All Questions
13
votes
1answer
290 views
Jews under Charlemagne
Jews under Charlemagne in the 8th century and the Carolingian emperors were accredited food providers in addition to providing wine for Christian mass. I am looking for halachic responses to these ...
11
votes
1answer
147 views
What are valid reasons for establishing a new Minyan?
What are the criteria required for establishing a new Minyan?
Some considerations (not an exhaustive list) for why people might want a new Minyan:
Different נוסח (perhaps very few people in the ...
11
votes
1answer
200 views
Mushrooms in a Vineyard
The bracha on a mushroom is "shehakol" because the Talmud (Berachot 40b) correctly (I think) states that mushrooms do not derive their nutrients from the ground.
If a mushroom is growing in a ...
10
votes
1answer
82 views
Ta'amei Mikra and the Torah Scroll
I have heard that a haftorah klaf (scroll) is still considered kosher and usable if the Ta'amei Mikra have been written on it. Yet I've always been told that this is not true for a Torah scroll. Why ...
10
votes
1answer
129 views
Overhead projector on Shabbos?
A discussion came up with some guests over shabbos. One asked if one could use an overhead projector on Shabbos if it was turned on from before, i.e. could one put a new plastic sheet on it or not? In ...
10
votes
1answer
200 views
What is the halachic status of things in outer space?
Is everything in outer space hefker? For example if a private person lands on the moon or an asteroid can he be koneh it? Do you retain the rights to something that you send into space?
0
votes
0answers
58 views
What is so special about the 613 mitzvos?
There are arguments in the Rishonim about what the 613 mitzvos are. But even if you hold something's not part of the 613, it's still a mitzva, so what's so special if it is part of the 613?
0
votes
0answers
35 views
Does the mitzvah of Tzedek require poverty and inequality in society?
If we accept that giving to the poor and an emphasis on Tzedek are Mitzvot that is repeatedly noted within Tanakh - for example some Midrashic commentary suggests that the sin of Sodom was actually a ...
0
votes
0answers
62 views
How could David lie with Bat Sheva if she had a Safek Get?
Tosafos version of Rashi in the Gemara 9b implies that there was a get on condition that Uria (Bat shevas husband) wont come back. So if David didn't know if Uria would come back or not how could he ...
0
votes
0answers
34 views
Looking for Passages in the Shakh
Notwithstanding the fact that the Shakh includes a passage in the introduction to his Nequdat Kesef, claiming that his objections to other scholars are meant only respectfully, I have heard it said ...
0
votes
0answers
31 views
Does a Rov have to answer a question?
In the past I asked what responsibility does a person have to look up and investigate an answer to a question that he wasn't able to answer.
I'd now like to ask a similar question with a few points.
...
0
votes
0answers
33 views
Why didn't King Chizkiyahu sing?
The Gemara in Sanhedrin 94a states:
The Holy One, blessed be He, wished to appoint Chizkiyahu as the
Messiah, and Sancheriv as Gog and Magog; whereupon the Attribute of
Justice said before the ...
0
votes
0answers
28 views
Shiur of “Miut Hamatzui”
A "miut hamatzui" is a phrased used to express a case where because of a small concern that something exists, or might happened, or does happen that the halacha is affected by this. An example is if ...
0
votes
0answers
62 views
Hamapil immediately before sleep, but what about undressing?
Generally, we are supposed to say hamapil beracha immediately before going to bed, with no interruption. How do we reconcile this with the idea that we should be dressed appropriately to make a ...
0
votes
0answers
45 views
How important is it to read from a Torah on Rosh Chodesh?
Where does the practice of reading for the Torah on Rosh Chodesh come from and how crucial is it?
Would skipping it (due to lack of easily accessible Sefer Torah) constitute a serious transgression?
...
0
votes
0answers
22 views
Bet HaMikdash and Olam Haba - Rambam
If, for Rambam, the Olam Haba is something that comes after the days of Mashiach and the ressurrection of the dead, and if it is a completly spiritual reality, is there still a Bet Hamikdash on that ...
0
votes
0answers
54 views
Did King David really fast on alternate days?
Could you please let me know whether
King David fasted on alternate days? Have you got this tradition in Judaism? Any historical reference?
