Questions tagged [halacha-theory]
Questions about theoretical issues about psak and general halacha concepts
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61 views
Additional Oral Law classification systems?
These are the systems of organizing the Oral Law that are known to me:
By weekly Parashah (like Midrash Rabbah)
The 6 Sdarim and the 60 (or more) Tractates.
Rambam's 14 books of Mishnah Torah
Books ...
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0answers
77 views
What Beit Din has an authority to judge me forcefully nowadays?
Let's imagine we currently have a Haredi Autonomy in Jerusalem not subjected to the secular State and to its courts. For simplicity let all residents be religious of different traditions.
We have ...
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0answers
26 views
What part of Yossef's behavior is permitted by the Rabbinical Halachah?
This question is a follow-up to @SAH's "time-to-act-for-Hashem-and-doing-whatever-you-want". I'm trying to understand, according to Meforshim, what part of Yossef's behavior with his father and ...
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0answers
9 views
Yitroh's advice - were the chiefs limited to monetary matters?
Does "הדבר הקטן" refer to monetary matters (דיני ממונות) and "הדבר הגדול" refer to criminal matters (דיני נפשות) or were they also allowed to judge נפשות? (Shmot 18, 21):
"...וְשַׂמְתָּ עֲלֵהֶם ...
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0answers
10 views
Yitroh's advice - was every chief a Beis Din on his own?
This is a follow-up question on "Yitrohs-advise-to-moses-on-appointing-judges (Shmot 18, 21):
"...וְשַׂמְתָּ עֲלֵהֶם שָׂרֵי אֲלָפִים שָׂרֵי מֵאוֹת שָׂרֵי חֲמִשִּׁים וְשָׂרֵי עֲשָׂרֹת׃ וְשָׁפְטוּ ...
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10 views
Yitroh's advice - did it include hierarchy and subordination?
This is a follow-up question on "Yitrohs-advise-to-moses-on-appointing-judges (Shmot 18, 21):
"וְאַתָּה תֶחֱזֶה מִכָּל־הָעָם אַנְשֵׁי־חַיִל יִרְאֵי אֱלֹקים אַנְשֵׁי אֱמֶת שֹׂנְאֵי בָצַע וְשַׂמְתָּ ...
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18 views
Why don't we add special Holiday sections to Al Hamichya on Purim or Chanukah? [duplicate]
Much like Birkat Hamazon, there are special Holiday sections added to Al Hamichya on all of the Yom Tov days that do not involve fasting. Unlike Birkhat Hamazon, however, Purim and Chanukah are not ...
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55 views
Comparing different counting of the 613 mitzvot
I would like to make a rudimentary chart comparing the 613 mitzvot as enumerated by the Ramban, the Rahag, Saadia Gaon, et al. and highlighting in different colors what mitzvot are ubiquitous across ...
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0answers
48 views
Halachic registration of people's names
Following the discussion about people's names in Halacha,
Is there any obligation and a way of registering names in the Halacha?
Is there an authority responsible for registering names - a Bais Din ...
3
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2answers
87 views
(How) Did Channukah events and the Makkabim change Judaism?
Besides the obvious celebration of Channukah,
How's Judaism is different now because of those events:
Did the Makkabim and the Chanukkah event leave any trace in the Jewish Halachic tradition?
Were ...
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0answers
20 views
23 different Arayos Mitzvos for Jews vs one for non-Jews
Both 613 Jewish and 7 Noahides are called Mitzvos (ז' מצוות בני נוח)
We have a separate Mitzvah for every Ervah (one for mother and one for sister etc), for a total of 22 (I think).
Non-Jews have one ...
1
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2answers
65 views
When two opinions differ how the Halachah is made? [closed]
Lets supose that in talmud sage A say that something is permitted and sage B say that something is not permitted, what opinion should we follow?
Have seen some places that the difference is absurd, ...
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0answers
25 views
How האב\הרב שמחל על כבדו is done practically?
This is a follow up to "The meaning of “האב שמחל על כבדו כבדו מחול”?. We learned that (acc. to Rashb"a) the father's מחילה על כבודו totally invalidates the Mitzvah of Kibud Av so the son is not ...
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0answers
20 views
The meaning of “האב שמחל על כבדו כבדו מחול”?
This is a follow-up question to "does-mechilah-invalidate-kibud-av".
The Gemmorah in Kiddushin 32 states:
"א"ר יצחק בר שילא א"ר מתנה אמר רב חסדא האב שמחל על כבודו כבודו מחול"
Translating מחילה ...
5
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2answers
177 views
A poor person, Chanukah candles v. Shabbos candles, and selling clothing to buy candles
Although one who cannot afford Shabbos candles is not required to sell his clothing to fund them, one who cannot afford Chanuka candles is required to sell his clothing. (Shulchan Aruch O.C. 671.)
...
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3answers
54 views
Does Mechilah invalidate Kibud Av?
