Questions tagged [sources-mekorot]
Questions seeking sources for a given practice in general or in specific Jewish communities, alternatively seeking the location of a specific source of a teaching/idea/philosophy based on Torah writings.
299
questions with no upvoted or accepted answers
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119 views
Shavuah Tov or A Gutte Vuch on Motzai Shabbos
What is the earliest reference or source for wishing Shavuah Tov or A Gutte Vuch on Motzai Shabbos?
4
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0answers
136 views
Is there a chazakah (halachic presumption) that an Eruv is down after a blizzard?
I remember, I was once at shul Friday night, and it was just starting to snow and it was predicted to be a huge blizzard. The Rabbi got up and announced that tomorrow people should work under the ...
4
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0answers
125 views
Convert without accepting mitzvos?
Conversion is always a hot topic, especially here in Israel. Many times conversions take place where the Ger (convert) didn't have the intention to be m'kabel (accept) the mitzvos. People scream and ...
4
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0answers
168 views
Who came up with this story?
It says in Mekor Baruch (of Rabbi Baruch Epstein)
The Rosh Yeshiva of Volozhin, the Netziv, was once sitting down surrounded by several high-caliber students – avrechim versed in Torah, wise, and ...
4
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0answers
77 views
Location for medrash cited by the Chizkuni
The Chizkuni in Parshas Achrei Mos 16:22 writes that the ish iti (the person who would take the goat to har azazel) would not live through the year. He cites from a medrash that the person knew he was ...
4
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0answers
100 views
Are there any responsa that encourage or require maintaining health insurance?
Are there any responsa in the literature that either encourage or require people to maintain health insurance, perhaps as a fulfillment of the obligation to guard one's health, or in line with any ...
4
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0answers
132 views
Different endings of Yishtabach
I have heard at least four nuschaos (liturgies) for the very end of Yishtabach between habocheir b'shirei zimrah (who chooses musical songs of praise) and chai/chei* haolamim (life/life-giver of the ...
4
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0answers
148 views
The opinion that microwaves don't need to be kashered
So I remember hearing this opinion that followed like this: "Microwaves do not need to be kashered because the means of cooking in a microwave are different than those spoken about in the Gemara."
...
4
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0answers
166 views
Choreography of Kaddish
I have seen a number of different customs of when people bow or sway or bob or whatnot during Kaddish. Some of the people I have witnessed have been very knowledgeable, and I assume they weren't just ...
4
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0answers
132 views
Jacob's Dual Names and Wives
The third Patriarch's birth name was Jacob. He is given another name, Israel, in Genesis 32. Jacob had two primary wives; Leah and Rachel.
I have heard the idea that the Rachel was the betrothed ...
4
votes
1answer
642 views
Sources forbidding a gentile from keeping the Sabbath
I have read that there is a halacha that a non-Jew may not observe Shabbat. This seems to stem from the gemara cited here and the Rambam listed here.
But the gemara only seems to be saying that a non-...
4
votes
1answer
121 views
Is it obligatory / recommended / permitted / discouraged / forbidden to tie a red thread to a child's crib?
The comments to this question discuss tying to a red thread to a child's crib. Garvey80 claims that it is a minhag yisrael to do so, and is thus obligatory. User6591 claims that it may be forbidden, ...
3
votes
1answer
53 views
What are the “maasim tovim”?
Talmud, mishna, and other sources reference "maasim tovim" (good deeds) in many places (Avos 4:17 is one example). Do any sources define what this term actually includes?
Some of the possible options ...
3
votes
1answer
39 views
Source for Kaddish
I think this may be a very common question(but not for me). Can someone please tell me how did the text of Kaddish first compiled?
3
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0answers
57 views
Source for Higher Infant Mortality Rates in the Winter of a Leap Year?
At the shiva for my infant son, someone said that the reason we say kaparat pesha in mussaf rosh chodesh, is that to atone for the sins that cause higher rates of stillbirth, miscarriages, and infant ...
3
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0answers
42 views
Source for Tehillim as remedies to specific problems
I have this (rather low-quality) "mini-siddur" e-book that I found long time ago. Among other things, it has a page called "Directory of Tehillim", which is a table where each Tehillim is assigned a ...
3
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0answers
55 views
Source for the Arizal identifying many unmarked graves of legendary Jewish figures?
