All Questions
3
votes
0answers
21 views
Should there be a mezuzah on a room that has baby diapers?
If there is a general purpose room (like a bedroom) wherein a child's soiled diapers are often disposed of, does that room take on the status of tashmish she'aino shel kavod - a room who's use is not ...
11
votes
7answers
424 views
Answering Atheist about Torah miracles
How do we explain our belief in the story of Yonah living in a Fish, the Splitting of a sea, and all the other fantastic Miracles described in the Torah to a person who was not brought up religious; ...
3
votes
0answers
30 views
Holocaust Responsa of Rav Ephraim Oshry
Due to the poor health of Lithuania's last Chief Rabbi, Rav Avraham Shapiro, and due to his death in 1943, many of the residents of Kovno Ghetto addressed their questions to Rav Shapiro's student, Rav ...
3
votes
1answer
69 views
Why would somebody become a nazir?
B'midbar chapter 6 explains the laws of one who vows to become a nazir, but I've long been puzzled by why one would do this. (Our most famous nazir was commanded in this; Shimshon didn't make that ...
1
vote
2answers
113 views
Who was Naomi's Father?
Inspired by this comment here what information do we have on Naomi's father (from Megillas Rus)? Apparently his name was Avi-Naomi but was that his real name before Naomi was born? Who was his ...
1
vote
1answer
38 views
chassan/kallah signing the kesubah or tenaaim
I have seen bridegrooms and brides sign their names on their kesuba or tenaaim (prenup) before the chuppah (wedding ceremony). It seems maybe to be a chassidish custom, though I'm not sure.
Is there ...
3
votes
3answers
84 views
Who is the author of Tehilim 137?
Who is the accepted author of Psalm 137, and if it was David Hamelech, then is it accepted as a prophecy?
1
vote
1answer
73 views
Is it permissable to use an umbrella on Shabbat?
Is it permissable to use an umbrella on Shabbat, assuming you're inside an Eruv, so there's no issue of carrying?
If it is not permissible, then why is it prohibited?
Follow-up question: What about ...
5
votes
5answers
160 views
Where is there a good online source to check how often a word appears in Tanach?
Where is there a good online source where you can check how often a word appears in Tanach?
2
votes
0answers
54 views
Talking in shul
Most pasken according to the Shulchan Arukh that mundane talk in shul during tefilot is forbidden.
With some exceptions: Is mundane speech allowed in shul?.
Is there anywhere a halachic point of view ...
1
vote
2answers
195 views
What is the source for a woman's voice as ervah?
What is the source that a woman's (singing) voice is considered ervah?
3
votes
1answer
69 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 ...
4
votes
1answer
59 views
Does torah study refine one's character?
I have met some torah scholars who appear to be learning quite a bit, yet their character traits appear to be in the lacking.
Is torah study supposed to refine one's character? If so, how can we ...
-2
votes
1answer
66 views
What allowed Jews to change the way they pronounced words?
The way we pronounce words has changed over many years and we now have many different customs. Many of the changes derive from Jews moving to different geographic locations and adopting similar ...
-1
votes
1answer
65 views
why was technology withheld for so long from man
in studying the talmud one sees that the earlier generations were far superior to the later ones inllectually. Hence, a Rabbi from the talmud era cannot argue with one from the mishna era..
if so, it ...
3
votes
3answers
52 views
How to say mizonos first on an ice cream cone
Normally when faced with eating two foods where one takes a "mizonos" blessing for grain products, and another takes an all-encompassing "shehakol" blessing, we try to eat the mizonos food first. How ...
2
votes
3answers
120 views
Why is Avraham's monotheism not mentioned in the torah?
One of the more famous achievements of Avraham was his discovery in a single God. However there is no mention of this accomplishment anywhere in the Torah. In fact there is no conclusive proof that he ...
2
votes
1answer
97 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
52 views
Why did God take 7 days to create the world?
Generally we assume that God is omnipotent, and could have created the world in a single day\act, so He must have had a reason to organize creation into 7 days. Why?
In other words:
Why didn't God ...
0
votes
2answers
87 views
How do we know that homosexual relations is a sin?
I recently heard that the Ibn Ezra brings down a minority opinion that the pasukim talking about "laying with a man as you would a woman" are actually talking about androgynous people. The Ibn Ezra ...
1
vote
1answer
53 views
צִרְעָה Pshat or definition
וְגַם אֶת הַצִּרְעָה יְשַׁלַּח יְ־הֹוָ־ה אֱלֹהֶיךָ בָּם עַד אֲבֹד הַנִּשְׁאָרִים וְהַנִּסְתָּרִים מִפָּנֶיךָ (Deuteronomy 7:20)
What is the הַצִּרְעָה mean in this posuk?
6
votes
1answer
50 views
An interpretation of Shimon's “silence” in Pirkei Avot
In Chapter 1 of Pirkei Avot it's written:
"17. Shimon his son said: All my days have I grown up among the wise and I have not found anything better for a man than silence. Studying Torah is not ...
2
votes
0answers
23 views
Why do we get “so did they do” for the commandment of expelling tamei people in Parashat Naso?
Parashat Naso, in Numbers 5:1-3, presents a commandment to "send from the camp" anyone who is tamei due to either tzara'at or a zav-type discharage. After that, we have Verse 4, affirming that the ...
1
vote
0answers
29 views
Not making a wedding on the first 3 days of a month
I've heard there is a custom (practiced in various kehillas, I heard Belz is one of them) to not make a wedding on the first 3 days of a month (meaning alef, beis, or gimmel of a particular month.) ...
0
votes
0answers
37 views
Gemarah on Baal Teshuva
In Sefer Chasidim, the author compares Baal Teshuva's to Tzadikim. I have heard that there is a Gemarah that does the same and was wondering if someone could cite that Gemarah.
