All Questions
39,684
questions
0
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29
views
What daf and exact quote is this talking about in the Rashash
BH
The Rashash on the Tosfot daf 7B dibur hamaskil VeIbait Eima brings support from a different Gemara somewhere in Brachot. What’s the exact source and lashon of this? Like where is it? In my Gemara ...
- 745
2
votes
1
answer
49
views
How does a Jewish community recognize a Jewish person they hadn't seen ever before?
Let's say there is a Jewish community where everybody knows each other, for example in a city. Let's say a new Jewish person arrives and manifests their will to get integrated with them. Nobody knows ...
- 21
0
votes
1
answer
35
views
Modern/ legible edition of Chik’kei Lev
Is anyone aware of a modern edition, or transcription, of Rabbi Chaim Palaggi’s responsa Chik’kei Lev? The only edition I can find on Otzar and on HebrewBooks is a scan that’s barely legible. And it ...
- 2,266
3
votes
2
answers
78
views
Let's Kill Hitler
There is a popular moral question - if you had access to a time machine that was capable of allowing you to do so, should you go back in time and kill Hitler when he was a child, before he had a ...
- 2,120
0
votes
0
answers
38
views
Sources for Halachic opinions influenced by kabbalah
Is there a source (like a book, website, etc.) that has a list of halachic opinions/rulings based on kabbalah and/or the Zohar? I’m asking because I am looking more into Halachic methodology and I ...
- 856
0
votes
0
answers
37
views
Asking for a zimmun
Why are there various different ways of reciting zimmun before birkat hamazon — why isn't there one set formula?
- 1,135
0
votes
1
answer
38
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Respecting parents
I believe the two sources for the mitzvah of respecting one's parents stem from these two verses:
Honor your father and mother. Shemos 20:12
You should fear your mother and father. Vayikra 19:3
My ...
- 1,135
1
vote
0
answers
28
views
Menorah Placement [closed]
I am living in a college dorm where we are not allowed to have open flames in our dorm. However, we are allowed to have flames in our floor lounge (with no windows). Should I light my Chanukah candles ...
- 11
3
votes
1
answer
52
views
Did Rav Hutner zt'l write any seforim?
Did R' Hutner zt'l write any seforim that are available to buy? I'm not really seeing anything when searching
- 445
2
votes
0
answers
35
views
Different publishers of kovetz mefarshim
I'm wondering what the different major publishers of kovetz mefarshim on Gemara are, and if there are any pros/cons to the different editions. In general, and if known regarding Kiddushin specifically....
- 647
4
votes
0
answers
40
views
Angelic wrestling and the intergenerational transmission of rights and priestly duties
In Gen. 32:26, during Ya'aqobh's struggle with a malakh (angel/emissary), he is struck. The Ba'al ha-Turim there offers two explanations for the location that the malakh chose to strike his body. The ...
- 6,483
-4
votes
0
answers
46
views
Is English and grammar and punctuation chukos goyim, and is it good for Yidden to have their own dialect? [closed]
Like the question says.
And it may be compared to Ladino and Yiddish. There's already Jenglish, Jewish English, like schmooze and sch- prefixing words for mockery. And there's Yinglish, Yiddishe ...
- 1,832
4
votes
1
answer
74
views
Talmud Yerushalmi vs Bavli
We all know that only a Sanhedrin can vote conclusively on a halakha for the entire nation. Since the Sanhedrin was dismantled, the next best option was to listening to the hachamim of your locale. ...
- 41
2
votes
1
answer
126
views
Is betting on board games/chess gambling
If someone makes a bet on something like chess or a board game, (we’ll include some types of card games as well), does that count as gambling in Halacha?
Gambling (between Jews) is prohibited de-...
- 856
2
votes
0
answers
42
views
Seeing the Chazzan during Amidah repetition
When davening Shemoneh Esrei, does one have to be able to see the Chazzan during the repetition. I don’t mean looking at the Chazzan, I mean the Chazzan being visible to you. Does anybody hold like ...
- 856
3
votes
1
answer
148
views
Why was Yoseph sold to Ishmaelites and then Midianites, rather than Midianites and then Ishmaelites?
The following question and translations are courtesy of Studies in Bereshit by Nechama Leibowitz.
In Parshat Vayeshev, some pesukim suggest that Yoseph was sold by his brothers to Midianites, and ...
- 327
2
votes
1
answer
252
views
What does שכם mean
Where does the name שכם come from? What exactly does it mean? I believe that names in the tanach are symbolic of qualities of whoever is that name, so what does שכם mean in relation to the person? ...
