All Questions
32 questions
30
votes
23
answers
4k
views
Are there any jokes in Tanach?
Are there any examples of actual jokes in Tanach? Please provide sources.
17
votes
2
answers
444
views
Having fun with telemarketers
Growing up, we had a separate home phone line that was listed in the phonebook and had a distinctive ring. So we knew when someone was calling us who had gotten our number out of the phonebook. This ...
- 59.1k
15
votes
4
answers
446
views
A practical joke that leads to a mitzvah
When I was in Yeshiva, someone somewhere in Klal Yisrael played a practical joke. Sometime during the week of Parshas Vayeishev, a text message went around saying something to the effect of "a 17 ...
- 59.1k
14
votes
1
answer
372
views
Thinking about Purim Torah in the bathroom
It is not permitted to think about Torah in the bathroom regularly, but what about Purim Torah, which is certainly not real Torah study, but still often refers to actual Torah?
One might think that ...
- 25.1k
11
votes
2
answers
489
views
Is it a sin to joke about sinning?
For instance, to joke about committing suicide or something less extreme like eating non-kosher.
My inclination is towards saying that it is forbidden since it might desensitize one to the idea ...
- 1,705
9
votes
2
answers
2k
views
May one celebrate April Fool's Day?
Many people in the world celebrate and play pranks on each other on April 1.
Is it halachically permissible to play pranks on people or in any kind celebrate April Fool's Day?
- 1,849
8
votes
4
answers
5k
views
What's wrong with pastrami on white bread with mayonnaise?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1zktTCVrDs#t=108s
I usually understand most of Weird Al's references, but this one baffles me.
What's wrong with eating pastrami on white bread with mayonnaise?
(For ...
- 199
7
votes
11
answers
1k
views
What puns are there in Tanach?
Related to Are there any jokes in tanach?, what puns exist in Tanach?
- 4,132
7
votes
3
answers
695
views
Comedy and Jewish Life
There are many Jews in America who publicly engage in comedy, whether as a career path or as a way of expressing themselves (blogs, art, etc.). Is there historical precedent to this? Are there any ...
- 41.9k
7
votes
2
answers
3k
views
What's a Grammen?
A few years ago I participated in a Purim Se'udah (feast) at which rounds of humorous poetry were written and then recited in a sing-song chant. I believe they're called Grammen.
It was fun, and the ...
- 41.9k
7
votes
2
answers
738
views
Would Chazal intentionally make a joke/pun?
Is making a joke in the Talmud something Chazal would do?
What makes me wonder is the gemara in Pesachim (9b), which, in discussing the concern that a weasel may drag chometz around the house and ...
- 59.1k
6
votes
6
answers
516
views
Are there any pranks in the talmud?
Are there any examples of someone pulling a prank or other practical joke on another person in the talmud?
- 15.4k
6
votes
2
answers
308
views
How old is Purim Torah?
How old is the tradition of Purim Torah? The Wikipedia article linked from our PT policy notes a disputed claim of Purim Torah in the talmud (Hulin 139b), with some saying that while the talmud ...
- 57k
6
votes
1
answer
830
views
Is one allowed to go to a standup comedy show during the 3 weeks?
I know that one is not allowed to listen to live music during the 3 weeks.
My question is if Standup comedy is not allowed as well?
- 1,105
6
votes
1
answer
145
views
Imitating Rabbanim
Is it Lashon Hara (or any other aveirah) to imitate a rav. It’s a common thing in yeshivos (at least the ones I’ve been involved in) that some bachrim imitate the rebbes mannerisms and way of speaking ...
- 184
6
votes
1
answer
117
views
source of a phrase found on a tombstone
Does anyone know the source for the phrase "a person who dispenses humor will be in the kingdom of heaven, for he has lessened the sadness of human life"? It was cited as Taanit 22b, but is not there. ...
- 61
6
votes
2
answers
878
views
Looking for a source for well done Purim Torah Gemaras
One example that is utterly irreverent yet very well done and funny is the Simpsons episode done up as a blatt of gemera. (As a positive aspect, his use of B'Laz for Rav Shmuel David Ha'Tzair, as "...
