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How did Noah react to being childless?

Rashi to Genesis 5:32 reads: אמר רבי יודן מה טעם כל הדורות הולידו למאה שנה וזה לחמש מאות אמר הקב״ה אם רשעים הם יאבדו במים ורע לצדיק זה ואם צדיקים הם אטריח עליו לעשות תיבות הרבה כבש את מעיינו ולא ...
msh210's user avatar
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108 views

What happens on Hoshanah Rabbah?

On Rosh Hashanah the judgment is written. On Yom Kippur it is sealed. But we really have until Hoshanah Rabbah to repent. The Zohar [Tzav 31b] says that's when the judgment is delivered. Who is ...
Maurice Mizrahi's user avatar
6 votes
0 answers
41 views

Why do we say Dayanim Mumhim in Hatarat Nedarim (Canceling vows)?

The text of Hatatarat Nedarim starts like this: שִׁמְעוּ נָא רַבּותַי דַּיָּנִים מֻמְחִים "Please hear, expert Dayanim (court) It's not just that usually we gather three random people to be ...
Alaychem goes to Codidact's user avatar
6 votes
0 answers
70 views

How many fled to the Cities of Refuge?

Do we know how many people (accidental murderers) took advantage of the Cities of Refuge (Deuteronomy 4:41-43)? Perhaps the size of the cities would put an upper limit on that number, so do we know ...
Yehuda W's user avatar
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240 views

What software to use to write a multi-section sefer?

What software is available that allows Hebrew and English and multiple sections? i.e. the main section and then a footnote/pirush (section #2) on that, and then a 3rd section which footnotes items ...
Chaim's user avatar
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How do we know that one must give up his life for any immoral relationship?

Sanhedrin 74a teaches that one must give up his life rather than be intimate with a forbidden relationship. It derives this from Devarim 22:26, in the context of a man who raped a young woman: ...
DonielF's user avatar
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6 votes
0 answers
81 views

Kinnah about mazalos out of order

One of the Kinnos that is said the night of Tisha B'Av discusses the different mazalos/constellations. In the Artscroll version it's listed as Kinnah #5. Artscroll has a nice chart at the bottom ...
robev's user avatar
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6 votes
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74 views

Is there a way to find out where a Pidyon Peter Chamor will be performed?

I am planning on being in Israel later this summer, IY"H. I'd like to do a few "unusual" things (call it my "mitzvah bucket list") that I may not do otherwise. I've never been to a pidyon peter ...
DanF's user avatar
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110 views

How did accidental killers sustain themselves while living in the cities of refuge?

An accidental killer flees to one of the cities of refuge for an indeterminate time (until the death of the kohein gadol, or even longer if the timing is unfortunate). The cities of refuge are cities ...
Monica Cellio's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
205 views

How can Biur Sheviit precede Biur Maaser?

The Mishna (Maaser Sheni 3:2) rules that one should not buy Terumah with Maaser Sheni money since one thereby further limits who can eat the Maaser Sheni which could lead to it being wasted. The ...
Double AA's user avatar
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6 votes
0 answers
60 views

Why do we specifically recall the greenery of Har Sinai on Shavuos?

While there are several reasons why there is a custom to spread greenery in shul, one which is brought by the Mishnah Berurah (494:10) is that Har Sinai was covered with greenery. Why is it ...
DonielF's user avatar
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67 views

Earliest source for teaching Torah in secret to hide from the Romans

A number of online sources (such as this article by Rabbi Ari Enkin, or this article by Rabbi Yair Hoffman) mention the tradition that rabbonim used to go out into the woods and teach Torah while ...
Shimon bM's user avatar
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126 views

Must maariv be said before the seder?

One who says maariv at shul surely says maariv before the seder. If one davens at home, must maariv be said before the seder? (This question came up in a comment to Why is counting the omer not in ...
Yehuda W's user avatar
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6 votes
0 answers
76 views

What determines whether things which are forbidden because of a danger are still prohibited once we know there's no danger?

There are certain things which are prohibited because of danger, many of which are listed here. A good number of them are confirmed by modern science to not cause any (physical) harm (ex. meat and ...
DonielF's user avatar
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6 votes
2 answers
233 views

Mishloach Manot - why the word Manot is used specifically

What is so special about this word "Manot / Manah" that it is used for the Mitzvah of sending food to one's fellow? What are the Halachic applications that "Manot" is used and not, say, food (besides ...
Al Berko's user avatar
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58 views

R' Chanina B"T's strange behavior at his execution (Kalah 5, 4)

We all know the heroic story of R' Chanina Ben Tardion in its version in Avodah Zarah 18b as he was wrapped in Sefer Torah and burned alive. Interestingly, Masechet Kalah 5, 4 (sorry couldn't find a ...
Al Berko's user avatar
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105 views

Why don't we say "please" (that often)?

The week day Shmoneh Esrei prayer has a series of requests during which we ask Hashem for many of our needs. In my siddur (Tefilla Hashalem) there is a subtle change made in the texts of 1 of the ...
rosends's user avatar
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0 answers
103 views

The application of the dispute about the borders of Babylon

The Talmud (Kiddushin 71b) discusses the differences in the lineage of people from different places in the vicinity of Bavel (Babylon) by analogy of health. Bavel is healthy (has a good lineage), ...
b a's user avatar
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6 votes
0 answers
122 views

When did a Jew last marry a woman captured in war?

