All Questions
36,072
questions
2
votes
2
answers
48
views
Sefarim on proper speech?
Besides for the classic and wonderful Sefer Shemiras HaLashon by the Chofetz Chaim, are there other Sefarim (English or Hebrew) that discuss mussar/hashkafic/positive aspects of proper speech?
I am ...
0
votes
1
answer
90
views
Are there positive meanings in Torah about horses that relate to Jews? Also dogs?
Sorry if this is basic but if I learned it I forgot it. I think what I'm trying to remember was about Joseph the Righteous, but I will ask more broadly, are there any positive affiliations of Jews in ...
3
votes
2
answers
99
views
Online Yeshivot for Baalei Teshuva
Does anyone have recommendations for a friend who is looking for an online Baal Teshuva focused Yeshiva?
Note: Ideally they would like it to be Chabad focused and also include learning Hebrew (they ...
1
vote
1
answer
60
views
Is the Law of Attraction/Law of Assumption permitted to be used (Is it Kishuf if it works or any other issur)?
The law of attraction is "a belief that the world does not depend on what is there, but moreso the assumptions you form in your mind while looking at it. So your assumptions create your reality. ...
0
votes
0
answers
24
views
During the actual maakot, did the Jews work? Around what makko, did the slave labor stop?
While the maakot were happening, were the Jews required to keep working? At what point did the working stop all together?
0
votes
2
answers
63
views
Rabbinical testing in Volozhin
I heard once (can't remember where) that in Volozhin, the students preferred to be tested for the rabbinate by Reb Chaim of Brisk and not the Netziv, because the Netziv didn't give very hard tests. In ...
3
votes
1
answer
86
views
Why the need for "haste" at the original Passover, if leaving the house was forbidden before morning?
Exodus 12
English
Complete Jewish Bible
10
And you shall not leave over any of it until morning, and whatever is left over of it until morning, you shall burn in fire.
יוְלֹֽא־תוֹתִ֥ירוּ מִמֶּנּוּ ...
0
votes
0
answers
77
views
What would happen if the Jewish people became completely composed of non ethnic Jews
Undoubtedly, Judaism- though not proselytizing our beliefs - does accept Converts and Jews are commanded to love and respect the convert. What would happen if the Jewish people, over time, became ...
3
votes
0
answers
18
views
Ownership of chometz by public entity
If a non profit organization owns chometz do they need to sell it/get rid of it for pesach? I would think not being that legally there is no owner of the organization (no body making a profit, owning ...
1
vote
2
answers
120
views
Source of Chasal Sidur Pesach?
I have read that this piyut was intended to be recited on Shabbat Hagadol. Where does it first appear? Who wrote it?
3
votes
0
answers
46
views
Are gentiles accepted as witnesses by a Beis Din in civil law arbitrations?
I assume a gentile is not kosher to give eidus in general, (women, minors etc excluded - kal vekhomer gentiles..) although I may be mistaken.
But in a civil case brought before a beis din for ...
1
vote
1
answer
74
views
Banging by Zeresh in the Megillah
In The Monsey Mevaser (page 100), a six-year-old child child asked the following:
We have the custom to bang when we hear Haman's name in the Megillah. Why don’t bang the two times his evil wife ...
2
votes
2
answers
99
views
If you use horseradish for maror, must it be red (or purple)?
I am somewhat familiar with the arguments about horseradish vs lettuce (or other stalks that leak white fluid) for maror. Disregarding that, assuming you follow the tradition allowing horseradish as ...
3
votes
3
answers
230
views
Moshiach bearing the sickness of B'nei Yisrael
The Gemara describes Moshiach as someone who bore the sickness of B'nei Yisrael and is compared to a metzora; see Ben Yehoyada and Chidushei Agadot, see also:Sanhedrin 98b
The Gemara there quotes a ...
1
vote
0
answers
31
views
What happened to a tzarua when Bnei Yisrael moved?
Bamidbar 12:15 tells us that Bnei Yisrael waited for Miriam when she got tzaraat, which seems to be an anomaly:
וַתִּסָּגֵ֥ר מִרְיָ֛ם מִח֥וּץ לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֑ים וְהָעָם֙ לֹ֣א נָסַ֔ע עַד־...
0
votes
0
answers
34
views
What is the relationship between Ezra's scroll and the Aleppo/Leningrad codeces?
I'm a little bit confused. If Ezra re-established a singular text to the Torah, how is it that we have the Aleppo Codex and the Leningrad Codex and three different scribal traditions for Ashkenaz, ...
0
votes
2
answers
67
views
Chad Gadya Protects Us From Jealous Angels?
Someone told me in the name of Rav Ephraim Wachsman that after the angels see how much pleasure our Pesach Sedarim give Hashem, they become jealous, which creates an element of danger for Klal Yisroel....
5
votes
1
answer
154
views
Sefer Aftarta: does it need to contain them all?
