Questions tagged [how-to]
Questions about the practical advice regarding how to apply Judaism in real life. NOT for questions regarding p'sak halacha (practical halachic advice) -- consult your local Orthodox rabbi (CYLOR) for that.
239
questions
1
vote
2answers
74 views
Looking for Schach Ideas
I have a bit of unique situation. I have a nice sized outdoor space (I live in a basement apartment) in an urban area and wanted to put up a sukkah. I have large walls on every side of the space and ...
10
votes
2answers
498 views
Is there an easy way to say you do not want to hear Loshon Hara?
A question for those out there who try and guard their tongues, but more apropos here, their ears!
When I hear loshon hara, I think to myself “I don’t want to hear this, but how do I say it?” It’s not ...
1
vote
1answer
123 views
Practical Walls of Canvas Sukkah
Without getting into the question of the walls of a canvas sukkah (see Shulchan Aruch OC 630:10), what are some easy and practical methods of making kosher walls in such a canvas sukkah? (We try the ...
2
votes
1answer
242 views
How to get a self-published sefer into all of the Seforim stores?
Nowadays, there are a variety of very quick, reliable, and cost-effective ways to self-publish a book online. Sites like Lulu made it very easy to create a sefer for under $20. However, they don't ...
3
votes
3answers
358 views
Taping the Light on a Freezer
For people who don't use electricity on Shabbos, what do you do with the freezer light? With the fridge, it's easier because I can just tape the notch that controls the light, but with the freezer, it'...
1
vote
2answers
101 views
Hagalah Hot Stone
The Shulchan Aruch (451:6) discusses the use of inserting a hot stone into a large pot of boiling water to complete the hagala process. Aside from the 'border-lip' option mentioned in the Shulchan ...
1
vote
1answer
133 views
How do you write an amulet
The internet has many examples of Jewish amulets. I would like to know how, step by step, amulet is written. I understand there may be different formula for different amulets but I assume the general ...
1
vote
4answers
292 views
How can one be a working scholar?
How can a person become a talmid chacham when he has to work to support his family? It would so difficult, since he is not given as many hours to learn as a kollel yungerman. But is it not possible ...
5
votes
2answers
2k views
Oil in Shabbos Candles Caught Fire - What to Do?
My wife recently switched from using wax candles to oil in glass cups when lighting for Shabbat. The cups were about half water, half oil. She put some floating wicks in and lit them the way she ...
5
votes
3answers
152 views
Practical advice for keeping tallis on while waving 4 species
Whenever I wave my four species in shul, I always find that my tallis repeatedly slips off my head and shoulders. I typically have to adjust it every single set of waves, which is rather distracting. ...
5
votes
1answer
90 views
How to make oneself regret a sin?
As we know, regret is part of teshuvah. However, sometimes even though we understand logically that what we've done is wrong, we may not always sincerely regret it. In such case, two questions arise:
...
15
votes
4answers
6k views
Best way to explain to my boss that I cannot attend a team summit because it is on Rosh Hashana or any other Jewish Holiday
I have a team summit which unfortunately falls on Rosh Hashanah and I will not be able to attend.
It is not mission critical that I be there - it is more for team building but still the team spent a ...
2
votes
0answers
42 views
Accounting and accountability for (machatzis ha)shekel tax
Every civilian male is required to contribute money annually for the purchase of public sacrifices. The sacrifices must be publicly owned, as defined by having been bought with public funds. (cf. Ra'...
4
votes
4answers
252 views
How to feel about not liking Gemara?
Is there any literature discussing the idea that someone could simply not like learning Gemara or find it very difficult and painful to learn?
I'm looking for sources that discuss how to respond to ...
5
votes
2answers
250 views
how to get the Youth to come to shul
I had a long conversation someone in their early teens and we were discussing as to why children don’t want to come to Shul although there are youth services etc and we narrowed it down to one ...
1
vote
0answers
106 views
A better way to warm up food on shabbat morning
When warming up food on a hot tray on shabbat, most poskim do not allow one to put the food directly on the hot tray, but rather insist on a plate or inverted pot or pan be placed on the hot tray and ...
