All Questions
6,866
questions with no upvoted or accepted answers
28
votes
2
answers
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views
How do we determine "population statistics" for population-dependent Halachot?
There appear to be several halachot that are based on "a majority of Israel". For example:
Mishnah Berachot 54a:
הרואה מקום שנעשו בו נסים לישראל אומר ברוך שעשה נסים לאבותינו במקום הזה
IF ...
- 49.1k
16
votes
1
answer
232
views
Where did the incense-altar sweeper get his broom from?
Mishna, Tamid chapter 3, in a loose translation:
Those who merited removing the ashes from the inner altar and the candelabrum would precede. They had four tools in their hands: the basket, the ...
- 73.7k
15
votes
2
answers
278
views
Leshabeichacha and loseis/latet shevach
Towards the beginning of the נוסח אשכנז version of davening, in the section beginning לעולם יהא אדם ירא שמים, we say as follows:
לפיכך אנחנו חייבים להודות לך ולשבחך ולפארך ולברך ולקדש ולתת שבח ...
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15
votes
2
answers
2k
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What happened to the Mixed Multitude?
When the people of Israel left Egypt they did not leave alone. They left with a mixed multitude of many people (Exodus 12:38). What happened to the mixed multitude in the desert and, specifically, ...
- 7,896
15
votes
4
answers
609
views
Coerced testimony in halacha
My chavrusa and I were going through Sanhedrin (40b) this evening, and the topic of how to get accurate statements from witnesses. Rashi mentioned the concept of moving the witnesses around in order ...
- 1,422
14
votes
0
answers
243
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Saying Amein in a Tefilla
In certain prayers, the congregation interjects the word Amein after certain words/phrases. In The Ya'aleh V'yavo, I hear it in the last section, amidst these three statements
זָכְרֵנוּ ה' ...
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14
votes
1
answer
557
views
Half Jew half Gentile
I always thought it was a misconception to be "half-Jewish". Usually the speaker means one of their parents are Jewish, making them either fully Jewish or fully Gentile.
However, I saw today that the ...
- 19.6k
13
votes
1
answer
280
views
Is the obligation for Gentiles to establish a system of courts communal or individual?
One of the seven laws of Noah for gentiles is to set up a system of courts.
Is the obligation to set up a system of courts a communal obligation on Gentile communities, or does every single Gentile ...
- 1,331
12
votes
0
answers
168
views
Yosef's dreams and time
I had an interesting idea, and I wondered if anyone knows of sources that use it.
Yosef deals with three sets of dreams: his own, the dreams of the sommelier and baker, and the dreams of Pharaoh. In ...
- 3,090
12
votes
0
answers
224
views
Source for Geonic division of mitzvos
The Rambam and those who follow suit divide the 613 mitzvos into two groups, 248 positive mitzvos and 365 negative mitzvos. This is sourced from Makkos 23b.
However, many of the Geonim (for example: ...
- 19.6k
12
votes
2
answers
472
views
The stolen maple syrup and kashrus
Does anyone know if there is going to be a kashrus problem with maple syrup next year?
A rather large amount of maple syrup was stolen last year. The thieves did not keep it in the original casks, ...
- 5,139
11
votes
0
answers
290
views
Minhag to eat Dessert First?
A while ago (at least 25 years ago) I recall a friend's mother saying there was a minhag in Tzfat to eat dessert first, because if you had to suddenly stop your meal in the middle because the Moshiach ...
- 461
11
votes
0
answers
449
views
Do some communities still allow more mingling between the sexes on Tu B'Av?
Do some communities still allow more mingling between the sexes on Tu B'Av? I understand that this used to be a custom, in addition to allowance of a more relaxed approach to women's tznius on that ...
- 19.6k
10
votes
1
answer
276
views
Forbidden to immerse, as opposed to doesn't work?
I was learning Pesachim, and on 17b I saw Tosafos say the following:
דבתוך הכלי ודאי אסור לטבול מדאורייתא
It is definitely biblically forbidden to immerse something within a vessel (as opposed ...
- 19.6k
10
votes
0
answers
360
views
May one ride in a utilitarian car?
A new study has confirmed the obvious: people want to survive:
even though participants approve of autonomous vehicles that might sacrifice passengers to save others, respondents would prefer not to ...
- 6,676
10
votes
1
answer
182
views
Tribes' names with את and without?
"וַתַּהַר לֵאָה וַתֵּלֶד בֵּן וַתִּקְרָא שְׁמוֹ רְאוּבֵן"
"וַתַּהַר עוֹד וַתֵּלֶד בֵּן ... וַתִּקְרָא שְׁמוֹ שִׁמְעוֹן"
"וַתַּהַר עוֹד וַתֵּלֶד בֵּן ... עַל־כֵּן קָרָא־שְׁמוֹ לֵוִי"
"וַתַּהַר עוֹד ...
- 25.7k
10
votes
2
answers
343
views
Seemingly Hefker Esrog - used for the Mitzva
This past Erev Succos I arrived at a local synagogue that had a fellow selling Lulavim and Esrogim in their Simcha hall. The fellow left three Esrogim (not in the greatest condition - yet Kosher) on ...
