Questions tagged [family-members]

Questions pertaining to family members

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-1 votes
1 answer
47 views

Child from a different father born after marriage

If a child of a Jewish woman has been fathered by a person before marriage, and she marries a Jewish husband before birth and accepts the child knowingly, and the natural father does not claim ...
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3 votes
1 answer
49 views

Saying kaddish for a distant relative when a closer one is alive but will not say kaddish

What do the sources say about saying kaddish in a situation where a non-blood relative passed away. Closer relatives are alive but are unlikely to say kaddish.
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0 answers
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Does someone have to respect his older brother? [duplicate]

Does a younger brother have to respect his older brother?
2 votes
1 answer
40 views

Does one have to respect his grandfather? [duplicate]

Does one have to respect his grandfather as an extension of kivud av va'em or for any other reason?
1 vote
2 answers
74 views

Why didn't God take or afflict Job's wife?

When testing Job, Satan takes his possessions, flocks, slaves, and sons, but not his wife. She's not even afflicted with any illnesses. Why is that? Is there a hidden message about her cooperation ...
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-2 votes
2 answers
135 views

breaking a 'soul tie' with family members

Is there such a 'thing' as a 'soul tie' between people, be it family or otherwise. Can we dissassemble a soul tie? If so, how is this done?
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1 vote
0 answers
130 views

What did the sages of blessed memory say about this phrase "sons of the priests"?

1 Chronicles 9:30 And some of the sons of the priests were compounders of the mixture for the spices. https://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/16529/showrashi/true Ezra 10:18 And it was found of ...
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0 answers
67 views

After death, does one experience the company of his loved ones in heaven?

Please provide sources, preferably kabbalistic.
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8 votes
1 answer
1k views

Halachically, must a Jewish convert sever ties with his non-Jewish family?

It has been said that a convert must avoid aspects, or relics of their non-Jewish life, from before conversion. I have heard some rabbis say, all ties to genetic family are severed with conversion. ...
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2 votes
1 answer
301 views

Inviting deceased relatives to a wedding

Can anybody send me the source for the custom of inviting deceased relatives (particularly grandparents) to a wedding. I understand that Netai Gavriel discusses the issue but I have no access to that ...
3 votes
1 answer
255 views

Can one recite El Maleh Rahamim for a non-Jewish relative?

Is it halachically permissible to recite El Maleh Rahamim for a non-Jewish relative?
1 vote
1 answer
67 views

Question about כַּבֵּד אֶת אָבִיךָ וְאֶת אִמֶּךָ

I am not a very knowledgeable Jew. I am the product of a mixed marriage (Mom is Jewish/Dad is not). However, I was raised in a Jewish household. Over the years I have leaned more towards observance ...
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1 answer
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Being a "son of God" among "sons of God"

During the course of Hashem's explanation of his relationship to the Children of Israel, he likens them to his child: Yirmiyahu 31:9 "כִּֽי־הָיִ֤יתִי לְיִשְׂרָאֵל֙ לְאָ֔ב וְאֶפְרַ֖יִם בְּכֹ֥רִי ...
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1 answer
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What is Judaism's take on dying a virgin?

I take it from the Torah that G'd commanded mankind to procreate and that pre-marital sex is forbidden and all that, But what happens with people who either choose to remain unmarried or otherwise ...
0 votes
3 answers
213 views

Must converts to Judaism inform their families?

A candidate for conversion to Judaism appears to be very sincere, enthusiastic, knowledgeable, dedicated, and is not suspected of having ulterior motives. But he states that he does not intend to ...
3 votes
1 answer
96 views

Does the Gemara talk about interpersonal dynamics between step-siblings in blended families?

Obviously the model of get married at age 20, stay married for 70 years, then both spouses drop dead was not one in the Gemara; if nothing else, enough people died young that remarriages were common. ...
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-4 votes
1 answer
143 views

Who SHOULD accept a taanit dibbur?

If one is home with his family (especially these days when everyone is home, all day), would it be fair to his family members not to speak to them (besides strict divrei Torah)? EDIT: In what cases ...
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1 vote
0 answers
44 views

How Halachic was Yaakov's decision to discriminate between his wives and kids?

וַיָּ֧שֶׂם אֶת־הַשְּׁפָח֛וֹת וְאֶת־יַלְדֵיהֶ֖ן רִֽאשֹׁנָ֑ה, וְאֶת־לֵאָ֤ה וִֽילָדֶ֙יהָ֙ אַחֲרֹנִ֔ים, וְאֶת־רָחֵ֥ל וְאֶת־יוֹסֵ֖ף אַחֲרֹנִֽים׃ putting the maids and their children first, Leah ...
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7 votes
1 answer
1k views

Why was Rachel shepherding instead of Leah?

