house of Jewish prayer
23
votes
3answers
2k views
Should one ask a non-Jew attending synagogue to wear a yarmulke?
It says in Divrei HaRav (by R. Hershel Schachter, p143) that when they asked R. Aharon Kotler whether a non-Jewish secular studies teacher in a yeshiva should be asked to wear a yarmulke, he said he ...
16
votes
3answers
490 views
Why do we bow down in the direction of the ark?
This is a question I've had for many years, to which I've never received a satisfactory answer:
In Hebrew school, we were taught that idolaters bowed to a idol of their god. They would claim that ...
15
votes
2answers
243 views
Halachot of Shul Mechitzas
What are some good books, articles, websites, or seforim for learning about the Halachot of constructing and maintaining a Shul Mechitza (the barrier between the men and women sections)?
Issues ...
14
votes
2answers
183 views
Making the Kohen's Gesture
Is it forbidden for a non-Kohen to form the hand formation that Kohanim use during their priestly blessings?
13
votes
3answers
338 views
Orthodox Visits to Other Denomination Sanctuaries
Why is it that some people won't set foot in another's sanctuary, even if it was for a non-prayer function? Can an orthodox person be in a reform style temple sanctuary for a lecture or concert? I ...
13
votes
2answers
284 views
Shape of the Luchot
According to the Talmud in Bava Batra 14a, the Luchot HabBerit were square. Where did the common "tablet" shape come from, with rectangles and a rounded top? Besides in pictures, I see it in ...
12
votes
2answers
611 views
What are “universal minimum” standards of tznius for halachic purposes?
What are the minimum standards of tznius for halachic purposes? By "halachic purposes" I mean Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 75, which forbids praying in the presence of ervah. I am raising the question ...
12
votes
1answer
130 views
Why do non-orphans leave during Yizkor?
In all the Shuls (Synagogues) I've Davened in over the years, I noticed that all those whose parents are alive leave the shul during Yizkor. Why is this so?
12
votes
1answer
135 views
Out-of-order minyan participation
Some shuls have several minyanim back to back. If one arrives before the Torah reading of the 8:30 minyan and has finished davening before the Torah reading of the 9:30 minyan (to whose Kedusha one ...
11
votes
1answer
233 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?
10
votes
4answers
360 views
What's a good technique for a not-so-strong person to do [Ashkenazi] Hagbaha?
I've seen many people shy away when asked to do Hagbaha (הגבהה), thinking themselves too weak. I know for a fact that it doesn't take that much strength to do it correctly, so I'd love to ...
10
votes
2answers
156 views
What is the origin of giving “Pesicho” to the expectant husband?
What is the origin of the practice of giving “pesicho” (the honor of opening the Ark) to the husband whose wife is expecting a baby?
10
votes
2answers
98 views
Did Shuls in Europe display their countries' flags prior to the holocaust?
Prior to the holocaust, did Shuls in Europe display their countries' respective flags? Do Shuls currently display their countries' flags? When did it start and why?
10
votes
1answer
118 views
Do men on the women's side count toward a minyan?
If men are on the women's side of the shul during davening when there are no women there, do they count toward the minyan, or are they considered separate? Does it matter if the women's area is right ...
10
votes
1answer
77 views
If a mourner comes to services late, in the middle of the kaddish, has he missed that kaddish?
I'm saying kaddish for my mother-in-law. Occassionally, I walk into shul and the congregation is already in the middle of the Rabbi's Kaddish (say at Y'he sh'may raba"). Can I join in that kaddish at ...
9
votes
4answers
201 views
Finding the quiet section of the synagogue
When you enter an unfamiliar synagogue, how do you find a seat in a section that's likely to have the least talking?
9
votes
4answers
145 views
Online tool for minyan management?
If I'm running a small minyan that sometimes has a quorum and sometimes doesn't, and I'd like to only hold the minyan when I know we'll have ten, is there an online tool to help me manage this?
9
votes
1answer
85 views
Why Are These Double Parshiyos?
During a regular (non-leap) Jewish year, there are four instances where two of the weekly Torah portions are read together in the same week. This is because there are not enough weeks to read all of ...
9
votes
1answer
176 views
In a city with many shuls, how much loyalty do I owe to the shul of which I am a member?
In a city with many shuls, in what way should we think about the individual shuls?
a) They are “service” (no pun intended) providers and I will take the services as they suit me best. Even if I take ...
8
votes
1answer
358 views
What is the origin of hazak u'baruch?
Hazak u'barukh is a phrase commonly said after one does something in the synagogue (e.g., after an aliyah). What is its origin?
8
votes
3answers
205 views
Pre-1948, what flags were found in American synagogues?
Certainly throughout the 1970s and 1980s, it was not at all uncommon to see an American synagogue where the Aron Kodesh was flanked by American and Israeli flags.
Pre-1948, was there just an American ...
8
votes
3answers
125 views
Proper age to take a child to Shul
What is the proper age for children to begin being taken to Shul?
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?
8
votes
2answers
102 views
Haftara reading customs
There seems to be a wide range of customs with regard to reading the haftara. In some shuls (mostly Chassidic) the one who is called up recites the berachah, and everyone then says the haftara quietly ...
7
votes
1answer
66 views
Source for shuls flying in yemos hamoshiach?
My son mentioned to me that he learned in school that when Moshiach comes all the shuls (and schools?) will miraculously fly to Eretz Yisroel. What is the source of this idea?
7
votes
1answer
77 views
Sale of kibbudim on shabbat / chag
Many shuls have the practice of selling kibbudim (i.e. aliyot, hafotrah, opening the aron, etc.) on major holidays, usually via auction. I've been to some shuls where this is done every shabbat.
A ...