0
votes
0answers
54 views
Breaking in new retzu'ot* [duplicate]
I got new retzu'ot this Sunday from a fellow user of this forum, a sofer and my chevrutah. However, these new retzu'ot† are much harder than my old ones were when I got them. How would one go about ...
8
votes
2answers
176 views
What should one do if he're not sure he counts toward the minyan?
Ploni is a convert or descendant of a female convert from denomination A. He wishes to join a minyan of denomination B, which is stricter. He is not sure whether the congregation considers the ...
2
votes
1answer
171 views
How to cook with a metal disc on a treif glass top stove?
The Star-K gives this advice for kashering a glass top stove: https://www.star-k.org/articles/articles/kosher-appliances/2931/kashering-glass-corning-halogen-or-ceran-cooktops/
The sentence that I am ...
9
votes
2answers
235 views
Tefillin care- perspiration
Those of us who live in hot climates often sweat profusely during davenning. Talit are obviously an aggrevating factor. In my case, this is already discoloring the bottom of the shel rosh beit of my ...
6
votes
1answer
261 views
Cleaning a Torah Scroll
Our shul recently had a sofer in to look at our newer Torah scroll. He suggested to the Rabbi that we clean the scrolls regularly, which we have never done. So we did it a few days ago, about 20 of ...
1
vote
1answer
125 views
What are the Sephardic responses during weekday shacharit?
During the repetition of the Amidah, during Ata Kodesh, Sephardim say "emet". And during Yivarecha, they say "Yehi Ratzon". However, these may be shared by nusach Ashkenaz, so is there is a list of ...
1
vote
0answers
23 views
Shofar odor cleaning recommendations [duplicate]
How do you remove the odor from inside a shofar?
I have already tried hydrogen peroxide.
3
votes
2answers
165 views
Advice to Destroy Anxiety
At times, it is possible for one’s connection to Hashem to lower a bit, resulting in a lack of Emunah and anxiety. (Shall it not happen to anyone!) What are some ways to destroy anxiety? Can you list ...
1
vote
2answers
72 views
Recommended program/method for creating sourcesheets?
I have seen many sourcesheets provided by Rabbis for a class they are giving. My question is: Is there a particular program that is recommended to use for creating a sourcesheet? Also, is there any ...
3
votes
1answer
159 views
How do people with overwhelming financial difficulties convert? [closed]
I have a sincere desire to convert Orthodox with my family and don't have the financial means to do so. My main question is how do people in these circumstances handle all the extra duties that are ...
6
votes
1answer
288 views
Meaningful ways to spend Tisha b'Av?
I am struggling a bit on Tisha b'Av to find meaningful ways to spend the day. I am looking for advice on meaningful activities that fulfill the intent of the day (mourning for Jerusalem and the ...
2
votes
4answers
285 views
Seeking tips for removing wax from candle sticks, yahrzeit glasses
Removing wax from candlesticks and yahrzeit glasses is difficult for me. For example, if I put a yahrzeit glass into hot water, the wax floats to the top and then I have to try to separate the wax ...
6
votes
1answer
240 views
Good dimensions for a Shulchan (Reading Table)
I would like to build a Shulchan (Reading Table) for my local Chabad House.
I'm wondering how tall it should be at the end where one stands, and at what angle the top should be?
Suggestions ...
3
votes
1answer
124 views
Foods for the family before Pesach, when pesadika? [closed]
As challenging as it may be to feed a family with kids of all ages during Pesach, it is harder in the days before Pesach when the kitchen is hametz-free and matza sandwiches, matza pizza, matza ...
8
votes
2answers
1k views
Keeping tzitzit knots from coming undone
The last knot on the tzitzit on my talit keep coming loose. I pull the string to tighten the knot, and three days later it starts to unravel again. Any ideas on how I can make the knots stay tight and ...
7
votes
3answers
260 views
My Adult Conversion
I’m seriously interested in converting from Baptist to Judaism. I am aware of the local synagogues in my area, but I’m unsure on which to approach and any protocols.
For example; should I go during ...
6
votes
1answer
102 views
What is a permissible and effective way to keep one's belongings while praying amidah at the kotel?
