0
votes
0answers
4 views
Cant decide which to convert to based on my belief…Modern orthodox vs Conservative
Please help me...I was born to a jewish father and a christian mother...raised following all jewish holiday and have always identified myself as a jew and nothing else. I would frequently get reminded ...
3
votes
0answers
12 views
Does Judaism have a default rule about child custody in the case of divorce?
In many marriages in modern times, a couple will sign a prenuptial agreement that outlines what should happen if they (chas v'shalom) get divorced. Among the things commonly agreed upon in a ...
0
votes
0answers
6 views
Mishna Demai: why can't you take teruma from vadai on demai?
(Lomdus/Jargon alert: this question is not for beginners)
In Maseches Demai (5:10-11) we learn that taking teruma from vadai on demai does not work, even on the vadai itself.
I totally don't ...
1
vote
1answer
38 views
Who is Tzippor?
Parashat Balak indirectly refers to Tzippor five times (by introducing Balak as "ben Tzippor"). I don't believe Rashi brings down any background regarding Tzippor. If there is little known about ...
0
votes
1answer
148 views
Cohen and Vasectomy Marrying a women who wants to have children
If it is prohibited for a women who want's to have children to marry a a man who had a vasectomy and the man told her before the wedding that he had the vasectomy and she had in mind to get invitro ...
0
votes
0answers
6 views
MIssed the Zeman Kriyas Shema - what should you do?
Suppose a fellow realizes at 9:16AM that the Gra Zeman Kriyas Shema was at 9:14 and he never said Kriyas Shema yet. Is there any gain by saying it immediately even though it is past the later Zeman ...
1
vote
2answers
26 views
Bitahhon vs. Hishtadlut
In discussing the six constant mitzvot, Jewish Pathways mentions that:
"To achieve results, [one must] invest effort. But the
materials, circumstances, and ultimate result are all provided by ...
0
votes
0answers
9 views
Starting Mincha right before Shekiya
According to those that only Daven Mincha up to Shekiya, are you required to finish before Shekiya the complete Mincha or just required to begin before Shekiya? (sources)
3
votes
0answers
19 views
Reliance on non-Jews for removing bugs
In discussing washing salted meat according to Halachah, there is a lengthy discussion about whether and when we can rely on a non-Jew who claims to have done it.
The Tur (Y"D 69:10) says that there ...
2
votes
1answer
16 views
What is to be done with a Sefer Torah written by an apikoreis, or by a soffer of unknown apikoreis-status?
What is to be done with a Sefer Torah written by an apikoreis, or by a soffer of unknown apikoreis-status (whether it be a question of the status of the soffer who wrote it, or if it is unknown who ...
12
votes
2answers
392 views
+200
Nun in Ashrei- Psalm 145
The prayer Ashrei, which we recite three times a day, is an acrostic consisting of all the letters of the Hebrew alphabet except for nun (נ). Why is the nun omitted?
2
votes
1answer
29 views
What is the basis for the ruling that adding to a tent is permissible on Shabbath?
The Gemara in 'Eruving 102a quotes Rav as telling Rav Huna that in order to provide shade for his flock in the daytime on Shabbath yet roll back the cover in the evening for ventilation, all he has to ...
0
votes
2answers
68 views
Why aren't we Mahmir (stringent) with just Mikvah when ruling leniently on a technicality in Niddah cases?
I know from experience and some introductory study of the laws of Niddah that rabbis typically try to find leniencies wherever possible in issues of family purity. In many instances, a Posek will rely ...
15
votes
7answers
931 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?
5
votes
3answers
342 views
Hair Covering Before Marriage?
Are there any communities in America or Israel where women cover their hair before marriage? Do Satmar women cover their hair before marriage?
0
votes
1answer
30 views
Is there a limit to what you can pray for?
Must one, should one, or can one pray every little detail of life? For example, can one pray for his sports team to win? Is there a limit of what to pray for?
1
vote
0answers
18 views
Starting a bracha in the middle of Bircas Krias Shema, what to do?
One is not allowed to say certain brachas in the middle of bircas krias shema (even "between perakim" -- between certain parts of Bircas Krias Shema.) For example Asher Yatzer, or the bracha on a ...
2
votes
0answers
33 views
Rambam held of Timtum halev?