In Bereshit 29 we learn that Rachel was shepherding her father's sheep. Do any commentaries explain why Rachel, the younger sister, was the shepherdess instead of Leah the older sister? Related ...
1 vote
0 answers
2k views

Did Moses ever meet his parents after the separation?

IIRC the Biblical narrative, after being born, Moses spends 3 months at home and then moving to the royal palace. His mother continues to breastfeed him for a certain period of time but then the link ...
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24 votes
14 answers
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How can I redeem a wasted youth?

I wasted my youth. I am 35 years old. I had a toxic relationship with my parents, especially my mother. My career never started, and I am still looking for a fresh start and finding it humiliating at ...
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1 vote
1 answer
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How many sin-offerings are due for one who (unintentionally) sleeps with his mother while she's married to his father?

Sanhedrin 7:4 lists several types of transgressor who are stoned, and then talks about some unintentional sexual transgressions: הַבָּא עַל הָאֵם, חַיָּב עָלֶיהָ מִשּׁוּם אֵם וּמִשּׁוּם אֵשֶׁת אָב. ...
2 votes
1 answer
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The importance of family

Do the Sources anywhere specifically stress the importance of family in general? Maintaining ties with family members, even though they may live far away, seeking long-lost cousins, having reunions, ...
0 votes
1 answer
386 views

Jewish significance of being an uncle or aunt?

Is there any Jewish significance to the relationship between an uncle/aunt and their nephew/niece? Meaning to say, are there any special things (opportunities, responsibilities) about being an uncle/...
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4 votes
1 answer
186 views

Father as an heir

In Parashat Pinchas we learn about the rules of inheritence. A son inherits first. This is implicit from the first statement of the Parsha. It says that if the deceased person didn't have a son, then ...
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1 vote
0 answers
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Are common half siblings related to each other?

I have 2 half-siblings, one through my father and one through my mother. Are these 2 related to each other in any way according to the Torah (even though they share no common parent)? For example, ...
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1 vote
0 answers
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Obligation of a Beis Din to judge and decide on Issurim?

THe question about the baby switch made me think of this question: In the realm of Issurim (Arayos, Mamzerim, conversion, Kohen, etc) when new evidence arises, is a Beis Din and what Beis Din ...
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2 votes
1 answer
85 views

What damages does a hurting husband pay to his wife?

If a husband willingly hurts his wife (physically or sexually), which of the 5 parts of damages is he obligated to pay? What does he pay immediately and what is held as a debt until divorced?
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-1 votes
1 answer
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How can one say "my son is Mamzer"?

הָאוֹמֵר, בְּנִי זֶה מַמְזֵר ... רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר (להלכה), נֶאֱמָנן: If a man declares, “this son of mine is a mamzer” ... Rabbi Judah says: he is believed. (Mishnah Kiddushin 4,8 adopted) ...
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4 votes
2 answers
358 views

Benefiting from a Jew's meizid melacha on Shabbos

The introduction to the first volume of the English edition of Shmiras Shabbos k'Hilchaso states that a person who does melacha b'meizid on Shabbos is forever banned from benefiting from that melacha. ...
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13 votes
1 answer
328 views

Are there any specific minhagim to celebrate Purim as a family?

וְהַיָּמִ֣ים הָאֵ֠לֶּה נִזְכָּרִ֨ים וְנַֽעֲשִׂ֝ים בְּכָל־דּ֣וֹר וָד֗וֹר מִשְׁפָּחָה֙ וּמִשְׁפָּחָ֔ה מְדִינָ֥ה וּמְדִינָ֭ה וְעִיר וָעִיר וִימֵ֞י הַפּוּרִ֣ים הָאֵ֗לֶּה לֹ֤א יַֽעַבְרוּ֙ מִתּ֣וֹךְ ...
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0 votes
1 answer
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Is Aaron's lesson one of nepotism?

Is Aaron's lesson one of nepotism? In Exodus 32, Aaron takes the lead in creating the golden calf, but in Deuteronomy 9:20 all is forgiven because Moses prays for him. One could say the lesson here ...
2 votes
0 answers
54 views

Can a convert be considered in-law after the conversion?

