Questions tagged [synagogue]
house of Jewish prayer
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Halachic aspects of relocating an established minyan
Are there any halachic implications of relocating an established minyan?
Here is a specific example that might help clarify my question: Suppose there is a small community that normally has Shabbat ...
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Meaning of inscription in synagogue
On the ceiling of the main synagogue of Florence, Italy, is a Star of David with a Hebrew inscription inside it (below). It looks like mem kaf bet heh. What does it mean and why is it there?
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Is it permitted to have an American Flag on a flagpole with an Eagle on top in a Synagogue?
American Flag on pole, topped with an Eagle.
Is this permitted in the Synagogue?
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Kohain First Aliya a Requirement?
I daven on Shabbos in a minyan where I am the only kohain and most often there is no Levi. I feel uncomfortable receiving a disproportionate amount of aliyas and feel that it takes away from others. ...
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When/where/how did weekly "kiddush" become the norm? [duplicate]
At the typical American synagogue -- and most in Europe as well, at this point I think -- it's expected that after the Shabbos morning prayers, there will be "kiddush", but people don't sit ...
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What is the religious standing of a Gentile attending a Jewish service?
What is the religious standing of a Gentile attending a Jewish service? In other words, why is it allowed? And is it encouraged or discouraged?
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Source for tallis vs no tallis for kibbud at Shabbos Mincha
At my shul, which davens Ashkenaz, the Rav of the shul instituted a rule that at Shabbos mincha, only the baal tefila and baal kriah wears a tallis. People getting a kibbud do not.
I have previously ...
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Mirror in Shul?
Is a mirror allowed in shul if it is hanging on a wall that no one faces when they daven?
It feels wrong to me, but I cannot find a source stating that it is explicitly forbidden since no one is ...
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Noise in bet kenesset. Sources in Halakha for stopping this [closed]
If someone is praying in a bet kenesset that let's say is somewhat "chaotic" in its energy... What is the Halakha?
People come in with their phones on loud and throughout the whole tefilla ...
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Tachanun on a King / President visiting a city
Would Synagogues say Tachanun when a King or President comes to visit a city or perhaps comes to visit a Synagogue? I couldn’t see anything in Orach Chaim dealing with this issue.
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When saying the shema in a minyan should it be said loudly or quietly
When saying the shema in a minyan should it be said loudly or quietly? I was at the opposite side in the Synagogue and I could hear a lot of the shema someone else was saying...
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Tefilla b’Tzibur during Bayis HaRishon?
During the תקופתו של בית הראשון and even before, did forms of Tefilla and Limud b’Tzibur/ Basei Knessios exist among people?
During my years in Yeshiva, this topic was gently discussed. I remember ...
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can I practice Judaism? [closed]
TL;DR at the bottom
I'm Jewish. there is no debate here. My mother is Jewish so I am Jewish. But my father (not Jewish) is an anti-religion Atheist, banned all religious practices in our house (except ...
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Why is this person deserving of death?
הַהוּא גַבְרָא דְּקָא מְצַלֵּי אֲחוֹרֵי בֵּי כְּנִישְׁתָּא, וְלָא מַהְדַּר אַפֵּיהּ לְבֵי כְּנִישְׁתָּא. חֲלַף אֵלִיָּהוּ. חַזְיֵיהּ, אִידְּמִי לֵיהּ כְּטַיָּיעָא, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: כְּדוּ בָר קָיְימַתְּ ...
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Can a synagogue exist without a Torah Scroll?
I met in some literature the term "prayer house" by which is meant a place for tefilah, but without a Scroll. Theoretically, this option is possible when there is no Scroll, but a room for ...
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Are there any sources as to shul members having kedima
I understand the purpose of being a member of a shul outside the scope of halacha but I am wondering if there are sources anywhere that talks about that a shul can/cannot deny a chiyuv (ie for a ...
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Hallel in syngagogue on Pesach night before dark
Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 487:4 describes a custom to recite Hallel in the synagogue at the end of Arvit on the first (two) night(s) of Pesach.
Some (e.g. Gra) link this custom to the practice found ...
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Does this prayer "Lord we thank you for your gift of hope" that a British Reform synagogue does on Shabbat morning, exist in Orthodox Siddurim?