There is a famous story of the Rambam in the name of R' Chaim Brisker:
"When the Rambam visited Yemen, he met a certain gaon of the geonim of the time. And after the Rambam returned home, this ...
4
votes
1answer
50 views
Where does the tune for birkat hamazon come from?
It's hard to describe who's tune this is and I can only refer to it as the 'commonly used' or 'popular' tune for birkat hamazon. I seems like it is compiled of many unrelated tunes. At times there are ...
3
votes
0answers
14 views
Making a neder however not specifying verbally
If someone wants to make a prohibition on himself from eating apples and has some apples in front of him and uses a loshon of "konem" in his neder and says "these apples" then they become ossur. What ...
6
votes
0answers
60 views
+50
What does it mean when the “nation says something”?
There are often cases in Tanach where the Bnei Yisrael speak/answer simultaneously. Is there a general rule behind what this means or does it change from verse to verse? It would seem difficult to ...
0
votes
2answers
51 views
Premixed Gatorade and Powerade aren't cheap. I'd rather buy something powdered or concentrated. What's kosher?
I'm sick today; I think it might be (mild) gastroenteritis. DuPont et al. write that "the most important form of therapy consists of fluid combined with electrolytes", citing the CDC.
I'd rather use ...
4
votes
2answers
83 views
Why might we think that Moses did not write Parashat Bil'am?
In Bava Basra 14b, a ברייתא is quoted as saying "Moshe wrote his book (i.e. the Pentateuch), Parashat Bil'am, and [the Book of] Iyov." Why did the ברייתא even raise the issue of Moshe's authorship of ...
8
votes
3answers
216 views
Why has the Mishnah Berurah become the Authoritative Halachik Work instead of the Aruch haShulchan?
Hirhurim just had a post about this topic, where he discussed some reasons that people should follow the aruch haShulchan. Yet in many circles, people just follow the Mishna Berura and rarely even ...
4
votes
1answer
58 views
Why is the Shulchan Aruch definitive?
Why do we (almost all Jews) consider the Shulchan Arukh, not written until the 16th century, to be the final word on halakha?
Our halakha is derived from Torah Shebikhtav and She'be'al Peh. SA ...
3
votes
1answer
77 views
Magazine not delivered - what are they responsible for?
If someone has a subscription to a Jewish weekly or magazine or newspaper (for example: Mishpacha, Binah, Ami, Jewish Press, Yated, Hamodia, etc.) and they are supposed to deliver on a specific day of ...
2
votes
1answer
108 views
What is the correct wine for kiddush in accordance with all the poskim.?
I have heard of mevushal not being used for kiddush. Now most wine labels indicate whether the wine is mevushal. But are there other things to be concerned about?
The following are halakhic concerns ...
7
votes
3answers
121 views
Why do men or boys have to cover their hair, but not unmarried women?
Whatever the reasons for covering hair (e.g. fear of heaven), they seem to equally apply to men and women. So why don't unmarried women have to cover their hair?
2
votes
1answer
111 views
Eating meat on a regular basis
It says in Vayikra Perek 17 Pasuk 13 (Parshas Achrei-Mos):
"וְאִישׁ אִישׁ מִבְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וּמִן הַגֵּר הַגָּר בְּתוֹכָם אֲשֶׁר יָצוּד צֵיד חַיָּה אוֹ עוֹף אֲשֶׁר יֵאָכֵל וְשָׁפַךְ אֶת דָּמוֹ ...
-2
votes
1answer
41 views
freed slaves owe their redeemer (jews owe HaShem)
if freed slaves owe their redeemer (jews owe HaShem)
how do we look on america freeing slaves
1
vote
0answers
46 views
Hair covering in photos [duplicate]
Another question asks whether pictures of erva are erva. My question assumes, for the sake of argument, that they are, and asks: May a married woman show photos of herself with her hair uncovered that ...
1
vote
2answers
83 views
Two Yahrtzeits One for Mother one for Father who comes First
All other things being equal Halachically, if you have two people with Yahrtzeits one for a mother and one for a father, who has priority with regards to getting an Aliyah (and/or davening for the ...
10
votes
2answers
170 views
Satmar Derech Halimud
I was curious as to what the Derech Halimud (learning style) is for Satmar Chassidim. I understand that the general Chassidish Derech (Chassidic style) is one that moves at a quicker pace with not as ...
