All Questions
10,971
questions
74
votes
13
answers
13k
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)...
- 47.3k
22
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Is belief in Midrashim optional?
The Ramban in Sefer Havikuach (page 32, the bottom of the first column ) asserts with regard to Midrash:
מי שיאמין בו טוב. ומי שלא יאמין בו לא יזיק
Whoever believes in it, good, he who does not ...
- 257
22
votes
2
answers
4k
views
"Am I Jewish?"
How can one tell if one needs to convert in order to be Jewish or if one is already Jewish?
Would one's or one's ancestors' conversion to another religion or their lack of knowledge about Judaism ...
- 96k
56
votes
21
answers
20k
views
Is Christianity Avodah Zara?
It is commonly accepted that Islam is not Avodah Zarah (idolatry) since Islam has a clear monotheistic theology with a belief in Allah that parallels our view of "kail" or Hashem. It is even ...
- 2,259
36
votes
9
answers
3k
views
Avot keeping Mitzvot
How are we to understand the tradition that the patriarchs kept all of the mitzvot in the Torah (see for example: the last mishna in Kiddushin (4:14), Rashi on Bereshit 32:5, etc.) in light of the ...
- 3,820
24
votes
9
answers
3k
views
Does one have to take a Midrash/Aggadah literally?
Does one have to take a Midrash/Aggadah literally?
- 6,628
20
votes
2
answers
1k
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....
- 46.5k
36
votes
9
answers
7k
views
Why don't Jews think Jesus is the messiah?
Christians say that Jesus is the Messiah spoken of in the Old Testament; Jews disagree. Why couldn't Jesus be the Messiah spoken of? Or could he possibly have been?
- 1,341
34
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Abbreviations before/after names
What are the more common abbreviations one might see printed before or after a person's name, and what do they mean? Please include honorifics (R'=Rabbi) as well as memorial - or prayerful - suffixes ...
- 41.2k
31
votes
9
answers
2k
views
Why the vast difference of opinion about the age of the Universe?
5770 and 13,000,000,000 is a big difference!
I am looking for a good explanation for the different views of the age of the universe, [the Tanakh's view and astronomy's view.] Please help me out!
- 1,205
11
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Deleting files containing G-d's Name / taking the host device into the bathroom
Is there any issue regarding deleting electronic files with G-d's Name in them?
Also, is there any issue with taking such a device into the bathroom?
- 4,431
10
votes
8
answers
984
views
Why does evil exist?
I realize this is a very common question, but the problem of evil is an important one, and as far as I can tell, has not been asked here.
In short, why does G-d allow evil to exist?
- 1,694
40
votes
7
answers
10k
views
Is one allowed to smoke Marijuana?
Not taking into account Dina D'malchusa, what are the Halachic problems with smoking marijuana? Is it allowed?
- 40.1k
26
votes
7
answers
3k
views
Halakhic International Date Line issues
According to halakha, where is the international date line?
More specifically, I have heard that some people say you should observe Shabbat on Sunday in Japan & New Zealand and/or on Friday in ...
- 3,820
49
votes
8
answers
7k
views
Can a Jew lose their Jewish Status?
Can a Jew lose their status as being a Jew by performing any action (example: performing idolatry, disavowing core beliefs, converting to another religion, etc)? Or once a person is a Jew then they ...
- 5,176
40
votes
13
answers
4k
views
Bereishit vs. science
How does Judaism deal with the differences between scientific evidence of the beginning of the world and the account(s) in Bereishit?
- 3,029
29
votes
9
answers
5k
views
Sheidim: are they fact, or fiction?
Are there really such thing as sheidim? If so, what are they? Please include sources.
- 1,205
14
votes
7
answers
2k
views
Why don't we just follow the shittah of Moshe Rabeinu?
My question can apply to virtually all mitzvos where there is a disagreement in the standard way to fulfill them.
If one reads the hakdama (introduction) to the Rambam's peirush mishnayos (commentary ...
- 40.2k
28
votes
3
answers
5k
views
Why can't electricity be manipulated on Shabbat?
Why can't we use and change electricity on Shabbat and YomTov? By this I mean why can't we turn lights on and off?
I've heard Rabbis say that its because you can't complete a circuit on Shabbat, ...
- 1,833
25
votes
6
answers
4k
views
First steps for someone considering conversion
I am 25 years old and I am truly interested in converting. I too also only believe in G-d. I live my life to certain rules that others I see aren't strong enough to live by. I want to know what I ...
- 251
35
votes
14
answers
8k
views
How can we be sure that Judaism is true/the truth?
I borrowed (with permission) a question from Ahmed Han, which is:
People of every religion claim that they are the ones in the right
path. Even the people of sects in these religions think that ...
user1550
28
votes
8
answers
2k
views
Is one allowed to smoke?
Nowadays, since there are studies that show that smoking is dangerous to health, is one allowed to smoke or is it violating "Venishmartem Meod Lenafshosechem"?
- 40.1k
18
votes
7
answers
8k
views
Non-Jews (Gentiles) in Olam Haba (Jewish Afterlife)?
Are there non-Jews in Olam Haba (the world to come), either in Gehenom (Hell) or Gan Eden (Heaven)?
- 1,375
9
votes
2
answers
973
views
Halacha of Shechita
Which Sefer or Sefarim is/are used in practical application of Shechita? General Halacha follows the שלחן ערוך, but does it in all areas?
- 18.9k
55
votes
15
answers
6k
views
How do we know that God exists?
Simple enough question, and very much related to the topic.
According to traditional Jewish sources, on what basis should people believe that there's a God?
- 649
27
votes
16
answers
3k
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 ...
- 38.3k
22
votes
11
answers
10k
views
How does "eilu v'eilu" work out with an absolute truth?
