All Questions
39,069
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Implication of the besefer chaim addition?
I always thought that the many plurals in the amida refer to the Jewish people.
But the wording of the besefer chaim addition to the sim shalom paragraph of the amida for this time of year (yamim ...
- 7,850
1
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0
answers
75
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What was the Lubavitcher Rebbe's opinion on Maaneh Chochom?
Maaneh Chochom is a book written by Chabad mashpia Reb Yoel Kahn addressing the book Vayoel Moshe by the Satmar Rebbe, Rabbi Yoel Teitelbaum.
I'm not familiar with either texts. I'm just curious to ...
- 163
2
votes
1
answer
142
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Can deaf people convert?
I read an opinion piece on this topic on Ynet and have also found information about this halachic topic referenced as being in R. Shemuel Balmas's Mishpat Gerim Vol. 1, Ch. 3 Sec. 3, p. 168.
From what ...
- 39
2
votes
1
answer
47
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Hierarchy of learning
What is the best way to go about learning the fundamentals of Torah? Obviously the chumash would be first, and gemara seems to take precedence in yeshivot.
So my question is what are the basics one ...
- 1,017
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102
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Why do we read Megillat Ruth on Shabbat but not Megillat Esther?
Megillat Esther is not read when Purim falls on Shabbat, as we are concerned that one may carry the scroll outside. However, Megillat Ruth is read when Shavuot falls on Shabbat. Why doesn’t the same ...
- 459
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60
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10 Commandments and Non-Jews
Are there any sources that discuss the non-Jew's connection to and/or obligations regarding the 10 Commandments (i.e. the 10 Dibrot)
I've heard from rather learned (if not conventional) people claim ...
- 5,401
3
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0
answers
37
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What day of the year did David buy Har Habayis?
Does anyone know if there are any sources regarding the date David Hamelech stopped the plague by bringing karbanos in the field of Aravnah HaYevusi? It would seem that this should be considered a ...
- 91
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3
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2k
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Seeking Sources on the Russian Decree Regarding Jewish Dress Code
I am currently studying the later version of the Sefer “Daas Moshe VYisroel” and came across an interesting point in Rabbi Binyomin Rabinowitz's approbation letter. It states:
"הנה מנהג חבישת פאה ...
- 2,141
2
votes
1
answer
93
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Biological sample from the ancient dead
Is there any halachic justification, or permission, to take a biological sample from a dead person in an ancient site? For example, in Israel there are many archeological digs which sometimes result ...
- 10k
2
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39
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Why is the Mitzvah of Parah Adumah considered a reward?
The Gemara (Sotah 17a) says that the Mitzvah of Parah Adumah was given as a reward for Avraham Avinu’s humility, and Rashi explains that it’s considered a reward, because A. It purifies. B. It atones ...
- 3,125
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38
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Wives of Shem, Cham, Yafes
If everyone in the world was so corrupt that the world needed to be destroyed and rebuilt, where did Shem, Cham, and Yafes find women to marry?
Do we know their names?
- 379
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1
answer
137
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Why was it necessary for Sheidim to be on the Teivah?
Noach, Perek 6
[רש"י: (יט) ומכל החי – אפילו [ה] שדים:
From Rashi, we learn that demons ('sheidim') were on the teivah of Noach as well as animals and humans.
Why was this necessary? If they're ...
- 379
2
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1
answer
120
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Pergola - Kosher scach?
This pergola was originally put up a around 2 weeks before Sukkos 5783. The shade that this makes is at least 50/50 (if not more.)
So several questions:
Is this kosher scach by itself? If yes, what ...
- 15.9k
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33
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Does using different Divine names in prayer have practical consequences and effects?
It is well known that there are different names for G-d, blessed be He, even shown in the Torah itself, where different references to Him emphasize different relations and attributes.
Having said that,...
- 555
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1
answer
122
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Who is בה"י referenced by the Ba'er Hetev on Shulchan Arukh, Yoreh De'ah?
The Ba'er Hetev on Shulchan Arukh, Yoreh De'ah refers to an authority named בה"י:
לפרקים. וזהו ל' יום. בה''י ועיין בבאר הגולה מה שהביא בשם מהרי''ל
Who is that?
Thanks.
- 123
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67
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Why are we allowed to make unlimited prayer in any language at a time where we are not allowed to answer amen?
According to (at least) Rav Ovadiah Yosef (based on his understanding of Maran in Shulchan Aruch), one is not allowed to answer amen (except first 5 of Kaddish), baruch Hu u'varuch Shemo, or the ...