What is the last recorded case of a Jew marrying a woman captured in war, as allowed by the Torah [Deut. 21:10-14]? Anybody more recent than King David, as mentioned in Sanhedrin 21a and Kiddushin ...
Maurice Mizrahi's user avatar
6 votes
0 answers
107 views

How did Tur and Mechaber omit explicit Mitzvos?

When answering to "is-holding-memories-considered-bearing-a-grudge" I noticed that while נקימה ונטירה (revenge and grudges) are two explicit Mitzvos DeOrayso counted by Rambam, Smag, Chinuch, etc, ...
Al Berko's user avatar
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6 votes
0 answers
216 views

Are relations permitted with one's wife who does not safeguard Shabbos?

One who transgresses Shabbos publicly has the status of a Gentile (Shulchan Aruch Y"D 2:5 and Shulchan Aruch Harav on it). Furthermore, Jews are forbidden from having relations with Gentiles. ...
hazoriz's user avatar
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6 votes
0 answers
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Multiple characters with the same name in the bible

In the Bible most of the names are unique, especially for the main characters. As far as I know there is only one Abraham and only one Moses etc. There are some names that appear more than once like ...
eliavs's user avatar
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6 votes
0 answers
171 views

Can we use archaeology to determine halacha or mesorah?

Can archaeology be used to determine the proper halacha or mesorah in certain cases? For instance, what if we found a Sefer Torah from the times of Moshe Rabbeinu and it differed from our mesorah. ...
ezra's user avatar
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6 votes
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117 views

What kind of flute was used in the temple, according to the mishna?

In Mishna there are several mentions of the use of flute, there were used at the time of the Bet Mikdash, see below a few examples. I am interested to know if we have some knowledge about the type of ...
kouty's user avatar
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6 votes
0 answers
102 views

How do we know that Shema is a time-based obligation and not an event-based obligation?

The time for reciting Shema is discussed in the Mishnah and various tannaic opinions are given, both for the morning Shema and for the evening Shema: Berachot 2a מאימתי קורין את שמע בערבין משעה ...
Alex's user avatar
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0 answers
105 views

Does a Ger have a Chiyuv to get an Aliya?

Inspired by the comments to my answer about (pseudo) 2nd Bar Mitzvahs. Both the Magen Avraham in 282:18 and the Biur Halocho in 136:1:1 mention that the reason a Bar Mitzva boy has a high priority to ...
Danny Schoemann's user avatar
6 votes
0 answers
164 views

The methodology of Mesores haShas

In Mesores haShas (printed in the margins of the Vilna Shas), is there any order to the sequence of quoted masekhtas? For example, on Sanhedrin 105b, a story is related that concerns the length of ...
Shimon bM's user avatar
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6 votes
0 answers
63 views

In prayer for sick, can one name count for two people?

On Shabbat morning, the gabbai prays for the sick to be healed and reads out a list of names of sick people, that was provided by the community. In the case where two sick people have the same name (...
ColBeseder's user avatar
6 votes
0 answers
47 views

What happens at a third of the growth of produce?

In yesterday's Daf Yomi - Menachot 71a - and other places(*) in various Mishnayoth, there's mention of a cut-off date of 1/3 of the growth of produce - עַד שֶׁלֹּא הֵבִיאָה שְׁלִישׁ‏ From Rashi it ...
Danny Schoemann's user avatar
6 votes
0 answers
172 views

Difference Between Shamayim and Rakia

In parshas Berashis, the words Shamayim and Rakia keep on coming up. someone asked me what is the difference between the 2, and I had no idea.
Asher's user avatar
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6 votes
0 answers
91 views

Graven Image Question

Can someone give me sources from Tanakh and Halakhah on why it is permissible for a Jewish [certified kosher] bakery to make images from Christianity and their winter holiday? And if it is permissible,...
Edwin Avalos's user avatar
6 votes
0 answers
231 views

Did the Sanhedrin ever convene at night or on holidays?

Were there ever any times or special circumstances in either Temple period where the Sanhedrin would convene on Shabbat, at night or on holidays?
Ephraim77's user avatar
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6 votes
0 answers
64 views

Recommended changes to the text of selichos when you say them at the "wrong" time

Some of the piyutim in selichos assume that you're saying them at the ideal time - before Amud Hashachar (for example, at the end of selicha #70 שחרנוך קדם עמוד השחר). Many people don't make it at ...
Heshy's user avatar
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6 votes
0 answers
72 views

Inconsistent (?) use of B'rachamav in Kaddish

This question deals with the origin of the inclusion of "b'rachamav" in the Kaddish Derabonon/Yatom, and this site gives more history on it. I noticed that the inclusion of the word "b'rachamav" ...
rosends's user avatar
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6 votes
0 answers
106 views

How is love created? Is giving sufficient or must there be Hakoras Hatov?