0
votes
0answers
83 views
May I let my web browser save my browsing session during Chol Hamoed?
To save electricity, I like to shut down my computer every night. First, I quit my Web browser.
My Web browser is set up so that, when I quit, it automatically saves my session: a list of open tabs ...
0
votes
0answers
50 views
Is there an 'Inyan of Upsherin for girls?
Upsherin is cutting a boy's hair at or about the age of three for the first time. Is there any 'Inyan (idea) of an Upsherin for girls? Why or why not?
0
votes
0answers
23 views
Holy Cities in Israel
It's almost a colloquialism that there are four holy cities in Israel.
If, indeed, there is some significant message derived from the historical importance of these cities that imparts in them some ...
0
votes
0answers
57 views
Should a parent bless a child resting one hand or both?
When a parent gives the traditional blessing usually done on Shabbat evening should the parent place one hand on the head of the child or two?
0
votes
0answers
54 views
Bigdei Shabbos on Erev Pesach
It says in SA OC Siman 471 in the Rema Sif 3 that it's a mitzvah to take shower/bath and cut ones hair Erev Yom Tov. As well to wear "Bigadim Noim" (nice clothing) "c'mo Shabbos" (like on Shabbos.)
...
0
votes
0answers
69 views
שונא מתנות by Mishloach Manos
Can one rightfully refuse to accept Mishloach manos based on the idea of one should not accept presents, or a person who does so wrong since shalach manos was instituted to promote love? The other ...
0
votes
0answers
31 views
What does the Megillah mean when it says Mordechai was “dover shalom” to all his seed?
Megillas Esther 10:3 tells us that Mordechai was great among the Jews and accepted of the multitude of his brethren; "seeking the good of his people and speaking peace [v'dover shalom] to all his ...
0
votes
0answers
41 views
Why when we read from two Torah scrolls is the one taken out first returned last and vice versa?
When we Askenazim read from two Torah scrolls, the one taken out first is returned last and the one taken out second is returned first.
But we say “maalin bekodesh ve’ain moridin” – we go up in ...
0
votes
0answers
154 views
Source for song “Don't walk in front of me”
A popular Jewish children's song contains the lyrics
Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow; Don't walk behind me, I may not lead; Just walk beside me, and just be my friend.
This is ...
0
votes
0answers
33 views
Is the Torah called a tzarah?
It was quoted to me once that the Torah is called a tzarah to a wife. In other words, just like the Torah calls a second wife to a man a "tzarah" (to the first wife) so too the Torah is a tzarah to a ...
0
votes
0answers
29 views
0
votes
0answers
69 views
Gentile Biography which Inspires
What is the jewish view on reading biographies of remarkable gentiles which one finds inspirational provided there is no apikorsus in the content.
Have come across a website about a certain person ...
0
votes
0answers
54 views
When Tu Bishvat falls out on Shabbos, when do we make the seder?
Many have the custom to make a seder for Tu Bishvat. When Tu Bishvat is on Shabbos as it is this year, when is the optimal time to make the seder? If as part one of the three Shabbos meals, which ...
0
votes
0answers
73 views
Looking at clothing of a woman
It says in Shulchan Aruch Evan HaEzer Siman 21 Sif 1 that it's ossur to look at the colored clothing of a woman that you know even if she is not wearing them, lest one come to "hirhurim" (to think ...
0
votes
0answers
48 views
Learning Hilchos Chalev and Seder Kodshim as segulah for Refuah
A friend of mine was recently in Eretz Yisrael. When he was here he visited many Gedolim to get brachas for his son who was born with a number of birth defects. He was by R' Chaim Kanevsky to a get a ...
0
votes
0answers
44 views
Who is greater than whom?
From the fact that Levi was in Bavel, Rav derived that R' Efes passed away.
He derived it like this:
After Rebbi passed away, R' Efes took over Rebbi's position. Rav Chanina was equal (or greater) ...
0
votes
0answers
55 views
Good place to start kli yakar
I've heard many great divrei torah from kli yakar, so I want to start learning kli yakar. I'm improving on my Hebrew skills, so I'd like to use a dictionary. What's a good parsha/perek of Chumash to ...
0
votes
0answers
75 views
Can Isaiah 11:2 be used a basis for the belief that the king messiah will be a prophet?
