All Questions
60 questions
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Do we no longer practice the blessing on virginity and when did it go away?
In the responsa of Rav Hai Gaon (4:8) there is a record of a ceremony conducted after a marriage is consummated wherein the sheet displaying virginal blood is produced and a blessing (or perhaps ...
- 15.3k
2
votes
1
answer
113
views
Jewish nachas (satisfaction)
What is the source of the phrase "a sach yiddishe nachas" ?
Why specify 'jewish' ?
- 2,328
0
votes
1
answer
119
views
Making a mistake in Brachot
BH
If you say a Bracha and make a mistake on the words Baruch or Ata or Elokeinu or Melech or HaOlam do you have to say the bracha over and if you do is it considered Levatalah because you say the ...
- 1,527
1
vote
2
answers
6k
views
Is there a formal Jewish way of wishing someone a safe journey?
Before someone you know goes on a trip, such as a flight, it is polite to wish them a safe journey. In English, one might use some variation of "safe travels" or "have a safe trip"....
- 19.2k
1
vote
0
answers
198
views
Prayer before a general anaesthetic
Every night, prior to bed, people recite the Shema. Affixed to that recitation is a variety of psukim and brokhes, requesting of Hashem that He ensure that we will sleep well, without any disturbance, ...
- 19.1k
4
votes
1
answer
141
views
Should Baruch Hu Uvaruch Shemo ONLY be recited during blessings?
If one hears their friend reciting Torah verses, and says Hashem's name, should one recite BHUVS? Does this response only apply to brachot?
- 1,083
6
votes
0
answers
503
views
Source of wishing "Titchadesh" - תתחדש on new clothes
What is the source for wishing someone "תתחדש" for a new item of clothing?
See the Rema OC:224 who brings a minhag to wish someone that bought new clothes "תבלה ותחדש". Literal translation is "You ...
- 416
6
votes
2
answers
836
views
Should the Torah be covered or uncovered during the Aliyah blessings?
Some feel that if the Torah is not being read, then it should be covered, while some feel that since the blessing is on this Torah, it should be uncovered during the blessings (but not for the call to ...
- 91
4
votes
1
answer
79
views
Blessing children via a shaliach
Can blessing the children friday night be done via a shaliach if a child is away from home for Shabbat?
- 41
0
votes
1
answer
83
views
Multiple people saying blessing over candles when one lights
Scenario: Erev Shabbat, the woman of the house lights the candles, and then the husband and children join on the blessing. Is this permissible? Is this a custom? If it is, what is the source of this ...
- 101
4
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0
answers
141
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Why is Baruch-Hu-Uvaruch-Shmo answered only in the brachos after the Haftorah, but not in the bracha before?
As far as I recall, the minhag in all Ashkenaz shuls which I have ever attended, was not to answer Baruch-Hu-Uvaruch-Shmo to the name of Hashem in the Bracha which is said before the Haftorah, but in ...
- 7,092
1
vote
0
answers
22
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Beracha on hallel on in a shul where they dont make a beracha [duplicate]
If an ashkenazi davens in a shul where the minhag is not to make a beracha on half hallel on rosh chodesh or the last 6 days of pesach, should they still make a beracha on hallel?
- 1,175
6
votes
2
answers
284
views
Can minhag hamakom allow you to make what is for you a bracha levatala
I have a question about a specific case but it relates to a broad subject so I'm making the question less narrow.
Pesachim 101a presents a minhag they used to have to make Kiddush in synagogue. Even ...
- 20.2k
3
votes
1
answer
732
views
Wearing a tallit when you are bar mitzvahed but not married, when it isn't your minhag
Let's say someone becomes bar mitzvah and decides to wear a tallit everyday, even though this isn't his minhag, because he wants the opportunity to make another brachah. Is this the right thing to do? ...
- 805
1
vote
2
answers
139
views
Chasidic meal seder and bracha on dessert
So apparently -- not sure if this is a retroactive explanation or what -- we eat fish, soup, meat, and "compote," in that order, by all Shabbos and Yom Tov meals in order to symbolize the Four Worlds. ...
- 20.2k
1
vote
1
answer
110
views
Brachot on Kriat Megilla
Why when the Megillot of Shir Hashirim, Ruth, and Koheleth are read from a klaf are the brachot of al mikra megillah and sheichaynu made before the reading? Reading the megillot on those days is a ...
- 1,175
2
votes
0
answers
225
views
Source for not saying Mazel Tov when pregnant
There seems to be a custom of not saying Mazel Tov on hearing news or observing that someone is pregnant (there are even those that correct others that say Mazel Tov). Instead they say Beshaah Tovah, ...