- 1,802
6
votes
2
answers
145
views
Halachic aspects of relocating an established minyan
Are there any halachic implications of relocating an established minyan?
Here is a specific example that might help clarify my question: Suppose there is a small community that normally has Shabbat ...
- 1,062
5
votes
0
answers
98
views
Is there a secular concept of migu [closed]
I’ve been told by lawyers that there is no concept of migu in US secular law (loosely translated as believing someone because had he wanted to lie he could have said a better lie that would not have ...
- 4,943
1
vote
0
answers
46
views
Groom entrance song [closed]
I'm getting married soon, bezrat HaShem. But I need suggestions for a song to play when I approach the chuppa. I'm British Sefardi (daati), she's Israeli Ethiopian (Beta Yisrael), I'd like something ...
5
votes
1
answer
629
views
Putting parents with mental issues in nursing homes
Halachically speaking, one is obligated to honor parents. My question is, if a parent happens to have a serious mental health defect (such as say Alzheimer’s syndrome), is it permissible to put them ...
- 856
1
vote
1
answer
120
views
Running CCTV system with monitor over Shabbos
Does anyone have any sources for what the halacha is of running a home security CCTV system with the monitor on over Shabbos in a place where it is easily visible within the house? I'm specifically ...
- 2,120
6
votes
3
answers
260
views
Why weren’t the descendants of Esav or Yishmael also given the Torah alongside the benei Yaakob?
As we all know, Abraham had two descendants, Yishmael and Yitschak. Yitschak also had two descendants, Esav and Yaakob; however only the children of Yaakob were the nation that was chosen for the ...
- 151
1
vote
1
answer
50
views
Kabbalah/chasiduss explanation of theodicy
Are there any kabbalistic or hasidic explanations given to the question of theodicy? Beyond “rational”/philosophical explanations, are there any mystical reasons given to why bad things happen? If so, ...
- 856
2
votes
0
answers
66
views
Did the Israelites know the future?
The Torah was revealed to Israel at a certain point in time, and recounts many significant events that happened after that point. When the Torah was revealed, did the Israelites know about these ...
- 20.7k
0
votes
0
answers
85
views
Why do Jews not reach out more? [closed]
Why do Jews nowadays not go out of their way to their secular brethren and even to non-Jews to try and spread positivity? In America, I believe there it is easier because there is fewer backlash from ...
2
votes
1
answer
175
views
Kohanim hand symbol
When I was a kid I always heard that only kohanim are able to do the 🖖🏻 hand position on both their hands. Leaving the “b-b-but I can do this and I’m not a kohen” comments aside, what’s the deal ...
- 1,802
1
vote
0
answers
66
views
Chanukah: The Hellenistic Jews defaming the Beis HaMikdash
The Baal HaMaor on Avodah Zahara 52b writes a somewhat radical interpretation on the Chanukah-story. He explains that the people that entered the Beis HaMikdash, and thus impurifying the Beis ...
- 8,790
4
votes
0
answers
40
views
Why didn't Esav wait until Yitzchak died to kill Ya'akov?
After Ya'akov got Esav's blessings, Esav says (B'reishis 27:41):
וישטם עשו את יעקב על הברכה אשר ברכו אביו ויאמר עשו בלבו יקרבו ימי אבל אבי ואהרגה את יעקב אחי
And Esav hated Ya'akov due to the ...
- 3,503
2
votes
0
answers
72
views
Latest time for morning Sh’ma
What are the opinions for the absolute LATEST time for reciting the morning Sh’ma B’dieved, not l’chatchila. Obviously there are different opinions for what is the latest or not but what are they. ...
- 856
3
votes
0
answers
62
views
Extra cover on tefillin shel yad [duplicate]
I've noticed that a lot of protective cases for the tefillin shel yad have an extra inner cover which slides out, usually a plastic cube with one side missing and a corner cut out for the knot, ...
- 2,120
4
votes
0
answers
76
views
Ashkenazic Practice of the Chazan saying only certain phrases (rashei perkaim) out loud [duplicate]
What is the source of the Ashkenazic practice of the Chazzan saying only certain words out loud? That is, in your typical Artscroll siddur, there are markings for the Chazzan to raise his voice and ...
- 20.4k
5
votes
0
answers
76
views
Question on Rashi, Bereishis 9:12
In P. Noach (Gen. 9:12) in reference to the phenomenon of the post-deluge rainbow, following Noach's exit from the teivah, the verse states:
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֗ים זֹ֤את אֽוֹת־הַבְּרִית֙ אֲשֶׁר־אֲנִ֣י ...
- 439
6
votes
2
answers
443
views
How did the Greeks make the menora-oil impure?
