Tagged Questions

1
vote
1answer
29 views

Why is birkas kohanim in the masculine singular?

If the kohanim are blessing the entire people, one would think that it should be worded, "יברככם...וישמרכם" Why is it in the singular form? On a related note, if a father places this blessing on his ...
-4
votes
2answers
79 views

Who should be asking a nidda shaala

Who should be asking a niddah shaala the woman or her husband, or is there no difference or does it perhaps depend on what the shaala is. Rabbis prefer woman for a variety of reasons. The man often ...
2
votes
0answers
49 views

Can members of Hatzalah learn how to deliver a baby?

This seems like a very simple thing. Is there anything wrong with male members of hatzalaha (a frum Jewish emergency medical organization) learning how to deliver a baby? I recently heard that ...
0
votes
0answers
132 views

Is male and female masturbation Biblically (“miDeoraita”) prohibited?

Is male and female masturbation Biblically ("miDeoraita") prohibited? If it is, where do we learn this from? Please provide sources. Thank you.
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 ...
6
votes
2answers
192 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 ...
5
votes
0answers
183 views

Woman wearing her husband's comfortable clothing

Is there any printed discussion about a woman wearing her husband's comfortable clothing? While there is an Isur for a woman to wear a man's clothing, I've read in several places that this is about a ...
0
votes
0answers
124 views

How should a husband speak to his wife if her looks are affecting the marriage?

Looking for answers based on experience or sources only The gemarah (kiddushin 41a) stipulates that a man must see his wife before marrying her because if he finds her unattractive and marries her he ...
5
votes
4answers
357 views

How assur is mixed dancing?

What is the level of the issur on mixed dancing? Minhag? D'Rabanan, D'oraita, etc.? What about separate dancing but without a mehitza?
8
votes
2answers
134 views

Is there value in gender-adapted names?

There are various Hebrew names in use that are feminizations of pre-existing masculine names. (The opposite case may exist as well, but I can't think of any examples.) Examples: Yaakova Rafaella ...
7
votes
1answer
125 views

Who is obligated in Pidyon HaBen?

A woman I know mentioned that she is redeeming her firstborn son. This got me thinking. A Pidyon HaBen is mandated for the first male child to "open" the mother's womb. But whose Mitzvah is it? The ...
4
votes
1answer
78 views

Why not do as Avraham and Sara did w.r.t. conversion

Rashi to B'reshis 12:5 quotes Rav Huna: "... whom they brought [to Judaism]. Avraham was converting the men and Sara the women...". My understanding is that nowadays female prospective converts study ...
8
votes
2answers
264 views

How can I determine if someone is Shomer Negiah?

I am not Shomer Negiah. However, I have been in mixed social situations where I was unsure if the person I was meeting was Shomer Negiah. I don't want to offend anyone, so I'm wondering if there is a ...
14
votes
1answer
889 views

Mixed swimming in a pool?

What are the issues with mixed swimming, from a tzniut point of view? Does it make a difference if the swimmers are or aren't Jewish? For example, are there issues with me swimming with my wife and a ...
16
votes
12answers
1k views

How to tactfully circumvent opposite-gender handshake

Say you're a man in a professional setting, and a woman who isn't used to dealing with observant Jews stretches out her hand to greet you -- but your practice is to avoid shaking hands even in ...
7
votes
3answers
319 views

Is mixed gender volleyball permissible?

Are men and women permitted to play volleyball against each other, with each team only one gender? Does it make a difference if they are separated by an opaque wall or a regular net?
3
votes
0answers
148 views

Is Cross dressing allowed on purim [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: Is cross-dressing permitted on Purim and if so why? Normally cross dressing is against Halacha is it allowed on Purim?
3
votes
2answers
710 views

Hotels in Yam Hamelach with Kosher Swimming

Can I get a list of Hotels in the Yam Hamelach (dead sea) area that feature separate swimming hours for men and women? Are there any? Also looking for specific information on the Le Meridian (here). ...