If a recent thread, I asked, "Will the king messiah be a prophet?"
@b a cited a source from Rambam's Hilkhot Teshuva, 9.2 which states, "מפני שאותו המלך שיעמוד מזרע דויד בעל חכמה יהיה יתר משלמה, ...
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 ...
0
votes
0answers
71 views
The Huncovce, Slovakia Yeshiva — any photos, diaries, documents?
I have translated a page about Hunsdorf/Huncovce, Slovakia, from a Yizkor (Memorial) Book, Pinkas Slovakia, as part of an effort by JewishGen to make information available to the world. Over the ...
0
votes
0answers
57 views
Genevas Daas (deception) with a gift
The Shach in YD Siman 117 Sif-Katan 13 writes,
דאין במתנה משום גניבת דעת
With regard to a gift there is no problem of "genevas daas" (deception).
The Shach writes this in regard to selling ...
0
votes
0answers
73 views
Rashi in Shelach 8 days c'neged 8 strings of tzitzis
It says at the end of Parshas Sheleach:
דַּבֵּר אֶל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאָמַרְתָּ אֲלֵהֶם וְעָשׂוּ לָהֶם
צִיצִת עַל כַּנְפֵי בִגְדֵיהֶם לְדֹרֹתָם וְנָתְנוּ עַל צִיצִת הַכָּנָף
פְּתִיל ...
0
votes
0answers
46 views
Why are Psalms 136 verses 17 & 18 apparently out of historical order?
In Psalms 136, verses 17 and 18 refer to kings smitten or slain after Sihon and Og mentioned in verses 19 and 20. Why are the verses apparently out of historical order?
0
votes
0answers
54 views
Stuffed cabbage on Sukkoth
There is a well-known custom to eat stuffed cabbage on Simhath Torah. But many also eat it on Sukkoth. Is it an extension of the same reason? Are the reasons cited for Simhath Torah (in the answers to ...
0
votes
0answers
69 views
Is two hundred and ten a name of God?
Is there a name of God (derived through gematria, kabbalah or otherwise) associated with the number 210?
0
votes
0answers
48 views
Different Aliyot for Same Torah Reading
We lane (read) the same for 1st Yom Tov of Sukkot and 2nd day of Pesach. I've noticed, however, that even though שלישי is in the same place, לוי isn't. Why would this be?
0
votes
0answers
91 views
Singing or listening to non-Jewish religious music
Is it permissible to listen or sing non-Jewish religious music so long as praise and worship is only expressed to Hashem and this is clear and/or your intention is only to praise G-d and no one else?
0
votes
0answers
49 views
Davening by a Tzaddik on Rosh HaShanah
Where does the inyan of davening with a Tzaddik on Rosh HaShanah come from? Where did it start? Was there ever such a minhag before chassidus come along? (Assuming it started with the Chassidim -- my ...
0
votes
0answers
19 views
Why do we vary the form of the attributes of HaShem in the selicho “Kail Rachum shmecho”?
In the selicho "Kail Rachum shmecho" we ask HaShem to do things because of ("lema'an") - a list of things. Some are in the masculine form eg shemecho and some in the feminine form eg amitoch, brisoch. ...
0
votes
0answers
44 views
Taking food from a Seudas Bris
When I am at a Bris I have noticed that many people take food for others who are not there. What is the source for taking food from a Bris?
0
votes
0answers
35 views
P'nei Eretz Yisrael, P'nei Shabbat Kodesh?
Once I was in the land of Israel (in Beit Shemesh), and the mazmin was leading birkat hamazon. He said birshut maranan verabanan verabotai, birshut hakohanim, and birshut p'nei eretz yisrael. Is ...
-1
votes
0answers
34 views
Can a gentile celebrate the holidays like Rosh Hashanah or Pesshach with jews?
we have gentile friends that would like to celebrate the Chagim with us.
Can they do it? Also on Yom Kippur?
-2
votes
0answers
64 views
What is the spiritual meaning of a kabalist?
I understand that a Guadol is a bal midot a talmid chacham a tsadik but what does it means in a rouchniut way to say that this rav is a great kabalist ? and why never Abraham, Yitzchak, Yacov, Moshe, ...