- 20.2k
0
votes
2
answers
290
views
Sephardim saying Al Mizvas Tefillin beracha?
Is there any sephardim that say the "Al Mitzvas Tefillin" beracha for the Tefillin shel Rosh? Are they allowed to say a beracha for it?
I am asking because in this video, which demonstrates how to ...
- 11
4
votes
2
answers
303
views
Are we required to use the Hebrew pronunciation of our minhag?
Are we required to use the Hebrew pronunciation of our minhag in tefilah and for brachot? What is the source for this?
I'm of Yekke Ashkenazi background but as a baal teshuva learnt Hebrew with a ...
- 1,351
3
votes
1
answer
161
views
Making a Berachah on minhag prohibited foods
Related: Making a Berachah on rabbinically prohibited foods, Bentching after accidentally eating prohibited foods
Can you say a bracha on something that you don't eat because of minhag?
This is ...
- 9,421
1
vote
0
answers
587
views
Lighting from a pre-existing flame on 1st night Yom Tov if saying brachos first?
Some have the custom to say the bracha before kindling lights on (erev) Yom Tov. The linked page claims in one place that this is allowed because we don't receive Yom Tov with the bracha, and in ...
- 20.2k
2
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Standard response to "Amen"?
Is there some sort of standard response to "Amen"? That is, if another says Amen in response to one's blessing.
- 20.2k
0
votes
1
answer
91
views
Is there any source to the idea that one should not make some bracha with a knife in one's hand?
Is this situation arises on Shabbos by Hamotzi over a challah?
- 11
1
vote
0
answers
181
views
What happened to the Mugmar?
In Brochos Perek 6, Mishna 6 the Mugmar is mentioned in the context of who makes the Brocha for it. Commentaries explain that it is some sort of incense that was smelled after a meal.
It would ...
- 334
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votes
1
answer
2k
views
"Hamakom" after shiv'a
In my experience, for the most part, "המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים" is said to a mourner specifically during shiv'a. However, I've heard some people say it after shiv'a, particularly ...
- 73.9k
3
votes
5
answers
841
views
When to say brocha when making a L'chaim
I have always been confused about l'chaims (toasts). At what point does one make the blessing on the drink? Which part--the "l'chaim" or the blessing--immediately precedes taking a sip?
Usually when ...
- 20.2k
2
votes
1
answer
143
views
Why has it not become customary for people to wish each other "Good Yontiff" on Purim?
I can't recall people wishing each other "Gut Yuntiff" (or similar, like "Good Yom Tov") or any reference to Yom Tov on Purim. (Maybe someone does, but I'm unaware of this.)
Why don't people do this ...
- 71.5k
9
votes
2
answers
1k
views
How do you know when to make Chacham Harazim if you can't count Jews?
As I understand it, "Chacham harazim" is the bracha we make upon seeing an assembly of more than 600,000 Jews.
I'm not clear on the exact detail of this law/tradition, but I also know we are not ...
- 20.2k
0
votes
1
answer
120
views
Can someone follow the opposite minhag on the bracha for matza during the year?
The Ashkenazic custom is to wash and say hamotzi on matza all year round. The Sephardi custom is to make mezonot when it's not Pesach.
Is someone allowed to follow the opposite minhag?
I have heard ...
- 23.3k
9
votes
4
answers
5k
views
Blessings on Birthdays
There is apparently a practice among contemporary Jews of giving out blessings on one's birthday. Is there any source for this in the Jewish tradition?
- 14.7k
4
votes
3
answers
2k
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Giving Blessings at a Wedding
I have noticed a custom among wedding-goers to receive blessings from the bride and the groom at weddings, usually when they come over to the new couple's table for well-wishing during the meal. Why ...
- 8,320
6
votes
1
answer
150
views
Brocho BEFORE going to the bathroom
I've heard from some lecture that some keep a minhag to have a special prayer before going to the bathroom. If there is such a thing - what is it and where to find it?
- 454
3
votes
0
answers
82
views
Who says צִוָּה vs. צַוֵּה at a b'ris?
The passage "על כן בשכר זאת קל חי חלקנו צורנו צוה להציל ידידות שארנו משחת" is part of one of the blessings recited at a b'ris mila. Pische S'shuva (Yore Dea 265:4) cites a difference of opinion as to ...
5
votes
1
answer
142
views
Order of blessing children on Erev Shabbos
When blessing children on erev Shabbos, is there a correct or preferred order (oldest to youngest, boys first or girls), or may parents decide however they like? If there is not a correct order, can ...
- 4,550
4
votes
1
answer
119
views
Should I wait for the prayer leader to say “Yishtabach” after “Pesukei dezimrah”?
