All Questions
41,032
questions
4
votes
1
answer
112
views
Shabbat pedestrian crossing, and Marit Ayin
In my town, the local (non-Jewish) council, in a gesture to the Jewish community, set certain traffic light crossings to automatically go green (Walk) for pedestrians every 30 seconds or so. This is ...
- 1,966
0
votes
0
answers
18
views
Midrash about our "age" in Olam Haba
I once heard that there is a midrash that states in Olam Haba, we start each day as children, then the next quarter we are adolescent, then adult, then old age, so that we can enjoy the goodness of ...
- 3,809
0
votes
0
answers
11
views
Nadav and Avihu versus Titus the Wicked entering the Holy of Holies
There are commentaries (for example the Yalkut Shimoni on Torah 524:7) that explain that the sin of Nadav and Avihu was that they entered the Holy of Holies. This is just one opinion, and that is not ...
- 9,953
7
votes
2
answers
399
views
+100
How did the Jews in Egypt have children if they couldn't go to the mikveh after giving birth?
This question is based on a few assumptions, which are based on a couple of Midrashim.
First of all, Shemos Rabbah 9:10 and Tanna D'Vei Eliyahu Chapter 7 say that the Egyptians were punished with the ...
- 19.8k
-3
votes
0
answers
36
views
Gett al tnai: Can a bet din impose its own condition on a gett it issues?
A bet din in my city is composed of rabbis with a poor knowledge of civil law. It requires both parties to a gett to sign an application form, with the following clause in it:
The execution of the ...
- 5,155
2
votes
1
answer
32
views
Why the words "אחרי מות"?
Parshas Acherei Mos begins off saying "And it happened after the death of Ahron's 2 sons..."
The Torah never says when things happen - it just goes in order!
So, why here does the Torah tell ...
- 9,236
3
votes
3
answers
253
views
Original Sources for Ideas about Hidden Path to Moshiach
I sat in a class recently and listened to an Orthodox rabbi expound on the convoluted path that had to be taken in the past and will presumably be taken in the future to get to Moshiach. I may not ...
- 9,865
1
vote
0
answers
41
views
"One who does not waste time, has time for everything" - learning on Shabbos
The Chida, in his Moreh BeEtzba (153) writes basically that on Shabbos, ones occupation should solely be Limud HaTorah. He says,
כי לא נתנו שבתות וי״ט אלא ללמוד תורה. ומי שאינו מאבד הזמן יש עת לכל
...
- 9,953
3
votes
1
answer
47
views
Person sells chometz at home and travels west for Pesach. When does he get his chometz back?
Someone is going away from home for Pesach in a westerly direction. He sells his chometz in his home town through his Rav in his home town. Normally the chometz reverts back to the owner immediately ...
- 1,966
2
votes
1
answer
47
views
Ritual lapses of the Jews mentioned in the rebuke of the prophets? And why primarily focus on justice and lovingkindness and not rituals?
Do the prophets ever rebuke the Jews for not being "observant" of all the "Bain Adam Lamakom" laws or any failings in these areas other than Avodah Zarah?
I think Jeremiah does ...
- 9,865
2
votes
1
answer
48
views
Torah scholar conceding due to a logical but unlearned argument
Is there any documented case of a major Torah scholar changing his mind as the result of a logical argument put forth to him by someone who was not basing his argument on any clear Torah sources the ...
- 9,236
0
votes
1
answer
49
views
Why did the Gra not say an after-blessing after karpas?
Ma'aseh Rav 191 records the practice of the Gra at his seder:
ומטבל בחומץ ומברך בפה"א ואוכל כזית ואינו מברך ברכה אחרונה ... ואומר אשר גאלנו ומברך בפה"ג ושותה הכוס
He dips [the karpas] in ...
10
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What do the sources say about when women can reveal they're pregnant
I've heard that women are meant to wait until after the first trimester to reveal that they are pregnant. (One rabbi I heard say they should wait even beyond, if possible.) The idea being to avoid ...
- 1,150
2
votes
1
answer
86
views
What is this intro to this rendition of Kah Echsof?
My inability to hear lyrics, and my inabilities in Yiddish require me to ask the fine folk here what exactly is being said in the first words that precede Kah Echsof in this rendition.
Could someone ...
- 25.6k
1
vote
0
answers
21
views
Reference book needed
Any suggestions for a reference book that is a "Who's Who" of persons named in the Tanach? Persons do appear in multiple places (such as in Shmuel and Divrei Hayamim, or in the lives of ...
- 25.6k
2
votes
3
answers
346
views
Annulling future regrets
Would any sources seem to indicate that if one states when talking to Hashem “HaShem if I ever regret any of my mitzvot, I don’t really regret them.” then any regrets he would have in the future would ...