Following the question: "no-bracha-on-kibud-av-vaeim", some tried to say that the Sages did not set a Berocho for this Mitzvah as the father can be Mochel and there's no Mitzvah in such a case. ...
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0answers
56 views
Why may one not wear Tefillin after Shekiah?
The Gemara (Menachos 36b) writes:
אמר ר' אלעזר כל המניח תפילין אחר שקיעת החמה עובר בעשה ור' יוחנן אמר עובר בלאו
R’ Elazar said: whoever places Tefillin after sunset violates a positive ...
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1answer
77 views
Witnesses of Kiddushin no need to know the couple?
The Jewish Halacha does not require the witnesses to familiarize themselves with the couple prior to Kiddushin:
they are not required to know the couple in person before the wedding or have any ...
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3answers
100 views
Why Cheder Yihud does not accommodate a bed?
Isn't it what Cheder Yichud is for, to fulfill the נישואין, the consummation?
We all know that Halachically it is not required, as the seclusion alone is sufficient, but as we tend to ensure that ...
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0answers
67 views
Marrying in person without knowing whom?
After asking Marrying through messenger without knowing whom I realized that it seems plausible to marry "don't know whom" in person. Here's the scenario:
A very frum person ("Avrohom-style", doesn'...
2
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2answers
158 views
Origin of exemption on covering hair for unmarried women
I've studied tons of various Poskim and websites discussing aspects of covering hair for women so I am familiar with the practical Halachot.
If I'm right, the default state is that all women (married ...
5
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1answer
108 views
Source why ביאה is not an option for שליח קידושין
This might sound a bit silly, but "that's the Torah and I need to learn it" (R"A).
A woman can be Mekudeshet in three ways which Halachah-wise are all equal (neither makes a better Kiddushin).
A ...
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1answer
67 views
Marrying through a messenger without knowing whom?
Based on the basic idea of marrying through a messenger (Shaliah) both by a man and a woman (Kiddushin 41).
First, the bride and the groom say to the messengers: "go bring me any man/woman". So one ...
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41 views
The practical (Halachic) importance of the Luchot Habrit (the Tablets)
Is there any practical נ"מ (implications) of the fact that the 10 Mitzvos are written in the Luchos, and not in the plain text of the Torah outside the Luchos?
For example:
because "לא תרצח" is ...
9
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1answer
108 views
How would the 'split the baby in half' situation be resolved according to halacha?
In 1 Kings 3:16-27 there is a story of two prostitutes who appear before King Shlomo, each having a newborn baby. One of the babies died and there was a dispute as to which one. There were no ...
4
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3answers
964 views
To what extent does the Torah make allowances for people in severe physical pain? [closed]
I have a severe progressive neurological disease and it's exceptionally painful. Current medical technology unfortunately is not able to provide much in the way of treatment or relief. Everyday things ...
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1answer
45 views
Forgetting Torah study for Ben Sorer UMoreh - the biggest sin?
Concerning בן סורר ומורה the Yerushalmi Sanhedrin 43b (8:7) says:
צפה הקב"ה שסוף של זה
עתיד לגמר ניכסי אביו ואת ניכסי אמו,
ויושב לו בפרשת דרכים,
ומקפח את הבריות,
והורג את הנפשות,
וסופו ...
6
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2answers
64 views
Prison in Halacha
I realized that nowhere (as far as I can tell) is there a reference to prison being a punishment in the Torah. The closest I even come to someone being kept in prison is the man found gathering sticks ...
4
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2answers
64 views
Revenge when the other relies on 'immunity'
Is it permitted to take revenge when the other keeps his negative behavior, relying on "immunity"?
Let us take example to understand well things.
Mr T and Mr R are neighbors. Mr R is an evil and ...
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0answers
38 views
What exactly the Ben Sorer uMore Mitzvah is about?
Here's a short recap on the Ben SU"M (דברים כ"א י"ח) Mitzvah order:
A boy does not listen (rebels against) to his parents in general (no details on how exactly)
He steals his father's money
He buys a ...
2
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1answer
70 views
Why is the halacha like Beis Hillel?
It is a known rule that the halacha is like Beis Hillel unless explicitly stated.
The Gemara (Eiruvin 13b) says Beis Hillel and Beis Shammai argued for three years until a bas kol called out and said ...
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1answer
88 views
Men making Kiddush for women after eating at shul
Women and men are both equally chayiv in kiddush, at least on shabbos. Additionally there is a commonly known rule that a non obligated person (or obligated on a lower level) cannot fulfill a mitzvah ...
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1answer
79 views
Why are there no “deRabanan regulations” on the Ben Sorer uMoreh Mitzvah?
This is the first question in a series on Ben SU"M.
Let me recap on this Mitzvah (Rambam Mamrim 7):
A 13 to 13 and 3 months old boy that disobeys his father and mother in a very specific way of
...
1
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2answers
89 views
Can halacha be derived from gematria?
