All Questions
149 questions
29
votes
3
answers
11k
views
Can a non-Jew don tefillin?
May a non-Jew or a person who is in the conversion process don tefillin? If not, what are the reasons that they cannot?
- 620
24
votes
7
answers
1k
views
Can a single-parent father be exempt from time-bound mitzvot?
Rabbis such as Abudraham have explained a woman's exemption from positive time-bound commandments (mitzvot shehazman grama) in terms of a woman's ongoing and preliminary role in supporting her ...
- 11.9k
16
votes
4
answers
1k
views
What is the source for the mitzvah of kiruv?
Is kiruv a mitzvah?
Is it biblical or rabbinic?
Is there any reason it should supersede other mitzvot?
what are the sources in chazal and halacha relating to kiruv?
related: Kiruv and halachik ...
- 535
16
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Why don't we say a blessing before giving charity?
Before doing many mitzvos (commandments), we are required derabanan to say a blessing. Why is this not the same for giving tzedakah (charity)?
- 570
16
votes
3
answers
700
views
The Mitzva of Peru U'Revu (Reproduction) - when does it start?
The first commandment in the Torah is Peru U'Revu, the commandment to "be fruitful and multiply" (Bereshit 1:28).
When does the obligation to fulfill this commandment begin?
Does the Mitzva of Peru U'...
- 140k
14
votes
5
answers
418
views
Why is there Pesach Sheini - The Second Passover?
What is the primary/basic reason why one has a second chance to bring the Korban Pesach (Passover Sacrifice) on Pesach Sheni (a month after Passover)? Other mitzvos, such as hearing the shofar or ...
- 13.5k
13
votes
1
answer
508
views
What defines "on this earth" from a halachic standpoint?
Rabbi Ben-Zion Firrer asked whether Torah Law must be observed in space, since Deuteronomy 12:1 says one should follow the Commandments "all of the days which you are alive on this earth."
What ...
- 20.2k
12
votes
4
answers
654
views
Is gezel shainah a real thing?
I have heard people say things like "don't wake him up that's gezel shainah". I would like to know if that phrase has any basis in halacha and if so what are the parameters? For example if I wake ...
user5092
12
votes
2
answers
368
views
In the Talmud is there a way to distinguish when a verse is brought as מקור or אסמכתא?
The Talmud is full of the standard procedure of the Sages interpreting Tanakh verses to learn various laws and behaviors.
Is there a way to tell when a Rabbi cites a Pasuk as a traditionally known ...
- 28k
12
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What are the mitzvot that a gentile is forbidden to do?
I know that some mitzvot like keeping shabbat, putting tefillin are forbidden for a gentile to do because they are a sign of the covenant between Israel and HaShem.
What are the full list of the ...
- 1,981
11
votes
2
answers
379
views
Are there any brachos for "touching" something?
4 of the 5 senses explicitly have berachos:
Taste- Shehakol food, blessings on fruits & vegetables etc (see: OC 202-207)
Smell- Pleasant fragrances (OC 216)
Hearing- Thunder (MB 227:5)
Seeing-...
- 12.2k
11
votes
6
answers
3k
views
Does ‘Love Your Neighbor As Yourself’ apply only to Jews?
This verse is obviously one of the most central & important in the whole Torah. It has helped sustain us as a kind, harmonious, & loving nation for over 3,000 years & has helped introduce ...
- 1,174
11
votes
3
answers
965
views
In regards to Torah and Rabbinical writings, how does "honor your father and mother" work when you've been raised in an abusive household?
This is a question I have always had a hard time getting an answer for and I was hoping somebody would be able to explain it.
Honoring your parents is one of the most basic mitzvah in all of Judaism....
user13783
11
votes
3
answers
495
views
Exempt from mitzvah and do it, have you fulfilled it contradiction
In Hilchos Kriyas Shema, the SA (OC 71:1) says
מִי שֶׁמֵּת לוֹ מֵת שֶׁהוּא חַיָּב לְהִתְאַבֵּל עָלָיו, אֲפִלּוּ אֵינוֹ מֻטָּל עָלָיו לְקָבְרוֹ, פָּטוּר מִקְּרִיאַת שְׁמַע וּמִתְּפִלָּה.
Someone whose ...
- 20.2k
10
votes
4
answers
712
views
Does a jail-cell need a mezuzah?
Does one in jail need to put a mezuzah on his cell? Assuming this is a standard American jail.
If it is a jail owned by a Jew, is there an obligation on the inmate or the owner?
- 730
10
votes
4
answers
323
views
Minimum Requirement of Love your Neighbor
What is the minimum requirement to not be transgressing the mitzva of "ואהבת לריעך כמוך" "love your fellow as yourself" (Lev. 19:18)?
