Questions tagged [halacha]

Jewish law. Specifically, the legal process beginning with the written Torah and continuing through the Mishna, Talmud, and the legal codes (e.g., Rambam, Tur, Shulchan Aruch). // NOTE: Like Wikipedia, this site makes no guarantee of validity, and does not offer professional (particularly rabbinic) advice. Treat information from this site like it came from a crowd of your friends.

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Why is a Mitztayer patur from sukkah according to Reb Moshe

What was Reb Moshe's understanding and reasoning for a Mitztayer being patur from the mitzvah of sukkah?
pine5900's user avatar
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Do cooling racks need to be toiveled?

Similar to but different from this question, do cooling racks need to be toiveled?
Hershy S.'s user avatar
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Shalosh Seudos - 2nd Seuda at night

If one ate a second Seuda on Friday evening, does that count towards the Shalosh Seudos? Or does it have to be in the daytime?
Gershon Gold's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
63 views

What do women who normally abstain from drinking havdalah wine drink do when the Seder falls out after Shabbat?

There is a widespread custom that women do not drink from the wine used in the havdalah ceremony. When the seder falls out on motzei shabbat havdalah is incorporated into the kiddush, which women are ...
rikitikitembo's user avatar
5 votes
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Noahide & Zera Yisrael?

Is there any prohibition (Torah or rabbinical) against a Noahide man having relations or even marrying a Zera Yisrael woman who is not halachically Jewish? For the hypothetical case here, the woman ...
Forsyte's user avatar
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1 answer
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Shabbat gentile worker different time zones halacha?

Can a Jew, let's say on Friday in Eastern time New York 9AM (way before Shabbos) ask a gentile worker who is in Asia (where it is already Shabbos) to do work for him? Similar question here but I am ...
javadev's user avatar
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0 answers
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Gentile Texting a Jew on Shabbat [duplicate]

Shalom, I (a gentile) texted my non-observant Jewish friend on Shabbat, having totally forgotten it was Shabbat. He responded before I could unsend. Have I "placed a stumbling block before the ...
bennoach11's user avatar
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What’s the Chabad psak on Beit Yosef and sinta (sirloin steak) in Israel?

I’m in Israel and most Ashkenazim don’t eat sinta (sirloin steak) but I was wondering if Chabad does.
Dov Gurevich's user avatar
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Is there anything wrong with an unmarried man learning hilchos niddah?

Does a man need to be married to learn hilchos niddah? Part of a halacha chabura that's learning the halachos of nidah
Jon Moss's user avatar
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2 answers
780 views

Are you allowed to paint a sukkah?

Many people build sukkahs out of untreated 2x4s. While I understand the aesthetics of leaving them raw and unpainted, emphasizing that it is a temporary structure, is there any reason why you should ...
Mike's user avatar
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Tri Maschu תרי משהו - Shach and Taz [closed]

I am trying to find a definition to the principle תרי משהו. I am totally confused by what I have read. Could someone explain this principle to me? Thanks! Shkoyach!!!! Shana Tova!
Andres Bruck's user avatar
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What’s the source of not asking a question to a person that might not know the answer, so that they won't get embarrassed

BH Someone told me that you shouldn’t ask a question to someone who won't know the answer to what you're asking. What’s the source of this?
David 's user avatar
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Insincere (Erev Yom Kippur) mechila

There are those who say that even if someone was only moichel Erev Yom Kippur because he was a pushover or embarrassed not to, the story is over. Once the aggrieving party was told that he has ...
Schmerel's user avatar
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Baruch hu ubaruch shemo - why omitted sometimes?

Why is "Baruch hu ubaruch shemo" omitted during the reciting of certain brachot such as meggilah and shofar?
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Performing for a mixed concert

One finds orthodox performers who sing for mixed-gender audiences (eg recently) However, one also finds achronim who call this assur. I'm curious for a bit more explanation of the sources/reasonings ...
ak0000's user avatar
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Why don't we wear techeilet [duplicate]

Why don't we apply the rule of ספק דאורייתא לחומרה to techeilet? If there are rabbanim who hold it is the real techelet, and there is compelling evidence that we now know what techeilet is, why doesn'...
Shababnik's user avatar
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Glazed China and Kashering [closed]

I recently kashered my kitchen and was wondering why modern glazed ceramic china had to be replaced, since the glaze eliminates the porousness of the china. When I ask people at shul, everyone says it ...
Azure's user avatar
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1 answer
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Biological sample from the ancient dead

Is there any halachic justification, or permission, to take a biological sample from a dead person in an ancient site? For example, in Israel there are many archeological digs which sometimes result ...
bondonk's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
122 views

Pergola - Kosher scach?

