All Questions
4
votes
4answers
338 views
Why don't we just follow the shittah of Moshe Rabeinu?
My question can apply to virtually all mitzvos where there is a disagreement in the standard way to fulfill them.
If one reads the hakdama (introduction) to the Rambam's peirush mishnayos (commentary ...
2
votes
1answer
211 views
Accurate list of Gedolim [closed]
Wikepedia's list is missing certain Gedolim. Where can I access a list of Gedolim that would be virtually unarguable?
16
votes
6answers
621 views
First steps for someone considering conversion
I am 25 years old and I am truly interested in converting. I too also only believe in G-d. I live my life to certain rules that others I see aren't strong enough to live by. I want to know what I ...
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 ...
20
votes
3answers
529 views
May one use a computer script to do something specifically on Shabbos/Yom Tov?
May one run a program or machine that will operate on Shabbos, either by setting a timer to activate once Shabbos has started, or by leaving it running continually? What if the action is one that is ...
17
votes
2answers
571 views
Riding the Subway on Shabbat
Assuming that there are no problems regarding paying for it (either you entered the system before Shabbat, or a non-Jew paid for you):
What are the halakhic issue with riding the subway on Shabbat? ...
11
votes
2answers
281 views
Does a convert have a clean slate?
When a non-jew converts to Jusaism, must he still do teshuva from past sins, or does the "reborn" concept stretch far enough to consider him "sinless"?
9
votes
2answers
214 views
Kosherizing Water using Distillation
Suppose I have water that was cooked with non-kosher food. I then take the water and distill it.
Would this water be considered permissible to drink?
18
votes
2answers
763 views
What are the sources for women to wear/ not wear pants?
I have heard that the argument is beged ish / kli gever, and I have heard people say that even if that was once a real reason for it it doesn't apply today for various reasons.
I understand that the ...
16
votes
2answers
293 views
When (if ever) are converts still related to their relatives?
It is my understanding that when a person converts to Judaism, certain halachic relationships are severed.
So I have a couple questions about this.
Which relationships are severed?
Is a convert ...
15
votes
1answer
161 views
Anonymous glosses in the Shulchan Aruch
The Rama wrote a series of glosses to the Shulchan Aruch to reflect standard Ashkenazi practice, as the Shulchan Aruch was weighted towards the Sephardim. These glosses have been reprinted in almost ...
13
votes
2answers
283 views
12
votes
3answers
1k views
Taking a concubine (pilegesh) today
Moderator's note: As with all discussions of Jewish law on this site, any information included in this question or its answers is presented only for the purpose of understanding the relevant ideas, ...
12
votes
2answers
340 views
May (or should) a convert recite kaddish after his biological parents' deaths?
May (or should) a convert recite kaddish after his biological parents' deaths?
I think the answer is that yes, he may do so out of respect for them (even though, in a strict halachic sense, he is no ...
12
votes
1answer
388 views
Food in bathroom
Is one allowed to take food into the bathroom? I heard that the prohibiton is only on the type of bathroom used years ago.
11
votes
4answers
311 views
Is belief in a G-d a commandment?
I am studying to convert to Judaism and one of the questions I was asked was about the Ten Commandments. I remember reading at that time that there was debate about the division of the statements ...
11
votes
3answers
362 views
Nose Job in Halacha
Is a nose job allowed Hallachicly? Not all cosmetic surgeries, but rhinoplasty in particular, as I heard that rhinoplasty is allowed because we see by a Kohen that having an abnormally long nose is a ...
11
votes
10answers
413 views
Garments that unintentionally require tzitzit
Have you ever encountered in the wild (i.e. owned, considered purchasing in a store, seen worn by an observant Jewish man) a garment that requires tzitzit but that was not made for them (i.e. not a ...
11
votes
5answers
451 views
Nittle Nacht Meaning
What is Nittle Nacht?
What does the name mean?
What is its significance?
Which Halachic authorities speak about it, and what do they say?
What is the actual date for it?
