All Questions
24 questions
3
votes
0
answers
82
views
Reading along in a kosher megillah - impediment to others?
Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 141:15 says you should not read along in the Megillah if you don't have a kosher scroll, because even if you can simultaneously concentrate on the public reading, people nearby ...
- 5,019
3
votes
1
answer
531
views
Can damages be claimed for a very loud noise?
In Halacha, is it possible to claim (money) if a neighbour's noise disturbs my peace? (This would be a last resort if more friendly approaches did not resolve the problem.)
- 48.7k
3
votes
1
answer
122
views
Inhaling at the narrow end of a shofar
Is it permissible to do an inhaled blow at the narrow end of the shofar to fulfill the obligation of shofar blowing?
I have tried this and it is relatively easy to generate the same sound for an ...
- 10.5k
1
vote
0
answers
142
views
If a deaf person is not counted towards a minyan because they cannot hear, does the same rule apply for one who doesn't speak/understand Hebrew?
My understanding is Halacha states a deaf or mute person doesn't count towards a minyan as they do not have the ability to fully participate. The deaf person cannot hear what is being said and the ...
- 1,413
9
votes
1
answer
511
views
Microphones on Shabbat
What is the Halacha re LISTENING to someone speaking in a microphone on Shabbat.
For example if I walk into a room and someone is lecturing/speaking on a microphone an I permitted to listen
9
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Using hearing aids on the sabbath?
I know a little bit about Judaism and a fair amount about hearing aids. I have been asked about the rules regarding the usage of hearing aids on the sabbath and I have no idea. In particular, the ...
- 193
7
votes
1
answer
380
views
Is a silent/mental bracha considered valid?
It appears to be the custom everywhere to say brachot out loud that others can hear.
However, I recall that Shimon Bar Yochai in the Gemara prescribes saying your brachot very quietly and in all ...
- 81
1
vote
0
answers
98
views
Is there a preferred or required way to sound shevarim?
I have heard the shevarim sound from the shofar done in one of two ways:
three short blasts maintaining the same pitch (like "toot-toot-toot")
three short blasts alternating in pitch staring with a ...
- 71.5k
6
votes
2
answers
414
views
Acoustic Megaphone on Shabbat
Have any of the halachic authorities discussed using an acoustic megaphone on Shabbat?
Is a megaphone like any other musical instrument, which is forbidden on Shabbat because we might end up ...
- 44.8k
1
vote
1
answer
91
views
Do women/minors count toward the nine listening to chazaras hashatz?
Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 124:4, in my own, loose translation:
When the leader repeats the amida (sh'mone esre), the congregation should be quiet, pay attention to the benedictions that the ...
- 73.9k
2
votes
2
answers
89
views
BeRov Am Hadrat HaMelech - Even if person doesn't hear the Chazan?
In choosing Minyan the Klal BeRov Am Hadrat HaMelech (more people is better) applies. But if minyan is so huge that there are difficulties for a person, who is far from Chazan to hear him.
Is it ...
- 665
3
votes
0
answers
146
views
Practical implications of “Trei Kali Lo Mishtamai,” two voices cannot be heard simultaneously (other than kol isha)?
What are the practical implications/applications today of the halachic principle Trei Kalli Lo Mishtamai (two voices cannot be heard simultaneously), aside from those related to Kol Isha? For example, ...
- 8,383
3
votes
0
answers
129
views
Is it permitted to listen to Prank phone calls
Prank phone calls very often transgress the prohibiton of "gneivat daat" misrepresenting and Onaat Devarim causing anguish (Mishpatei Hashalom page 89). Is it permitted as a listener to derive benefit ...
user9410
2
votes
3
answers
481
views
What is השמעת קול about?
Apparently, there's a prohibition against making noise on Shabbos. See Shabbos 18a:
אבל אין נותנין חטין לתוך הריחים של מים אלא בכדי שיטחנו מבעוד יום מאי
טעמא אמר רבה מפני שמשמעת קול
But ...
- 19.3k
6
votes
1
answer
405
views
Making very loud drumming noise during davening
Many leaders and congregants in my shul bang with their hands on the shulchan and on their siddurs and stomp their feet in what is supposed to be the rhythm of the prayer's melody. The noise is ...
- 69
2
votes
1
answer
155
views
Can a deaf person be a shaliach tzibbur?
I recall reading (Mishnah Brurah - don't recall location) that the shali'ach tzibbur must wait until everyone answers "amen" before proceeding to thE next bracha. If a deaf person were prompted by ...
- 71.5k
3
votes
0
answers
172
views
Limits of pronunciation of the Tetragrammaton
What methods of pronouncing the Tetragrammaton are forbidden?
Can I listen to a live radio show where It is being said?
Can I cause a machine to make Those Sounds?
Can I cause a non-Jew to speak It?
...
- 6,946
6
votes
0
answers
122
views
G-d's name on screen readers
People who are blind or hard-of-seeing often interact with computers using devices called "screen readers". These screen readers will read aloud the words that are written on the screen (or in the ...
- 6,946
1
vote
1
answer
225
views
Eavesdropping: permitted or prohibited?
Is there a halachic or hashkafic problem with eavesdropping? Maybe it could be like reading another's mail which Rabenu Gershom made a gezera about.
- 16.8k
10
votes
4
answers
987
views
What can be done with my annoying smoke detector on Shabbos?
When your smoke detectors battery is dying, it chirps every 30 seconds to remind you to change it. I am in middle of my Friday night meal when this began. May I move the smoke detector to a area where ...
- 140k
6
votes
1
answer
201
views
Answering Amen to quiet Berachoth
According to this answer citing RaM"A (124:11), you can answer Amen to any Berachah even if you don't hear it, so long as you know which one is being said. Does this apply only to Tefillah BeTzibur (...
- 41.9k
6
votes
3
answers
242
views
Can you fulfill the obligation to pray if you can't hear the leader?
The gemorah in Sukkah daf 51b explains that, in the enormous shul in Alexandria, in order for everyone to know when to answer Amen when the shliach tzibbur (prayer leader, aka sha"tz) was davening, ...
- 16.2k
19
votes
2
answers
674
views
Whispering prayers?
Can one whisper t'fila (prayer)? I'm thinking of obligatory t'filos like sh'mone esre and "Sh'ma".
I know one can speak t'fila quietly, even very quietly; in fact, sh'mone esre is said quietly. I'm ...
- 73.9k
12
votes
5
answers
917
views
Is Listening to a Torah Tape considered Talmud Torah? [duplicate]
It says in the Baal HaTanya's Hilchos Talmud Torah that one fulfills his obligation to learn Torah only if he says the words. Moreover, a Chavrusa fulfills his obligation only because Shomeya Keoneh.
...
- 40.8k