7
votes
1answer
79 views
forgot birkas hachodesh
If a congregation forgot to say birkas hachodesh on the Shabas before rosh chodesh, should it say it another time? When? (Does it, perhaps, depend on what day(s) of the week rosh chodesh is?)
Note: ...
7
votes
0answers
86 views
Do not separate yourself from the community: what exactly is the community?
Hillel teaches in Pirke Avot (2:4): do not separate yourself from the community. I'm not a historian, but I have the impression that at the time he was writing, towns tended to have one (Jewish) ...
6
votes
3answers
90 views
6
votes
3answers
246 views
Bringing little girls into the men's section in Shul
It has become the norm in mosts shuls I've been to, that fathers bring little girls into the men's section of synagogues on Shabbos and Yom Tov.
Until what age should girls still be allowed to ...
6
votes
2answers
150 views
Which rabbi was it who checked a person's identity by asking where he sat in shul?
The story goes something like ...
A few days after his wedding, a man disappeared without a trace. Many years later, a mysterious man showed up back in town, claiming to be him. He looked ...
6
votes
2answers
108 views
Pirkei Avos on shabbos during mincha?
It seems clear from the Rama, MB, and other sources (as well as from most printed siddurim) that Pirkei Avos is said in the synagogue at Shabbos Mincha as part of the tefillah in the summer months, ...
6
votes
2answers
245 views
Can you turn your back to the Aron HaKodesh?
I'm quite certain that it is mentioned in the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch that one should not turn one's back to the Aron HaKodesh (ark which holds the Torah Scrolls).
Can anyone tell me where this is ...
6
votes
2answers
156 views
What do I do when asked to “open the Aron” or “take out the Torah”?
If I'm in synagogue and someone asks me if I can "open the Aron" or "take out the Sefer Torah," what will I be expected to do, and when?
6
votes
1answer
178 views
Do Orthodox synagogues have audio induction loops? Can they use them on Shabbat?
Let's assume we follow Rabbi Moshe Feinstein's ruling that hearing aids are permitted on Shabbat, but microphones are not.
What about installing an audio induction loop in the synagogue? It would ...
6
votes
2answers
99 views
Priority rules for abridging Selichot
If the minyan doesn't have enough time allotted for Selichot to finish everything listed in the Selichot book for today, so you need to cut some parts out, what are the rules of priority for what ...
6
votes
1answer
104 views
What does one do when one needs to bentch gomel?
One who has recovered from a serious illness or accident is supposed to bentch gomel during the torah service. What do you need to know to do this? Specifically:
When is the right time -- the ...
5
votes
7answers
380 views
Digital Synagogue displays?
Why do Synagogues use or not use them?
Bonus:
What are some of the companies that make these digital wall displays for synagogues?
How much do they cost?
Does anyone know where I can find info ...
5
votes
1answer
191 views
First trip to the synagogue! Tips and advice please!
I am preparing for my first trip to a synagogue after the High Holy Days.
My first visit will be to a Modern Orthodox Synagogue. I have interacted with the Rabbi by email and we will be meeting ...
5
votes
2answers
186 views
Saying Baruch HaShem L'Olam without a minyan
Should one say Baruch HaShem L'Olam when davening without a minyan? What if one is davening not in a synagogue but in a home? What if one is davening alone?
Practically speaking, the prayer was ...
5
votes
1answer
267 views
Rules for Selichot when the minyan isn't complete at start time
If the shul doesn't have a full minyan at the time when Selichot is supposed to start, and waiting for a minyan to gather before starting is not an option, what are the rules for what you say or don't ...
5
votes
1answer
73 views
Definition of Beit Hakneset area [with respect to tachanun]
Shulchan Aruch O"CH 131:4 says that we don't say Tachanun where there is a Chatan in the syagogue: (see also this related question) (Note: I mention here Chatan because it's clearly mentioned, but ...
5
votes
3answers
125 views
In an average shul, how long before sunset does a combined weekday Mincha/Maariv service start?
Many shuls worldwide run combined weekday Mincha/Maariv services. How long before sunset do these services tend to start? Please specify a range, measured in "number of minutes". Also, please cite ...
5
votes
1answer
178 views
How does “shabbat speech-reinforcement” work?
How does the technology for shabas-compliant voice amplification referred to on this architecture firm's website work? Is it different technically from a regular microphone setup or is the distinction ...
5
votes
2answers
191 views
Can a convert become a synagogue president? Why or why not?
I understand that the National Council of Young Israel has a rule that women and converts may not be elected president of a Young Israel synagogue. I think I saw a gemara -- or a comment to a gemara ...
5
votes
1answer
59 views
Can a congregant who has been asked to open the Ark, walk in front of the Ark to get to the other side of the 'bimah'?
Can a congregant who opened the Aron Hakodesh walk in front of the open ark and walk to the other side of the platform where the Aron is situated?
5
votes
1answer
61 views
If no-one went to synagogue on Friday night, do the people at home sing “Sholom Aleichem”?
The Ashkenazi custom is to sing “Sholom Aleichem” when returning home on Friday night from the synagogue. The reason is related to the ministering angels who accompany a person home on Friday night ...
5
votes
0answers
46 views
Can a synagogue appropriate the contents of charity boxes not removed before a specified time?
There are lots of charity boxes from different organisations put out on a table in the foyer of our synagogue on Purim.
The wardens have attached a note that says that boxes not taken away by the end ...
5
votes
0answers
45 views
Going into Reform Synagogues [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Orthodox Visits to Other Denomination Sanctuaries
I have noticed that in the two years that I have spent in the Jewish community, that Orthodox Jews say that they would ...
4
votes
6answers
433 views
What do I need to know in order to properly have an aliya?
What things should I know in advance in case I get called up for an aliya during a Torah-reading service?
