Questions tagged [rabbis]
Questions about the lives and personalities of Jewish religious authorities.
170 questions
81
votes
14
answers
17k
views
Why is it necessary to ask a Rabbi?
In various places on this site, including the FAQ, we have the following disclaimer:
Like Wikipedia, this site makes no guarantee of validity, and does not offer professional (particularly rabbinic)...
- 48.6k
20
votes
2
answers
2k
views
How do you CYLOR after posting on judaism.stackexchange.com?
We recommend CYLOR. How do I:
ask the OR a shaaloh that one has already posted on judaism.stackexchange.com. Should I acknowledge its use when asking?
introduce the concept of judaism.stackexchange....
- 48.7k
29
votes
16
answers
4k
views
Reliable Ask-a-Rabbi Websites
There are some times on this site where questioners will be directed to "ask their Rabbi." While it's always optimal to have such people discuss the question with their own Rabbi (and such action ...
- 38.8k
56
votes
28
answers
5k
views
About what were rabbis ahead of the times?
I have heard claims that experts in the world of Torah were significantly ahead of their counterparts in the world of natural science (or mathematics, or psychology, or…) in that they knew X (...
- 73.9k
11
votes
2
answers
781
views
Can one cite divrei torah in the name of a rabbi who has gone astray?
In the most recent issue of Jewish Action, there is a brief interview with R. Herschel Schachter about "Halacha and the Fallen Rabbi". The final question is:
JA: Can we/should we continue ...
- 14.7k
19
votes
4
answers
2k
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 ...
- 38.8k
66
votes
9
answers
3k
views
Did any Achronim comment on the American Revolutionary or Civil Wars?
I've heard that for instance, in the 1800s, the American rabbis in the South were pro-slavery, and the American rabbis in the North opposed to it. But what were the views towards America of the more-...
- 136k
10
votes
2
answers
442
views
How to go about finding a personal Rav
The mishna in Avot (1:6) tells us:
יהושוע בן פרחיה וניתאי הארבלי קיבלו מהם. יהושוע בן פרחיה אומר, עשה לך רב, וקנה לך חבר; והוי דן את כל האדם לכף זכות
When living in different areas I have gone ...
- 10.4k
7
votes
3
answers
1k
views
How can I know a rav has daas Torah
I have been privileged to know rabbis of great wisdom and knowledge who could address my issues with unique and helpful insights through the prism of Torah. I always understood them to have "daas ...
- 16.3k
15
votes
5
answers
852
views
Who is the voice of Tosafoth?
Tosafoth were the sons-in-law, grandchildren, and students of Rashi (and their students), and "they" wrote a commentary on the Talmud that is often at odds with Rashi's earlier commentary. Sometimes ...
- 41.9k
7
votes
3
answers
713
views
What is the status of the psak of a Maharat?
If an orthodox male Rabbi bestows semicha on a woman (dubbed Maharat), what is the status of her halachic decisions? This question is irrespective of whether or not the male Rabbi should confer ...
user2110
6
votes
4
answers
668
views
Why does Halacha not follow the simple reading of the Biblical text?
There are many Halachot which appear to contradict explicit Biblical statements. For example, that an "Eye for an Eye" means monetary compensation.
Why does Halacha not follow the simple reading of ...
- 10.7k
6
votes
1
answer
579
views
Gedole HaDor: who and how
1)Who do we know to refer to as a "Gadol?"
2)How do we determine who is a "Gadol?"
For example, how did we determine that Rav Elyashiv is a Gadol?
A Gadol HaDor is known as one of the most ...
- 16.8k
2
votes
3
answers
510
views
Are gedolei Yisroel fallible?
Is there a source to assert that the leaders of the Jewish people at any given time are always correct in how they lead (perhaps because their decisions are divinely inspired), or is it possible to ...
user2110
22
votes
9
answers
1k
views
G'dolim or Rabbis Owning Pets
Are there any g'dolim (or rabbis of major influence) - past or present - who are known to have owned pets/kept animals for non-agricultural purposes?
- 24k
20
votes
5
answers
1k
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 ...
- 6,071
19
votes
3
answers
947
views
Insults in the gemarah
Why do tanaim and amoraim use disparaging terms (bavlai tipshai, for instance) or insults when talking with one another. If there is something positive to be learned from this behavior why is it no ...
- 4,008
11
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Which Hasidic rabbi has no beard, and what is the story?
