All Questions
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 ...
8
votes
2answers
276 views
What are the sources of Jewish law?
What are the sources for the Jewish law or "Halacha"? Is there any priority among these sources? In common practice, when a law is described, is the citation given form the main sources or derived ...
8
votes
3answers
263 views
All you need is love?
I once had a Hebrew professor state with absolute determination that "Ahavah" (the Hebrew word for "love") does not, in fact, mean love. His proof was twofold:
1. G-d could not have commanded us to ...
8
votes
4answers
318 views
Was Eisav Jewish?
Was Eisav Jewish? Eisav was born to the same father and mother as Yaakov. It may be possible to say that Yaakov was not Jewish either as it was before Matan Torah, however if Yaakov was Jewish, then ...
8
votes
5answers
664 views
Sheidim, fact or fiction?
Are there really such thing as sheidim? If so, what are they? Please include sources.
7
votes
1answer
257 views
Prohibition of a Kohen marrying a Zonah
In the prohibition of a Kohen marrying a Zonah (cf. Vayikra 21:7), what defines a woman as a Zonah? Is it just having had relations with a non-Jew, or does it also include having relations out of ...
7
votes
1answer
165 views
Electronic communication immediately before wedding
Is it permissible to chat with your future spouse during the week before the wedding when you are not supposed to see each other face to face? Are any, all, or none of the following permissible:
...
7
votes
2answers
310 views
Is there any issue with using aerosols on Shabbos?
I've heard from many people that you shouldn't use aerosols (such as air fresheners, disinfectants or deodorants) on shabbos, usually citing some vague reason of changing the form from liquid to gas, ...
7
votes
1answer
210 views
Do married men stop saying a bracha on their *tallit katan*?
This question concerns the Ashkenazic practice.
I was always told that the tallit katan (worn under clothing, every day, starting in preschool years) got the bracha of al mitzvat tzitzit, but the ...
7
votes
4answers
232 views
Can you use Liquor to fulfill Ad Dlo Yoda?
Can you use liquor instead of wine for the mitzvah of Ad Dlo Yoda?
Is there any Posek who allows you to be yotzeh specifically with Liquor?
6
votes
1answer
417 views
How did the Ten Martyrs actually die?
On Yom Kippur and Tisha B'av we read about the Ten Martyrs who were gathered and killed by Emperor Hadrian to atone for the Sale of Yosef HaTzadik.
In addition to the idea that the Ten Martyrs didn't ...
6
votes
1answer
317 views
How were Achiman, Sheshai and Talmai “Sons of Giants”?
In Bamidbar 13:22, the Torah tells us that the spies saw Achiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the sons of Giants. Rashi tells us they were the descendants of Shamchazai and Azael, angels who fell from heaven ...
6
votes
1answer
213 views
Tallis gadol with white stripes
An interesting question has been posted on the signification of tallis' stripes : Stripes on a Talis
About stripes color the Rambam position's noticed as black being closer to techeiles color.
My ...
6
votes
1answer
311 views
Why does the Torah forbid interest only on loans to Jews?
Why aren't we allowed to charge a Jew interest but we're allowed to charge a non-Jew?
5
votes
2answers
178 views
The tree of life if adam was already immortal
What's the point of creating the tree of life if Adam was already immortal when created?
I can understand the tree of knowledge of good and evil, since Adam was lacking in this knowledge and if he ...
5
votes
6answers
686 views
Which surnames are exclusively Kohanim's and why?
It is well known that is a person has a certain surname (last name) they are more likely to be a Kohen.
Examples:
Cohen - for obvious reasons
Kahn
Katz - stands for "Kohen Tzedek"
What are some ...
5
votes
1answer
159 views
Where are the rules for naming parshiyot explained?
Here I asked about the naming of parshat Noach and parshat Toldot.
Is there someplace where parsha-naming questions like this are addressed in general, or are answers to individual questions ...
5
votes
3answers
127 views
Saying Mashiv HaRuach in the Southern Hemisphere
In the Southern Hemisphere (Brazil, Australia, South Africa, etc.) in October they are heading into the summer. Do they say Mashiv HaRuach at this time of the year or do they say it from Pesach to ...
4
votes
3answers
198 views
How much is 2 Zuz worth in current USD?
As mentioned in the Passover Hagaddah, how much is "2 Zuz" worth in March 2013 US Dollars?
Please note there may be different types of Zuz: "זוזי פשיטי" and "זוזי ממש" (Gemara Ketuvot 67a). This may ...
4
votes
4answers
198 views
4
votes
1answer
296 views
What would be an example of permitted vs prohibited cross-grafting with fruit trees?
I haven't studied Tractate Kilayim.
I know you can't plant grapes with wheat.
What about, say:
Jazz apple = Royal Gala apple X Braeburn apple ?
Nectarine = Peach X Plum ?
Nectaplum = Nectarine X ...
3
votes
1answer
174 views
What to do with the candles during Havdalah
What is the proper procedure after saying the Brocho בורא מאורי האש? I understand you "look," but at what?
2
votes
2answers
166 views
Upper limits of “kovea itim”
It is known from the gemara (Shabbos 31a and cited in maamar Toras HaBayis ch. 1, among other places) that when a person dies, he is asked if he had set times for learning. I know that these times can ...
22
votes
6answers
2k views
Does the Torah discuss aliens?
Does the Torah discuss extra-terrestrial life and/or civilizations?
Do any Torah sources exist which discuss what these hypothetical beings would be like and their status/nature? (eg. Would they be ...
28
votes
7answers
530 views
Did any Achronim comment on the American Revolutionary or Civil Wars?