“Yishtabach” is the closing blessing of the “Pesukei dezimrah”.
If a worshipper has concluded the pesukei dezimrah, should he wait to say Yishtabach with the prayer leader or should he say it ...
- 48.7k
4
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Can one say "Hazak u'Baruch" to both men and women? If not, is there a female equivalent?
When returning from an Aliyah la'Torah, I am commonly met with "Hazak u'Baruch". I have encountered this saying in other situations when someone does something praiseworthy.
Can one say "Hazak u'...
- 7,532
3
votes
1
answer
330
views
Bracha on Hallal Chol HaMoed Pesach (in regards to Sephardim)
I know that according to the psak of the Shulchan Aruch the Sephardim (among others -- The Gra, many Kehillas in Yerushalayim including Chassidei Karlin, Chassidei Biyan I think, and Chassidei Chabad (...
- 16.2k
1
vote
2
answers
186
views
Torah personalities chosen for blessings on Friday nights
Why do we bless our children on Friday nights with non-correlated blessings between the boys and the girls?
I can understand that we want our daughters to emulate the Matriarchs. Yet we don't bless ...
- 41.9k
6
votes
1
answer
935
views
Beracha on lighting yom tov candles : before or after?
There are two minhagim concerning the time the beracha should be said on lighting yom tov candles for a woman, before or after (like shabbos neros).
I've read arguments like these :
before, because ...
- 1,171
16
votes
3
answers
1k
views
I heard not to say "Good Shabbos" after mincha. Is it true, and what defines mincha?
I heard from somewhere that, on Shabbos, one does not say "Good Shabbos" after mincha. I am not sure whether it's in a halacha sefer somewhere (I tried looking) or just a minhag.
First of all, is ...
- 731
2
votes
1
answer
423
views
Text for birchat habayit
I'd like to write a couple birchos habayis and get them illuminated as gifts. Does anyone know of a good existing text? I'm looking for something five or six lines long, preferably not the usual one ...
- 5,341
7
votes
2
answers
2k
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Why Say "Ad Meah v'Esrim" ("Until 120") if Moshiach is Coming?
Why do we bless people with "ad meah v'esrim"? Aren't we supposed to believe moshiach will come by then, and there will be eternal life (according to some opinions)? Thus by giving a blessing for a ...
- 457
10
votes
3
answers
844
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Can you sing during the sheva brachos?
I have been to weddings where, during the recitation of the seventh bracha under the chuppah, the congregation sings "asher bara...". Sometimes it is along with the one reciting the bracha and other ...
9
votes
1
answer
7k
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Replies to "l'chayim"
The most common responses I've heard to a wish of "l'chayim!" ("life!") is
"l'chayim tovim ulshalom" ("a good life and peace!") except from Lubavitch chasidim and
"l'chayim v'livracha" ("life and ...
- 73.9k
9
votes
2
answers
734
views
bracha on tefillin while sitting
The shulchan aruch apparently writes (by hilchos tzitzis) that one should stand while reciting birchas hamitzvah. Tefillin are a mitzvah. So why is the Sfardic minhag to sit while putting them on and ...
- 38.7k
6
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Status of feet while making a bracha or davening
In todays day and age where we no longer have homes with dirt floors:
do you still need to cover your feet when making a bracha or davening?
If so are socks enough?
does it depend on the custom of ...
- 4,008
4
votes
2
answers
6k
views
Wishes to a mourner in addition to "Hamokom Yenachem Eschem"
I have heard some people say in Yiddish after "Hamokom Yenachem Eschem B'Soch Shaar Aveilei Tzion V'Yerushalayim" ("May God comfort you alongside the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem"), "Zulst Mer Nisht ...
- 140k
11
votes
9
answers
720
views
When do you say a beracha on a minhag?
When lighting Hanukkah candles in the synagogue, we say a beracha "asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav.." on a minhag. Unlike kiddush in shul, and early counting of the omer in shul, nobody would say that one ...
- 8,944
14
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Is it inappropriate to say Baruch Dayan Haemes on a Ben Noach? Why or why not?
Is it inappropriate to say Baruch Dayan Haemes on a Ben Noach? What about someone who may have been an oved avoda zarah? Someone who is definitely such?
I'm asking because I've seen such discussion ...
- 2,261
11
votes
2
answers
530
views
Why a formulaic greeting on ליל ראש השנה?
On Rosh Hashana night, it is customary to greet one another with "לשנה טובה תכתב (ותחתם)" (Rama 582:9, MB). People (in my experience) and machzorim (Rosh Hashana prayer books) treat this as ...
- 73.9k