CommunityBot
- 1
-1
votes
2
answers
51
views
Story about moving on in life?
Is there any story about a tragedy or something bad happening, yet someone moved on in life and continued fulfilling their duties? This can be from the Torah, but preferabally a more modern time story!...
- 21.8k
0
votes
1
answer
67
views
How to be Jewish [duplicate]
How to convert to Judaism as a female? I don't have access to going to any temple or shul. I also want to do this online as well. Is it cheap or free too?
- 25.6k
3
votes
0
answers
47
views
Is there an issur of Tzad (trapping) when returning a pet hamster to its cage on Shabbos?
Putting the issue of muktzah aside, the question is- do poskim discuss whether or not a pet hamster is already considered trapped?
The baseline halacha is that a "domesticated" animal is ...
- 9,698
1
vote
3
answers
53
views
Book/Sefarim recommendations that explore the deeper meaning of Eretz Yisrael?
Does anyone have any Book/Sefarim recommendations that explore the deeper meaning of Eretz Yisrael as a whole and/or specific places in Israel? The books can be in Hebrew or English.
- 51.8k
5
votes
1
answer
95
views
Tumah of multiple births
In parashah Tazria we read that a woman is rendered impure by giving birth; one week for a boy child and two weeks for a girl child. What if it is twins or more? Are the periods of impurity applied ...
- 99.1k
1
vote
0
answers
27
views
What would happen if the king was incapacitated?
If a Jewish king became incapacitated, for instance if he was in a coma, what would happen? Would a new king be appointed? Would nothing happen and the people would simply wait? Would the queen, or ...
- 14.2k
1
vote
1
answer
49
views
Source for forgiving sins for embarrassment
What’s the source for the idea that you get כפרת עונות when you are embarrassed?
I’m not referring to one being ashamed and embarrassed of sinning, but rather one who randomly gets embarrassed during ...
CommunityBot
- 1
-2
votes
0
answers
45
views
A Chassidic story about the Moon
Can someone help me locate this story? As in which book or website? It goes like this and the AI attributes it to the Baal Shem Tov:
n the story, Rabbi Yisrael ben Eliezer, renowned for his deep piety ...
- 743
0
votes
3
answers
435
views
Does Kabbalah really teach this?
Israel Shahak in his book Jewish History, Jewish Religion: the Weight of Three Thousand Years claims that the majority of Orthodox Jews believe the following quotation. He does not give sources for ...
- 10.9k
0
votes
0
answers
42
views
Taanis Bechorim or Bechoros?
Why is there a difference in Seforim when discussing the Taanis of the firstborns before Pesach? For instance, Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach in Halichos Shlomo Moadim I (8:1) calls it Taanis Bechorim, ...
- 1,966
1
vote
0
answers
40
views
Minhag Oberland Selling Chametz
Does anyone by any chance know if the oberlander minhag is to sell chametz or not? Thank you very much
- 7,684
23
votes
9
answers
34k
views
Has the Torah been changed over the ages?
It is quite a famous argument from Muslims for authenticity of the Quran that the previous Holy Books (Bible and Torah) sent by God have been corrupted or changed by their followers and that Quran is ...
- 10.9k
1
vote
1
answer
24
views
What are the lessons/significances of the Matriarchs growing up under idol worshipping parents?
Unlike Yitzchak and Yaacov, Sarah, Rivka, Rachel and Leah, as well as the latters' handmaidens, all grew up similar to Avraham, in homes of idol worship.
Why did Hashem arrange things this way? What ...
- 10.9k
0
votes
0
answers
11
views
Deep dive into learning about Matriarchs?
I would like to learn more about the Imahot. I am happy to hear about books written focussing on this topic, gathering sources and summarising them into some easy reading, as well as hear any list of ...
- 9,865
0
votes
1
answer
46
views
Paradox of being commanded to not do something when out of control?
One of the principles that comes out in discussions about drinking and doing mitzvot, is that the alcohol impairs one's self control, and thus they aren't doing the mitzva properly [e.g. some sources ...
- 8,684
0
votes
1
answer
38
views
What is the source from the Gemara that you should kill a roidef before he comes to try to kill you [closed]
BH
I heard if a roidef is coming to try to kill you you should kill him first.
Where does it talk about this first in the Gemara and Halacha?
How does Halacha define a roidef?
And what if the Roidef ...
- 749
3
votes
1
answer
120
views
If a kohen donates sperm to a convert or divorcee, is the child a kohen
According to Halacha, If a Kohen decides to donate sperm to a convert or divorcee, is the child conceived through that a Kohen or no?
