All Questions
42,018
questions
0
votes
2
answers
119
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Significance of the Temple in the Days of the Messiah
Contemplating the 9th of Av aspirations, I understand that the main reason for our yearning for the Days of the Messiah is to solve the inherent condition of human suffering: poverty, sickness, wars, ...
- 27k
3
votes
0
answers
58
views
Why does the Gemara say that Rabbi Zekharya's excessive humility caused the exile?
Gittin 55b states
Rabbi Yoḥanan says: The excessive humility of Rabbi Zekharya ben
Avkolas destroyed our Temple, burned our Sanctuary, and exiled us from
our land.
But that was already decreed to ...
- 2,326
2
votes
1
answer
304
views
What is the source for the teaching, ‘Shame is intelligence, intelligence shame’?
I came across this teaching a while ago - it came from a reputable source. I am quite sure the source was pre-acharonim.
Does anyone know who said it and where?
- 1,490
8
votes
3
answers
606
views
Why is the book of Job permitted to be studied on Tisha B'Av?
According to the Shulchan Aruch Orach Chayim 554:1-3 one is permitted to study the book of Iyov/Job on Tisha b'Av. The book of Iyov does not seem to have any connection to the destruction of the ...
- 14.7k
3
votes
2
answers
190
views
Is the quotation “The true shekinah is man” from the Talmud?
One of the quotes on the wall of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. is, “The true shekinah is man.” I was curious about the origin of that quote, but when I googled it, I found that it was ...
- 320
3
votes
0
answers
31
views
Mufla samuch l'ish (מופלא סמוך לאיש)
In the fifth perek of Nidah (45b), one of the mishnayos discusses the idea of מופלא סמוך לאיש. It's a boy or girl a year before bar or bas mitzvah, and they are considered an adult in exactly one way: ...
- 3,791
2
votes
1
answer
74
views
Free will at the aggregate level
Discussions about free will typically focus on the micro level, examining how an individual can have free choice in a (potentially) deterministic universe.
But does freedom of choice exist at the ...
- 2,326
0
votes
0
answers
47
views
Reading tefilas Amidah vs. Birkas haMazon
What reason makes it preferable to read Birkas haMazon (blessing after meals) from a booklet, but tefilas Amidah with one's eyes closed?
Also what specific reason makes us say Shemoneh Esreh standing, ...
- 2,113
5
votes
0
answers
44
views
Can an orphan be bar mitzvah before he is 13?
In the biography of Rabbi Aryeh Levin, zt'l, "A Tzaddik in Our Time," Raz, Simcha (Feldheim 1976), p. 76, I found a surprising statement: "When a certain orphan boy became bar-mitzvah (...
- 16.1k
2
votes
1
answer
108
views
Circling Har Seir for many days - what is the deeper meaning?
In Parshas Devarim (Devarim 2:1-3), the Torah says that B'nei Yisroel encircled Mount Seir many times, and that G-d eventually said "You have compassed this mountain long enough".
Then we ...
- 11.1k
4
votes
1
answer
70
views
First person in Dev 2:17 forward
In Devarim 2, Moshe recounts certain historical events. Pasuk 17 begins with Moshe retelling what Hashem told him and, therefore, at least initially, the first person is Hashem's voice (" כִּ֣י ...
- 38.5k
3
votes
1
answer
243
views
What was R' Chanina's Technique to Revive R' Yochanan?
The Talmud in Brachot 5b states:
רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן חֲלַשׁ. עָל לְגַבֵּיהּ רַבִּי חֲנִינָא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: חֲבִיבִין עָלֶיךָ יִסּוּרִין? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: לֹא הֵן וְלֹא שְׂכָרָן. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הַב לִי יְדָךְ. ...
- 984
2
votes
1
answer
80
views
Tzedaka if all Maaser was already given
Someone who already gave all his maaser money to Tzedakah, can he refrain from giving more money to poor people who ask him for donations?
- 3,698
1
vote
1
answer
114
views
Tefilin on Tisha Be'Av according the Chida
What is the minhag for tefillin on Tisha Be'Av according to the Chida?
At Shacharit or only at Mincha?
- 203
1
vote
1
answer
57
views
What happened to the keilim after the destruction of First Beis Hamikdash?
Inspired by this question (about the vessels of the Second Temple): I am looking for sources that discuss what happened to the vessels of the Tabernacle/First Temple.
We know from the Talmud (Horiyus ...
- 10.7k
0
votes
1
answer
93
views
Would someone who is a Hebrew but not from the Tribe of Judah be considered a Jew? [closed]
For example, Dan the patriarch is not related to Judah. Is he still a Jew? Technically he would be like a Hebrew but was born in Egypt before the giving of the Torah. Can he still be considered a Jew ...