For example, must one actively try to love others or it is enough ...
- 21.5k
10
votes
2
answers
369
views
Halacha of not being obligated to spend more than a fifth of one's money on a mitzvah
It is brought down in halacha (Orach Chaim 656) that a person is not obligated to spend more than 20% of his money on performing a positive mitzvah. Is the 20% calculated according to his total bank ...
user19803
9
votes
1
answer
312
views
Does R. Avraham Ben HaRambam really hold that only one child is necessary for peru u'revu?
There is a dispute between Beit Shammai and Beit Hillel as to what constitutes a fulfillment of the commandment to "be fruitful and multiply" (peru u'revu).
Yevamot 61b
מתני' לא יבטל אדם מפריה ...
- 50.3k
9
votes
2
answers
358
views
Does the mitzvah to return a lost object apply to aveirah items?
I recently saw a flyer that quoted from R' Chaim Kanievsky, Shlita as saying that if one find a smartphone that is not "kosher" there is no mitzvah obligation to return it. Is this in fact the halacha;...
user1668
9
votes
3
answers
571
views
If a person isn't sure he is Jewish, does he have to keep Mitzvot?
Let's say that a person has a reason to think his mother might be Jewish (there is some evidence, but only a little), and it is likely that the person will never be able to know for sure. In such a ...
- 861
9
votes
1
answer
502
views
May one beautify his Payos?
Rashi (B'reshis 37:2) calls it an "an act of immaturity [to fix one's] hair (...) so he would look good".
Obviously, payos are made from hair, but they are not considered regular hair within kabbala (...
- 6,871
9
votes
2
answers
169
views
Is it still tzedakah if it is returned?
If a poor person asks for charity and I give some money to that person, but he then returns it to me, (because he doesn't feel it is enough, or any other reason) have I accomplished the mitzvah of ...
user1668
8
votes
5
answers
800
views
Should gentiles follow more than just seven Noahide laws?
I know that gentiles must follow the 7 Noahide laws. But are there any other moral principles branching out from these that are highly recommended for everyone to follow?
In totality, when completely ...
- 21
8
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Is it achievable to keep all of Halacha?
There is a principle that the Torah doesn't ask us to do anything that is unreasonable/unachievable (see here). Surely that means that we don't have any excuse to say "this is too much for me&...
- 3,184
8
votes
3
answers
1k
views
At what cost must one perform a mitzvah?
To what lengths must one go to fulfill a positive commandment, or avoid transgressing a negative one?
Obviously, with few exceptions, one must not go so far as to die in order to fulfill a ...
- 20.2k
8
votes
2
answers
198
views
Extent of financial consideration before having children
Are there financial considerations that a couple must take before having a child or children i.e. should one have children 'at any cost' or is this not a consideration.
If yes, would these financial ...
- 10.4k
8
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Is there an actual mitzvah for women to dress tzanua in and of itself?
Is there an actual mitzvah for women to dress tzanua in and of itself? Or is it simply helping out a man's mitzvah of not looking at ervah when learning/saying brachas, and not being led to forbidden ...
- 673
8
votes
1
answer
245
views
8
votes
1
answer
239
views
are you obligated to give testimony if you know you are pasul l'eidus?
I remember learning that there is a mitzvah to give testimony if you know of something which it requires. My question is if you know about yourself, with certainty, that you are pasul l'eidus in ...
- 15.3k
7
votes
2
answers
279
views
Which mitzvos exempt which mitzvos?
There is a general rule in Halacha that someone occupied with a mitzva isn't obligated to interrupt themselves to do another mitzva. This is known as " עוסק במצוה פטור מן המצוה".
My question is, what ...
- 21.2k
7
votes
2
answers
277
views
Fulfilled the Mitzvah of writing a Sefer Torah then lost the Sefer
Suppose a person had a Sefer Torah written in order to fulfill the Mitzvah (Devarim 31:19) and then the Torah got lost, has he still fulfilled his mitzvah, or is he required to write another one?
- 140k
7
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Can I wear tzitzit without having a kipa on my head?
I'm not in a religious school and can't wear my kipa there; but, I would like to wear my tzitzit (tallit katan). Is it permitted to wear tzitzit (tallit katan) without wearing a kipa?
- 71
7
votes
1
answer
737
views
What is "ol mitzvot" for a convert?
A convert is suppoed to accept the ol mitzvot, the burden of halacha but does this mean an explicit intent to follow the mitzvot or simply the acceptance that there is a punishment if the mitzvot are ...