I was taught that a convert loses his relations after conversion: "גר שהתגייר כתינוק שנולד". First, after Tzipora allegedly converted Yitro is no longer her father in relation to anything Halachic, ...
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4 votes
0 answers
113 views

Does Jewish law have a separate status for someone whose father is a Jew rather than simply grouping them with non-Jews? [duplicate]

Traditional standards on Judaism are clear about the topic. One is only legally Jewish if they have a matrilineal connection to the community. That being said, I've heard a few people throw around ...
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7 votes
1 answer
162 views

Does Chinese ancestor worship have the full status of idolotry?

In the front of a Chinese restaurant they have a small shrine - a succah less than a foot tall. Placed before it is a bowl of rice with vertical chopsticks and a plate of oranges. There is no idol ...
7 votes
1 answer
265 views

Does Bishul Akum Apply To Half-Siblings

Speaking to a Rabbi recently he told me the rules of Bishul Aqum have more to do with preventing intermarriage than risk of non kosher ingredients being added to food without a Jew's knowledge. Let'...
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5 votes
1 answer
155 views

Rachel Imeinu Deceiving Lavan while pregnant

In Bereshit 31:35 we learn that Rachel was able to hide the Teraphim under her saddle by telling her father Lavan that "The way of women is upon me", presumably a euphemism for menstruation. Just a ...
0 votes
1 answer
236 views

Being with a non Jew [closed]

I’ve read on this site that teshuva fixes all sins except the ones done between you and someone else, like stealing someone’s shoe for example. If teshuva does work, will that take away her soul ...
3 votes
2 answers
160 views

Is there a concept for individuals who are "too" destructive, in that they destabilize all of those around them?

Obviously, no one is inherently evil. All humans are constantly in battle with their evil inclination and we have to actively work to groom positive traits within us. That being said, do the sages ...
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6 votes
1 answer
245 views

Is a convert's biological son obligated in "kibud av' (honoring his father)?

This is the reverse of this question, in a sense. Suppose that a Gentile intermarries and he has a son who is Jewish. Later, the Gentile converts. Is the biological son ever halachically obligated to ...
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2 votes
1 answer
90 views

Do I need to honor a grandparent?

Do I get reward (or am commanded, presumably) for honoring a grandparent? Is there some direct opinion like that out there in the Talmud ?
2 votes
1 answer
55 views

Sources on Ephraim and Menashe's greatness [duplicate]

Many of us bless our children on Friday nights. The bracha for daughters is pretty easy to understand- among other things we wish them to be as great as Sarah, Rivka and Leah- towering female figures ...
3 votes
2 answers
421 views

What tribe were Eldad and Medad from?

I have been trying to find biographical information about Eldad and Medad but cannot seem to find a source which states which tribe they are from. The Baale Tosfot - Daat Zekeinim says they were ...
3 votes
0 answers
131 views

A dying man designates a disciple to care for his mother -- does that carry any legal weight in Judaism?

(I originally asked this question on Christianity.SE, and was redirected here for a better understanding of the Jewish laws and culture.) I’m hoping someone can help me concerning ancient Jewish laws ...
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8 votes
3 answers
947 views

Did Avraham Avinu really have a daughter named Bakol?

I heard that Avraham Avinu had a daughter named Bakol. But in the Biblical narrative, there is no mention of a daughter to Avraham, only a son, Yitzchak, whom we all know well. Did Avraham really ...
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7 votes
1 answer
273 views

Will non-Jews be welcome in a Jewish neighborhood? [closed]

We are considering buying a house in a suburban Philadelphia neighborhood that has a large Jewish population (we are not Jewish)and are wondering if we would be welcome there. Are there special ...
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4 votes
1 answer
2k views

Can you marry your Wife's Sister as a non "Rival Wife"?

When discussing polygamy with someone from Chinese culture, they mentioned how marrying sisters was considered a good idea as they were more likely to get along. This made me wonder about the ...
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2 votes
1 answer
511 views

What is the definition of a "shituki"?

What is the definition of "shituki"? This term may be found in Rambam, Mamrim 5:9. I apologize that I was not able to be more specific in adding contextual 'tags'.
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1 vote
1 answer
369 views

Jew with non-Jewish father: maternal grandfather has no Hebrew name; great-grandfather's Hebrew name unknown [duplicate]

Usually, when a Jew's father is not a Jew, the name of the maternal grandfather is used when being called up to Torah. (Source?) But what happens if the maternal grandfather does not have a Hebrew ...
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3 votes
2 answers
129 views

Is anything known of יהודא בן טיטוס?

In Yerushalmi Bikkurim 11b(end) a person by the name יהודא בן טיטוס is mentioned. I would like to know if this person is the son of the famed roman emperor Titus (unlikely as that may be) or if any ...