How is it effected this ...
11
votes
1answer
434 views
Drinking cold kosher beverages in a non-Jewish relative's house
Let's say you're staying at a non-Jewish relative's house. He bought you kosher food because he knows you keep kosher. He buys you a drink such as milk. You see him pour the drink for himself into his ...
10
votes
1answer
202 views
Should I say “amen” to a malformed bracha?
If I hear somebody substantially mispronounce a bracha, should I say amen anyway (recognizing the intent) or remain silent? I'm not talking about nuances like pronouncing 'ayin or distinguishing ...
10
votes
4answers
303 views
what are the limits of “mesira”?
It seems that most people have an idea that you cannot report a Jew to the non-Jewish authorities (police, government, etc) except for extreme circumstances (imminent danger, abuse, etc). However, ...
10
votes
38answers
1k views
words often mispronounced [closed]
What are some words commonly mispronounced? (Not by elision/reduction (like 讛壮→讗讚职谞讬) or assimilation (like 转讝讻专讜→转砖讉讻专讜), but rather words that are pronounced wrong ...
10
votes
6answers
422 views
40 Days Before Conception
It is written somewhere (I don't remember exactly where) that 40 days before conception, it is called out in Heaven who that person will marry. However, if the person gets married multiple times how ...
8
votes
3answers
174 views
Making a Siyum on major sections of learning but not a codified unit
If someone completes a major section of Talmud Torah that is not a formal unit (eg., Basar Be岣lav), may/should one make a Siyum?
8
votes
2answers
270 views
Are Jews permitted to martyr themselves?
Are Jews permitted to martyr themselves? For example, if it is a question of converting or being killed, is the Jew permitted to sacrifice himself rather than convert?
Separately: which would be ...
8
votes
2answers
151 views
Sefira Counting in Diaspora
Why don't we count two nights each night, if there was always a Safek (doubt) what the date is.
In other words: if we are not sure when the second night of Pesach is, why don't we carry that doubt ...
7
votes
4answers
211 views
Neder vs. Shevua
Inspired by this answer (and more generally its question):
What is the difference between a Neder (vow) and a Shevua (oath)?
It seems to me that it is generally described as "issur cheftza" (neder) ...
7
votes
3answers
201 views
Meforshim Nick"names
It has become common practice to refer to most meforshim by acronyms of their name (eg Rashi, Rosh, etc.). When and why did this practice start, and is it proper?
7
votes
3answers
762 views
Mehadrin vs. Non Mehadrin
What's the difference between mehadrin and non-mehadrin certifications.
(e.g. at http://www.kosherinjerusalem.com/where_to_eat/kosher-hotels)
6
votes
3answers
579 views
Do Jewish people have a collection of books which are the equivelant of the Christian Old Testament?
One claim that is made in our Christian Church is that the Jewish people use the Old Testament and that Christians use both the Old Testament and the New Testament. How correct is this statement?
Do ...
6
votes
5answers
309 views
Why are there eight days of Chanukah if there were only seven miracles?
There is a famous question asked by the Beis Yosef (R' Yosef Karo): Why do we celebrate eight days of Chanukah if the miracle lasted only seven? The jug of oil contained enough to be lit for one day, ...
5
votes
1answer
176 views
How does Judaism regard the different denominations of Christianity vis-a-vis Avoda Zara?
There's been lots of talk about whether Christianity is Avodah Zara.
Are there any distinctions between denominations, say which ones have more statues?
4
votes
2answers
181 views
Shachris in the Dark
When do people who live in places where it is dark for days Daven Shachris and put on Tefillin?
Please provide a source (Mareh Makom).
3
votes
2answers
219 views
Who says the Ribbono shel Olam in Birkas Kohanim?
I've "seen" many Talmidei Chachamim not saying the Ribbono shel Olams following each bracha of Birkas Kohanim. At least, I hear them chanting with the Kohanim from start to finish. Are these tefilos ...