I've heard that for instance, in the 1800s, the American rabbis in the South were pro-slavery, and the American rabbis in the North opposed to it. But what were the views towards America of the ...
12
votes
6answers
736 views
How do we know that God exists?
Simple enough question, and very much related to the topic.
According to the sources, on what basis should people believe that there's a God?
12
votes
1answer
245 views
What is the meaning of psak?
I have asked many people this question, and not yet got a comprehensive answer: What is psak?
Like, let's say I have a certain piece of food of uncertain status. If I ask my 6 year old kid if it's ...
1
vote
1answer
289 views
Does Jewish law forbid Internet usage?
The Ichud HaKehillos LeTohar HaMachane anti-Internet rally is coming up in a few weeks, on May 20, 2012. What do contemporary halakhic authorities say about the permissibility or prohibition of using ...
14
votes
1answer
890 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 ...
12
votes
4answers
1k views
Why don't Jews sacrifice animals anymore?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but Jews do not currently sacrifice animals like ancestors long ago. Why do Jews not currently sacrifice animals? Will there be a time when sacrificing returns once again? How ...
12
votes
7answers
853 views
Archeological proof of Exodus?
Is there empirical proof that the exodus from Egypt and related happenings (like Har Sinai etc) did in fact occur (i.e: Archeological proof)?
I believe in the Torah, but how would you prove to someone ...
9
votes
2answers
208 views
Shalom Aleichem in Kiddush Levanah
Why do we say Shalom Aliechem in Kiddush Levanah? And what should one do if there are no other people around (or not enough people around)?
9
votes
7answers
271 views
Experience-based advice for focusing and slowing down prayers?
I tend to daven (pray) without sufficient focus and very quickly. In particular, I find that most of the time that I'm praying, my mind is on things other than the words that I'm saying. And, not that ...
8
votes
3answers
265 views
Kohanic Hand Gestures?
How are Kohanim supposed to position their hands and in what shape during Birkhat Kohanim? Answer with most opinions backed by sources wins.
6
votes
8answers
417 views
Kabala in Halacha
Which of the major authors or codifiers of halacha. . .
a) refer directly to or quote from kabala in their legal discussions?
b) employ conclusions based only on kabala in their legal argumentation ...
5
votes
0answers
98 views
What are the practical limits of shaimos in the common era? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Hashems name on device
I've tried to always be careful in regard to shaimos, but I'm still having difficulty understanding how it maps out in the age of the computer.
...
4
votes
5answers
479 views
ALL Names of God
Where can I find an exhaustive list of all of the names of Hashem (preferably שמות and כינוים) in תנ"ך (Tanakh) and elsewhere?
Is this too ill-defined a topic to have an exhaustive answer?
Do the 70 ...
3
votes
4answers
395 views
Make for yourself a website?
Can a site like mi.yodeya.com be used for one to fulfill our sages mandate of "Make for yourself a Rav"?
Obviously I meant this facetiously. Of course a website cannot take the place of a rav, but ...
2
votes
2answers
326 views
Tzar Balay Chaim- Killing Pests?
Are you allowed to kill flies and other pests (mice, mosquitoes, etc.) or would that go under the prohibition of Tzar Balay Chaim?
15
votes
2answers
687 views
Can one throw out a Menorah?
Is it an issue to discard a menorah that has been used for the mitzvah of Neros Chanuka?
What if the menorah is made from something not usually used for a menorah? For example,bottles, cans, ...
15
votes
2answers
265 views
Does artificial meat grown in a petri dish have the halachic status of meat?
Scientists are developing means of growing artificial meat in a petri dish. Does such 'meat' have the halachic status of meat?
Source: ...
14
votes
3answers
266 views
Humming during shmoneh esre
On shabbat for shacharit and mussaf, I am usually still davening shmoneh esre by the time the chazzan gets to kedusha. In this situation, can I hum to the tune of kedusha?
This essentially boils down ...
14
votes
1answer
199 views
Can you learn from seforim written by someone who believed in Shabbetai Tzvi?
During the times of false messiah Shabbetai Tzvi, and for several decades afterwards, many well established rabbanim [1] believed him to be Moshiach. Some even maintained this belief after his ...
14
votes
5answers
1k views
Is using a Kindle on Shabbat permitted?
A Kindle is an e-book reader that uses "e-ink" rather than an LCD screen. It has physical controls to turn pages. If left unused it enters a sleep mode, and you can return to reading by moving a ...
14
votes
7answers
669 views
Phrasing of refuah prayer when praying for a non-Jew
How would you phrase a refuah (recovery from illness) tefillah (prayer) for a sick gentile?
"Thomas ben [=son of] Mary"?
"Thomas Smith"?
Is it appropriate to include the name during the ...
14
votes
4answers
583 views
14
votes
7answers
436 views
Eating Meat: What Changed?
Adam wasn't allowed to eat meat. After the mabul (Flood) we were suddenly permitted to eat (Bereshit 9:3). What changed (ie what was the reason we weren't allowed to before, why are we allowed to now ...
14
votes
6answers
330 views
G'dolim or Rabbis Owning Pets
Are there any g'dolim (or rabbis of major influence) - past or present - who are known to have owned pets/kept animals for non-agricultural purposes?
13
votes
2answers
893 views
Mikvah - Non Jewish Husband
Can a woman use a Mikvah if her Husband is not Jewish (She is currently on the road to becoming a BT)
12
votes
5answers
324 views
Can we argue with gedolim when we are sure that we are right?
I recently saw a teshuva by Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, Ohrach Chaim Volume 1 Teshuva 109, that quotes a letter from Rabbi Menashe Klein asking a question on Rabbi Moshe's psak but saying that he does not ...