2
votes
1answer
37 views
Do we embarrass someone in cheirem?
Let's suppose that someone in a community has been put in cheirem, for whatever reason. This would generally ban him from the community shul. Should this person show up in the community shul, however, ...
2
votes
1answer
44 views
Who were the Rambam's students?
Someone recently asked me whether the Rambam had any students. In addition to the Rambam's son and the student for whom he wrote the Moreh Nevuchim, I could think of only one other student. (רבינו ...
0
votes
1answer
58 views
Employment questions I have [closed]
I have three questions.
1) Can a religious Orthodox Jewish employer, refuse to employ a Non Observant Jew on Shabbos or other Jewish holidays, if the Non Observant Jew volunteers to work on this, ...
2
votes
0answers
52 views
Facing east when standing in prayers
I was praying with my kid in a synagogue wherein the aron was against the eastern wall, and most of the seats were facing north or south. My kid wondered why the people around us turned to face east ...
1
vote
1answer
37 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 ...
4
votes
2answers
44 views
Why do Israelis keep one day of Yom Tov?
From what I understand, we outside of Eretz Yisrael we keep two days of Yom Tov as a continuation of the minhag that evolved from the time of the Bais Hamikdash when we would not necessarily know when ...
5
votes
4answers
613 views
Significance of the gemara statment תיקו Teku?
Why do we say תיקו Teiku when there is no answer in the Gemara?
4
votes
2answers
143 views
Conversion to Islam
Although Islam is considered monotheistic I would imagine that in a case of 'oness' (coercion) one would still not be allowed to convert. Is conversion to Islam considered to be a case of יהרג ואל ...
2
votes
0answers
21 views
Sofek in Bircas HaTorah — why not say all of the brachas?
The M"B brings in the beginning of Siman 47 from the Shagas Aryeh (Siman 24-25) that if one is in sofek (doubt) if they said Bircas HaTorah then they should go back and say the bracha however only the ...
-4
votes
1answer
92 views
Is it possible for a person to practice both Judaism and Islam? [closed]
It is explained here that a Jew cannot lose his 'Jewishness', It seems from this answer that Jewishness is a genealogical status and little to do with religion. So is it possible for a Jew to practice ...
3
votes
1answer
67 views
According to Reform Judaism, should rabbis be allowed to have non-Jewish spouses?
According to Reform doctrine, is it 1. permissible for rabbis to marry non-Jewish spouses, and 2. advisable for them to do so, considering that rabbis are generally seen as role-models of proper ...
2
votes
1answer
131 views
Neilas HaChag on a Yom Tov that ends on Friday
This year Simchas Torah comes out on Friday. It can also happen that Pesach or Shavuos finishes on Friday in Eretz Yisroel. Is there a Neilas HaChag if Yom Tov ends on Friday?
2
votes
3answers
114 views
Is Psalm 110 considered messianic
How do Jews interpret Psalm 110? (Christians see it as a messianic reference.) I am specifically interested in verse 1 - "The Lord saith unto my lord." Jesus quotes this in Matthew 22:44, and ...
1
vote
0answers
42 views
The reason Aaron's two sons died
Why did Aaron's two elder sons die? I've heard that there are many reasons offered, and would appreciate knowing as many as possible.
8
votes
1answer
376 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?
3
votes
1answer
176 views
Intermarriage among Middle eastern Jews right before 1948
I was wondering does anyone know where I can find out the Intermarriage rate among Middle eastern Jews right before 1948 particularly amongst the Iraqis and the Syrians?
9
votes
2answers
387 views
Can only the husband in a gentile married couple convert?
We are a gentile married couple and my husband wants to convert orthodox and im still not sure if i want to convert at all. i found out that the conservative would let my husband convert and stay with ...
7
votes
1answer
205 views
Intermarriage Attendance
Is there a Halachic problem with being in attendance to an intermarriage preformed in a regular hall meaning not a problematic location? What is the source in the Halachic literature if there is an ...
2
votes
0answers
97 views
Stopping Intermarriage [closed]
Intermarriage is the reason that a significant number of Jews are disappearing. What can or should be said to someone who is contemplating marrying out of the Jewish faith?
2
votes
2answers
775 views
Is it permissible for a Jewish woman to marry a Muslim man and vice versa?
As both Abrahamic religions, Islam and Judaism have the same God and share a common law then how do Rabbis see the marriage of a Jewish woman marrying a Muslim man and vice versa? Also how is it like ...
3
votes
1answer
242 views
What does a Christian need to know before he marries a non-religious Jewish woman and plans to have a family?
I understand that Judaism does not permit inter-marriage, and also that some people do it anyway, particularly if the Jew in the marriage is not religious. What problems can arise for the people in ...
1
vote
2answers
232 views
Can a Jew marry a Free Mason?
I am widowed and know little of my Jewish Heritage. Of this, I know, I observe the Torah and do my best to abide by it. Since I know little, and I am interested in marrying a non-Jew who is a Free ...
3
votes
1answer
51 views
Hagales celim in “tzir”
When one wants to make celim (vessels) Kosher by purging non-Kosher absorbed tastes from it, one method is hagaleh, which normally is done with water. The Rema says in SA OC Siman 452:5 that b'dieved ...
1
vote
1answer
70 views
What is the Purpose of Punishments in the Afterlife?
What is the purpose of punishments in the afterlife (Gehinom, kaf hakela, gilgulim, etc.)? Are all of them for cleaning up the person from the consequences of his bad deeds and therefore for his ...
0
votes
2answers
31 views
Mashiach arriving upon the observance of Shabbat
does anyone have a source for the suggestion that If all Israel respected the Sabbath if only one single day, the Messiah would come immediately, for it is written: “Today if you were to listen to his ...