I'm under the impression that religious Judaism believes in absolute truths. That being the case, how does the concept of "eilu v'eilu divrei elokim chaim" (Eruvin 13b) work out? When two scholars ...
- 2,211
38
votes
3
answers
12k
views
Questions about Polygamy in Jewish Law and Culture
I've recently been studying polygamy (having more than 1 wife), and had a few cultural questions.
Was polygamy accepted at the time of David and Solomon? Were there any laws about it?
Was polygamy ...
- 541
32
votes
4
answers
3k
views
May one use a computer script or robot to do something specifically on Shabbos/Yom Tov?
May one run a program or machine that will operate on Shabbos, either by setting a timer to activate once Shabbos has started, or by leaving it running continually? What if the action is one that is ...
- 20.9k
19
votes
8
answers
6k
views
11
votes
10
answers
2k
views
Are there unnecessary words in torah?
I've been taught, often enough that I thought it was universal, that there are no unnecessary words in torah (chumash) — every word is there to teach us something. I've seen plenty of discussions in ...
- 56.1k
6
votes
2
answers
817
views
Will A Non Jew who did not keep the Noachide Laws be Held Accountable?
Will A Non Jew who did not keep the Noachide Laws be Held Accountable on yom hadin?
After all, he can claim he didn't know anything about them.
Maybe there is a difference between a gentile in ...
- 20.7k
31
votes
5
answers
7k
views
Is it possible for a Gentile to convert to Judaism? [closed]
Is it possible for someone who is Gentile to convert to Judaism?
What is the prevailing belief of Jewish people on this subject?
What scripture backs up this belief?
What do prominent Jewish ...
- 1,088
24
votes
10
answers
856
views
All the many, many details
I understand a number of reasons why the Jewish community keeps so many rules to the level of minutiae. But why SUCH a level of intricacy in some of these laws?
I looked through a large book on the ...
- 1,920
21
votes
4
answers
2k
views
When does somebody living in space (e.g. ISS) observe Shabbat?
I understand that Jewish astronauts have been advised to observe Shabbat by Cape Canaveral time, by analogy with traveling to a place that doesn't have daily sunrise/sunset where some rule you use the ...
- 56.1k
19
votes
5
answers
4k
views
Sources For Listening To/Not Listening to Non-Jewish Music
What are sources for it being allowed to listen to non-Jewish music and sources for it being prohibited?
- 3,269
15
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Jewish definition of a charity
I know that Jews are supposed to give 10% of their income to charity, but what constitutes a charity? I know that Shuls, Jewish schools and poor people in your community count, but what about secular ...
- 3,784
10
votes
4
answers
7k
views
Jews allowed to pray and join Muslim congregation in Mosques and Experiences
I had read somewhere in Maimonidian literature that Jews are allowed to pray in Mosques. Is it even allowed for them to Join the Muslim congregation and pray the Salat for they worship the same God (...
- 1,864
31
votes
23
answers
9k
views
How can I curb my sexual desire?
I am looking for the best and most practical suggestion as to what a man can do to curb his yetzer hara (evil inclination) for sexual desire. Please provide sources for why your answer should be ...
user1552
31
votes
3
answers
6k
views
Riding the Subway on Shabbat
Assuming that there are no problems regarding paying for it (either you entered the system before Shabbat, or a non-Jew paid for you):
What are the halakhic issue with riding the subway on Shabbat? (...
- 10.3k
30
votes
5
answers
2k
views
When blogging/emailing/etc., do I use "God" or "G-d"?
Is there a religious problem with typing out the name: "G-o-d"?
- 128k
29
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Does artificial meat grown in a petri dish have the halachic status of meat?
Scientists are developing means of growing artificial meat in a petri dish. Does such 'meat' have the halachic status of meat?
Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/11/us-science-meat-f-...
- 2,453
25
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Is the winding פ in this sefer torah kosher?
Leaving aside all other issues with the text as displayed, are the pehs acceptable, or do they actually need an inverted vav on the inside (instead of these whirls)?
- 1,874
25
votes
6
answers
19k
views
Is it a discouraged or an unacceptable practice for a Gentile to keep the Sabbath?
According to Jewish Law and tradition, is it acceptable, discouraged or totally unacceptable for a Gentile to keep the Sabbath according to the regulations spelled out in the Torah and the Talmud and ...
- 914
21
votes
8
answers
1k
views
Why do we still do chazarat hashatz?
This question assumes that the purpose of chazarat hashatz is to allow for those who were unable to say their own shmoneah esrei (assumedly due to Hebrew illiteracy) to fulfill their obligation to ...
user1552
14
votes
4
answers
4k
views
Is there sufficient evidence to support the theory that ancient Israel practiced monolatry?
I just came across this Wikipedia article on monolatrism that says some people believe ancient Israel practiced monolatry.
The highest claim to be made for Moses is that he was, rather than a ...
user1002
13
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Prohibition of a Kohen marrying a Zonah
In the prohibition of a Kohen marrying a Zonah (cf. Vayikra 21:7), what defines a woman as a Zonah? Is it just having had relations with a non-Jew, or does it also include having relations out of ...
- 949
12
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Is a Jew permitted to have an abortion?
Under what, if any, circumstances may a Jewish woman undergo an abortion? Can a Jewish doctor perform an abortion?
As each case and individual is unique, please consult your rabbi for practical ...
- 10.3k
11
votes
4
answers
1k
views
11
votes
2
answers
4k
views
What makes something "chukat goyim?"
One of the most famous examples I have heard is that one should not even tie one's shoes like the non-Jews do in times of persecution. That seems rather excessive. What if the Jews started doing some ...
- 8,736