There is a famous Hasidic rabbi who has no facial hair, and I seem to recall that there is a famous story as to why. But I can remember neither which rabbi (or of which sect), nor the story. I do not ...
- 41.9k
8
votes
3
answers
420
views
Consulting a local orthodox rabbi if there isn't one?
For questions where I'm supposed to consult my local orthodox rabbi, if there isn't one, what am I supposed to do? There is a LOR in the city where I live (a Chabad shliach) but he frequently declares ...
- 914
7
votes
1
answer
246
views
On What Subjects Does One Say Birchas HaTorah?
Must one say Birchas Hatorah before learning
Aggadata in the Gemara?
Biographies like Shem Hagedolim (a biography of various Rabbonim written by the Chida)?
Artscroll biographies?
- 40.8k
12
votes
2
answers
528
views
Do "most leading Orthodox rabbis" really hold that brain-stem death is death?
According to a recent NYTimes piece on the new organ donation law in Israel,
Most leading Orthodox rabbis -- as well as Israeli law -- agree that a person dies when his brain-stem stops functioning....
- 48.6k
9
votes
3
answers
376
views
Meforshim Nick"names
It has become common practice to refer to most meforshim by acronyms of their name (eg Rashi, Rosh, etc.). When and why did this practice start, and is it proper?
- 38.8k
6
votes
2
answers
3k
views
List of Techelet Wearers
I was looking online for a list of people famous for deciding or influencing halacha, who currently wear Ptil Techelet Techelet ("Murex")
However I could not find one.
Does such a list exist? If not,...
- 19.1k
6
votes
3
answers
495
views
Origin of the Escalator analogy
What is the origin of the escalator analogy of always striving for growth? I'm referring to the analogy that, in life, like a person climbing a downward escalator, if one is not constantly striving ...
- 41.9k
4
votes
3
answers
1k
views
How do I find answers to sensitive questions I can't ask my rabbi?
I have a halachic question of a sexual nature that I feel I can't ask my rabbi. Where can I get such questions answered? Are there rabbis knowledgeable in this area who are willing to answer ...
- 69
1
vote
4
answers
546
views
Talmid Chacham today
The term talmid chacham is used commonly in our tradition to describe a Jew with a certain high level of knowledge, understanding, closeness to Gd, etc. Can the halachic label "talmid chacham" be ...
- 93
1
vote
1
answer
811
views
Accurate list of Gedolim [closed]
Wikepedia's list is missing certain Gedolim. Where can I access a list of Gedolim that would be virtually unarguable?
- 16.8k
24
votes
8
answers
19k
views
Why did nobody succeed the Lubavitcher Rebbe?
The late Lubavitcher Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson zt"l had no successor as the rebbe of Chabad-Lubavitch. Why is this? Was it simply because he had no children? If so, why was nobody else ...
- 25.1k
22
votes
6
answers
6k
views
Looking for more information about a story of positive atheism/heresy
In a 2006 article (original link no longer available), Rabbi Jonathan Sacks tells the following story:
“DO YOU believe,” the disciple asked the rabbi, “that God created everything for a purpose?”
“I ...
- 44.8k
20
votes
7
answers
676
views
Am I allowed to answer my friend's Halacha question?
Preface: Assume I am not an ordained Rabbi.
Suppose I'm having lunch with my friend and he asks me "do I have to say a bracha on this dessert?" or "when's the last time I could daven mincha today?" ...
- 38.8k
20
votes
4
answers
8k
views
Smicha from R' Zalman Nechemia Goldberg?
One often sees that individuals' have smicha from R' Zalman Nechemia Goldberg. The smicha exams are typically considered more theoretical than that of the Israeli rabbinate, which requires more ...
- 992
17
votes
3
answers
829
views
Where can I find responses to biblical criticism?
Where can I find well documented source material by strictly orthodox Rabbis or scholars which directly address most (or all) of the major themes of academic biblical criticism such as, but not ...
user2110
13
votes
4
answers
356
views
Upon whom would one make this blessing?
Upon whom today would you make the bracha - Baruch Attah Hashem Elokeinu Melech HaOlam She’chalak Mei’chochmaso Li’rei’av, that He bestowed of His wisdom to those who fear Him (Gemara Brachos 58a)?
I'...
user1520
12
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Why were some of the works of Rabbi Steinsaltz banned?
Apparently some of the works of Rabbi Steinsaltz were banned. What are the specific examples that prompted the ban? Is there a list of all of his works that have been banned, as I am interested in ...