- 5,401
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56
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Why eating Rosh Hashan Simanim (signs) only in the evenings
The minhag (custom) is to see or eat Rosh simanim at the both Rosh Hashana evenings. It is also found in the Gemara ( תלמוד בבלי, מסכת כריתות, דף ה', עמוד ב' – דף ו', עמוד א) that the main point is to ...
- 987
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242
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Does anyone know of an Illustrated/Animated Audio Bible resource on YouTube or other video platforms?
I'm looking for a YouTube playlist or something along those lines which includes an Audio Bible reading along with illustrated images as the audio keeps going.
The focus is on the five books of Moses.
- 555
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28
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What does it mean that judgement happens on Rosh Hashanah?
What does it mean that G-d judges people on Rosh Hashanah, if G-d is 'outside of time'?
It's one thing to say that G-d performs an action (e.g. sends the Maan, talks to a prophet) that has a ...
- 2,096
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76
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Who was Adina? (Lavan's wife)
In Sefer Hayashar it says:
ויזרע יצחק בארץ ההיא, וימצא בשנה ההיא מאה שערים ויברכו ה׳. ויגדל האיש ויהי לו ובשנת חמישים ושש שנים לחיי יעקב, באו אנשים מחרן ויגידו לרבקה על אודות לבן בן בתואל אחיה. כי ...
- 1,017
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49
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The reasons for changes in Tefilah when Rosh Hasahana falls on Shabbat
I have summarized some changes in the Rosh Hashanah Tefilah that falls on Shabbat and I would be happy to understand whether the change took place and the reason for the change in the wording (...
- 987
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47
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What is the major scholarship on the notion that Satan is the Serpent from The Fall? [duplicate]
Now, I do not believe that the Serpent is Satan. I can't find a particularly useful way of making that case.
But, despite the lack of anything concrete, the general public consensus has made the ...
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0
answers
51
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Is Vayelech misnumbered
Why is the siman for Parshat Vayelech listed as 70 if it only has 30 pesukim?
- 1,017
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0
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35
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Apple in honey atoning for adams sin
I've heard that the apple dipped in the honey is a segulah to atone for the sin of Adam. What is the source for, and a more detailed explanation of the apple dipped in the honey atoning for the sin of ...
- 1,017
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3
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150
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Can a conversion be deemed invalid because of something a rabbi on the beit-din once said?
I've read a post where a person's conversion was deemed inappropriate because one of the Rabbis once said, when asked, 'would you officiate a mixed marriage?' The Rabbi, a distinguished knowledgeable ...
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3
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138
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How did G-d bring creation into the world without changing? Did He not have to decide to create at some point? How did He bring creation without time?
So the question is something like this: If G-d, blessed be He, willed creation into being, then
a) He either underwent change (deciding to create) [Impossible]
b) He always knew that He was going to ...
- 555
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0
answers
50
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Do we say Mizmor Hodu Lashem Ki Tov and Chapter Bame Madlikin when Rosh Hashanah that falls on Shabbat [closed]
When Rosh Hashanah falls on Shabbat should one read the Mizmor Hodu Lashem Ki Tov as in every regular Shaabat? chapter "Thank God for Goodness"? Should one say the chapter Bame Madlikin as ...
- 987
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134
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Percentage of SA halacha per Mitzva breakdown?
Is there a study or depiction (similar to the visualisations at Sefaria, although doesn't have to be a visualisation) that takes the whole of the Shulchan Aruch and traces every single halacha back ...
- 5,401
1
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1
answer
96
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Is a Shofar Muktzeh on the second day of Rosh Hashanah this year?
Does the Shofar have the Din of a כלי שמלאכתו לאיסור on the second day of Rosh Hashanah, when the first day is Shabbos, being that it is so during twilight of the second day?
- 3,125
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57
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Zemirot during Third Meal on Shabbat Rosh Hashana
Should Zemirot (chants) be said at all Shabbat meals that fall on Rosh Hashanah?
Does what is said about Rosh Hashanah: "One does not say poetry on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur" (Rosh ...
- 987
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0
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93
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Calling one's wife 'honey'
I recently heard that calling one's wife 'honey' is a Jewish concept born from the fact that the gematriot are the same.
דבש = 306.
אשה = 306.
Does anyone talk about this? Or is this a convenient ...
- 1,017
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0
answers
30
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Parshiot Devarim referring to mashiach
Where does the vilna gaon say that the parshiot of devarim are a remez to the last generations of before mashiach?