- 223
0
votes
1
answer
73
views
Am I allowed to convert to Judaism [duplicate]
I am wishing to convert and be jewish. I have done alot of praying and research and feel like this could be the best choice for me. But I'm not sure how to go about it
1
vote
1
answer
247
views
Source for the story of Insemination in pool
I heard there’s a case in the Gemara that a woman in a pool got pregnant from a man in the pool who let שכבת זרע out into the water (with no direct contact though). Anyone have the source?
- 3,067
0
votes
0
answers
49
views
Were animal sin offerings common in Torah times?
I guess my question is concerns having to do with the cost of the animals. Of course I’m assuming there were substitutes such as far less expensive offerings.
- 129
4
votes
1
answer
84
views
Does plant life have value?
Is there anything wrong with destroying plant life for no reason? Does plant life hold any value according to Judaism?
- 617
1
vote
1
answer
38
views
Punishment for hiring false witnesses
We read in Bava Kamma 55b:
It is taught that Rabbi Yehoshua said: [One] is exempt from liability according to human laws but liable according to the laws of Heaven [if he] hires false witnesses to ...
- 22.9k
2
votes
0
answers
46
views
How to reconcile the verse in Yeshaya 49:14 to the beginning of Shaar HaEmunah
BH
It says in Yishaya 49:14:
וַתֹּ֥אמֶר צִיּ֖וֹן עֲזָבַ֣נִי יְהֹוָ֑ה וַאדֹנָ֖י שְׁכֵחָֽנִי
whereas in Ner Mitzvah V'Torah Or (Shaar HaEmunah) it says:
וה' שכחני
Why does R. Dov-Ber Schneuri say ...
- 1,467
-1
votes
1
answer
48
views
What is the law on one who’s trying to keep a Mitzvah but does so imperfectly
If someone for example is trying to keep Shabbat, but does it imperfectly in ignorance, is he or she liable?
My understanding is there must be a warning. I’ve heard if they were to take this person to ...
- 129
2
votes
0
answers
39
views
Name of Sefer On Torah Temima
I was told about a sefer that was written about the Torah Temima I believe it was written by a Rabbi in Los Angeles during the lifetime of the author of the Torah Temima. The, I believe, shows how ...
- 3,698
1
vote
2
answers
87
views
Sources for Adam being the father of mankind
Adam is the father of all humanity. He was literally the first father, and the measure of how good a father he was has repurcussions for literally every human on earth.
Looking for any sources that ...
- 12.3k
1
vote
0
answers
56
views
Spouses dancing - sources
Looking for literally any statements or discussion from Chazal regarding spouses dancing together, privately.
- 12.3k
2
votes
0
answers
34
views
Resources to learn Germanic (Yekke) Haftarah trope
What are some useful resources to learn Germanic (Yekke) Haftarah trope?
0
votes
1
answer
57
views
What is the correct Avodat Hashem if you are locked in a jail cell extensively?
It is assur to say or think about Hashems name in a place that has a Bathroom. Here I am talking about a small jail cell that has a bathroom.
It seems unfair to this kind of person because they cannot ...
user15294
2
votes
0
answers
27
views
Midrash about yetzer hara
I heard a midrash which describes yetzer hara, the evil inclination, as acting through his 3 generals: one pulls the person's right ear, one pulls the person's right thumb, and one pulls the person's ...
- 2,113
1
vote
0
answers
28
views
Becoming a cohen and purification of metzorah
What is the connection of the procedure described in the inauguration of cohanim to that of the purification of metzorah? Both have oil and blood applied at the same three places: right ear, right ...
- 2,113
2
votes
1
answer
130
views
Jew threatening another Jew with violence
If a Jew threatens a fellow Jew with physical violence, does that make him a bona fide rasha (wicked person)? (e.g. Moshe and Dasan and Aviram, see Rashi Ex. 2:13 and Sanh. 58b) Even in today's day ...
- 12.3k
1
vote
0
answers
33
views
Looking for sources on מגידות
I am looking for sources which describe the phenomena of מגידות.
I mean it in the sense of the experiences recorded in Maggid Mesharim, attributed to R. Yosef Karo.
So far I have:
The book "The ...
user15294
4
votes
0
answers
58
views
Tips on whitening a Talit [closed]
Talits get yellow over time. Source - go to any shul and look at the old Talits, or if you've had yours for 5-10 years, look at yours and compare to brand new. Also note the stains.
Dry cleaners never ...
- 12.3k
5
votes
2
answers
235
views
Vilna Gaon's commentary on מחצית השקל
I read somewhere the following:
The verse says, "Each Jew was commanded to give מחצית השקל,
half-shekel, for the Mishkan to achieve atonement (Exodus 30:15).