6
votes
2answers
47 views
A child's tendency to skip words corrected/prompted by an instructor
When I am helping my young child say Birkat Hamazon or other prayers, I sometimes correct her pronunciation of a word or prompt her when she forgets what the next word is. In these situations, she ...
9
votes
1answer
155 views
What happened to Rabbi Akiva's money?
The Gemara in Nedarim (50a) lists six sources of wealth from which Rabbi Akiva became exceedingly wealthy, including half of Ben Kalba Savua's money (Kesuvos, 63a). Rashi on Bechoros (58a) maintains ...
3
votes
1answer
29 views
Why do some korbanos and not others require n'sachim?
Some korbanos require n'sachim (accompanying flour, oil, and wine) and some do not: specifically, all korbanos require n'sachim except the b'chor, the maasar b'hema, the pesach, and most chataos and ...
2
votes
1answer
58 views
Shoe-tying order when tying another's shoes
Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 2:4–5:
ינעול מנעל ימין תחילה ולא יקשרנו ואחר כך ינעול של שמאל ויקשרנו ויחזור ויקשור של ימין
One should don his right shoe first but not tie it, then don his ...
5
votes
1answer
141 views
May I buy and use cheap fakes instead of paying full price for brand-name clothes?
An old friend recently asked me to purchase some replica "beats" (headphones made by monster) which authentically (depending on the model cost between 120$-500$) so I started to look them up online ...
18
votes
3answers
852 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 ...
0
votes
2answers
103 views
Taking a shower after mikveh for men - where is the Ari source that one shouldn't?
A previous question discusses whether men should avoid showering after using the Mikveh. I have heard specifically that the Ari Z"l frowned upon this. Can anyone please quote the source, if one does ...
0
votes
0answers
32 views
Is instigating a crime through careless choices of words a violation of Lifnei 'Iver?
I would like to look at the scope of Lifnei 'Iver -- the commandment to not put a stumbling block before the blind (Lev. 19:14). Specifically, I would like to know how one is punished for the sin -- ...
-5
votes
0answers
34 views
Are Jews and Palestinian Arabs blood brothers? [duplicate]
There is this study that shows that Jews and Palestinians are blood brothers. If this study is correct and their DNA is almost the same, could a Palestinian Arab became a Jew? I mean if they are ...
1
vote
0answers
22 views
Was Achashverosh drunk throughout the Megillah?
Achashverosh has almost no agency in Megillah. He basically walks around signing whatever anyone tells him to sign and making edicts out of anger. Was he totally schnockered from the half year of ...
4
votes
2answers
131 views
Why do Sephardim tuck in their tzitzit?
It has been mentioned previously that Sephardic custom, according to R. Ovadia, is to wear the tzitziot from a talit katan inside rather than exposed.
Can someone provide an explanation for this ...
-3
votes
1answer
42 views
First mention about Jews in the literature? [closed]
Do anybody know in which document in the literature (except Bible and Torah) was the first mention about Jews?
3
votes
1answer
37 views
Shouldn't the order of dayenu be reversed?
The order of the verses in Dayenu, one of the songs sung during the Pesach Seder has always troubled me. It seems to me that they should be in reverse order. For example, the first verse says
...
7
votes
3answers
102 views
Why pray for Y'hoshua and not Kalev?
Rashi to Sh'lach 13:16 notes that Moshe prayed that God save Y'hoshua from the other spies' plot. This is a paraphrase of a g'mara (Sotah 34b) which implies strongly that Moshe did not similarly pray ...
-4
votes
1answer
67 views
Why is wearing a hijab or turbans not common for Israeli jews? [closed]
Why is wearing a hijab (for women) or turbans or other towel on the head (for men) not common for Israeli Jews if the weather conditions are similar as in other countries in the region?
I mean, a ...
5
votes
2answers
249 views
Wine made/handled by non-religious Jews
Assume for the purposes of the question that all circumstances are the same as if the wine had been made/handled by non-Jews. I don't want answers regarding whether it is Mevushal or whether Mevushal ...
9
votes
2answers
385 views
Daughter of a Jewish woman and non-Jewish man
Is a Kohen allowed to marry a woman who is the daughter of a Jewish woman and non-Jewish man?
