Tagged Questions
4
votes
2answers
73 views
Men davening in the women's section while they catch up
A seemingly knowledgeable guy who davens with me early each morning is sometimes found in the women's section (which is usually empty during that service). He says that he learned that from a ...
8
votes
2answers
116 views
Obligation of community to support those who study Torah?
Is the community obligated to support financially those who study Torah all day long? Is one allowed to request such support from the community based on his choice to study full-day and not make a ...
3
votes
3answers
99 views
Kissing the hand to catch a cold?
There is a popular custom in Israel to shake a person's hand and then kiss your own. In every single Sephardic and Mizrachi synagogue I've ever been to in the country this is the standard way of ...
5
votes
2answers
195 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 ...
0
votes
1answer
46 views
Parameters for brov am?
What are they parameters of brov am hadras melech? is it a requirement or a hiddur? does it apply equally to men, women and children? why does it not seem to apply to zimun (preferable to split into ...
2
votes
1answer
79 views
Shnayim Mikre during Krias HaTorah
May one read "Shnayim Mikre V'Echad Targum" during the leining of Krias HaTorah on Shabbos morning?
7
votes
0answers
83 views
If one says “Kiddush Levana” alone, does one say “Sholom Aleichem”? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Shalom Aleichem in Kiddush Levanah
If one says "Kiddush Levana" alone, does one say "Sholom Aleichem"? Since there is no-one to answer, it does not seem to make sense. ...
12
votes
3answers
94 views
Falling behind during selichos
Related to, but not duplicating Falling behind during davening, how should you attempt to keep up with overly-quick recitation of selichos?
I would assume that you interrupt the piyut you’re reciting ...
9
votes
3answers
173 views
How to respond to excessive talking in a synagogue
If there is a lot of talking (or other halakhic impropriety) in a synagogue, what are some of the considerations that go into the decision regarding what to do about it?
Here are some ideas of what ...
9
votes
1answer
191 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
39 views
Deliberately planning to do work for the community on Chol HaMoed: Is it allowed?
We are setting up a new (money) Gemach. To register as a charity, a bank account is now needed. We were told of this on Thursday around noon. We were unable (too busy getting ready for Yom Tov) to get ...
8
votes
3answers
173 views
Falling behind during davening
If you daven more slowly than the chazzan, should you skip what someone who came late to davening would skip so that you can reach barchu with the tzibbur?
7
votes
1answer
101 views
Can the chazzan use the vernacular quietly?
When saying a private portion of the service, such as pesukei de-zimra, may the shaliach tzibur (aka chazzan, or the person leading services) use English, and switch to Hebrew for the portions said ...
6
votes
1answer
98 views
Why have I never seen “Prisoh al shema”?
“Prisoh al shema”
A good summary is to be found in a shiur from the The Israel Koschitzky Virtual Beit Midrash.
In short, “…. ten men who prayed alone can subsequently fulfill their obligations ...
5
votes
4answers
190 views
Answering Baruch Hu UVaruch Shemo and Amen while learning
If someone is giving Shiur in the same room as people Davening, do the people learning answer Baruch Hu Uvaruch Shemo and Amen to the Hazarat HaShatz?
7
votes
2answers
133 views
Games (on Shabas) that involve writing: whose writing?
I don't have good sources handy, but apparently some forbid the Shabas playing of games in which one usually writes, even if playing without writing: Scrabble, in which one writes scores, is sometimes ...
10
votes
3answers
185 views
Can I omit ברוך השם לעולם אמן ואמן to catch up in Maariv?
If the Shaliach Tzibbur for maariv (outside of Israel) goes too quickly for me to start the Amidah with him, is there a source which would allow me to omit the section
ברוך השם לעולם אמן ואמן?
This ...
3
votes
2answers
87 views
Should the Chazzan say the pesukim of Kedusho loud?
In the repetition of the Amida, it seems (see Teshuvos Igros Moshe 3 (9), OC 104 (7), OC 125 Biur Halocho d.h. "elo shoskin ..") that the Chazzan should say the pesukim of Kedusho loud enough so that ...
10
votes
4answers
313 views
“Is the market-based distribution of income fair or unfair?”
This post, by a leading economist, lists the main differences on economic policy between the right and left-leaning economists. On many economic issues, Judaism does not necessarily take a clear ...
7
votes
1answer
274 views
When praying alone, can one say Ma'ariv/Arvit before shkia (sunset)?
I have heard in the past that one praying alone may not say Ma'ariv/Arvit until shkia/sunset but that one praying with a minyan can start Ma'ariv as early as Plag HaMincha. Could someone provide me a ...
6
votes
1answer
181 views
How to increase the demand for kosher food?
I live in the Hartford Connecticut area and while the population of people who practice the Jewish faith is increasing, the ability to find Kosher food is on the decline. Even the local Kosher grocery ...
5
votes
2answers
118 views
Saying Yekum Purkan after the Minyan is already up to Av HaRachamim or Ashrei
The Halacha is that a individual not Davening with a Minyan does not say Yekum Purkan. Suppose you are in Shul and for some reason the Chazan finished Yekum Purkan and is already up to Av HaRachamim ...
6
votes
2answers
179 views
8
votes
1answer
105 views
Early AND Late Shabbos Minyanim
The basic halachah is that when the congregation/community starts Shabbos (Sabbath) early an individual is forbidden to perform melachah (labor) even though Shabbos has not technically begun.
What is ...
2
votes
1answer
45 views
Communal commandment sources?
What are some good (preferably authoritative) sources that explain the concept and legal ramifications of mitzvos tziboriyos - obligations that fall upon the public as opposed to the individual?
I am ...
