֶה ...
11
votes
1answer
116 views
Bracha after an earthquake
Per the Artscroll Siddur after an earthquake we make a Bracha "Oseh Maaseh Breishis". Up to how long after the earthquake can you make this Bracha? (sources please)
11
votes
1answer
126 views
How big, and what exactly, is “Kedei Kelipah”?
{Kedei Kelipah is a term used in Kashruth for the amount of something that needs to be removed in order to allow one to treat the remnant as Kosher. (This only applies under certain conditions, which ...
10
votes
1answer
160 views
What are these three types of Amos?
I'm not one to usually go to Google itself to learn about Judaism, but I feel that the circumstances around how I discovered this is really intriguing...
Google Maps has a nice little feature that ...
8
votes
3answers
149 views
Delaying using the toilet
According to Gemara Makkot 16b, the phrase in Vayikra 20:25
... and do not make your souls disgusting - וְלֹא תְשַׁקְּצוּ אֶת נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם
is a command not to hold in the urge to urinate or ...
8
votes
3answers
123 views
What is the Minimum Width of Tefillin Straps?
What is the minimum width of tefillin straps?
For example: if one's tefillin straps partially tore, how much is required to remain for the tefillin to remain Kosher?
8
votes
1answer
87 views
Is there a minimum size for Chanuka flames?
Do the flames atop the chanukiya need to be a certain size to be valid? At the extreme, are tiny (but sustained) balls of blue flame sufficient?
8
votes
2answers
137 views
What is the source for washing Mayim Acharonim with only a few drops of water?
OC 181 (4) MB [10] says that when washing mayim acharonim one must wash up to the second knuckle and using a few drops does not fulfill the mitzvah at all. Shulchan Oruch HaRav 181 (4) says there is ...
8
votes
2answers
70 views
Why 30 days of preparation for a חג
Why exactly 30 days to review the laws of the upcoming holidays? Is there anything about the number 30 that makes it significant?
8
votes
0answers
129 views
The size/shape of biblical Israel
Based on this Tosafot in Bava Metzia 28a (D"H Chamisha Asar Yom), Eretz Israel is a square (400 sq. Parsah), and the distance between Jerusalem and the Jordan river is 1/39th the distance between ...
7
votes
3answers
568 views
7
votes
2answers
203 views
Saying 100 Berachoth in a day
What is the source for the idea that one should say 100 Berachoth in a day, and how serious of an obligation is this? Is it mandatory, is it laudatory, or is it merely a nice idea?
7
votes
1answer
115 views
Beis Shammai's dinar for kiddushin - philosophy?
The Mishna in Kiddushin (1:1) outlines a machlokes regarding the minimum amount of money necessary to effect kiddushin (i.e. create a marriage).
According to Beis Hillel, the amount of money (or ...
7
votes
1answer
447 views
18 minute Matzah?
Are there sources EXPLAINING why we have to make matzah within 18 minutes? I understand having a time limit if in fact the reason we eat matzah is to reenact the speed which we left Egypt (that ...
7
votes
1answer
53 views
Are bushes acceptable for elevations that require a maakeh, a fence?
If evergreen bushes span the entire length of a side of a porch, at about waist-height for someone on the porch, do the bushes remove the need for a railing? The difference being that a railing can be ...
7
votes
1answer
94 views
How many rafters invalidate the sukkah?
From my understanding, the roof of a sukkah might consist of two components: rafters and schach.
(Although it seems to me that often the rafters themselves are valid schach, I am under the ...
6
votes
5answers
234 views
K'zayis as a weight measurement
The label of the one-pound box of Cohen Halperin Shmura Matza reads:
משקל כל מצה כשיעור כזית
In English (with some Hebrew thrown in, in transliteration, of necessity), that's:
The weight of ...
6
votes
2answers
300 views
Minimum Shi'ur for Kiddush on liquor
What is the minimum Shi'ur (volume) of a cup required for making Kiddush on liquor? Is there a smaller amount required than there is for wine?
What is the minimum Shi'ur of the liquor that one is ...
6
votes
2answers
104 views
Source for the concept of learning 1 hour on Shabbat is like 1000 during the week?
There is a Benayahu on Taanit 11a I think that may hint to this, but not clear enough. Is there an actual source for "1 hour learning on shabbat is like 1000 hours during the week"?
6
votes
1answer
66 views
How high before a tree branch does not cause a problem for a Succah?
I have a lovely tree in the back yard, it must be 70-100 years old, maybe 15-20 feet around at the base. First branch is 32 feet up. I know since I used a 35 foot ladder to hang a swing from it, and ...
6
votes
1answer
129 views
What height porch requires a railing?
What are the different opinions of heights (in American or metric units) that requires a railing for the side of a porch?
6
votes
1answer
132 views
No mitzvah to wear tefillin every day?
I heard that the Bet HaLevi and the Peri Megadim hold that there is no Mitzva for a person to don Tefilin everyday. Can someone source these opinions and explain exactly what they are meaning to say?
6
votes
1answer
161 views
How long until a bean chulent is totally cooked (mevushal kol tzorko)?
My son has started raiding the chulent Friday night. To be able to return the chulent crock pot back to the casing, everything must be fully cooked. I rarely cook with beans, but would like to try ...