- 669
12
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Do Rabbis have to be Jewish by ethnicity?
I am under the impression that a person can be received into Judaism from a gentile nation. My question is whether or not that person could conceivably then become a Rabbi?
Please indicate whether ...
- 355
10
votes
3
answers
394
views
Semicha and Gneivas Daas
If today's semicha is only an "echo" of the true semicha which ceased with the loss of the sanhedrin then
Why do we still give it?
Why isn't it gneivas daas (the assumption is that people who have ...
- 4,008
10
votes
2
answers
993
views
מרדכי = Mord'chi?
When learning with Jews of the Syrian community, I noticed that they pronounced מרדכי (the name of the halachic commentary on the g'mara) as "mord'chi", as if the final vowel were a chirik. Why is ...
- 73.9k
9
votes
6
answers
619
views
Asara Haruge Malchut (Ten Martyrs), why were 10 Rabbis killed?
In Vayigash, Rabenu Bahya (also the Zohar) comments and says that the reason we had Asara Haruge Malchut because the brothers sold Yosef. However, Reuven didn't sell Yosef, so why should the ...
- 16.8k
9
votes
4
answers
4k
views
Which rabbis permit food being kosher just based on the ingredients?
Kosherstarbucks.com give options of what to order based on different halakhic standards. They include the "No Utensils List" (CRC-recommended), the Regular list, and the Kosher by Ingredients list (...
- 6,059
8
votes
1
answer
917
views
Rav vs. Rabbi in Talmudic Times
I was reading about the life of Rabbi Zera, and it said he was originally a Rav. The Rabbis of Eretz Yisrael offered to confer on him the title of Rabbi and at first he refused, until they told of ...
- 3,670
8
votes
3
answers
316
views
How to choose 'your' rebbi?
When a person is choosing who they will learn from as their rebbi, are there any guidelines or rules that govern the decision making process?
First a definition of what a rebbi is (for the purposes ...
- 9,938
7
votes
3
answers
877
views
What sages were known to have revived the dead?
The Talmud speaks of several rabbis who successfully appealed to G-d to revive a deceased colleague or some other individual. As I recall, one revived rabbi asked to be return to the world of the ...
- 16.3k
7
votes
3
answers
659
views
Who is "Mar" ("The Master") in the Bavli?
Throughout the Bavli, but (based on a Sefaria search) never in the Mishnah, the Tosefta, or the Yerushalmi, we find the phrase "amar Mar" (אמר מר) without any other identifier (in contrast ...
6
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Talmudic personages and their occupations
One question I have been researching is on the Jewish attitude towards secular occupations to complement Torah learning. There is even a statement in the Talmud about how it is preferable to flay ...
- 38.7k
6
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What is the Anshei Knesset HaGedolah?
I've heard many things about this "Great Assembly," mostly about how they established davening (prayers). However, there appears to be a lack of specific information about this institution. So:
Who ...
- 10.7k
5
votes
2
answers
802
views
Is one allowed to learn a book written by a rabbi who was accused and convicted of impropriety? [duplicate]
What is the status of books from rabbis who were accused of impropriety? The question would also likely also apply to online shiurim.
For example, here is is a very good book from a rav who admitted ...
- 54.1k
5
votes
1
answer
692
views
How to find a Rabbi [duplicate]
Throughout this site, there are directives to ask your local Rabbi. Over here are some excellent answers that explain why one should ask a Rabbi.
But how does one go about finding a Rabbi to ask?
...
- 5,420
5
votes
1
answer
282
views
Why refer to Isaac Luria as the Arizal, and not Arizatzal?
One of the common ways to refer to the R' Isaac Luria is "the Arizal". I understand this to mean, The Ari, zecher L'bracha (may he be mentioned/remembered for blessing).
However, one usually refers ...
- 44.8k
3
votes
6
answers
2k
views
What does שליט"א stand for?
I thought that שליט"א came from the Aramaic word שליט (Ruler). But a Rabbi I told this to, pointed out that שליט"א is always written as with " , in the Middle so each the letters must ...
- 487
19
votes
6
answers
3k
views
What's the deal with female Rabbis?
1) Is there a concrete halachic (Biblical?Rabbinic?) basis for women not being permitted to become Rabbis?
2) After 2000+ years, what changed so the JTS's Commission in 1979 decided that they can?
...
- 2,208