14
votes
4answers
422 views
What is the basis for eating in someone's house without a kashrut certificate?
No one asks for a kashrut certificate to eat in someone's house; they just make a rough judgement based on the host's reputation (the way they dress or behave, the circles they move in, etc.). That ...
12
votes
5answers
259 views
Plural of “Nafka Minah”
(Inspired by HodofHod's commment here: Four Holy Cities)
What is the proper plural for the common Aramaic phrase Nafka Minah 谞驻拽讗 诪讬谞讛 which means something along the line of "practical differences"?
...
11
votes
3answers
119 views
Who is the voice of Tosafoth?
Tosafoth were the sons-in-law, grandchildren, and students of Rashi (and their students), and "they" wrote a commentary on the Talmud that is often at odds with Rashi's earlier commentary. Sometimes ...
11
votes
1answer
124 views
How big, and what exactly, is “Kedei Kelipah”?
{Kedei Kelipah is a term used in Kashruth for the amount of something that needs to be removed in order to allow one to treat the remnant as Kosher. (This only applies under certain conditions, which ...
11
votes
3answers
220 views
Limits to Dina Dmalchusa Dina
What are the specifications of Dina Dimalchusah? A more targeted question to answer would be: If I ripped off the label of my mattress — the label that says its removal is punishable by federal ...
11
votes
3answers
365 views
In regards to writing, can soda bottles be opened on Shabbos?
Specifically, when the writing - such as an expiration date - is printed in dot matrix style across the line between the bottle cap and the bottle cap's ring, what are the issues involved in opening ...
11
votes
4answers
185 views
Commencing Shabbos: Shkiya behind a mountain
It is common practice nowadays for Shuls to publish the zmanim (times) to begin Shabbos (the Sabbath) and other activities. These times, it would seem, are based upon standard calculations of sunrise ...
10
votes
4answers
193 views
Why didn't Mordechai keep Mitzvos — serious edition
It says in the Megilla "讜讬讗诪专讜 注讘讚讬 讛诪诇讱 讗砖专 讘砖注专 讛诪诇讱 诇诪专讚讻讬 诪讚讜注 讗转讛 注讜讘专 讗转 诪爪讜转 讛诪诇讱" - "The servants of the King (who were in the King's gates) asked Mordechai 'Why do you go against the command ...
10
votes
3answers
355 views
Talis Gadol for Unmarried Individuals
In my minhag (and I believe it's minhag Ashkenaz), unmarried men do not wear a Talis Gadol (only a Talis Katan).
Why is this so?
10
votes
2answers
1k views
B'siyata D'shmaya or Baruch Hashem
Often, at the top of written work, Jews write either 讘"讛, which stands for Baruch Hashem =blessed is the Name i.e., God, or 讘住"讚, which stands for b'siyata d'shmaya =with Heavenly help.
What is the ...
10
votes
5answers
413 views
9
votes
1answer
161 views
What are the halachot when finding a Sefer Torah on the floor?
Recently, 6 Torah Scrolls that were stolen from the Tzemach Tzedek shul in Yerushalaim were found on the floor of a cave.
I am curious what the halachic differences are (if any) between finding a ...
9
votes
2answers
180 views
Halachot of Lashon Naki (clean speech)
What is the halachik source, if any, for lashon naki (clean speech)? Is there a portion of Talmud that deals with the specifics? On the surface, it seems to be employed inconsistently, by which I mean ...
9
votes
2answers
81 views
What is the provenance of Maseches Sofrim
Who wrote Maseches Sofrim and when did he live. Is it accepted by everyone?
The Rashba in Brachos 34a writes that is one of the minor masechtes that were authored by the early sages. He reiterates in ...
8
votes
1answer
115 views
Do the customs in regards to *Yud Av* apply to *Yud-Aleph Av* on a year when the fast is pushed off?
I know that people have the custom (I don't know how universal it is), to keep a lot of the restrictions of the nine days until Chatzos on Yud Av. Such as not eating meat or doing laundry.
This year ...