- 1,017
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1
answer
75
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Various groups and individuals and their relation to a specific tribe
1.Is there anyone who attributes the tribe/kingdom of Yehudah to Sefardim, and the tribe/kingdom of Yosef to Ashkenazim (at least in the spiritual sense), as per Ovadiah 1:18?
are there any pairs of ...
- 3,125
2
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0
answers
38
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What is the Tzitz atoning for?
In Zevachim 88b it details that the unique clothing of the kohen gadol atoned for different categories of sin. By the tzitz it says:
וציץ מכפר על עזות פנים "And the frontplate of the High Priest ...
- 781
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1
answer
246
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A man leaving his wife and children to go to Uman
Another question deals with why people go to Uman (here).
Although, the relevance of Uman on Rosh HaShana is directly relevant to Breslov Hassidim, the practice of going to Uman has extended somewhat ...
- 10k
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47
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Saying Shirat Haberiah (song of creation) in Rosh Hashana
In Masechet Rosh Hashanah 32 B: it is stated that "no poetry is said on Rosh Hashanah and on Yom Kippur". Is it possible to understand from this that it is not acceptable to say the song of ...
- 987
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2
answers
132
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Birthday of the world
Why do we say היום הרת עולם on rosh hashana if the world was created five days before on the 25th of elul?
- 1,017
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47
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What's the source of Gerut Lechumra and what is it
BH
I heard there is a concept called Gerut Lechumra. What does this mean and what are the sources of this in Shulchan Aruch, Rambam and Gemara?
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1
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71
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Do sephardim have different halachas for serving cholent from a blech on shabbos?
I always learned that it's forbidden to, for example, stir cholent while it's still on the blech/hot plate on shabbos, or to serve it straight from the blech/hot plate. Rather, one must remove the pot ...
- 63
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28
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What is the source for the differences of coverings between a Sephardic and Ashkenazik Sefer Torah
Typically an Ashkenazik Sefer Torah (image 1) scroll is covered first by a cloth binding ('gartel') and then a cloth cover. a Sephardic Sefer Torah (image 2) is typically enclosed in a wooden box. Is ...
- 13.5k
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2
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95
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Praying mincha and maariv back to back
Many minyanim nowadays daven mincha very close to sunset and then daven maariv right after. To me it just feels like a way to get maariv out of the way, and also it makes the 2nd Shemoneh Esrei (of ...
- 1,086
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Are there any significant differences between the censored Talmud and the uncensored Talmud? [duplicate]
Are there any significant differences between the censored Talmud and the uncensored Talmud?
And are there tools to study this topic?
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2
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233
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If Hebrew was the target language, what was the source language in any of the Psalm in which “maskil” is mentioned?
If Hebrew was the target language, what was the source language in any of the Psalms in which “maskil” is mentioned?
Rashi on Psalms 88:1 wrote:
משכיל: כל מקום שנאמר משכיל ע"י תורגמן נאמר שהיה ...
- 83
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0
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56
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The Baal Shem Tov: mitzvos as a gift
I've heard in the name of the Baal Shem Tov, that G-d was wondering what to give the Jewish people in order to perfect themselves. The endresult.... mitzvos, all 613 of them.
G-d gave us the Torah and ...
- 6,924
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22
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Idolatrous calendar names [duplicate]
In Ezekiel we find that tammuz is a god of heat.
My question being not how we can name our months after idolatrous Babylonian gods, but what is the difference between Babylonian and Roman gods? That ...
- 1,017
1
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0
answers
44
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The Tolner Rebbe on donkeys and shofars
This article refers to a teaching of the Tolner Rebbe on the Talmudic passage regarding one who mistakes the sound of the shofar for the sound of a donkey:
The Tolner Rebbe asks – which Jew walks by ...
- 2,054
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0
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48
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Why is there no mention of the distinction between teshuva me'ahava and teshuva me'yira in the Rambam's hilchos teshuva?
In all 10 chapters of the Rambam's hilchos teshuva, there is no mention of teshuva me'ahava or teshuv me'yira, why is that?
- 9,548
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113
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Royal convert, still royal?
What is the situation with royal converts, i.e., converts who come from royal blood or are of royal relatives? Are they still royal? Do we have to stand for them as with any royal, do we not have to ...
- 122
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0
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56
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Crossing your fingers
Is it allowed to cross one's fingers as a sign of prayer as is the custom in Christian culture?
This question is based off other questions on this site which seem to allow one to say the phrase.
- 1,017
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55
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Making Havdalah when one didn't have the mizva of shabbat
Does a minor who becomes bar mitzva on a Sunday have to make havdala?
He technically didn't keep shabbat so he has nothing to separate from.
- 1,017