Questions tagged [halacha]
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. // 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).
8,923
questions
21
votes
1
answer
540
views
Non-Jews Tending to Abandoned Cemeteries
Those of you who may have read my profile know that I have been reading and transcribing information on tombstones in towns in the Spis Region of Slovakia, in which no Jews remain. My colleague is a ...
- 1,407
21
votes
2
answers
476
views
Can an ultrasound be relied upon?
I have read reports of the accuracy of gender prediction from an ultrasound with numbers ranging from 90-98%.
There is a halacha (Y.D. 194:11) that if a fetus sticks its hand [or possibly any limb] ...
- 57.8k
21
votes
1
answer
729
views
Should someone tell a Jewish doctor about a tattoo of G-d's name?
Background: I am not Jewish. I have a tattoo containing G-d's name. I have been in the process of removing this tattoo using laser treatment. There seems to be some disagreement on whether or not ...
- 873
20
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Can one throw out a Menorah?
Is it an issue to discard a menorah that has been used for the mitzvah of Neros Chanuka?
What if the menorah is made from something not usually used for a menorah? For example,bottles, cans, potatoes,...
- 20.9k
20
votes
6
answers
5k
views
Is it muttar to whistle?
Is it allowed for a Jew to whistle? If yes, is it even allowed on Shabbos? If no, why not? Has anyone ever heard that if one whistles at night, that it attracts sheidim and mazikin?
And what are the ...
- 5,952
20
votes
4
answers
6k
views
Fast days and time zones
If I fly westward on a fast day, and travel through one/several time zone/s, thereby going back in (clock) time, must I then fast until it ends in my current time zone? What if I fly eastward, thereby ...
- 20.9k
20
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Hypnosis in Halacha
Is there a proplem in the Halachic literature with hypnosis? What, if anything, is the issue involved in either hypnotising people or being the subject of such an hypnosis?
- 201
20
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Does a convert have a clean slate?
When a non-jew converts to Jusaism, must he still do teshuva from past sins, or does the "reborn" concept stretch far enough to consider him "sinless"?
- 28.3k
20
votes
1
answer
575
views
The new TSA airport scanners and tznius
Is it OK as per Halacha to go through the new TSA scanners where they see you as if you are naked?
- 138k
20
votes
2
answers
387
views
Woman with 2 wombs in regards to pidyon haben
There is a medical condition known as "Uterus didelphys". Wikipedia describes it as follows:
Uterus didelphys (sometimes also uterus didelphis) represents a
uterine malformation where the uterus ...
- 15.7k
20
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Attending a Siyum virtually
If one attends a Siyum virtually, whether by phone, Skype, or some other means of mass communication, can one partake of the Se'udath Mitzvah (relevant to allow eating meat during the 9 Days for ...
- 41.2k
20
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Bli Neder Loophole
Who came up with the Bli Neder loophole of:
Bli neder I will help you do X
Or
Bli neder I will etc...
And the list can go on and on.
Who came up with addingBli Neder which basically means "...
- 1,710
20
votes
1
answer
861
views
Can I make a mikvah using artificial rain?
If I have a mikva which needs filling, and there is no rain, can I use the following mechanism -
I have a Mikva in a closed room. On top of this Mikva, there is a cooling system (let's say that this ...
- 40.1k
20
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Can an ecommerce website remain open on Shabbat?
This question is more general and doesn't apply specifically to ecommerce sites even though the discussion mentions them a little.
Specifically, we know we can't do business on Shabbat. So what is ...
- 697
20
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Halachic Justifications for the Amshinover Rebbe
The current Amshinover Rebbe in Bayit Vegan, Jerusalem is known in the Jewish world as a man of great piety and for his great knowledge in Torah. He is also known to keep very different "Zmanim"- ...
- 15.2k
20
votes
4
answers
517
views
Is there such a thing as "Veset Halom"
One friend of mine told me that his wife always sees a special dream before her veset. Always the same one.
Could such think be counted as veset kavua?
I understand that technically a dream doesn't ...
- 6,014
20
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Is a Jew allowed to be knighted? Problem with kneeling?
Is there any halachik problem with going through the knighting (or Damehood for women) process of kneeling etc?