This pergola was originally put up a around 2 weeks before Sukkos 5783. The shade that this makes is at least 50/50 (if not more.) So several questions: Is this kosher scach by itself? If yes, what ...
Yehoshua's user avatar
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Who is בה"י referenced by the Ba'er Hetev on Shulchan Arukh, Yoreh De'ah?

The Ba'er Hetev on Shulchan Arukh, Yoreh De'ah refers to an authority named בה"י: לפרקים. וזהו ל' יום. בה''י ועיין בבאר הגולה מה שהביא בשם מהרי''ל Who is that? Thanks.
jacob's user avatar
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Why are we allowed to make unlimited prayer in any language at a time where we are not allowed to answer amen?

According to (at least) Rav Ovadiah Yosef (based on his understanding of Maran in Shulchan Aruch), one is not allowed to answer amen (except first 5 of Kaddish), baruch Hu u'varuch Shemo, or the ...
Rabbi Kaii's user avatar
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1 vote
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Percentage of SA halacha per Mitzva breakdown?

Is there a study or depiction (similar to the visualisations at Sefaria, although doesn't have to be a visualisation) that takes the whole of the Shulchan Aruch and traces every single halacha back ...
Rabbi Kaii's user avatar
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1 answer
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Is a Shofar Muktzeh on the second day of Rosh Hashanah this year?

Does the Shofar have the Din of a כלי שמלאכתו לאיסור on the second day of Rosh Hashanah, when the first day is Shabbos, being that it is so during twilight of the second day?
שלום's user avatar
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What's the source of Gerut Lechumra and what is it

BH I heard there is a concept called Gerut Lechumra. What does this mean and what are the sources of this in Shulchan Aruch, Rambam and Gemara?
David 's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
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Do sephardim have different halachas for serving cholent from a blech on shabbos?

I always learned that it's forbidden to, for example, stir cholent while it's still on the blech/hot plate on shabbos, or to serve it straight from the blech/hot plate. Rather, one must remove the pot ...
Uri's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
113 views

Royal convert, still royal?

What is the situation with royal converts, i.e., converts who come from royal blood or are of royal relatives? Are they still royal? Do we have to stand for them as with any royal, do we not have to ...
Gabriel's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
239 views

Why can’t a lady blow Shofar for a man?

If the Mitzvah is to hear the sound of the Shofar - not to blow it - then why can’t a man fulfill his obligation by hearing from a lady’s blowing, if the דין שומע כעונה doesn’t apply here?
שלום's user avatar
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Can one say the name of Hashem in a song [duplicate]

If one holds that we say Hashems name while saying a praise like in shabbat zemirot how does that appky to an Isreali song where some singers say The Name outright? If the song is meant for a praise ...
Shababnik's user avatar
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0 votes
2 answers
147 views

Is it permissible to use an anime drawing as a profile picture online if the character depicted in the drawing is of the opposite gender?

Basically as the title says. The anime drawing wouldn't contain anything lewd or suggestive, but is simply a regular anime picture, but the character depicted in the drawing is of the opposite gender ...
setszu's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
426 views

Fireworks on Yom Tov

Happy coming New Year all! I recently pondered whether igniting fireworks using an existing flame on yom tov would be permissible given that fireworks are “universally appreciated.” Given that I’ve ...
fny's user avatar
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1 vote
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Evidence for how peyot were 'worn' in ancient times?

Nowadays, peyot are 'worn' by some religious Jews as long extensions on the sides of the head. Often they are stylised into curls/locks. From what I understand, this was popularised by the chassidic ...
bondonk's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
47 views

Is mezonot jealous of kiddush? [duplicate]

Should we cover plates of crackers and rogelach in a shul kiddush?
Rabbi Kaii's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
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What constitutes a destructive act on Shabbat?