Related: Where does Rav Dessler mention that root word of אהבה is הב? Rav Wolbe in Alei Shur vol 2, in the first va'ad on Hakaras Hatov (page רעט) says that Hakaras Hatov is a foundation of love. ...
Avrohom Yitzchok's user avatar
6 votes
0 answers
136 views

Unknown La'az in Teshuvot Rashi

In the Elfenbein (1943) edition of Teshuvot Rashi, in the teshuvot from Rashi to the rabbis of Auxerre ('סימן ג), Rashi writes "לשון דמות צלם" is "אאמיינדליי" in la'az. Elfenbein writes in his ...
MiYavin's user avatar
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6 votes
0 answers
113 views

Acronym for ישראל (original source)

Where was this insight originally brought down from? י = יצחק, יעקב ש = שרה ר = רבקה, רחל א = אברהם ל = לאה The earliest work I could find was שני לוחות הברית But I'm not sure if it ...
code613's user avatar
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6 votes
0 answers
87 views

Why is it forbidden to eat after the Qorban Pesah?

The Mishnah (Pesahim 10:8) states (Hebrew, English): אין מפטירין אחר הפסח אפיקומן They may not add an afikoman after the Pesach offering. The commentators (e.g. Bartenura) explain that this is to ...
Lee's user avatar
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6 votes
0 answers
107 views

Cantillation as punctuation in Kuzari

In the Kuzari (2:72), the "chaver" says of the cantillation marks (טעמי המקרא): הם מצינים את המקום בו התכון המדבר להפסיק בין ענין לענין ואת המקום בו רצה להמשיך בענין; וכן מבדילים הם בין ...
b a's user avatar
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6 votes
1 answer
328 views

Saying Havineinu during the rainy season

The Mishnah Berakhot 4:3 introduces the abridged Amida, known as Havineinu (due to its' opening word). The Gemara Berakhot 29a provides the text of this abridged Amida, in the name of Shmuel. Within ...
Chaim's user avatar
  • 4,349
6 votes
0 answers
50 views

At what point does Moshe relay G-d's commandments to B'nai Yisra'el?

I'm asking this as a general question. We do see in a few places that G-d speaks to Moshe and then, the Torah says something like, "Moshe told this to B'nai Yisra'el". But, in numerous other places (...
DanF's user avatar
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6 votes
0 answers
183 views

Parole GPS monitor on Shabbos

Someone who was just released from jail. He is still serving parole and must wear a GPS monitor around his ankle. 1) Is the GPS monitor able to be worn on Shabbos? And if yes; 2) Is it allowed to be ...
Sye510's user avatar
  • 325
6 votes
0 answers
470 views

is there any redemption for a gentile who breaks any of the 7 Noahide laws

If a gentile breaks any of the 7 laws of Noah, are they doomed? Is there any way for them to redeem themselves, or is their fate sealed? Does it depend on which laws they break and how often they ...
ag415's user avatar
  • 395
6 votes
0 answers
2k views

Source for saying seven specific psalms in the cemetery

What is the source as cited in the ArtScroll Tehillim for saying chapters 33, 16, 17, 82, 91, 104, and 130 of Tehillim in a bais hachayim (Jewish cemetery)? Why specifically these chapters and why in ...
S. I.'s user avatar
  • 61
6 votes
0 answers
184 views

How does a non jew inherit his father?

The gemarra in Kiddushin 17b says that a non Jew inherits his father. My question is according to the Achronim1 who say the concept of "rov" doesn't apply to non Jews, how can a non Jew know who their ...
robev's user avatar
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6 votes
0 answers
203 views

Purpose of Torah in Gan Eden

We know from several midrashim (see first chapter of Midrash Tanchuma to Bereshit) that Torah had already existed before the world was created. It should have contained all the positive and negative ...
Kazi bácsi's user avatar
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6 votes
0 answers
234 views

who is Rabbi Menashe Klein referring to (a "religious" psychologist who wrote a forbidden book)?

Rabbi Menashe Klein in Sefer Bais Rahel on page 144 when discussing the dangers of psychologists (marriage counselors) says: וכבר נשמע על אחד מהם שכינה עצמו רב ודתי וחרדי מאד מאד, שכתב כביכול ספר [...
hazoriz's user avatar
  • 7,506
6 votes
0 answers
197 views

Are Tabletop Roleplay Games a sin?

I'm an atheist (agnostic with a Christian background) Game master. One of my Jewish friend showed interested in one of my roleplay campaign, while I'd be very happy to introduce him to the game, I ...
Dastardly's user avatar
  • 161
6 votes
0 answers
115 views

Why isn't imitating Hashem's traits a constant mitzvah?

In the introduction to Sefer HaChinuch, the author delineates what he feels are six constant mitzvos from the 613. מששה מצות מהן שחיובן תמידי לא יפסק מעל האדם אפי' רגע בכל ימיו. ואלו הם. א' להאמין ...
robev's user avatar
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6 votes
2 answers
385 views

Requesting forgiveness when in doubt

Rambam writes in Teshuva 2,9 that one must ask a person for forgiveness when he has wronged him and personal Teshuva is not enough. I have seen people (and I myself have often done this) asking for ...
Moshe Steinberg's user avatar

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