All Questions
39,731
questions
1
vote
0
answers
34
views
Bride wearing a veil during wedding in Halacho [duplicate]
I am curious about the historical origins of brides wearing veils in Halacho. Additionally, I am interested in the earliest documented sources of this custom; and, if available, any notable inquiries ...
- 97
0
votes
0
answers
33
views
How long must you benefit from shabbos candles [duplicate]
For example if a woman lights candles and wants to go somewhere. How long should she sit in the glow of the candles and benefit from them to be considered benefiting for Oneg shabbos. The ideal is to ...
- 41
2
votes
0
answers
75
views
Does the Tosafot HaRosh cover all the Babylonian Talmud?
As how the title states, does the Tosafot HaRosh cover all of the tractates of the Talmud. If it doesn't then which tractates does it cover?
- 21
2
votes
2
answers
292
views
Can kashrus be judged by ingredients lists?
I was googling hechsherim and ended up on oheltorah.com. It seems to contain a forum of people posting ingredient lists for products and admins judging whether or not the given product was kosher, for ...
- 647
1
vote
0
answers
38
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Segula for marriage: saying Shir Hashirim 40 nights in a row?
When I was in yeshiva, someone told me of a segula for finding one's zivug is to say Shir Hashirim 40 nights in a row, at chatzot.
Does anyone know of any mention of this segula anywhere?
- 7,241
1
vote
0
answers
71
views
What are verses that clearly state that tribal lineage comes from the father? [duplicate]
I am trying to find verses in Tanakh that state that the tribal lineage comes from the father.
- 241
0
votes
1
answer
99
views
What happened to the website https://mechon-mamre.org/? [closed]
I was regularly in contact with friends on this website, but I realized that their email [email protected] no longer works. Do you know what happened?
- 2,536
1
vote
1
answer
59
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Question on the Grammar in Genesis 27:15 and Exodus 12:16
I am curious regarding the phrase "bigdei Esav, b’nah hagadol, hachamudos" (Genesis (Toldot) Chapter 27, Verse 15). Beged is masculine, referring to clothing, and chamudos, seemingly related ...
- 97
1
vote
1
answer
100
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Relationships and Intimacy [closed]
A girl (21) recently confessed her love for me, and she’s a nice girl, but she’s not a virgin. I approach all possible romantic relationships very seriously with the intent of marriage, and I don’t ...
- 41
0
votes
1
answer
91
views
Pronunciation of the 3rd Shabbat meal
Are there any sources, sefarim, or rabbis throughout the ages discussing the name for the third Shabbat meal and the proper way to refer to it? I've heard variations like Seuda Shelisheet, Shalosh Se'...
- 97
0
votes
1
answer
99
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What is the term for esoteric exegesis (of the Jewish texts) in Hebrew?
Is there like a nice one-word term to use when describing any estoeric reading/exegesis of any Jewish text, but specifically the Tanakh and the Oral Torah?
I think that there should be at least some ...
- 816
2
votes
0
answers
60
views
Rambam midrash book
I always hear Rav Breitowitz say in his shiurim that the Rambam told us he was gonna write a book about midrashim and their rational explanations, but that he never got around to doing so. Anyone know ...
- 1,812
-3
votes
1
answer
106
views
Is the pillar that Jacob stood upright, and poured ablations on in Genesis 28:22 still extant? IE: Can I go visit it?
Is the pillar that Jacob stood upright, and poured ablations on in Genesis 28:22 still extant? IE: Can I go visit it?
Would it have been small, like one of Mike Lindell's "My Pillows" or ...
- 1,125
3
votes
1
answer
69
views
Does one act as an Onen if he can't bury his dead for the foreseeable future?
This may be a duplicate, but if so I didn't see the original.
Recently, unfortunately, this question has become very realistic: If there is someone who knows a close relative is dead but won't be able ...
- 3,775
0
votes
0
answers
46
views
Examples of practical hishtadlus in Torah/Nevi'im
What examples are there of practical hishtadlus in Torah and Nevi'im? Two come to my mind immediately - Yaakov Avinu splitting the camp 3 ways before meeting Esav, and Moshe Rabbeinu fleeing ...
- 2,296
0
votes
1
answer
69
views
What does it mean you are where you think you are
BH
I heard and correct me if I’m wrong, that the Baal Shem Tov said that you are where you think you are so if you're thinking about inyanim of Atzilut you there, even though - correct me if I’m wrong ...
- 755
0
votes
0
answers
64
views
Is Genesis 28:20-22 intended as a description of Jacob's conversion/"becoming a true Jew"?
Is Genesis 28:20-22 intended as a description of Jacob's conversion/"becoming a true Jew"? If not, what is being described?
[Gen 28:20-22 NASB95] [20] Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "...