What is this prayer "Lord we thank you for your gift of hope, our strength" that a Reform synagogue does first thing on a Shabbat morning?
(As in, where is this prayer from. I wonder if I've ...
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Mesillas Yesharim in One Chart?
Years ago, I saw a printed chart hanging in a shul titled "Mesillas Yesharim in One Chart," or something very similar. I have been searching online for this but cannot find anywhere. Is ...
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Maftir Yonah riches?
It is common tradition that the one who purchases the rights to Maftir Yonah will be blessed with much wealth the following year. Are there any sources for this?
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What is the status of shuls turned into churches
We all know when moshiach arrives all shuls will go to Eretz Yisroel
What will be with the many
shuls that were confiscated and turned
into churches and are still around?
What will happen with these ...
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In the morning prayers of Birkhot Hatorah, what does וְהַשְׁכָּמַת בֵּית הַמִּדְרָשׁ שַׁחֲרִית וְעַרְבִית practically mean?
This appears in Birkhot Hatorah, as:
אֵֽלּוּ דְבָרִים שֶׁאָדָם אוֹכֵל פֵּרוֹתֵיהֶם בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה וְהַקֶּֽרֶן קַיֶּֽמֶת לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא... וְהַשְׁכָּמַת בֵּית הַמִּדְרָשׁ שַׁחֲרִית וְעַרְבִית
These ...
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Acronym with gershayims above letters
In the Alte-Neu (Old-New) Synagogue in Prague, there are several inscriptions on the wall (see here) - for example this (this one is said to be an acronym of: אך טוב לישראל סלה):
Is it semantically ...
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When Did the Burning of the Ner Tamid become Perpetual?
In Parshat Tetzaveh (Exodus 27:20-21) the first mention of the term "ner tamid" in the Torah appears. I had always thought of the ner tamid as the "eternal" or "perpetual&...
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Selling a house after COVID
According to the mishna on 25b of Masechet Megilla, "בני העיר שמכרו רחובה של עיר לוקחין בדמיו בית הכנסת" (if the people of a city sell an open area, the money is used to buy a synagogue). ...
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Would it be forbidden to model a synagogue's design after the Beit Hamikdash?
The Beit Hamikdash has models. You can purchase them online if you so desire. That being said, those are purely models and are not used for anything beyond study/exhibition.
My question is whether it ...
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Who are "the Yechidim"?
I'm reading a book called "Publications of The American Jewish Historical Society, no. 21" (which can be found for free on archive.com). The first part is a collection of records of ...
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How did they use to sleep in the shul?
In Eruvin 74b.2, the Gemara rejects a proof by saying:
לְעוֹלָם אֵימָא לָךְ קַיבְּלַהּ מִינֵּהּ, וְהָכָא חַזָּנָא הוּא דַּהֲוָה אָכֵיל נַהֲמָא בְּבֵיתֵיהּ וְאָתֵי בָּיֵית בְּבֵי כְנִישְׁתָּא
The ...
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Legal minyan in Stamford Hill
As of October 2020 the UK government has established strict laws and very specific guidelines for the currently ongoing holiday.
It would seem that we have to keep these regulations, especially since ...
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Placement of the Hoshanot service
I’ve noticed that some congregations (generally nusach ashkenaz) recite Hoshanot after Musaf on Sukkot, whereas others (generally edot mizrach, nusach sefard, some Israeli nusach ashkenaz) recite them ...
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Which officiants wear a kittel on Rosh HaShanah?
In many Ashkenazi congregations, most of the congregants do not wear a kittel on Rosh HaShanah; however, a number of the officiants do wear a kittel.
It seems to me to be fairly common that at least ...
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Is it permitted to have zodiac symbols in a synagogue?
Many shuls in Eastern Europe have painted zodiac symbols (albeit in a rather symbolic manner) on the walls or ceiling. However, it is stated directly in the Mishneh Torah that one may not draw the ...
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How can I practice doing hagba?
Do to its weight, lifting a sefer torah can be challenging without proper technique. Practicing on an actual sefer torah isn't an option for most people due to lack of access. (Most synagogues would ...