The Gemara in Shabbos 21b famously writes "Mai Chanukah"- what is Chanukah? The Gemara elaborates:
When the Greeks entered the Sanctuary they defiled all the oils that were in the Sanctuary
...
- 8,790
1
vote
1
answer
63
views
Questions about the flood [closed]
I've been reading Parshat Noach, and I've been wondering about some things that either strike me as odd or impossible. For example, how did G-d cover the entire world with water if we know there isn't ...
- 41
-1
votes
1
answer
45
views
Is, וישע ויט ויבו from Exodus, the only three consecutive three verse that can be intersplayed a la the 72 Letter Name from Exodus [closed]
As is known, the three verses And the Cloud rolled.. And Moses raised His Hand... And the Pillar touched down between.. from Exodus.
Are intersplayed and that's what makes up the 72 Letter Name.
Like ...
- 1,832
2
votes
1
answer
49
views
Hashkiveinu Avinu Vs Hashkiveinu Hashem Elokeinu
In the bracha of Hashkiveinu, in ma'ariv, Ashkenazim (at least, all Ashkenazi communities and siddurim I've seen) start the bracha with
השכיבנו ה' אלוקינו
Whereas all Sefardi communities and ...
- 3,503
2
votes
1
answer
158
views
Kol Isha and transgender people
Does the Halachic prohibition of Kol Isha apply to transgender people? So if a woman underwent operations to present as a man, can you listen to her sing? And what about a man who visibly looks like a ...
- 856
4
votes
1
answer
853
views
Wise saying in the Netflix series 'Shtisel'
Some time ago, I watched the fantastic series 'Shtisel' on Netflix. I can't remember everything clearly, and unfortunately, the series is no longer available on Netflix. However, there's one scene ...
- 143
2
votes
1
answer
332
views
Folding chairs/tables on Shabbat
Is it permissible to unfold an easily foldable folding chair or table on Shabbat? Since this is easily re folded, would it still be considered under the melacha of “Boneh” or something else? If ...
- 856
3
votes
1
answer
234
views
Minhag of avoiding showing pictures of dinosaurs to babies
There is a minhag more common in Chassidic circles to refrain from showing pictures of non-kosher animals to babies. Does this apply to dinosaurs?
As far as I understand, this minhag does not apply to ...
- 754
0
votes
0
answers
90
views
Is it true Baal Shem Tov knew his zivug?
Is it true the Baal Shem Tov knew his zivug before he got married to her? If yes how did he know?
That is, in this story, we read:
Rav Efraim Kitover, the Av Beit din of Brody, was once involved in a ...
- 745
1
vote
0
answers
45
views
Age of the the Azazel goat?
I was curious, are there any opinions that say the Azazel goat should be (or shouldn’t be) of a certain age or ages? If so what, would it be a minimum age or a maximum age? And what would the age be, ...
- 856
2
votes
0
answers
50
views
Halacha on being attentive to someone when they're speaking to you
BH
Does Halacha or any teaching in the Torah address the following scenarios:
A) When someone is talking to you, must you be attentive to show them respect that you're listening to what they're saying?...
- 745
1
vote
0
answers
55
views
Having a Chassidishe Gaiva
BH
One of my teachers said once that a student of the Alter Rebbe was in a city filled with so much materialism and sin that he was later asked how he was able to overcome the tests and so he said &...
- 745
2
votes
0
answers
37
views
What is the source of not to speak dvarim betelim
BH
What’s the source and meaning of not speaking dvarim Beteilim purposeless words?
- 745
1
vote
1
answer
42
views
What is the explanation of And don’t let the evil inclination assure your that the grave will be a place of refuge for you mean
BH
What do the main poskim and commentators explain “And don’t let the evil inclination assure your that the grave will be a place of refuge for you” mean in Pirkei Avot 4:22
- 745
1
vote
0
answers
64
views
Caution against a person belittling himself
BH
I heard someone say that a person should never say "I am this [negative character trait]" or "I am that [negative character trait]" because Chas ve Shalom Hashem can bring that ...
- 745
0
votes
0
answers
54
views
Where does R Yitzchak Abadi's understanding of kashrus differ from mainstream kashrus organizations?
In a previous question I asked about when one can use ingredients lists to determine kashrus. Now, I'd like to ask how specifically does R Yitzchak Abadi's understanding of kashrus differ from the ...
- 647
2
votes
0
answers
57
views
Should I add verses in Kerias Shema on the bed
When saying the 3 parshiyot of Kerias Shema on the bed, should I add "Kel Melech Ne'eman" before the Kerias Shema (Since it is read Yechidi (alone) and not in Minyan). Should I say after ...
- 1,139