The current ceremony does not contain many of the Christian or pagan overtones of the ...
user1520
19
votes
8
answers
6k
views
19
votes
9
answers
10k
views
Where do the different traditions for hours of waiting between meat and milk come from?
As far as I can tell, there are 5 different traditions for how long one has to wait between eating meat and milk:
wait 6 full hours
wait into the 6th hour (thus, 5 hours and 5 minutes would suffice)...
- 1,886
19
votes
6
answers
2k
views
Dairy that you have to wait 6 hours after eating it
Which dairy is considered sharp and requires you to wait 6 hours afterwards, prior to eating meat?
- 138k
19
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Bootstrapping problem: havdalah ends shabbat (for one who didn't daven ma'ariv) but lighting the candle is melacha?
This answer (originally elsewhere, later merged here) to a question about melacha before havdalah notes that in that situation one should say "baruch hamavdil bein kodesh l'chol" first. Does that ...
- 56.1k
19
votes
6
answers
667
views
Is it considered stealing to look at mi.yodeya while at work?
More generally, doing personal things like phone calls, emails, etc. while on company time. How far does the "everybody does it" rationale go? I believe there is some category in halakha that accounts ...
- 8,736
19
votes
5
answers
5k
views
If the last day of Passover is Friday, may I eat chametz on the Shabbat right after?
This year, 5778, the last day of Pesach in Israel is on Friday. Is there any possible way that one could contrive to eat chometz on the shabbos immediately following Pesach?
- 4,322
19
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Intermarriage Attendance
Is there a Halachic problem with being in attendance to an intermarriage preformed in a regular hall meaning not a problematic location? What is the source in the Halachic literature if there is an ...
- 9,021
19
votes
5
answers
1k
views
Using two plastic cups for Kiddush
I know making kiddush with a plastic cup is problematic because of requirements. I have seen people using two plastic cups: What is the source for this and is it legitimate?
- 32.9k
19
votes
5
answers
7k
views
Is Exercise on Shabbos Allowed?
Is one allowed to do exercises on Shabbos?
Are any types allowed? Some examples of different types:
Lifting weights or heavy items
Jumping jacks
Taking a walk (long, but without Techum issues)
Doing ...
- 38.3k
19
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Halachot of Shul Mechitzot
What are some good books, articles, websites, or seforim for learning about the Halachot of constructing and maintaining a Shul Mechitza (the barrier between the men and women sections)?
Issues ...
- 10.3k
19
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Aside from the days set aside for impurity, what exactly is a man allowed to do with his wife in regards to intimacy?
A man cannot touch, stare, kiss or have relations with a woman he is not married with.
On the days when the laws of impurity do not apply, what exactly can a man do with his wife?
Assuming extra ...
- 12.9k
19
votes
4
answers
1k
views
What halachic issues are involved in turning off a mobile phone while praying the quiet Amidah?
A person realises during his quiet Amidah, that he has not turned off his mobile phone.
He is worried lest it ring while he is praying.
On the other hand, turning it off will interfere with his ...
- 46.5k
19
votes
5
answers
939
views
Can we argue with gedolim when we are sure that we are right?
I recently saw a teshuva by Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, Ohrach Chaim Volume 1 Teshuva 109, that quotes a letter from Rabbi Menashe Klein asking a question on Rabbi Moshe's psak but saying that he does not ...
- 6,007
19
votes
1
answer
838
views
In case of diphallia, how is brit-milah affected?
Diphallia is a rare medical condition in which a male infant is born with two penises.
Does brit-milah requires both penises to be circumcised? Is there any reference in the litterature about such ...
- 193
19
votes
4
answers
753
views
When did kosher bakeries, restaurants, etc. start requiring supervision?
If my neighbor Shmerel keeps kosher and otherwise appears to be observant to the best of my knowledge, then I'd be allowed to eat in his house (assuming I'm invited), eid echad ne'eman b'issurin, his "...
- 128k
19
votes
5
answers
4k
views
Sources For Listening To/Not Listening to Non-Jewish Music
What are sources for it being allowed to listen to non-Jewish music and sources for it being prohibited?
- 3,269
19
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Is one allowed to have a tattoo of G-d's name removed?
Inspired by Dan's question , and requested by DoubleAA...