צ stands in the center of the word ...
0
votes
0
answers
85
views
Kiddush levana vs women [duplicate]
There seems to be a connection between the first sin related to Chava and Kiddush Levana. Perhaps this comnection is the reason Ashkenazi women avoid saying Kiddush Levana. I appreciate anything to ...
- 129
0
votes
0
answers
65
views
Learning during the Leader's Repetition of the Amidah - sources that permit it? [duplicate]
The sources are clear that one should not learn Torah during the Leader's Repetition of the Amidah.
See Halichipedia
It is improper to learn Torah or say other parts of davening during
Chazarat ...
- 48.3k
1
vote
1
answer
54
views
Source for Secret Signs that Yaakov gave Rachel [closed]
I heard some time ago that Kaf haChaim or some other author suggests that the secret signs that Yaakov gave Rachel were the places of the body, where later the kohanim had oil and blood applied during ...
- 2,113
1
vote
2
answers
79
views
What does it mean col Minei gehinom sholtim bo
BH
Hi, in Igerret HaRamban the Ramban quotes Razal (Nedarim 22a) and says:
כל הכועס כל מיני גיהנם שולטין בו
Anyone who gets angry, all kinds of Gehenna rule over him
What does this mean? Isn’t ...
- 1,467
2
votes
0
answers
32
views
Knots or Fringes on bottom of Tallis Katan [duplicate]
I have noticed that on some pairs of tzitzis you see these "poofs" at the bottom of the beged, what significance is there? Is it a halachic thing or a practical thing?
I've been looking ...
- 21
0
votes
1
answer
119
views
Patach read as kholam!
This is a grammatical/ pronunciation question that I'd appreciate to get help with.
Sometimes patach is read as kholam. Example: writen as vayashav read as vayashouv[Bereshit 37,29]. Can anyone ...
- 129
1
vote
1
answer
250
views
Rebbeim wearing wedding rings
Is there any reason why Rebbeim typically don't wear wedding rings? I have never seen any Rav wearing one and was wondering if there are any specific reasons for that. Are there any examples of famous ...
- 468
0
votes
1
answer
37
views
Is the Book Shaar HaYichud a continuation of Shaar HaEmunah By the Mittler Rebbe?
BH
Hi in the Mittler Rebbes book translation on Sefaria translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel [1] it says that "it is through the delving of the concentration that one can come to the depth of the ...
- 1,467
1
vote
0
answers
27
views
Getting rid of pride according to chassidic masters [closed]
BH
Hi, in the book The Great Magid pg 88 [1] it says: The succession to the seat of the Baal Shem Tov posed a problem. The master had not designated a successor in his will.
Each of the disciples had ...
- 1,467
1
vote
1
answer
70
views
Is there a list of all the sources Rav Moshe Ben Maimon takes his halachot from in the Yad Chazakah (Mishneh Torah)? [duplicate]
I am learning the Yad Chazakah (also known as the Mishneh Torah). I want to study the sources each halakha is taken from and attempt to get in the mind of Rav Moshe Ben Maimon and see if I can ...
- 511
1
vote
0
answers
57
views
Responsibility before commandments?
The Midrash has Moses make the argument that God should not punish the Israelites for the Golden Calf, because He never told them not to engage in idolatry:
[Moses] said in front of [God]: Master of ...
- 22.9k
1
vote
0
answers
47
views
Eating One's Ancestors: The Extent of the Belief in Gilgul in the Form of Flora and Fauna
Given that reincarnation in the form of animals or plants has a precedent in Jewish thought see here citing from the Sefer Hagilgulim. In addtion, in the Sefer Shemiras Halashon, there are quite a few ...
- 71
1
vote
0
answers
35
views
Is there an English translation of Rambam's perush hamishnah?
I am aware of individual masechtos that have been rendered into English however I am unaware of any systematic translation effort of Maimonides' entire commentary on the mishnah.
Does it exist?
- 3,210
2
votes
0
answers
140
views
Lashon Hara in the modern day, when it can be immediately proven by public information
If someone has done something that makes them look bad, and there is proof - something very easy in the modern day, such as a video, or a message they wrote on social media - what is the halacha of ...
- 12.3k
2
votes
1
answer
85
views
Joint Bavli and Yerushalmi Gemara edition
Is there a Talmud book that has both of the Yerushalmi and Bavli side by side commenting on any given Mishnah? I think this would greatly elucidate the meaning of a Mishnah, which, afterall, is the ...
- 187
6
votes
1
answer
2k
views
What is the translation of the word "ibn" that some Rabbis have in their name?
For example R. Chisdai ibn Shaprut, his full name is R Chisdai ben Yitzchak ibn Shaprut. So that "ibn" cant be translated as "son of".
- 709