What is a permissible and practical way to keep an eye on one's belongings while davening amidah at the kotel, without using lockers etc? I am wondering about both men that have pockets and Women who ...
1
vote
1answer
76 views
How to study Chol or Kodesh?
I remember that Harav Kook (הראי״ה) had in Orot Hakodesh a 10 steps for how to study something new, though I couldn't find it.
What are the acceptable/recommended ways to study either Torah or ...
3
votes
2answers
129 views
What is the best way to correct someone who has unwittingly violated halacha in public?
At a recent shul kiddush on shabbat I witnessed someone perform a melacha seemingly on purpose two or three times. It was clear to me that this person was unaware of a certain halacha. I did not know ...
4
votes
1answer
316 views
How much can you wipe your muddy shoes on a doormat on Shabbos?
I intend to ask this question in light of all Shabbos prohibitions, including carrying (insofar as deliberately removing something may bear, retroactively I guess, on its חשיבות), as well as dosh, ...
6
votes
3answers
626 views
Learning Chabad Sichos
My 13-year-old son wants to start learning Chabad Sichos. I'm looking for advice.
How do we decide which sichos to learn?
Do Lubavitchers generally learn the sicha of the current parsha, but ...
2
votes
2answers
251 views
Where is there a discussion about it being okay to put non-kosher animal products into one's human body?
Where can one find the earliest rabbinic discussion about it being okay to put non-kosher animal products into one's human body, as long as it is not in a digestive manner?
I would like my question ...
7
votes
1answer
248 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
125 views
Where do you put a lit match on Yom Tov?
Since you can't extinguish it, what do you do with it so that it won't burn or damage anything?
11
votes
3answers
904 views
How to explain the Talmud to someone who hasn't ever opened one?
To those who are in Yeshiva, learning Gemara for three sedarim a day is often a regular sight. To those who are actually learning it, it's often an extremely rewarding experience, and one in which ...
3
votes
2answers
2k views
How do I build a cheap metal pole sukkah?
Trying to build a metal pole sukkah... I was wondering if anyone had experience building one from scratch using stuff from a local Lowes or Home Depot. I was going to use PVC piping but that sways and ...
11
votes
2answers
317 views
How to tell if a tree branch overhangs a Sukkah site
I'm trying to think of a practical and inexpensive way to tell at what point tree branches overhang our patio to know which parts can be used for a sukkah. The best ideas I've come up with that seem ...
2
votes
1answer
354 views
Check out of hotel after shabbos
I am going to be traveling for a wedding soon and I will probably have to stay in a hotel in the local Jewish community over shabbat (they don't have capacity to host). I have a place to stay the ...
3
votes
0answers
177 views
Rosh Yeshiva - how? [closed]
Can anyone provide sources that delineate the path on how to become a Rosh yeshiva?
Please limit questions to sources (not opinions) based on Torah mekoros, biographies (of Roshei Yeshivas) or other ...
1
vote
1answer
194 views
How to sit on the floor comfortably
On tisha bav it is forbidden to sit on a chair (until the afternoon). During shiva mourning sitting on a chair is similarly prohibited. What is a comfortable way to sit on the floor for a long time (...
3
votes
1answer
143 views
Is there a special hadran on Yerushalmi?
Inspired by DoubleAA. Is there a special text one should say on finishing a Masechta in Yerushalmi?
3
votes
1answer
265 views
The Interface at HebrewBooks.org [closed]
When I load a page at Hebrew Books, the text appears on screen, for less than one second, in a computer font which is then replaced by an image of the printed page in which the characters coincide ...
4
votes
2answers
3k views
How to get an urgent answer if your local rabbi isn't reachable
I think many frum people have been in the situation of needing time-sensitive help with a halachic question, but not having access to their/any rabbi. What resources such as hotlines are available to ...
3
votes
1answer
108 views
Tips for sitting holding a Sefer Torah without hurting your shoulder?
I'm occasionally asked in shul to take out the second Sefer Torah, which also involves holding it until it's needed. I usually sit holding it with one eitz chayim resting on the chair between my legs,...