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Looking for the origin of custom to decorate the Aron Hakodesh with 10 Commandments
Many synagogues have the custom to decorate the Peroches (curtain covering the Ark) with imagery of the 10 Commandments or Luchos in some form.
When did this custom originate?
Is there any source for ...
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How do we do Shabbat Hagadol Drasha at home
Because of the Corona virus synagogues are closed this week Tzav 5780 which is Shabbat Hagadol, we will not be able to fulfill the custom of a Shabbat Hagadol Drasha (sermon) according to the usual ...
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Catching up the missing weeks of Krias Hatorah
Due to the current health crisis, all shuls are closed. As a result, the weekly Torsh portion will not be read.
After this is all over and synagogue services are resumed, will we:
Continue where we ...
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Explanation of gemara Megilla 26b
The gemara Megilla 26b quotes Rava that when you sell a synagogue (even not in front of the 7 city trustees) the kedusha transfers onto the money and the buyer is free to use the former shul however ...
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Shabbos Candles
What do the sources say about this situation: A male on his own wants to go to shul on Friday night. There are two parts to the question.
1) What is the earliest time at which he can light his ...
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Can we disinfect the shul and the ha aron kodesh ? How best?
In the wake of the Coronarovirus epidemics, can we carry out a professional disinfection of the shul's sanctuary and of the Aron Kodesh, specifically the 3 Sifrei ha Torah and their mantels ?
How is ...
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Does anyone know of a place on the web I can find Kabbalat Shabbat sung from the people in a synagogue (preferably Ashkenazi)? [closed]
Here is a perfect example of authentic singing, this is what I'm looking for but for Kabbalat Shabbat.
The problem for me is when people solo Tehillim they make their own version and that is not what ...
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Is prayer heard in all places of song?
Berachos 6a:
תַּנְיָא, אַבָּא בִּנְיָמִין אוֹמֵר: אֵין תְּפִלָּה שֶׁל אָדָם נִשְׁמַעַת אֶלָּא בְּבֵית הַכְּנֶסֶת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לִשְׁמֹעַ אֶל הָרִנָּה וְאֶל הַתְּפִלָּה״. בִּמְקוֹם רִנָּה — שָׁם ...
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How long must people wait in shul for a minyan?
Shulchan Aruch emphasizes the importance of davening the Amidah with the rest of the tzibbur.
If one is in shul and there are 8 or 9 people, should everyone wait before starting Amidah to see if ...
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Lighting after maariv in shul
At my shul, the first maariv minyan on Chanukah is after teitz hachocavim (5:15, in Eretz Yisroel). It takes a couple minutes until there are ten people, and when ten people arrived some members ...
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Source for the tradition of buying seats in synagogues
In many synagogues, it is common to buy a seat before the new year's day. The price for a seat often serves also as "membership fee" for membership in the synagogue community. When did this tradition ...
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Were Kohanim in the Temple obligated in Torah reading?
Following "synagogue-in-the-temple",
In the times of the Second Temple, assuming that not all Kohanim were involved in Temple Service all the time:
Were they obligated in Torah reading and was ...
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What is meant by "synagogue" in the Temple in Sota 7.8?
THe Mishna (Sotah 7.8) describes the order of transferring a Torah scroll to the King for reading on Hakhel:
חַזַּן הַכְּנֶסֶת נוֹטֵל סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה וְנוֹתְנָהּ לְרֹאשׁ הַכְּנֶסֶת, וְרֹאשׁ הַכְּנֶסֶת ...
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Sources for when we change the Parochet to white
It is customary to change the Parochet, Torah covers, and some other items in the shul to white for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, and it is common practice to keep the white covers up until after ...
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Non Jews in Shul choirs?
What is the Halacha and the Minhag regarding Non-Jews in Shul choirs at religious services led by a Cantor?
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Was there a synagogue inside the Temple?
I vaguely remember seeing in Mishnayos (probably second half of Moed, maybe Taanis - potentially in connection to where the Maamados said their Tefillos - but can't find it now) that there was a Shul ...
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Prayer during non-Shabbat or morning minyan [duplicate]
This may be an odd question, but is it typically permitted or tolerated for a gentile to pray in a synagogue during "off" hours (I.e. not during Shabbat, morning minyan, or any yom tov)?
Do any Jews ...
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