- 139k
10
votes
1
answer
1k
views
To what extent is homosexuality forbidden among non-Jews?
All homosexual behavior is forbidden among Jews, but some actions are clearly Torah prohibitions (e.g. mishkav zachar), while some might be Rabbinic in nature (e.g. lesbian relations). Are all of ...
user3318
10
votes
1
answer
105
views
Is there any connection between the Sotah, the Mizbeiach, and the Beis HaMikdash keychain?
In exactly three contexts, the Mishnah notes that there was an amah square marble slab with a ring, using exactly the same language each time.
The first is in Sotah 2:2, regarding the Sotah procedure:...
- 34.1k
10
votes
1
answer
230
views
Hackintosh in Halacha
A Hackintosh is a bootlegged version of Apple's macOS loaded onto a computer that has not been manufactured by Apple and doesn't have a license to run macOS. According to Apple's macOS license,
I. ...
- 1,354
10
votes
1
answer
405
views
Chapter Endings while Leining Megillot
Inspired by this question.
It seems to be a common minhag to have a special trope for the end of a chapter when leining the megillot. I have seen this done in my shul, have done it myself, and also ...
- 9,777
10
votes
1
answer
396
views
Who authored the 13 Ani Maamin's?
The Rambam in his Hakdama to his Pirush on Perek Chelek in Mesechtas Sanhedrin mentions the points of belief a Jew must have. To the best of my knowledge these are the basis of the well-known ...
- 139k
10
votes
2
answers
195
views
Counting Sefirah in a made up language
Can one fulfill the mitzvah of counting the Omer by counting in a language that only he/she understands? What if a few people understand? An entire goup?
- 275
9
votes
0
answers
81
views
Textual parallel between Eve and Cain, why?
In Bereishit 3:16, Eve is cursed:
אֶֽל־הָאִשָּׁ֣ה אָמַ֗ר הַרְבָּ֤ה אַרְבֶּה֙ עִצְּבוֹנֵ֣ךְ וְהֵֽרֹנֵ֔ךְ בְּעֶ֖צֶב תֵּֽלְדִ֣י בָנִ֑ים וְאֶל־אִישֵׁךְ֙ תְּשׁ֣וּקָתֵ֔ךְ וְה֖וּא יִמְשׇׁל־בָּֽךְ׃
And to ...
- 10.1k
9
votes
0
answers
148
views
Maharam Shiff’s Mnemonic indexes
The Wikipedia page (from Jewish encyclopedia) for Rabbi Meir Shiff states:
A mnemonic index to the Bible and the Talmud by him is also extant.
Where can I find such an index?
- 479
9
votes
0
answers
106
views
Eliezer's daughter and descendants
Medrash Rabah Parshas Chayai Sara 59:9 says that Eliezer had a daughter and was hoping that she would marry Yitzchak. Avraham told him you are cursed (come from a cursed family) and my son is blessed. ...
- 139k
9
votes
0
answers
94
views
Is there a timetable of the Yom Kippur Avodah available?
I'm trying to get a sense of how long each part of the Kohen Gadol's day was. I have the impression that the (outer) Musaf offering took much longer than the Torah reading, but I have no idea how much ...
- 2,513
9
votes
1
answer
247
views
Why is the name Mekom P'tur indicative of being entirely permissible?
In the introduction to Tractate Shabbat in his Commentary to the Mishnah, Rambam writes:
אבל מקום פטור מותר להוציא ממנו לכל אחת משלש הרשיות ומהן אליו וזה מותר לכתחלה ולפיכך נקרא מקום פטור
(Kafih ...
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9
votes
2
answers
812
views
Why wait to eat if it rains on the first night of Sukkot?
If it is raining on the first night of Sukkot, Rema Orach Chayyim 639:5 writes:
לילה הראשונה צריך לאכול כזית בסוכה אף אם גשמים יורדין ויקדש בסוכה כדי שיאמר זמן על הסוכה
On the first night, one ...
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9
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0
answers
173
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Source for an ideal Shidduch based on proximity
A Rebbi of mine in yeshiva said in the name of Rav Ruderman z"tl who referred to a Chazal that a person should ideally try to marry someone from the "same מבוי (street), if not then the same שכונה (...
- 13.8k
9
votes
0
answers
118
views
Spam texts to run up a person's bill
Many cell phone plans allot a person a certain number of texts each month and charge for every text over that limit. This is for both texts sent and received.
Now, phone calls can be denied, but ...
- 34.1k
9
votes
0
answers
194
views
When during IVF are the parents' thoughts determining the level of the soul of their baby
I have read that the thoughts of a couple during marital relations does determine and effect the level of the soul they draw down for their baby. What about a couple using IVF to conceive? When ...
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9
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0
answers
320
views
What is the reason for the ark opening & closing procedure during Aleinu in High Holiday Musaph?