The Talmud says:
Mishnah: A Nazirite vow of unspecified duration [remains in force] thirty days. Gemara: From where is this rule derived? Rabbi Mattena said: The text reads: He shall be [yihyeh] ...
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2answers
78 views
Deriving *halachah* from the books of the Prophets
The Talmud in multiple places uses the principle divrei Torah midivrei kabbalah lo yalfinan, which usually is interpreted to mean that halachah cannot be derived from the words of the Prophets, and if ...
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1answer
354 views
Tweeting on Shabbat: d'oraita or d'rabbanan violation?
There was a dangerous situation in my community on Shabbat and I knew (from the amount my house phone was ringing and my cell phone was buzzing) that people I knew across the world would be concerned ...
4
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1answer
44 views
“אלו ואלו דברי א' חיים” vs “נעשית תורה כשתי תורות” with examples
In numerous Halachic disputes I spotted two contradicting approaches:
"אלו ואלו דברי א' חיים" - both approaches are legitimate and stem from the [one] living G-d. Each one is allowed to keep his way ...
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2answers
94 views
What happened in R' Chananya's penthouse (18 Dvarim)?
Speaking of Beyt Shamai, Yerushalmi Shabbat 9a also here:
Background:
"ואלו הן ההלכות שאמרו בעליית חנניה בן חזקיה בן גרון
שעלו לבקרו ונמנו ורבו ב"ש על ב"ה
ושמנה עשר דברים גזרו בו ביום:"
...
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2answers
127 views
Does Jewish law have a clear position on freedom of speech?
Does Jewish law have a clear position on freedom of speech?
On the one hand, the Talmud itself testifies to such freedom (within broad bounds): Minority opinions are cited, followed by the majority ...
3
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2answers
198 views
The underlying reason for Shemitat Ksafim?
I've researched the topic for a while and I could not find a single interpreter discussing the reason (טעם המצווה) for canceling loans after the Shemitah Year.
I know it is a Machloket (see my ...
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1answer
38 views
Sages'examples of educating for Mitzvot examples
I'm looking for examples the Sages prescribe for educating for keeping Mitzvos (חינוך למצוות), for example:
"קָטָן הַיּוֹדֵעַ לְנַעְנֵעַ, חַיָּב בַּלּוּלָב:" Mishnah Succah 3,15
"מִשָּׁעָה שֶׁהַבֵּן ...
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1answer
59 views
What is “Beyt Shamai/Beyt Hilel” for citing Mishnayot?
This question is intended to clarify D.S'.question - how-can-bet-shamai-argue-on-shamai:
What exactly is called "Beyt Shammay/Hillel"? We don't find this term with other great Rabbis, such as R' ...
4
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2answers
492 views
What happens to the debts after Shmitat Ksafim?
The question is rather simple - What happens to a loan after Shmitat Ksafim (I refer only to those entitled for Shmitah):
Is the debt fully annulled and the Shtar/agreement invalidated in this world'...
4
votes
1answer
169 views
What is the source for Rambam's thirteen principles?
What is the Rambam source for the thirteen principles, brought in his interpretation of the Mishna Sanhedrin 10:1?
By that I mean what is his source that without these principles one does not go to ...
2
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0answers
52 views
Yichud, shomer by night?
For yichud issues, a (Jewish) man and his wife are mutually considered shomer: אשתו משמרתו.
But do this apply by night?
Basis for this question, the Gemara Qidushin 81a
רב ביבי אקלע לבי רב יוסף, ...
2
votes
2answers
47 views
Were Midrashim and Aggadeta transmitted to Moshe on Sinai like the Halachic Torah She'be'al Peh?
The halachic part of the Torah She'be'al Peh was transmitted to Moshe on Sinai along with the written Torah (or in the Ohel Moed afterward).
Sifra:
How is Shemitta relevant to Mount Sinai? Were ...
2
votes
1answer
61 views
Are those below age 20 forgiven more easily?
Are those who are below 20, forgiven by Hashem more easily than others?
The Gemmorah in Shabbat 89b says:
"דל עשרין דלא ענשת עלייהו" - Subtract the first twenty years of his life. [One is not ...
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0answers
43 views
What were the “pieces” of Moses' transmission of the Oral Law?
BT Eruvin 54b presents the method of Moses' Torah study:
תנו רבנן: כיצד סדר משנה? משה למד מפי הגבורה. נכנס אהרן ושנה לו משה פירקו ... נכנסו בניו ושנה להן משה פירקן ... וכו'
The Sages taught: ...
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0answers
44 views
Mishnah formulations: positive and negative
I'm a bit of a nagger, but I think the question is legit:
I start with an assumption that the formulation of the Mishnah was purposeful and not circumstantial, that Rebbe did put much thought in ...
7
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1answer
120 views
Were Tefillin worn in the Midbar?
Were Tefillin worn in the Midbar (40 years of wandering) before the Jews entered Israel?
If so what Parshiot were in those Tefillin?
According to those who say Moses wrote Deuteronomy at the end of ...