- 1,125
2
votes
0
answers
160
views
Avraham going down to Mitzrayim: contradiction between the Satmar Rav and Noam Elimelech
The Noam Elimelech teaches us that Avraham Avinu went down to Mitzrayim to "influence" the wicked in his generation. In order to do this, a tzaddik sometimes needs to "descend to a ...
- 8,864
3
votes
1
answer
54
views
Looking for examples in Tanach where a list of people changes order
For example Noach and family - entering and exiting the teiva, the listing is different after, from which we learn that marital relations were temporarily forbidden while on the teiva.
Can you share ...
- 31
3
votes
0
answers
70
views
How does it happen that there are fasts on Sundays?
It is mentioned in Masechet Ta'anit 4 3 that people should not fast on Sunday "ולא באחד בשבת כדי שלא יצאו ממנוחה ועונג ליגיעה ותענית וימותו". ("And not on one of the Sabbaths so that ...
- 1,209
1
vote
1
answer
66
views
Does the line in Bereishith/Genesis "God saw that the light was good." imply that he didn't know the nature of his creation until it was created?
At the very beginning of Bereishith/Genesis there is a phrasing of the creation of light which I find to be slightly confusing.
It's stated that God created light. The wording then seems to indicate ...
- 983
3
votes
0
answers
60
views
Yiddish in chassidish versus in yeshivish culture [closed]
If I understand correctly, both Litvaks and Chassidic people emphasized speaking Yiddish at home before WW2. What changed?
In today's age, why is Yiddish the primary language for Chassidim and not for ...
- 97
2
votes
3
answers
935
views
When is it acceptable to be impolite or rude
Is it ever ok to be impolite or rude. Say an employee is not doing their job or won’t help you when you paid for a service.
- 941
3
votes
0
answers
60
views
Nedarim to d’rabbanan prohibitions
If one makes a Neder to do something that is prohibited D’rabbanan, and knows that it is prohibited D’rabbanan, is it considered a Neder in vain, or is one nonetheless still considered obligated to do ...
- 914
0
votes
1
answer
62
views
Book recommendation for Jewish-Buddhist dialogue and Jewish reactions to Buddhist doctrines [closed]
I'm looking for some book recommendations for how Jews view various Buddhist teachings and doctrines and engage in Jewish-Buddhist dialogues.
Maybe something similar to what I'm looking for is "...
- 816
8
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Bat mitzvah - I'm female aged 50. Never been taught or had a bat mitzvah
Are any immersion courses available for someone that never had a bat mitzvah...and at age 50 is this feasible?
- 81
3
votes
0
answers
54
views
When does one need to be careful not to incite the Satan?
The Gemara (Berachos 19a) learns out from Yeshayah 1:9-2:1, that one should not say that something bad could have happened to him, so as not to incite the Satan.
The question is: doesn’t David ...
- 51
1
vote
1
answer
161
views
Rabbi Yaron Reuven - Severe torture in gehinnom
I was out to eat the other day and in the restaurant, where one can take more sauces, there was a pile of dvd'd that people can take for free with the Tikkun Habrit movie on it. I ended up watching ...
- 329
3
votes
0
answers
104
views
Earning money on Shabbat for permitted behavior?
If somebody gets a Heter from a rabbi or posek to do something on Shabbat that is normally forbidden for pikuach nefesh (such as being a police officer, firefighter, etc.) are they allowed to earn ...
- 914
4
votes
1
answer
128
views
Malachim climbing ladders
When Yaakov Avinu has the dream of the malachim climbing the ladder,
Why do malachim need a ladder? Can't they fly or have some other form of supernatural transportation?
I thought that the reason ...
- 2,296
2
votes
1
answer
256
views
Are we supposed to live in the matrix?
Rabbeinu Bachaya, while discussing why Hashem requires us to work so hard for our livelihood and in our service of Him says in Shaar Habitachon ch. 4:
והיה מחמלת הבורא יתעלה על האדם שהטרידו בעניני ...
- 7,241
1
vote
3
answers
278
views
Why didn't the Jews of Persia leave after Haman's decree?
After Haman's genocidal edict was sent out to all the people of the Persian kingdom why was there not a mass exodus of Jews to parts of the world not under the dominion of Achashveirosh and his law?
- 13.6k
3
votes
0
answers
86
views
(how) does מיגו still work?
A מיגו is a logical argument used multiple times throughout the Rishonim and Achronim (for example, the Sha"Ch has a very long discussion about it here: https://www.sefaria.org.il/...
- 3,775
2
votes
3
answers
488
views
How does one reconcile the fact that Avraham Avinu proselytized to non-Jews and yet Judaism is not a proselytizing religion?
I've read that Avraham Avinu proselytized to anyone he encountered, encouraging them to acknowledge HaShem as the Master of the Universe and express gratitude to Him. Yet, it is generally understood ...