In Gittin 60a, the Talmud gives permission to write a sefer aftarta, a scroll containing just the haftarot for the year (and not full sifrei nakh). The reason given is עת לעשות לה׳ הפרו תורתך.
...
1
vote
0
answers
39
views
Reaquiring chametz
Mishna Berura on Shulchan Aruch Siman 434 Seif 2
מיד בלילה יבטלנו - הטעם הוא דאע"ג דמדאורייתא בבדיקה לבד סגי דמן התורה
סגי באחד מהן או בביעור או בביטול דאפילו אם ישאר שם חמץ בבית אינו עובר
עליו ...
1
vote
2
answers
98
views
Why in the braisa of Pinches ben Yair is piety or humility called "greater than" the other levels that are listed?
In the braisa of Pinchas ben Yair it goes through a number of levels and ends with techiyas hamesim, then says חסידות גדולה מכולן שנאמר (תהלים פט, כ) אז דברת בחזון לחסידיך, and then another opinion ...
2
votes
0
answers
41
views
Taz on Sefer Aftarta: why mention that printing is writing?
On the topic of a sefer aftarta (a scroll containing the haftarot of the year), the Taz writes as follows (OḤ 284:2, translation mine):
א"כ אפי' אם יהיו נכתבים אין להם דין ספר אלא משום עת לעשות ...
1
vote
0
answers
36
views
Property Inspections on Shabbos
Hypothetically, if a Jew wanted to sell his home. Would the real estate agent be able to organise property inspections on Saturday?
Notes: The Jew would not be contacted during Shabbos. The Jew would ...
0
votes
0
answers
34
views
Copyright on Mishna/Gemara [duplicate]
Is there a US copyright on the Mishnah or the Gemara?
Am I allowed to type out the hebrew part of the Mishnah using another Mishna that I bought from Amazon; and then later print and sell my copy?
I ...
2
votes
2
answers
509
views
Six verses with the same ending, except one difference
There's an unusual phenomenon in parshas Metzora, where there are six verses with the exact same second half (after the אתנחתא). They are Leviticus 15:5-8,10,11. The six are also together, with four ...
3
votes
2
answers
133
views
What are the best books to read to get familiar with Jewish philosophy?
I'm looking to spend about 3 months learning Jewish philosophy pretty intensely. I'm looking for recommendations on what are the best books to read, which ones may be too complex, and how I should ...
1
vote
1
answer
101
views
Seventy-two Years of Chevlei Mashiach
Has anyone heard that the birth pangs of Mashiach will last seventy-two years?
2
votes
2
answers
102
views
Is it true that after gets are given they are burned/destroyed?
I've heard this from several people, but could not find a source.
3
votes
0
answers
32
views
Who was Rav Yonah the grandson of Rabbeinu Yonah and Ramban?
There is a fascinating piece brought in the Shu"t HaRashbash (Rav Shlomo ben Shimon Duran) in siman 291 (although written clearly here) where it relates the following story:
Rabbeinu Yonah’s ...
0
votes
3
answers
95
views
Which Chassidim only wear a Bekishe/Kopote on Shabbos/Yom Tov
I have noticed some Chassidim only wear a Bekishe/Kopote on Shabbos/Yom Tov.
These Chassidim also wear a round hat not a Trilby/Fedora. The hat seems softer in material than a Samet.
Does anyone know ...
1
vote
0
answers
47
views
Should one volunteer to be shliach tzibbur if no one else has gone up?
I am aware that Poskim have mentioned it’s appropriate to at first turn down the offer to lead the Tefillah. However, if time for Minyan has started and no one has gone up to lead, is it proper or ...
1
vote
1
answer
82
views
Eisav Receiving Mechila/Kapara for Sins for a Halachikly Invalid Wedding?
Megilla 17a says Nevaiot was הקדישהּ to Eisav. The Talmud commentary called Siftei Chachamim, by Rav Avraham Abbah Herzl (20th century), suggests that Eisav’s wedding to Machalat wasn’t halachikly ...
2
votes
1
answer
38
views
Why did the Chachamim cite Pirkei Avot 2:9 and not 4:1 in the dialogue with Alexander?
In Pirkei Avot, Ben Zoma teaches us in Pirkei Avot 4:1 this oft-cited maxim,
בֶּן זוֹמָא אוֹמֵר, אֵיזֶהוּ חָכָם, הַלּוֹמֵד מִכָּל אָדָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים קיט) מִכָּל מְלַמְּדַי הִשְׂכַּלְתִּי כִּי ...
1
vote
0
answers
41
views
Finding one's neighbour / fellow
Shalom.
I am a bit perplexed by the commandment to love one's neighbour / fellow as oneself. It is not immediately obvious to me who my neighbour / fellow is.
I am not addressing the question of ...
2
votes
2
answers
226
views
Masechta Kiddushin: Teaching your son a craft/trade - apparent contradiction?
Do any mefarshim make the following observation?