I first read in Mishnah Torah, Shabbat the following: should a person kindle a fire with a destructive intent, he is not liable, for he is causing ruin. This surprised me, so I researched some more ...
fny's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
89 views

Distilled water on Sabbath

Is it allowed to make distilled water on the Sabbath, i.e. to begin before the Sabbath and let the machine continue to work even after nightfall? The distiller works by boiling water and then ...
user813801's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
118 views

Weapons in the Beis Hamikdash

Would it be permitted for one to enter the Bais Hamikdash carrying a weapon (for example, a gun)? Would it make a difference if it were open vs. concealed carry?
Yitzy 's user avatar
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2 votes
0 answers
61 views

Apparent contradiction in the Rosh Hashanah menu/diet

On the one hand, on Rosh Hashanah we don’t eat sour/bitter foods, on the other hand we eat foods that have a negative connotation (see Orach Chaim 583:1) and apply them to our enemies - so why can’t ...
שלום's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
113 views

Is it a sin to invest in say a company run by a Rasha

Let’s say you invest in a billion dollar company and you find out they make guns that are used to kill innocent people, is this a sin to keep investing
Raul Valdez Jr.'s user avatar
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0 answers
38 views

Should right take precedence over left in all regards?

We all know the famous Halacha that you need to put in your right shoe first, and remove it last to give kavod to the right foot. Similarly, the Gemara mentions reasons of why the right hand should ...
Curious Yid's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
64 views

Wash your hair before you wash your body on erev shabbos

I once heard my rabbi say that you must wash your head with shampoo first before you wash your body with soap in the shower on Erev Shabbos/Yom Tov, but on any other weekday you can choose to do ...
Curious Yid's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
860 views

Jewish table manners

I want to know if it's proper for a Jew to spit out bones or anything he doesn't want to swallow on top of the table he sits at.
Elhanan BenMichael's user avatar
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0 answers
77 views

Can gentile couples be forgiven for adultery?

Are noahide couple partners allowed to "forgive" adultery (as a consumated act described by rambam for noahides)?
eeerrrttt's user avatar
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-1 votes
1 answer
123 views

Water fasting from Sunday until Friday, to save time, and Havdalah

In a particular week, you have a lot of schoolwork you want to get done. You decide to do a water fast for most of the week, to save time. You'll consume only water, not food. A.) Are you allowed ...
unforgettableidSupportsMonica's user avatar
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63 views

Water fasting from Sunday until Tuesday, to save time, and Havdalah

The main mitzvah of Havdala is to say it on Saturday night. (Source.) In a particular week, you have a lot of schoolwork you want to get done. You decide to do a water fast for a few days, to save ...
unforgettableidSupportsMonica's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
194 views

Do Charedi rabbis allow Charedi Jews to change and become Modern Orthodox?

You were born into a Hareidi family, but you decide to make a change and become Modern Orthodox. According to Charedi authorities, is it halachically allowed for a Haredi Jew to change and become ...
unforgettableidSupportsMonica's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
169 views

Using pre-cut floss on Shabbos, if the floss is likely to shred

Please imagine: You floss daily, and your gums never bleed. You've pre-cut a good length of floss before Shabbos. However: Every time you floss, the floss shreds. In such a case, are you allowed ...
unforgettableidSupportsMonica's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
181 views

Difference between positive and negative Mitzvos when it comes to Chinuch

The Mishnah Berurah (343:3) writes that when it comes to positive Mitzvos, Chinuch begins from when the child is able to understand the purpose of that specific Mitzvah, but when it comes to negative ...
שלום's user avatar
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1 vote
0 answers
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Is there mar'it ayin when you do something acceptable for you, but not to the general public?

Is there mar'it ayin when you do something acceptable for you, but not to the general Jewish public? A couple of examples will highlight this issue: Scenario 1: Person X books a table at a regular ...
bondonk's user avatar
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5 votes
1 answer
226 views

What should one do while waiting for repetition of the Amidah to start?

What should an individual be doing after finishing his personal Amidah while waiting for the chazzan's repetition to start? Do the same restrictions apply during this period as the period while the ...
Josh Grinberg's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
63 views

If we don't and can't know someone's full hebrew name when davening for them

It recently happened to me that I really wanted to daven for someone but I only knew their name and not their father or mothers name. In general, how do we daven for someone whose hebrew name we ...
motti T's user avatar
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0 answers
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kohanim mikvah after bathroom

Rabbi Shlomo Calerbach says kohanim would go to the mikvah after going to the bathroom And that Rav Yoel the satmar Rebbe also did this Looking for written sources for both of these ideas https://...
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