I remember learning that many of the famous gravesites in Israel- the Rambam, Dan of the 12 tribes, Rav Shimon Bar Yochai, Ruth from Megillas Ruth (not necessarily these exact ones, just giving ...
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83 views
Where in the writings of the Vilna Gaon does he discuss how Rashi & Tosfot each explain a Talmudic “sugiya?”
Two days ago, I asked this question in the name of the Vilna Gaon. I was informed that the answer may be [also] found in the writings of Rav Chaim Volozhin.
So, I re-phrased the question.
My ...
3
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0answers
57 views
Source that the world was created for amalek
Numerous Midrashim list different things that the world was created for the purpose of such as Klal Yisrael, Bikkurim, Torah, Challah, and Maasros all of which are called "ראשית" (first).
I remember ...
3
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0answers
83 views
What is a source for this idea in Sefer HaYashar?
The following passage settled with me in an interesting way. Although the statements recorded are themselves quite eye opening, I am unfamiliar with such an idea at large.
In that sense was the ...
3
votes
0answers
58 views
What is the maximum age for Metzitza?
Part of the bris ceremony is metzitza.
I was told that after a certain age (of the boy) it is not done (meaning an adult who gets a bris does not get metzitza).
Is this true?
What is the age?
Source ...
3
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0answers
21 views
Was it a sin for Yitzchak to swear to Avimelech
The Midrash rebukes Avraham for swearing to Avimelech and making a covenant (Genesis 21:23-32):
אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא אַתָּה נָתַתָּ שֶׁבַע כְּבָשׂוֹת בְּלִי רְצוֹנִי, חַיֶּיךָ ...
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28 views
Connection between the akeidah and bikkurim
Some of the akeidah selichos, particularly for days 4 and 5 of teshuvah (Artscroll Minhag Lita), contain references to the mitzvah of bikkurim. Are there any other sources that draw this comparison ...
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0answers
50 views
Do idolaters pray to God?
A long time ago I read that our Sources say, "It is forbidden to disturb an idolater praying to his idols because, although he does not know it, he is praying to God." Is this accurate and what is the ...
3
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0answers
77 views
Why is Baruch-Hu-Uvaruch-Shmo answered only in the brachos after the Haftorah, but not in the bracha before?
As far as I recall, the minhag in all Ashkenaz shuls which I have ever attended, was not to answer Baruch-Hu-Uvaruch-Shmo to the name of Hashem in the Bracha which is said before the Haftorah, but in ...
3
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0answers
102 views
Who originally speculated that the Orchos Tzaddikim's author was a woman?
I recall hearing (as well as saw from this link) that it has been speculated that the author of the Orchos Tzaddikim was a woman.
Did someone originally posit this idea, or is it a rumor that has ...
3
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0answers
71 views
Origin of the term “pilpul” as a method of Talmudic study
What is the source for referring to the known method of Talmudic study a "pilpul"? When did this usage begin?
3
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0answers
33 views
When were the decrees against the boys made?
In Parshat Sh'mot (Ex 1:15) Par'oh decrees that the boy children of the Hebrews should be killed.
When was that moment in relation to the timeline of events in Egypt (the death of Yosef, the ...
3
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0answers
121 views
Yom Kippur Segulah Question
Does anyone know of a Source for Pesicha for Neilah being a segulah for Parnassah? Its something I have heard said is there a source anyone can send me to it would be appreciated?
3
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0answers
101 views
Is there a list of the 365 sinews?
The 248 positive commandments are compared to the 248 bones (Zohar 1:170b). Chazal provide a list of these 248 bones (Oholos 1:8).
The 365 negative commandments are compared to the 365 sinews (Zohar ...
3
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0answers
97 views
Where is the source of this Midrash/Agadita in the Ein Yaakov
I saw in the הקדמת הכותב of the Ein Yaakov the following midrash/agadita cited:
בן זומה אומר מצינו פסוק כולל יותר והוא שמע ישראל וגו׳ בן ננס אומר
מצינו פסוק כולל יותר והוא ואהבת לרעך כמוך ...
3
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0answers
37 views
What is the source for “asi aseh v'dachi lo sa'aseh”?
Throughout Shas we have a concept of "asi aseh v'dachi lo sa'aseh," that a positive commandment overrides a negative commandment (ex. Beitzah 8a, Yevamos 84a, etc.). What is the source for this ...
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91 views
When did the Ma Nishtana start being called the Four Questions?
