Questions tagged [communities]
The communities tag has no usage guidance.
81 questions
1
vote
0
answers
48
views
Do anybody wear solely rabbeinu tam tefillin [duplicate]
Many people follow the majority Halacha practice of wearing Rashi tefillin. Some people, especially but not exclusively Sephardim and Hasidism, also wear Rabbeinu Tam, which is seen as an act of piety....
- 4,532
4
votes
1
answer
381
views
Is there definitive breakdown/explanation of the various philosophical differences of Hasidic dynasties?
While Chassidism as a whole is easier to research in philosophy/history/concepts, the dynasty system and the distinctions within each community seem to be somewhat of a mystery to me.
Certain groups ...
- 1,413
0
votes
1
answer
248
views
Where do Israeli nationalist Orthodox movements derive their Halacha?
This isn't a question regarding Israeli politics or issues like that. This question is purely about where these groups (Groups which followed Meir Kahane or similar voices) developed or derived their ...
- 1,413
1
vote
1
answer
377
views
Has there always been a standardized size for Tefillin or did the size vary throughout history until recently?
I recently came across an image which showed a variety of Tefillin boxes that were much smaller than what I am use to seeing.
The image shows them lined up by size with the smallest being roughly ...
user20915
5
votes
2
answers
210
views
Is there a movement to centralize Rabbinical authority through all Jewish communities?
Due to the exile, Jewish civilization ended up splintering off into various sub-groups.
Ashkenazim
Sephardim/Mizrahim
etc.
Through this division, Judaism developed a series of "flavors" with ...
user15672
2
votes
0
answers
88
views
Keeping Two-day Shabbos in the Pacific Islands? [duplicate]
What's this I see about people in the Pacific Islands keeping two days of Shabbos? If it is true: Who, how, since when, and why?
- 20.2k
2
votes
1
answer
442
views
Do the Jews of Marakkesh have a particular Nusach?
Is there a particular Siddur or Nusach HaTefilla that is used by the Jews (and their descendants) of Marakkesh (alt. sp. Marrakech), Moroccco? Is it in print and available?
- 330
1
vote
1
answer
1k
views
Who is the Veretzky Rebbe that's been coming up everywhere? [closed]
I've been seeing videos and things everywhere with this rebbe who I've never heard of before named the Veretzky Rebbe. Seems he's been popping up over the past six or so months especially, and I used ...
- 197
4
votes
2
answers
360
views
To what extent are non-Chasidim bound by kabbalah?
Chassidim seem to follow the views of kabbalah to a greater degree than non-Chassidim.
What status does kabbalah have in determing the practical halacha for non-Chassidim?
- 20.2k
13
votes
1
answer
369
views
What are acceptable communities for a noachide to integrate himself into?
This is more of a personal question, but undoubtedly applicable for anyone in my situation.
I am a Noachide, and I will not convert to Judaism any time soon because the obligation upon men is way ...
- 475
9
votes
1
answer
166
views
Were there divergent calendar practices after the calendar was made into a fixed calculation
There are some debates about the details of calendar calculations among earlier Poskim about how to calculate the calendar, especially around pushing Rosh Hashana off deliberately.
For example, ...
- 32.3k
4
votes
0
answers
378
views
Which groups hold by the eiruv in Crown Heights?
Crown Heights, Brooklyn is now home to a controversial new eiruv.* I am aware that the majority of Lubavitchers do not accept it for both Chasidic and Halachic reasons. I am also under the impression ...
- 20.2k
5
votes
2
answers
261
views
How did Chazal attain its continued acceptance?
My question is: How did Chazal attain its authority? More specifically, how did the Pharisees who evolved into Chazal beat out the Sadducees who would later become practically extinct (some say that ...
- 51
2
votes
0
answers
270
views
How can I make my home kosher enough for ~most Jews to be guests in? [closed]
Let's say I wanted to set up a kitchen/home that was kosher enough for most of the Orthodox spectrum to feel comfortable eating and staying in. (By "most," let's say the first two standard deviations ...
- 20.2k
2
votes
0
answers
79
views
Chupah (tallit gadol) above bimah on Shavuot
I was wondering as I hear it for the first time that one of my friend told me that they made a chupah (hung tallit gadol) above the bimah on Shavuot. He told me it's a custom that we do every year, ...
- 429
5
votes
2
answers
371
views
Who recognizes Yom HaShoah?
It seems that the more religious one is, the less likely one is to commemorate(?) the Holocaust on Yom HaShoah.
To what extent is this true?
Which groups do and do not observe Yom HaShoah as their ...