- 1,524
5
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Your funniest Baal Teshuva stories [closed]
For those of us who weren't born into religious households, it's a very emotional and often gut-wrenching process making the transition to a religious lifestyle and world-view. At the same time a lot ...
- 4,468
5
votes
1
answer
396
views
How can using the bathroom be equated to the pleasure of the afterlife?
There are three things which are a taste of the World to Come: Shabbat, the sun, and “usage.” What does “usage” mean? Usage of the bed [i.e. marital relations]? But that weakens the body. Rather it ...
- 71
3
votes
2
answers
630
views
Is one allowed to go to a stand up comedy show?
Inspired by Is one allowed to go to a standup comedy show during the 3 weeks?
Is a stand up comedy club an appropriate venue for a Orthodox Jew, even not during the three weeks?
- 141k
3
votes
1
answer
196
views
Being a jokester in Judiasm. Negative or positive?
What is Judiasm's stance on joking, or in a broader sense being a jokester or lighthearted person? Is it seen as being a negative trait, or is being funny sometimes warranted in certain cases? If I am ...
- 49
3
votes
1
answer
122
views
Self-referencing as an Apikorus
I have a friend who has a habit of joking about being an apikorus (because he wears his peyos behind his ears). Beyond the strictly judgmental, is there a problem with self-referencing as an apikorus, ...
- 13.3k
3
votes
2
answers
95
views
Who was laughing when?
The Gemara says:
והאמר רב גידל אמר רב כל תלמיד חכם שיושב לפני רבו ואין שפתותיו נוטפות מר תכוינה שנאמר שפתותיו שושנים נוטפות מור עובר אל תקרי מור עובר אלא מר עובר אל תקרי שושנים אלא ששונים לא קשיא ...
- 40.8k
2
votes
2
answers
332
views
Are there any jokes in the Geonim or Rishonim?
Inspired by this question are there any recorded jokes in the works of the Geonim or Rishonim? Please cite sources
- 15.4k
2
votes
1
answer
188
views
Stumbling Block contained in the Babylonian Talmud
There is an incident in the Avodah Zarah tractate concerning a blasphemous joke Rabbi Eliazer overheard and derived pleasure from. This sin, according to the Rabbi himself, resulted in his wife and ...
- 5,437
2
votes
1
answer
257
views
Did the Pnei Menachem of Ger have a sharp sense of humor? [closed]
A Satmar Chossid relayed this story to me:
The previous Gerer Rebbe had a policy that he did not want a newly married chatan to attend his Shabbat tisch during his 1st year of marriage. One Shabbat,...
- 71.5k
2
votes
1
answer
202
views
Does G-d have a sense of humor? [duplicate]
Is there scriptural evidence, from the Tanakh (not Talmud) that humor is an attribute of G-d? If so, can a chapter or verse be cited?
- 289
1
vote
2
answers
2k
views
What's up with answering questions with questions in this joke from Family Guy?
From Family Guy S12E12
(Outside synagogue)
Stewie: So, where do they think they go when they die?
Brian: Well, you should try asking the rabbi. Although, I should warn
you, you might not get an ...
- 205
1
vote
0
answers
26
views
Can I write Purim Torah in the bathroom? [duplicate]
Or do we worry about hirhurim of real Torah when writing fake Torah?
This is a real question, BTW.
- 5,184
1
vote
0
answers
119
views
Seeking help constructing Purim Torah about EH"'E 22:13 [closed]
A friend drew my attention to this direct quote from the (very real) שלחן ערוך:
תקנו חכמים שיהיו הנשים מספרות זו עם זו בבית הכסא, כדי שלא יכנס שם איש ויתייחד עמהן. (וי"א דוקא בימיהם שהיו בתי ...
- 41.9k
-1
votes
2
answers
184
views
Is it true that on Shabbat Purim, one holds a mock service instead of a real one?
My Reform synagogue held a joke service (with familiar melodies, but silly or parodying lyrics) on the Shabbat following Purim. While a few Shabbat traditions were kept, most were parodied or skipped. ...
- 382
-1
votes
1
answer
121
views
What is the preferred attitude towards the Sources?
PTIJ? I don't know. You tell me. I hope this stays up long enough for me to get an answer or two.
You can approach a text with some levity (which does not preclude seriousness), with neutrality, ...
- 23.7k