- 38.7k
7
votes
2
answers
199
views
Reward and punishment for indirect mitzvot and averot
If I create something with a certain purpose, and it's used for another purpose (good or bad), do I have a share in the mitzvot or averot people made with my creation? I'll give three examples to make ...
- 4,666
7
votes
1
answer
162
views
Does one violate the Torah prohibition of tormenting a widow if she has remarried?
Does one violate the Torah prohibition (Ex. 22:21) of tormenting a widow if she has remarried?
You may be inclined to say that the purpose of the Mitzvah is because she's defenseless and the Torah ...
- 40.8k
6
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Can saying Sh'ma once satisfy two different Sh'ma obligations?
In an extenuating circumstance, one can say the night time K'riyat Sh'ma until Netz, as per this statement:
If one didn’t say it then, make sure to complete it by Chatzot (midnight) and after the ...
- 38.7k
6
votes
1
answer
231
views
Sefer Yereim divided into 613 mitzvos
The Sefer Yereim by Rav Eliezer MiMitz is an important work on halacha. It's also a list of the 613 mitzvos, as that is how he organized this halachic work. What many do not know is he based his list ...
- 20.2k
6
votes
1
answer
454
views
Mezuzah scroll upside-down on the door. Is the mitzva being fulfilled?
I observe that a mezuzah is attached to the door with the top of the mezuzah directed to the top of the door.
I am looking for sources to answer this question:
If a mezuzah were (accidentally) ...
- 48.7k
6
votes
1
answer
361
views
How is 'regretting a mitzvah' defined?
What constitutes regretting a mitzvah: Does one have to write down a regretful statement, speak the regret, think it explicitly, or is a tinge of fleeting regret enough to qualify as regretting a ...
- 1,121
6
votes
1
answer
912
views
can I smell my esrog?
There is such a concept of something that is 'huktzah l'mitzvasa' (set aside for its mitzvah observance), I was wondering about the smelling of the esrog and how this rule would be applied to it?
- 61
6
votes
1
answer
1k
views
sperm donation and p'ru ur'vu
Does donating sperm to a woman who is not your wife (who then goes on to bear children from it) fulfill the mitzvah of p'ru ur'vu?
Alternatively, is it a violation of halakha? Does it matter whose ...
- 6,946
6
votes
0
answers
192
views
Do the laws of Ribis apply to loans of virtual currency?
If a Jew lends a player in a multiplayer online game money, and he knows without a doubt that that player is Jewish, does the prohibition of ribis apply? (After all, the only thing that changed was a ...
- 616
6
votes
1
answer
227
views
Practical עשה דוחה לא תעשה
There are a few examples frequently offered for the rule "עשה דוחה לא תעשה":
Someone whose garment has four corners and linen can nonetheless put wool tzitzis on it. This is unlikely nowadays, when ...
- 73.9k
5
votes
2
answers
918
views
Is there a teaching that states, those who work deserve to be paid?
Is there a teaching that states, those who work deserve to be paid?
The longer version is:
Where in the Torah, as according to the rabbis, is there a concept or a mitzvah that states, something like, ...
- 41
5
votes
3
answers
797
views
Mitzvah of living in Eretz Yisrael
What halachic sources exist affirming the post-destruction mitzvah of individuals to live in Eretz Yisrael, and what is the nature (obligatory, meritorious) of the mitzvah? This question does not ...
- 3,433
5
votes
1
answer
300
views
Convert that had children prior to conversion
If a fellow converted (his children remained gentiles) and prior to his conversion he had children - has he fulfilled the Mitzva of Peru U'Revu? (sources)
- 140k
5
votes
3
answers
250
views
Is the mitzva of 'Shikcha' the act of forgetting, or the act of not going back to collect what was forgotten?
Someone asked me a riddle: what mitzva can be done without kavana? Answer: Shikcha.
I contended that the mitzva is the act of seeing what was forgotten and not going back to collect it, therefore it ...
- 351
5
votes
1
answer
294
views
Criteria for obligation to obligate oneself in mitzvot
Certain commandments are automatically obligatory, e.g., praying, reciting shema, eating matza on the first night of Passover, etc. Other commandments, however, seem to be obligatory only if one ...
- 17.9k
5
votes
3
answers
663
views
Is Building a Succah a mitzva?
I have seen contradicting sources on whether building a succah is part of the mitzva to dwell in it. I want to know if there is a machlokes on whether building a succah is preparation of a mitzva or a ...
- 4,148
5
votes
1
answer
334
views
Does a mitzvah fulfilled before one is obligated "count"?
An answer on this question suggests that if a boy fathers a child before he is bar mitzvah (which is physically possible), then he fulfills p'ru ur'vu even though he wasn't yet commanded. Is that a ...
- 57k