In the Mishnah Pesachim 10:4, we are first taught of the obligation to ask the Ma Nishtana question/s at the Pesach Seder. This consists of an opening question:
?מה נשתנה הלילה הזה מכל הלילות/How is ...
3
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0answers
116 views
Is there a source in Torah that a soul chooses his parents before being born?
Many years ago, I read in a Jewish book that a soul chooses his parents before being born, but I cannot remember the name of the book. Is there an authentic Torah source that confirms this? Thank ...
3
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0answers
136 views
Reading Mishnah Torah on Hoshana Rabba
There is a minhag that many have to read in shul from a Sefer Torah the entire Chumash of Davarim on the night of Hoshanah Rabbah. What is the first makor (source) for this minhag and what is the ...
3
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0answers
142 views
Original Sources of Origin Claims of Hebrew's Pronunciations
I'm interested in finding out where the differences between Sephardic and Ashkenazic pronunciation of Hebrew come from.
On wikipedia it says:
"Leopold Zunz believed that the Ashkenazi pronunciation ...
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0answers
80 views
Why do some siddurim switch the order of the angels?
I've noticed that in some siddurim in the prayer "El Adon" the last line has the order of the angels switched; that is, they say:
"seraphim, chayot, v'ophanei hakodesh"
instead of
"seraphim, ...
3
votes
0answers
61 views
Talmud source that the righteous can create worlds with their words
Looking for a source in the talmud which says that the righteous can create worlds with their words - I saw this and I can't remember in which tractate/where exactly, google isn't helping.
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49 views
Shamor and Zachor beyond Shabbat
Much is written about the relationship of Shamor and Zachor in relation to Shabbat but Shamor and Zachor are also used for Pesach (at least the first day) - Shmot 13:3
Moses said to the people, "...
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0answers
34 views
Gerah as a coin and cud (and more)
Is anyone familiar with any exposition on the connection between gerah גֵּרָה as cud (ma'aleh gerah) and as a measure of 1/20th of a shekel? Is there any connection drawn to the root for the word ...
3
votes
0answers
120 views
Chuppah by a Zivug Sheini (second marriage) and the “main” kinyan
It seems that the prevalent minhag by a zivug sheini (second marriage) is to have the chuppah inside (as opposed to the minhag of (at least) the ashkanazim to have the chuppah outside.) What is the ...
3
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0answers
64 views
Mesada/masada, are there any torah sources confirming or denying Josephus' version
This documentary seems to give good points to doubt the masada story.
Are there any talmudic or later sources regarding this if yes what are they
Related.
Masada - heroic martyrdom or immoral murder/...
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406 views
Is there a public domain floorplan of the Beis Hamikdash
Is there a public domain floorplan of the Beis Hamikdash?
I'm looking for something like
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votes
0answers
91 views
Proof that calling upon deceased righteous people is polythiesm
My assumption is that in the Jewish faith, if someone were to call upon a righteous person who is not alive for help, that would be considered polytheism.
Are there any explicit verses in the Torah ...
3
votes
0answers
58 views
Length of time for waiting for hard cheese proportionate to the length of time it was aged
In a Halachic pamphlet I saw before Shavuos this year, it mentioned an opinion that one must wait after eating hard cheese one hour for every month it is aged (so if it was aged three months, three ...
3
votes
0answers
124 views
Reading Tehillim on Klaf
Anyone know of a source to read Tehillim from Klaf? I have heard it's something more special than reading from a regular sefer.
3
votes
0answers
264 views
Champagne and hechsher
I have heard (without a source) that some who were makpid to purchase only wines with hashgachot would consume wine from Champagne without a hechsher, probably because gentiles typically do not use ...
3
votes
0answers
112 views
Chida's statement about shabbat violators
I heard Rabbi Yitzhack Yosef Shelita (Rishon LeTzion and son of Maran HaRav Ovadia Yosef, Z"L) who says that the Chida writes that in all the places that he was never saw a Sephardic Jew that wasn't ...
3
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0answers
190 views
Let's play Name that Gadol - women wearing Tallis story
There is a story that I have heard with multiple names being used as the Rabbi in the story. It goes like this:
A woman came to [insert name of Torah Sage here] and said that it would enhance her ...
3
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0answers
342 views
Siyum Mishnayos on Erev Pesach
Today I learned of the minhag to make a siyum bechorim only on gemara. I understand the logic, but is there a source for it? This came up because I'm scheduled to make a siyum on the Mishna (first ...
