All Questions
39,699
questions
2
votes
1
answer
249
views
Buying New Tefillin during Nine Days / 3 Weeks
Is one allowed to buy new tefillin during the 9 days or 3 weeks? Is one then allowed to wear that same new tefillin during the 9 days / 3 weeks?
And if the answer is yes: why?
- 90.2k
0
votes
2
answers
231
views
Pidyon Haben Question [closed]
How is it possible to make a פדיון הבן by giving money to someone who is not a כהן?
- 139k
6
votes
3
answers
798
views
Moving Fans on Shabbos
Is one allowed to move a working electrical fan on Shabbos, or is this a problem of Muktzah?
I would hope an answer cover:
If there's a difference between moving a fan so that it blows towards the ...
- 3,191
7
votes
2
answers
901
views
Why do the laws of kitniyot still apply today to Ashkenazi Jews on Passover?
How did the tradition start?
Why is it still around today?
What is the basis for this Halacha (הלכה)?
CommunityBot
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2
votes
1
answer
406
views
What was the 'evolution' of determining who is part of the Jewish people?
Starting with Abraham and continuing till modern halacha. how has the halacha regarding who is part of the Jewish people changed? What were the causes of the change, and the reasoning, and the change ...
- 131k
5
votes
2
answers
185
views
causeless hagomel
Rambam, Maase Hakorbanos 9:5, indicates that a toda is just another kind of sh'lamim. In perek 14 he mentions that a sh'lamim needs no special circumstances, as opposed to a chatas which can only be ...
CommunityBot
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11
votes
2
answers
931
views
Is there a difference between "p" and "f" when transliterating from English to Hebrew?
When transliterating an English name to Hebrew (e.g. for a Ketubah or Get), is there a way to distinguish between a "p" and "f" sound? E.g. Fine, NY vs Pine, CO. Would both just be spelled (assuming ...
- 587
3
votes
1
answer
78
views
What is the connection between joy and divine love in Rambam's mitzva #3?
Ramba"m lists love of God as the third positive commandment in his Book of Commandments. It includes the following line, which somehow relates the comprehension of God with joy and the ultimate ...
- 90.2k
11
votes
1
answer
339
views
What is the "Kos Shel Ikrin," a potion that renders one infertile?
The Talmud discusses the "Kos Shel Ikrin" (Cup of the Barren, or Cup of Roots), a potion that rendered a woman or man infertile. The recipe for this potion is on record in tractate Shabbos and there ...
- 23.7k
5
votes
1
answer
301
views
Sheva Brachos Seder
What does one do if his or her Sheva Brachos comes out on Seder Night do the Kosos become Sheva Brachos and what are all the other Halachic Implications?
- 47.8k
10
votes
1
answer
3k
views
What is the difference between Rashi and Rabbeinu Tam's tefillin?
I understand that there are two types of tefillin, the standard Rashi, and Rabbeinu Tam's. How do they actually differ in construction and in makeup? I have heard that the scriptural passages are ...
- 73.6k
3
votes
2
answers
807
views
Davening Maariv at Shekiya / or after Plag HaMincha - repeating Kriyas Shema
If a person prays Maariv after Plag HaMincha prior to Shekiya is there any Halachic authority that holds he is Yotzei the Mitzva of Kriyas Shema and does not have to repeat it? What if he prays right ...
- 139k
11
votes
2
answers
247
views
If three men pre-arranged to sit down and eat together over a video-chat, is there any reason they shouldn't have a zimun?
I learned that if two groups were eating in two different rooms but even one person could see someone in the other room, then they could have one zimun (I thought this was in Masechet Brachot, but I ...
CommunityBot
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7
votes
1
answer
621
views
Can you eat the Beitza at the Seder?
The Halacha is not to eat roasted meat at the Seder, therfore you can not eat the Zeroa at the Seder. Can you eat the roasted egg (Beitza) at the Seder? (sources)
- 73.6k
14
votes
4
answers
1k
views
If Eliyahu is Pinchas and Pinchas is a Cohen how was he in the Room when he did Revival of the Dead?
In Melochim there is a famous occurance of the Eliyahu Hanavi reviving the Dead Child of Ovadiah's Hanavi's widow's child who some say was Yonah Hanavi. If Eliyahu was a Cohen how was he allowed to be ...
- 6,708
2
votes
2
answers
124
views
Does the pause while standing still after t'fila need to be silent?