- 20.2k
0
votes
1
answer
390
views
Correct usage of "Ashkenaz"/"Ashkenazi"/"Ashkenazic"/"Ashkenazim"?
...Also, of course, Sefard/Sefardi/Sefardic/Sefardim.
I see these terms used interchangeably, and use them myself that way, but would rather use them correctly.
All are, at least marginally, ...
- 20.2k
4
votes
3
answers
235
views
"Ashkenazim" and "Sephardim," for example
Please excuse the crossword-puzzle-clue style of the title...
What is a or the technical name for the distinction between Ashkenazim and Sephardim, and/or the class or category that both of these ...
- 20.2k
1
vote
0
answers
77
views
Should one use the holiday/shabbat greetings that are common in his neighborhood or can he/she stick with his custom?
Sefardim say Shabbat Shallom and Chag Samayach; Ashkenazim say Gut Shabbos and Gut Yontif.
May one keep his own greetings when living in a community that is predominately of a different descent (for ...
- 13.3k
2
votes
1
answer
80
views
Seeking a demographic "pamphlet" of Israeli neighborhoods [closed]
Someone I know is considering aliyah. He is a young religious single in his mid-20's who is looking for a young, religious, but not Hareidi community in one of the "larger" cities that has a sizable "...
- 71.5k
5
votes
2
answers
360
views
German and Ethiopian Jews in the time of the Mishna?
According to Negaim 3:1, the laws of negaim only apply to Jews (הכל מטּמאין בנגעים חוץ מגוים), but according to Negaim 2:1 they apply to people from Germany (גרמני) and Ethiopia (or Numibia, etc; ״כוש״...
- 19.1k
1
vote
0
answers
339
views
Shalom Aleichem -- "shuvchem" instead of "tzeitchem"?
I've heard a setting (by Debbie Friedman) of the song "Shalom Aleichem" that, in the last verse, says "shuvchem" instead of "tzeitchem" (recording, mixed group of singers). A rabbi who knew her told ...
- 57k
5
votes
1
answer
692
views
How to find a Rabbi [duplicate]
Throughout this site, there are directives to ask your local Rabbi. Over here are some excellent answers that explain why one should ask a Rabbi.
But how does one go about finding a Rabbi to ask?
...
- 5,420
2
votes
1
answer
194
views
Does any Jewish group follow Yerushalmi only?
Does any Jewish group follow Yerushalmi over Bavli? Thank you.
- 21
8
votes
0
answers
607
views
Relationship between Chabad and the Malachim today
These days, what is the relationship between Chabad and the Malachim? How close are they -- do members of the groups marry each other, participate in each other's mosdos at all, etc.? Do Chabad ...
- 20.2k
1
vote
1
answer
236
views
Sephardic communities that stand to put on hand-t'filin
Rabbi Shimon Eider's book, Student Edition of Halachos of Tefillin, dates to 1985. In it (section Ⅲ D 7), he writes:
Some Poskim hold that one should sit while putting on the Shel Yad and ...
- 73.9k
3
votes
0
answers
139
views
Jewish communities west of London
My employer has asked me to move to as close as possible to their main office in Bramley, Hampshire (between Basingstoke and Reading). However, I do wish to live in a place with some orthodox Jewish ...
- 6,871
6
votes
1
answer
210
views
Kaparos with fish
In How to do kapparos with fish it discusses doing Kaparos with fish. Is anyone aware of any group or individuals that do Kaparos with fish?
- 140k
4
votes
1
answer
518
views
What was the status of the Pharisees, and their relationship with the Temple authorities in the early first century?
One of the many mistakes made by the authors of the Christian gospels is attributing the state of affairs in their own time to the time they are trying to describe. An example of this error is the ...
- 2,110
3
votes
0
answers
211
views
Rabbinic endorsement of Indians as descendants of Avraham?
There are some who have suggested that the Indian peoples (or, more specifically, the original Aryan tribes and/or the Brahmin caste) are descendants of Avraham's sons Zimran, Yokshan, Medan, Midian, ...
1
vote
1
answer
167
views
How "modern" is K.A.J?
"Traditionally", K.A.J (Khal Adat Yeshurun, the Yekkishe Kehilla in Washington Heights) was the "successor" Kehilla of R' Hirsh, following the Torah Im Derekh Eretz model.
Do they still follow that ...
- 40.8k
2
votes
1
answer
193
views
Do any various "orthodox" groups forbid marriage to other groups?
Out of the various "Orthodox" groups, i.e. Litvish, Chassidim, Sephardim, Yemenites, etc., do any of them forbid marriage to the other?