5
votes
2answers
131 views
What is a source that allows one to treat one's house as all within four amos?
I am after a source that allows one to treat one's house as all within four amos l'chatchila, with respect to nagel vasser (hand washing in the morning).
5
votes
1answer
114 views
What is the shiur for anointing on Yom Kippur?
Is there a minimum shiur to be chayav for anointing on Yom Kippur, and, if so, what is it? The gemarah (Yoma 76b) seems to learn it out as a comparison to food consumption: would that mean it has the ...
5
votes
2answers
167 views
How many T'fachim make up an Ama?
Is it possible to convert between Torah measurements?
Specifically, T'fachim & Amot, (cubits) so I can figure out the size of the luchot (tablets) within the Aron Hakodesh (ark). (The Luchot are ...
5
votes
2answers
242 views
Is human blood treif?
OK, I know it isn't kosher, but what is the shiur? And do we hold "chetzi shiur assur min haTorah"?
For an application, what if you get a cut while hiking in the woods; is it assur to clean the wound ...
5
votes
3answers
149 views
When does counting 100 Brochos per day start and end?
There's a Halacha/Mitzvah to say at-least 100 Brochos a day.
My question is: what does the term "day" mean in this regard. Does a day start at night, and end the following night (as is the case in ...
5
votes
2answers
84 views
What is the proper length of the Tefilin Shel Rosh straps?
How long are the Tefilin Shel Rosh straps supposed to be? What is the minimum Shiur and what is the maximum?
5
votes
2answers
209 views
Challah Loaves on Shabbat have a minimum size?
In this article regarding the Shabbat Challah loaves, The Shmirat Shabbat KeHilchata (vol. II 55:5) is quoted as saying:
The loaves must each be at least the size of an olive
Normally, the size ...
5
votes
2answers
105 views
Why is the right strap longer than the left strap by the Tefilin Shel Rosh?
What is the reason that the right strap is longer than the left strap by the Tefilin Shel Rosh?
5
votes
2answers
101 views
Within what time frame does one have to give maaser on a large sum?
If someone suddenly has a large sum of money from a lottery or inheritance or gift, how much time does one have to disperse maaser money from that?
5
votes
1answer
103 views
What is the source for the current Shiurim that we have?
There are generally two types of Shiurim, the "classic" type (R' Avrohom Chaim Noeh) which says that when we measure an Amah nowadays it is roughly the size of an Amah in the time of the Beis ...
5
votes
4answers
107 views
5
votes
5answers
134 views
How was flour measured in the bes hamikdash?
Modern cooks will tell you that the way to measure flour is to scoop flour with a scoop whose volume is known, and then to shave any excess off the top. (However, liquids are measured by pouring into ...
5
votes
0answers
85 views
Eating out Friday night of Chanukkah
If one is lighting Chanukkah candles inside (for whatever reason) relying on the publicization to himself and his family, then what should he do on Friday night if he is eating out? Must he make the ...
5
votes
0answers
63 views
Sukkah decoration parameters [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Can too many decorations render a sukkah invalid?
What are all the rules concerning decorations that are hung overhead in a sukkah? In other words, within what ...
4
votes
1answer
800 views
How long does one say Kaddish for a parent?
For example, if one's parent died on 1 Nissan, and was buried on 2 Nissan, what is the last day on which kaddish would be said for them?
4
votes
2answers
384 views
4
votes
2answers
119 views
Measurements used in Halacha
What is the underlying argument between the Chazon Ish and Rabbi Chaim Naaeh and Reb Moshe Feinstein? I know they argue in amounts, but what is the underlying argument? How did each get the ...
4
votes
2answers
78 views
Can we really estimate halachic distances?
A mishna on Eiruvin 41b tells of a ship that was coming into harbor at dusk coming into Shabbat. Since Shabbat had already begun when the ship docked, those on board asked R. Gamaliel if they could ...
4
votes
1answer
213 views
How much of a minimal sized kiddush cup must be consumed?
If someone uses a kiddush cup that is exactly (or close to) the bare minimum (see this question) needed to fulfill the obligation, how much of that cup must he drink?
Do the different times one must ...
4
votes
1answer
49 views
Violating the prohibition of wearing Sha'atnez
When does one become liable for wearing Sha'atnez? Is it merely putting the garment on one's body? Is it when the act of dressing is complete (ie., buttoning the last button, zipping up the zipper, ...
4
votes
2answers
101 views
What's the Source for Jerusalem and Sepphoris Having Larger Measuring Units?
In Rabbi Pinchas Kehati's introduction to Masekhet Challah, and again in his commentary on Eduyyot 1:2, reference is made to the adjusting of measurements when the Jews "arrived at" Jerusalem, and ...
4
votes
0answers
41 views
What's the Shiur of Mashehu?
Certain issurim (forbidden things) can become batel (halachically nullified) if they were unintentionally mixed in heter (permitted things). In order for this to happen, the heter must outnumber the ...
4
votes
0answers
51 views
Connection of Toch Kedei Dibbur to Walking 4 Amot
According to this, the gemara compares Toch Kedei Dibbur (the length of time neccasary to greet someone; see Shalom alecha rebbi (u'mori) ) to the time it takes to walk 4 amot (cubits). Thus, with ...