There is a rule that one should stand still after reciting sh'mone esre and taking three steps backwards, preferably until k'dusha, but at least for a few moments (the amount of time it takes to walk ...
- 18.8k
1
vote
1
answer
124
views
Is there an online source where you can check the standards of an Hashgacha?
I am looking for an online source where you can check the standards of any Hashgacha. (Cholov Yisroel, Glatt, Bait Yosef, Pas Yisroel, Mashgiach Temidi, vegetable checking, etc.)
- 10.8k
5
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Is there a difference between a Rabbi and a Temple Priest?
I was reading about Perushim and Tzedukim on Wikipedia and the articles seems to suggest that there is a difference between them.
Is there a difference between a rabbi and a (Temple) priest?
CommunityBot
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6
votes
2
answers
266
views
Sh'ma aloud but amida quietly
Shulchan Aruch Orach Chayim 61:4:
We are accustomed to reading the first verse [of "Sh'ma"] in a loud voice in order to arouse the direction [of our thoughts].
SA OC 101:2:
But he should not ...
- 73.6k
4
votes
1
answer
201
views
What is the proper way to write the year when it is a year that ends in מנצפך?
When the year ends with one of the letters of מנצפך - for example 5780 - What is the correct way to write it תש"פ or תש"ף?
- 23.7k
15
votes
1
answer
13k
views
Does ב"ה actually stand for Boruch Hashem?
We asked here about writing either ב"ה or בס"ד on the top of a letter. In the question it was assumed that ב"ה stands for Boruch Hashem.
Do we have a source that ב"ה actually stands for Boruch Hashem?...
CommunityBot
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3
votes
1
answer
126
views
'fixed' wording of the g'mara justified by found mss.?
In the margins of the g'mara are many notations indicating changes that various rabbis (Bach, G'ra, Tzon Kadashim, Shita M'kubetzes, etc.) made in the wording of the g'mara, seemingly to resolve ...
- 7,873
10
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Why shin and sin?
Why does Hebrew use the same letter to represent two different sounds: shin and sin? As far as I know, with the exception of when using a dagesh kal, no other Hebrew letter has this property.
- 73.6k
3
votes
1
answer
723
views
What letter is not found in Bentching [closed]
Which letter of the alef-beis isn't found in bentching and what is its significance?
- 73.6k
4
votes
1
answer
225
views
Do they still print g'maras with regular Torah Or?
It used to be the standard for many many years that each in-text quotation of a Biblical verse in the Vilna edition Talmud Bavli had a little circle before the first word, which corresponded to a ...
- 43.9k
8
votes
3
answers
786
views
Question about the actions of Pinchas when he killed Zimri
The Gemara (Sanhedrin 82A), while relating the story of Pinchas killing Zimri, tells us the following:
"And Phineas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it." (Bamidbar 25:7) Now, ...
- 43.9k
1
vote
1
answer
90
views
Review this map of B'rachaspace!
[Inspired by this site, this question is a solicitation for review of a product, copied below. Scale is not intended to be significant.]
Is this set-theoretic representation of categories of b'rachos ...
CommunityBot
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3
votes
1
answer
75
views
Aruch Hashulchan's b'rachos priorities
The first chapter on the laws of b'rachos in Aruch Hashulchan ends with a summary of several of the forgoing paragraphs that reads thusly (202:45):
וכללו של דבר: כל הפירות שיודע בהם שהם עיקר הפירא - ...
CommunityBot
- 1
3
votes
3
answers
483
views
Which is better, lying or saying lashon hara?
Inspired by Shmeryl's frequenting of McDonalds, I have a similar question about lashon hara.
Let's say Shmeryl is coming to visit you from out-of-town on shabbat, and has no problem with doing so ...
CommunityBot
- 1
5
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Which actions are prohibited even to save a life?
I know that many commandments, e.g. keeping Shabbat, not lying, etc., must be violated if doing so is necessary to save a life.
For which commandments is this not true? Does it ever matter how many ...
- 43.9k
0
votes
3
answers
46
views
Shishim Umatayim - mi yodeya?
Who knows two hundred sixty?
Please cite/link your sources, if possible. At some point between twenty-four hours and a few days from now, I will:
Vote up all interesting and relevant answers.
Accept ...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
3
answers
41
views
Tish'a Vachamishim Umatayim - mi yodeya?
Who knows two hundred fifty-nine?
Please cite/link your sources, if possible. At some point between twenty-four hours and a few days from now, I will:
Vote up all interesting and relevant answers.
...