- 21
7
votes
1
answer
421
views
Who were the Therapeutae?
I recently found a Wikipedia page about a supposed sect of Jews in first century Alexandria called the Therapeutae. According to various pages, they lived as monks, isolating themselves and studying ...
- 20.2k
2
votes
0
answers
421
views
Do any communities permit music during Sefira?
As many of our users are likely aware, there is a custom to refrain from listening to music during the Omer period. However, the operative word here is "custom." As such, I have been wondering whether ...
- 13.3k
4
votes
0
answers
89
views
What if two communities had two different Shabbat days?
Imagine this: One community, A, keeps Shabbat on what we identify as Saturday. However, another community, B, for whatever reason, actually keeps Shabbat on what we identify as Sunday. These two ...
- 1,592
8
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Examples of considerations when bringing gifts to religious Jews
I am interested in examples of things one might into account when buying gifts for religious Jews of various stripes. I always have trouble buying gifts myself because I am worried that something I ...
- 20.2k
4
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Who observes Yom Kippur Katan, and how?
Which groups of Jews observe the monthly holiday known as "Yom Kippur Katan," in which one dedicates the day before Rosh Chodesh to repentance, often including fasting and selichot?
In what ways do ...
- 20.2k
0
votes
0
answers
55
views
Disputes over Biblical Laws [duplicate]
I would like to compile an extensive list of Biblical laws that are debated by current halachik authorities in the Orthodox community as to whether or not they are Biblical laws, Ribbinic laws, or ...
- 1,358
17
votes
4
answers
829
views
Mizmor L'Toda with Melody
In the context of p'sukei d'zimra, the Shulchan Aruch in Orach Chaim 51:9 rules that "The Psalm of Thanksgiving [i.e. Psalm 100] should be recited with a melody, for all songs are destined to fall ...
11
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Precedent for Forbidding Conversion
The Syrian community has a Takkanah in place which bars conversion. In addition to forbidding conversion under their own auspices, they also "Never accept a convert or a child born of a convert", as ...
user5540
6
votes
1
answer
278
views
Ancient Triennial Cycle Today
Are there any congregations who follow the ancient (Eretz Yisrael minhag) triennial cycle today, and so complete the Torah once every three years? I'm aware there are some Eretz Yisrael minhag ...
2
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Are there any Jewish groups that check for a newly married woman's virginity?
This question follows from: What are “the tokens of virginity”?
Are there any Jewish groups then and now that check for a woman's virginity say by laying out a garment when marriage is first ...
- 311
9
votes
5
answers
4k
views
Minhag for married women to cover their hair in bed
I know(1) there is a practice in Chabad for married women to wear a tichel in bed (i.e., with their husbands). I would not be surprised if this is the same in other Chasidic groups, if not in other ...
- 20.2k
4
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Who uses nusach Sefard?
In which communities is nusach Sefard used?
A community can be people from a specific place (I.e. Spain), or a certain religious style (I.e. Chassidim).
- 23.3k
6
votes
1
answer
330
views
Ensuring that a community is mainstream
A newcomer to Orthodox Judaism may not have a feel for what is mainstream and what generally considered beyond the pale of normative Judaism. How does one find and join a Jewish community without ...
6
votes
3
answers
397
views
Which communities wear tefilin while davening Minha?
Which communities wear tefilin while davening Minha on ordinary weekdays? I was told by my Rav that some do.
- 223
0
votes
0
answers
84
views
CYLOR and Mesorah
Assume that someone has a she'elah, however their local rabbi does not follow their mesorah. How would one approach the issue of a psak?
For example, let's say my LOR is a Chabad shaliach and I need ...
- 13.3k
5
votes
1
answer
827
views
Are there groups that do not trim their beards, besides Chabad-Lubavitch?
The Tzemach Tzedek (1789-1866; 3rd Chabad-Lubavitcher Rebbe) in a lengthy Tshuva (Yoreh Deah, Siman 93: http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=1614&st=&pgnum=164) discusses the matter ...
- 330
2
votes
1
answer
313
views
How did the different groups within Judaism develop?
How have the various groups and movements (like chassidism, Modern Orthodox, Conservative, etc) within Judaism evolved?
For example I'm looking for the following except starting with Judaism and with ...
- 315
9
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Who are the Kutim, and what happened to them?
In the Yerushalmi Pesachim on daf Bet amud Bet, it talks about the "Kutim" and how whenever they keep a mitzvah, they are more exacting/cautious about it than the Jews. Who are these Kutim, why does ...
- 1,890