The reason I ask is become some Poskim, such as R Moshe Feinstein,...
- 2,350
0
votes
0
answers
21
views
Getting Divine guidance for monumental decisions
When faced with monumental, potentially world history altering decisions like going to war, it would seem appropriate to get Divine approval, like was done using Urim V'Tumim, as opposed to only ...
- 2,226
1
vote
0
answers
39
views
Rav Chaim Palagi and the 50th level of impurity in the haggadah
Rav Daniel Glatstein shlita says in a recent interview with ArtScroll (min. 23:24) that Rav Chaim Palagi, in his sefer Zechira Le'Chaim (Chaim Le Rosh, Haggadah Shel Pesach) divides the sections of ...
- 9,953
0
votes
1
answer
52
views
Fish tank fishes
Can anyone share the names of common "fish tank" fish that are also kosher?
Can someone share a link of where I might find the names if you yourself dont know the names?
I know goldfish for ...
- 1,966
1
vote
2
answers
227
views
Can/should anyone kill a mored b'malchut?
If someone is found to have rebelled against the king (mored b'malchut), by say directly disobeying a king's order, does the rebel need to have the crime adjudicated in court or can (should?) anyone ...
- 14.2k
0
votes
0
answers
25
views
Deuteronomy 31:12 - convert or a Noahide?
I am confused with Deuteronomy 31:12: "the foreigners residing in your towns" this refers to non-Israelites who are living among the Israelites. In Hebrew it's "gerim" (singular: &...
- 25.6k
0
votes
0
answers
38
views
Metzora - with or without a Vav
Does anyone have any insight into why the name of the parasha Metzora is invariably written מצורע with a vav, while the word HaMetzora in the second passuk of the parasha from which the parasha name ...
- 39
10
votes
3
answers
861
views
Is it forbidden or just disrespectful to wear a kippah with ads on it while in shul or learning?
When my kids were in yeshiva, the school had a policy that they were not allowed to wear kippot that had any writing other than their name, or "Yerushalayim" or something similar. I.e. - no logos like ...
- 16k
4
votes
2
answers
383
views
How do members of a given denomination understand what happens on events from other denominations?
I watched a UsefulChart video on Jewish denominations, which I found very educative as an atheist interested in history.
It was not clear however whether the various denominations can share/understand ...
- 470
1
vote
0
answers
91
views
Are my enemies included in the concept of neighbour? [closed]
It is unclear for me if my enemies are or not included in the concept of neighbor regarding the following mitzva:
Leviticus 19:18
Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of ...
- 9,865
1
vote
2
answers
64
views
Is there anywhere I can learn the Yerushalmi cantillation online?
Basically the title, I can’t find anything, maybe y'all know.
- 161
10
votes
2
answers
495
views
Shochtim who learned from translated materials
The Maharil in his Tshusvos Chadashos ("New Responsa," mentioned here), writes (Siman 93) that the custom is not to give kabblah to shochtim who learned the laws shechita in German (translated ...
- 433
2
votes
0
answers
70
views
Is there any reason for Noahides to eat kosher
B"H
While eating kosher meat is not mentioned anywhere in the context of Noahide law, regarding the general reasoning to eat kosher, Rashi says:
These are the creatures: [The word חַיָּה, “...
- 347
2
votes
1
answer
118
views
What should we do if we need to pass gas while praying?
What should we do if we need to pass gas while praying?
- 1,966
1
vote
0
answers
41
views
What is the dividing line between a segulah and nichush
The Torah in Leviticus 19:26 prohibits the following of omens, also known as issur nichush. I am curious what the dividing line between a Segulah, which are kabbalistic charms or signs of certain ...
- 4,418
11
votes
2
answers
561
views
Can an Ashkenazi write a Sephardi Torah?
If an Ashkenazi Sofer writes a Sefer Torah in the Sephardi or Yemenite tradition:
a) has he fulfilled his obligation of writing a Sefer Torah (thanks, Double AA!), and
b) since a Sefer Torah must be ...
0
votes
1
answer
59
views
Why Is it against Halacha to warn a sinner?
I was told it’s against Halacha to warn someone who’s not open to taking reproof. Is this true?
If so why? I find Ezekiel 3 seems to say God did not want the prophet to go to the people as they were ...
- 1,966
3
votes
2
answers
190
views
How does the Torah reading cycle work in Reform and Conservative communities?
I’ve noticed that Kriyat Ha-Torah works differently in Reform and Conservative synagogues. The aliyot are shorter. I heard that this is because they work on a three year cycle, rather than an annual ...
- 25.6k