If one got a tattoo of G-d's name, either in ignorance or in spite of the prohibition against tattooing, may one have it removed? Would this ...
- 20.9k
19
votes
6
answers
832
views
What is the hetter for yeshivas to daven a Hoiche Kedusha?
I have seen many Yeshivas (and some not-so-yeshivas [day schools, etc.]) doing a Hoiche Kedusha for Mincha. They had the Chazzan start the first three Brachos of Shemoneh Esrei aloud and say Kedushah,...
- 40.1k
19
votes
2
answers
376
views
What defines a country to be a legitimate country?
There are a few Halachas that apply to a Jew's relationship with his country. For example, Dina Dmalchusa, another is not to rebel (although its Halachic strength is disputed, all agree that under ...
- 40.1k
19
votes
2
answers
1k
views
When (if ever) are converts still related to their relatives?
It is my understanding that when a person converts to Judaism, certain halachic relationships are severed.
So I have a couple questions about this.
Which relationships are severed?
Is a convert ...
- 20.9k
19
votes
2
answers
3k
views
What is the meaning of psak?
I have asked many people this question, and not yet got a comprehensive answer: What is psak?
Like, let's say I have a certain piece of food of uncertain status. If I ask my 6 year old kid if it's ...
- 4,322
19
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Does a fathers obligation to teach his sons a parnassah extend to his daughters too?
A father has an obligation to teach his sons Torah, a parnassah and to swim. To what extent do these obligations extend to his daughters too?
(edited to include my explanation from the comments)
As ...
- 2,454
19
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Why don't we bow "correctly" during tefillah anymore?
According to the Gemara (Megillah 22b), and according to the RaMBa"M (Hil. Tefillah 5:13) (and apparently R' Avraham ben HaRaMBa"M was adamant), when we pray we are supposed to bow down ON our knees (...
- 41.2k
19
votes
1
answer
471
views
Lechem Mishlesh?
(Based on Tosfot Pesachim 116a and Aruch haShulchan 274:5 I assume that the man did not fall on Yom Tov and double fell on Erev Yom Tov, and that this is why we have lechem mishne on Yom Tov.)
When ...
- 96k
19
votes
2
answers
424
views
School closing - At what point must the parents be told?
Yeshiva A or Bais Yaakov A has serious financial problems. They are doing all they can to stay viable, however unless a big donor steps forward they will be forced to close. If the school tells the ...
- 138k
18
votes
5
answers
5k
views
Fish eaten with milk?
Is there any halachik problem with eating fish and milk together? (A classic example is a bagel with lox and cream cheese)
- 2,853
18
votes
5
answers
868
views
Saying "Laberiut" "God bless you" or "Gesundheit"
Is there are source for saying "Laberiut" "God bless you" "Gesundheit" or any other response to a sneeze? In other words, are there posekim who mention it in Halacha?
- 16.5k
18
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Is the material permitted to learn on Tisha B'av available online?
From Aish.com:
Other prohibitions include...Learning Torah, since this is a joyful activity. It is permitted to learn texts relevant to Tisha B'Av and mourning -- e.g. the Book of Lamentations, ...
- 43.2k
18
votes
3
answers
443
views
Is there tashlumin for n'ila?
Being that n'ila is a unique prayer, in that it only occurs once a year, can one make up (do tashlumin for) n'ila at the next prayer or the previous one at n'ila?
- 23.4k
18
votes
4
answers
1k
views
The Ability to Pasken
What gives someone the ability to Pasken? At what point do we say that he is knowledgeable enough to decide questions on a topic? Does this have to do with "Semicha"? Does it have to do with being a ...
- 38.3k
18
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Inviting a non-observant Jew on Shabbat or Yom Tov
Can I invite a Jew for a meal on Shabbat or Yom Tov if I know they will drive to my house?
- 8,631
18
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Is it problematic to own and use a SwissGear bag, due to the "plus" logo?
SwissGear brand bags and back packs have the image of the Swiss flag (usually in color, red and white, and made out of a hard material) sewn into the material. Often the Swiss flag's image is put on ...
- 9,439
18
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What Blessing Does One Make on a Solar Eclipse?
What Blessing Does One Make on a Solar Eclipse? I will be in Nevada next week and would like to make a blessing over the May 21 Solar Eclipse. Thanks!
- 193