- 347
1
vote
1
answer
42
views
Does this pasuk imply G-d will leave us?
Bereshit 28:15 has G-d telling Jacob that He will not forsake him until He fulfills what He promised to Abraham. Doesn’t this seem to imply G-d will leave us after that? Do any commentators say ...
- 1,812
2
votes
1
answer
49
views
הפה שאסר הוא הפה שהתיר
On Bava Metzia 3a, it talks about a concept that if a plaintiff claims Bob owes him 100 and Bob says no I don’t, nothing is done, but if Bob admits and says “I only only you 50, not 100,” (or if ...
- 1,812
1
vote
0
answers
55
views
Why are they called Chosson/kalla?
Why are newlyweds referred to as "Chosson" and "kallah" (The Torah already refers to them this way)? the definition Chosson/kalla is Son-in-law/daughter in-law. Wouldnt it seem ...
- 29
0
votes
0
answers
102
views
How is it that Yaakov Avinu was permitted to marry Zilpah, because she was the sister of Bilhah and Leah already had 4 sons?
How is it that Yaakov Avinu was permitted to marry Zilpah, because she was the sister of Bilhah and Leah already had 4 sons?
According to Bereishit Rabbah 74:13 Bilhah and Zilpah were also daughters ...
- 99
2
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Can Jewish owned animals have tattoos?
If a Jew owns an animal, are they permitted to give that animal a tattoo? I would imagine this is permitted, but are there any opinions it is not allowed on the principle that a Jew shouldn’t do ...
- 914
2
votes
0
answers
62
views
רִבּוֹן כָּל הָעוֹלָמִים אֲדוֹן כָּל הַנְּשָׁמוֹת אֲדוֹן הַשָּׁלוֹם - source of this Shabbat prayer
Here is its entry in the open siddur project.
The open siddur project demonstrates that the claim that this was composed by Rabbi Joseph of Rashkow, Posen can't be true as it is found in the siddur ...
- 7,241
2
votes
2
answers
113
views
Locating this Rokeach on sefer Devarim
I have been told that the Rokeach, in his introduction to sefer Devarim, writes that
מספר משנה תורה - MiSefer Mishneh Torah shares the same gematria (1386) as סמוכים לעד לעולם עשויים באמת ויושר - They ...
- 8,864
2
votes
0
answers
39
views
Rivkah not giving water to the men traveling with Eliezer?
In Parshat Chayei Sarah, we all are familiar with the episode of Rivkah imenu offering water to Eliezer first then to the camels.
However, the Torah doesn't record Rivkah giving water to the men ...
- 1,048
1
vote
2
answers
177
views
Acoustic gramophone on Shabbat
Is it permitted to play an acoustic Gramophone on Shabbat? An acoustic gramophone is a non electric device that plays disc records by having them rotate under a point.
- 914
1
vote
1
answer
92
views
Eisav Harasha having good kibbud av vaem?
Is there a way to make sense of Eisav Harasha knowing he did 5 big aveiros in one day (including murder) and wanting to kill his brother Yackov, and also exhibiting very good kibbud av vaem? How do ...
- 599
1
vote
0
answers
67
views
Do I fulfill the Haftorah if I use the back of a Chumash to lein it? [duplicate]
Let's say I have a Chumash that has Haftarot at the back of the book. Am I yotze reading the Haftorah if I read from that?
- 601
0
votes
0
answers
48
views
Rosh Chodesh - importance in history?
In the Wikipedia article on Rosh Chodesh it says that historically it had much more importance, why did it change? Do Rabbinic sources or commentators attest to this? Is there evidence during the ...
- 914
2
votes
0
answers
79
views
Kosher flat mates. Is it a thing? [closed]
I am certain that this is very case by case and by different locations, but I am curious if it is "commonplace" to have a roommate in the frum world. I am essentially a baal teshuvah with ...
- 61
0
votes
0
answers
59
views
Can you link current events and the parsha
So I saw this post circling online. What exactly would we say about this? Is it just something “cute”, or is it like a valid method of searching for connections between current events and the parsha? ...
- 1,812
1
vote
2
answers
162
views
Star of David with cross inside [duplicate]
I will be attending a funeral of my sister in law (Christian) and brother in law (Jewish). I would like to wear a necklace with Star of David with a cross inside to the service.
Am I risking ...
user34007
5
votes
0
answers
75
views
Davening for multiple things
In Taanis 8b,
בִּימֵי רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָנִי הֲוָה כַּפְנָא וּמוֹתָנָא,
אָמְרִי: הֵיכִי נַעֲבֵיד? נִיבְעֵי רַחֲמֵי אַתַּרְתֵּי — לָא אֶפְשָׁר
In the days of Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani there ...
- 2,296