CommunityBot
- 1
4
votes
2
answers
224
views
Cohen And the Bodies Exhibit
Can a Cohen Visit the Bodies Exhibit or is Tumah: Ritual Impurity a concern?
- 1,574
4
votes
3
answers
306
views
Do you do a hataras nidui (rescinding of excommunication) before Rosh HaShanah?
When I was in yeshiva, we'd get together ten guys and then one person would approach and say:
אם נתחייבתי בנידוי, הרי אני מבקש התרה ממעלתכם
If I have been liable of excommunication, I hereby ...
CommunityBot
- 1
4
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Why is it called Shalosh Seudos?
Why is the third Shabbos meal called Shalosh Seudos - literally three meals - would it not be more appropiate to call it Seuda Shlishis?
- 139k
10
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What is a hakira?
In the parlance of Talmud study and lomdus, what does the word "Hakira" mean and how should it be used? Why are Hakiras useful?
- 41.5k
15
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Male tzniut: Swimwear
Seeing as summer is coming, I thought I'd clear up a few questions about male tzniut with regards to swimwear. Namely, my real question is: what is required? I live in southern California, so outside ...
- 40.3k
7
votes
0
answers
112
views
Identifying Ba'alei Tosafos [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Who is the voice of Tosafoth?
How much do we know about which specific people wrote which comments of Tosafos?
CommunityBot
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10
votes
2
answers
215
views
What was the dietary source of calcium in Talmudic times?
The Mishna in Ketubot Chapter 5 describes the basic diet of a working-class woman at the time (around the year 200):
ה,ז [ח] המשרה את אשתו על ידי שליש--לא יפחות לה מקביים חיטים, או מארבעת קבים ...
CommunityBot
- 1
7
votes
1
answer
318
views
Lechem Mishneh : holding challos procedure
What's the exact procedure for holding the challos in lechem mishneh.
I'm not asking about the number of challos used or which one to cut (top / bottom) but how do we hold them :
do we hold them ...
- 28.1k
2
votes
0
answers
300
views
White (Lavan) & Blue (Tcheiles) - blue Tzitzis [duplicate]
There are some people that wear Tcheiles - blue Tzitzis. What is the reason that the majority of Klal Yisroel still does not wear it if the Tcheilas has been rediscovered?
- 43.9k
5
votes
1
answer
273
views
Must I separate challah from pre-made dough?
If I buy ready-made bread dough or pizza dough, do I have to separate challah from it?
- 47.8k
4
votes
2
answers
979
views
Is there a minimum amount of dough to separate challah without a bracha?
I saw on this website http://www.secretofchallah.com/50708/When-to-separate-challah#opinions that one should not separate challah if using less than 8.5 cups or about 2 lbs. I know there are various ...
- 47.8k
2
votes
1
answer
43
views
Commentary on "Amar H' Leya'akov"
Do you know of any interesting commentaries on the song "Amar H' Leya'akov" that's part of the after-Shabbat liturgy?
- 73.6k
8
votes
1
answer
351
views
Tachanun on Monday and Thursday
Why do we say a longer Tachanun on Mondays and Thursdays compared to the other days of the week?
- 1,602
9
votes
2
answers
517
views
connection of obligation to keep mitzvos and sexual maturity
Does anybody know why a boy is obligated to keep mitzvos after he gains sexual maturity (13 years old)? How is the possibility of fathering children connected to that?
Thanks.
- 43.9k
2
votes
1
answer
436
views
Shabbat Rosh Chodesh: Ata yatzarta
Why does the Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Musaf have its own special text (Ata Yatzarta Olamecha Mikedem ...) for the middle beracha?
- 23.7k
4
votes
1
answer
281
views
Alos Hashachar on a flight from Israel to Toronto
What time will a person cross alos hashachar (first light of the sun) if he is flying from Israel to Toronto on the night of the fast of the 17th of Tammuz? The flight leaves Israel at one in the ...
- 23.7k
2
votes
1
answer
33
views
Shemona Vachamishim Umatayim - mi yodeya?
Who knows two hundred fifty-eight?
Please cite/link your sources, if possible. At some point between twenty-four hours and a few days from now, I will:
Vote up all interesting and relevant answers.
...
CommunityBot
- 1
5
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Different expressions for "permitted" in the gemoro and elsewhere
The Gemara and other sources use different words to say that something is permitted. There are "shari" "muttar" "leis lon boh".
Is there any difference in shades of meaning between these and others ...
- 131k