about the community and the individual in the community
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
93 views
Group coordination for a siyum
My understanding is that a siyum should be made on the last bit of the text being studied. Thus, if the entire Mishna (all six "orders") is studied for someone's yahrzeit, the last mishna (individual ...
7
votes
1answer
273 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
61 views
Leading half the prayers
Assuming one is to follow the congregation's nusach when leading the prayers and one's own otherwise,
what should he do if he's asked to lead the prayers from "Shochen ad", and agrees, before the ...
7
votes
3answers
367 views
Being Shaliach Tzibbur in a Congregation with a different Nusach
In Yalkut Yosef OC 101:10 rules that a Sephardi who is davening in an Ashkenazi minyan should not daven Nusach Ashkenaz as shaliach tzibbur. He can only be shaliach tzibbur if the minyan agrees to let ...
10
votes
3answers
136 views
Is Torah reading an individual or communal obligation?
Is the obligation to read the Torah (or hear it read) an individual or communal obligation?
A possible nafka mina might be if one missed the Torah reading -- does he need to assemble a minyan to ...
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
5
votes
3answers
237 views
Missing Barchu by Maariv
If one misses Barchu at the beginning of Maariv, should one say it at the end of Maariv (as is commonly done)? If so when should it be done and who should do it?
9
votes
2answers
230 views
How important is it for everyone to revolve the bima 7 times on Simchas Torah?
I recall hearing from Rabbi Hershel Shachter that for Hoshanos, you're really supposed to go around the bima (and seven times on Hoshana Rabba); he said if you were davening at home, you should in ...
7
votes
2answers
93 views
Do you add in the “for all the Jews in this town” clause to Eruv Tavshilin?
In the Eruv Tavshilin we say when there's holiday followed by Sabbath, the proclamation is:
This eruv ("merging") shall allow us to cook, bake, insulate, and kindle on the holiday in preparation ...
2
votes
2answers
125 views
Nusach for silent Amida when chazzan in an other-nusach congregation
My understanding (based, if I recall correctly, on R' Moshe Feinstein) is that when I pray in a congregation that uses a different version of the prayers (nusach) from the one I usually use, I should ...
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 ...
4
votes
2answers
165 views
Reaching kedusha during silent shemone esre
When the chazzan starts kedusha in chazarat hashatz while you're davening, are you supposed to answer the chant, or continue in your tefilla, or just not say anything?
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 ...