The Art Scroll & Birnbaum siddurim Nusach Ashkenaz for both Rosh Hashannah & Yom Kippur state this ark / opening procedure during the cantor's recital of the Aleinu prayer during Musaph on ...
- 70k
9
votes
0
answers
196
views
Liability for bed bugs
If one tenant in an apartment brings in bed-bugs (and that can be proven), and they spread throughout the building, and the other tenants have to vacate their apartments to be fumigated, or whatever ...
- 58.3k
9
votes
0
answers
202
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Proper Reading of the Word זועה
The word זועה appears six times in tanach:
Yeshayahu 28:19
Yirmiyahu 15:4
Yirmiyahu 24:9
Yirmiyahu 29:18
Yirmiyahu 34:17
Divrei Hayamim II 29:8
In each one of these instances except the first, the ...
- 2,504
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0
answers
167
views
What would have happened if the sin of the spies never occurred?
If the spies had not given a bad report about Eretz Yisroel or the people had not accepted their bad report, how would history have been different?
I have heard speculation that upon entering the ...
- 4,501
9
votes
1
answer
202
views
What is the status of professional video game players?
A friend remarked to me that playing video games professionally today is the equivalent of professional gamblers in the times of the talmud, specifically in that both are not involved in "Yishuvo shel ...
- 13.6k
9
votes
1
answer
237
views
Who is pulled to safety first?
If a group of people are in mortal danger, all of the same gender (cf. Horayot 13a; some suggest that the Mishnah on Horayot is not discussing a case of rescuing from physical danger, cf. Tziz Eliezer ...
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9
votes
1
answer
318
views
What's the Shiur of Mashehu?
Certain issurim (forbidden things) can become batel (halachically nullified) if they were unintentionally mixed in heter (permitted things). In order for this to happen, the heter must outnumber the ...
- 21k
9
votes
3
answers
495
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What type of tree was the Eitz haChaim (Tree of Life)?
What type of tree was the Eitz haChaim (Tree of Life) spoken about in Bereishis 2:9?
יַּצְמַ֞ח יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהִים֙ מִן־הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה כָּל־עֵ֛ץ נֶחְמָ֥ד לְמַרְאֶ֖ה וְט֣וֹב לְמַאֲכָ֑ל וְעֵ֤ץ הַֽחַיִּים֙ ...
- 9,618
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1
answer
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Honorific for a non-Jew
My question is somewhat simple: is there an honorific for particularly righteous, deceased non-Jews? Related: is זכרונו לברכה ever used for non-Jews? I don't recall ever having seen this.
EDIT: I ...
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8
votes
1
answer
264
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Tumat met on the London Underground
Apparently part of London's subway network causes problems for kohanim because it is underneath a museum that includes human remains:
Due to the Science Museum and the Underground entrance sharing ...
- 2,361
8
votes
0
answers
132
views
What is the reason behind the Meiri intentionally replacing the names of Rabbis?
The Meiri in his writings gives each Rabbi whom he quotes an alternative name, based on the main contribution that particular rabbinic authority made. Why does he do so, for it seems he goes against ...
- 479
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votes
1
answer
243
views
Are these bicycles hefker?
I work on a University campus. Adjacent to my building is a bicycle rack, to which several bikes have been locked since the start of the academic year (end of August). It's clear that these bikes have ...
- 1,062
8
votes
0
answers
97
views
Oops, said too much Hallel. What now?
On Rosh Chodesh and on Pesach after the first yom tov, most communities recite Hallel b'dilug ("half" Hallel). In most siddurim that I'm used to, the skipped-over portions are Psalms 115:1–...
- 9,777
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votes
0
answers
97
views
Is the Tanya the first rabbinic work to reflect a new scientific understanding of the circulation of blood?
The Tanya was first published in 1796.
In chapter nine of the Tanya (in the shi’ur for today, Teves 9), the Alter Rebbe writes:
The abode of the animal soul… is in the heart, in the left ventricle,
...
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8
votes
0
answers
142
views
Should people davening alone daven together?
If a few men know there will be no minyan so they choose to daven biyechidut, is there merit to their staying "together" either in shul or not? Is there a notion of "kahal" or &...
- 37.8k
8
votes
0
answers
143
views
Those who observe "Ben Zachar" at night and "Shalom Zachar" by day
There's a pretty common custom to observe what's commonly called a "Shalom Zachar" on the Friday night after a baby boy is born. People go to where the baby's father is, eat snacks, sing and share ...
- 19.6k
8
votes
1
answer
289
views
Sukkot water libations - from the Torah, from Sinai, or from the Rabbis?
There's a disagreement recorded in the Mishna, Zevachim 13:6, regarding the Sukkot water libation. R' El'azar includes this ceremony in the list of Temple activities that are prohibited by the Torah ...
- 47.8k
8
votes
0
answers
147
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(How) did the South African rabbinate deal with non-white conversion candidates during apartheid?
As I understand it, during apartheid, the South African government treated the Jews as "white."
Did it ever happen that someone in a different racial group expressed interest in converting to Judaism ...
- 131k