The gemara in Kiddushin 29a famously says:
תְּנֵינָא לְהָא דְּתָנוּ רַבָּנַן הָאָב חַיָּיב בִּבְנוֹ לְמוּלוֹ וְלִפְדוֹתוֹ וּלְלַמְּדוֹ תּוֹרָה ...
1
vote
1
answer
68
views
Why Suspend the Kohen’s Checking of a Chatan with Tzara’at During Sheva Brachot If Becoming a Chatan Forgives Sin?
Rashi dibbur hamatchil וביום on Vayikra 13:14 says the Torah mentions the apparently superfluous word וביום to teach us that there are times when one (a kohen) doesn’t see and inspect the negah found ...
0
votes
0
answers
43
views
What was the schedule of a Passover meal during ancient/Biblical times?
When the Passover was celebrated during ancient/Biblical times, do we know what the schedule of that meal would look like?
Here is what I understand so far and would like some more information/...
0
votes
1
answer
122
views
Are there any midrashim that state Shechem and Dinah were in love or that it was consensual?
It is written in Bereshit that Shechem "defiled" Dinah, and all opinions I've learned agree that it was rape, but are there any that dissent? I wonder if "defiled" could also apply ...
3
votes
0
answers
47
views
The qualifiers given by the Meiri
Following this post, quoting several qualifierss given by the Meiri to the Rabanim whose opinions he reports, I am interested to know if we have an exhaustive list, because some of are not reported in ...
0
votes
0
answers
50
views
Is it forbidden for an unmarried Jewish man to sleep with an unmarried woman? [duplicate]
Assume that it’s done completely in private and nobody else is made aware.
If yes, where does it come from?
It reminds me of what Rab Ilai said (not sure, can’t remember exactly) that if one can’t ...
3
votes
1
answer
138
views
Original Arabic text of Isaac Alfasi in last 3 responsum of Menahem Azariah da Fano
In Shut Harama Mipano (see opening page of book), the final three responsum are from the Rif, and explain three laws in tractate Kesubos. He wrote them in Arabic, and the Rama got a reputable ...
5
votes
0
answers
47
views
How does this verse show that Vespasian will be emperor?
In the famous story about the meeting between Rabban Yochanan Ben Zakai and Vespasian, RYb"Z brings an asmachta from a verse to show that Vespasian will become emperor. The verse is:
"And ...
0
votes
0
answers
89
views
Can intercourse mean marriage even without any actual marriage?
If two people have intercourse, can it sometimes be considered that they are now married on some level, or in any sense? I don't remember the sources, but there is a concept that a man gives a part of ...
1
vote
1
answer
38
views
Why did Elisha keep Geichazi as an assistant?
Although Geichazi seemingly has no share in Olam Haba (Sanhedrin 105a), he was a long-standing servant of the Navi Elisha. Since Elisha likely knew Geichazi's character flaws, why would the Navi keep ...
0
votes
0
answers
134
views
If the Torah tells us 36 times to love the stranger where did the sephardic minhag of not marrying geirim come from?
To my understanding, the Syrian Jewish community of New York adheres to an "Edict" forbidding marriage to a convert. If the Torah tells us 36 times to love the convert where did this ...
1
vote
1
answer
60
views
Is the consumption of bone marrow forbidden?
Is eating bone marrow the same as eating blood? Do any sources address this issue? Though not the only source I'm interested in, I'd prefer references to the Tanakh, if possible.
0
votes
1
answer
54
views
Difference Between Redemption and Messiah Coming
The Gemara says בְּנִיסָן נִגְאֲלוּ בְּנִיסָן עֲתִידִין לִיגָּאֵל, in Nisan the Jewish people were redeemed from Egypt; and in Nisan in the future the Jewish people will be redeemed in the final ...
1
vote
2
answers
98
views
Is it sinful to learn Torah and apply learnings to one’s business and worldly matters instead of for hasidut/holiness?
I’m learning Messilat Yesharim and found that, at least on a pshat level, it can be understood as a self-help book for achieving one’s goals regardless if those goals align with Ramchal’s profound ...
0
votes
0
answers
101
views
Jewishness of person based on religiousness of last four generations of the person’s most recent Jewish ancestors
This news article indicates that when the last four generations of a person’s most recent Jewish ancestors were not religiously observant, that person needs to undergo Orthodox conversion le’chumra (...
2
votes
0
answers
72
views
Is טיית a language?
Rav Hai Ga'on's commentary to Keilim 14:3 reads:
הקנטר של בנאי. פי' כמין מטה ושבט של ברזל שהוא לבנאים לחתור בו הכותל ושמו בטיית בורסין
What do the last three words mean? I assume it's a reference to ...
2
votes
1
answer
112
views
Number of times Rosh, Rif, Rambam are quoted in Shulchan Aruch
It is known that the author of the Beis Yosef and Shulchan Aruch based his codes on the rulings of the Rosh, Rif and Rambam, and ruled according to the majority of the three. I was wondering to what ...