All Questions
36,738
questions
2
votes
0
answers
47
views
Looking for a translation of Toldos Yaakov Yosef
I’m looking for a translation of the Toldos Yaakov Yosef, does anyone know where I could buy one (preferably online)?
- 21
0
votes
0
answers
20
views
Is doing mitzvos, specifically thought mitzvos, allowed in the bathroom? [duplicate]
It is brought down by various poskim that Torah study is forbidden in the bathroom, albeit it is a debate whether today’s bathrooms have the same status.
May one perform mitzvos in a bathroom? ...
- 659
-1
votes
1
answer
106
views
Electronic Yichud
Can the concept of Yichud be extrapolated to include electronic Yichud?
By Electronic Yichud, I mean a man having a text message conversation (over WhatsApp) with a lady with whom he would be ...
- 471
0
votes
0
answers
45
views
How long is Bein HaShemashos?
How long is the period between sunset and nightfall, I.e, twilight, based on the various halachic opinions, like the Vilna Gaon and Rabbeinu Tam?
- 659
1
vote
0
answers
27
views
Can Animals Be Affected By Ruach Ra’ah
Can a person’s animal be affected by Ruach ra’ah if one touches their pet’s mouth or the inside of their ear before doing morning netilat yadayim?
- 239
2
votes
1
answer
78
views
What is the earliest source mentioning dipping in the water as a means of conversion?
I was arguing with a Christian about the Jewish ancient tradition to dip in the water as a means of spiritual conversion, but I only had Talmudic sources (the Gerim Tractate).
What is the earliest ...
- 24.9k
0
votes
0
answers
89
views
What women are mentioned explicitly converting into Judaism without marrying a Jew?
I was trying to recall a case of a woman mentioned explicitly converting into Judaism without marrying a Jew (i.e. in order to marry a Jew), but couldn't; IIRC even R' Akiva's Matronita finally ...
- 24.9k
1
vote
0
answers
40
views
Avoda Zara - Star & Crescent
Are there any sources on restrictions on objects adorned with the Islamic star and crescent like there are the Christian cross? I'm aware that whether Islam is Avoda Zara is debated, but I'm not ...
- 11
1
vote
0
answers
49
views
Using a shtender without permission?
In many shuls people bring their private shtenders to use during davening or learning. Is it permissible to use someone's shtender in their absence without asking permission first?
- 1,678
2
votes
0
answers
82
views
Hebrew Dictionary for Mishneh Torah
I’m looking for a dictionary which contains words that one would find in The Rambam’s Mishneh Torah, not Biblical Hebrew. Any suggestions would be helpful.
1
vote
1
answer
103
views
Are women bound by the same times for prayer as men?
Halachipedia states:
The latest time to say Shmoneh Esrei of Shacharit is the end of the
fourth hour (in Shaot Zmaniot).
If one has not prayed until the end of the fourth hour, one should pray ...
- 46.1k
2
votes
2
answers
60
views
Why is Dvarim 26, Joshua 24 and Psalm 136 missing references to Matan Torah?
Matan Torah is one of the most grand and defining events in Jewish history, so naively one would assume that any summary of key events would contain this grand event. Yet Dvarim 26, Joshua 24 nor ...
- 87
0
votes
0
answers
61
views
Modesty according to custom?
Is modesty in Judaism somewhat allowed leeway according to custom? Most woman seem to show some parts of their body and they are somewhat considered modest.
- 598
0
votes
0
answers
21
views
In the third beis hamikdash, how will the duchan affect the height of the ezras kohanim?
BH
In Yechekiel's prophecy of the third Beis Hamikdash: if the inner courtyard was 100 by 100 amos on the inside, and whose gates from the north, east and south sides all we positioned in the center ...
- 327
1
vote
1
answer
105
views
Source for purchasing an authentic set of the Arizal's writings?
Where can I purchase kisve Arizal from an authentic source?
- 4,079
1
vote
0
answers
63
views
What is the first notable use of the name Chaim (חיים) [closed]
What is the first notable use of the name Chaim (חיים) and what is its origin?
- 87
2
votes
1
answer
78
views
Translation of Hebrew letters [closed]
I hope that this is not off-topic for this forum. If so, please let me know and I will delete it.
I'm trying to understand the meaning of these letters which I believe are Hebrew. Can someone who is ...
- 123
4
votes
1
answer
91
views
Obligation to Purchase Sta"m from non-Jew
According to a halacha I read,
There is an obligation to purchase any Sta”m which is in the possession of a non-Jew. If such items remain in his possession, they may become desecrated. If the non-Jew ...
- 36.8k
0
votes
0
answers
29
views
Rationale choice of professions when assessing damages
Rambam Nezikin Chovel uMazzik 2:11 states anent damages
If he caused him to lose a limb or cut off his hand, he must pay him
full compensation for his hand; this being "damages." In this
...
- 349
0
votes
0
answers
22
views
Early source for "al kanfei nesharim" referring to airplanes [duplicate]
In describing the exodus from Mitzrayim, the passuk says (Exodus 19:4):
וָאֶשָּׂ֤א אֶתְכֶם֙ עַל־כַּנְפֵ֣י נְשָׁרִ֔ים וָאָבִ֥א אֶתְכֶ֖ם אֵלָֽי
... how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Me....
- 691
1
vote
1
answer
133
views
Does the Oral Torah have a law against 'common' animals?
I am a Christian who is researching how other religions influenced Christianity throughout its history. Having found that some of my fellow believers in the Hebrew Roots movement hold the belief that ...
- 13
0
votes
2
answers
98
views
Tallit on Shabbat which is 9 av
Should one wear tallit gadol during the shachris on Shabbat if it is the 9 av (as in 2022)? On other shabbatot the person does wear a tallit.
I know that in this case the observance takes place on the ...
- 3
0
votes
0
answers
19
views
Capital punishment [duplicate]
Suppose Reuven is sentenced to death for a capital offense; his punishment is him being pushed off the top of a building. Shimon is the one who is chosen by the court to push off Reuven.
Later while ...
- 471
1
vote
3
answers
133
views
Does God Punish Other People for another's sins?
In our day and age, according to Judaism, do we believe that others get punished for the sins another commit?
- 1,495
3
votes
0
answers
50
views
In the third Beis Hamikdash, will the outer gates have tall walls also on the outside?
BH
In Yechezkayl 40:6 and some other pesukim it talks about the gates for the outer walls of {the Ezras Nashim of} the third Beis Hamikdash:
Then he came to the gate which looks toward the east, and ...
- 327
1
vote
1
answer
93
views
Non-Halachic Marriages, Mamzerim, and Baalei Teshuva
Many returnees to Judaism were born out of reform or conservative marriages. In the case of such a person, assuming their parents were not learned in Torah whatsoever, but whose mother is Jewish and ...
3
votes
1
answer
87
views
Is there a book that traces the musical development of Jewish liturgy?
Over the last several weeks, at the recommendation of someone on here, I've been studying Jewish Liturgy: A Comprehensive History by Ismar Elbogen. It is a modern (early Twentieth Century) academic ...
- 5,119
2
votes
1
answer
103
views
Moshe deviating from bachatzos halailah
The gemarra states that Moshe did three things of his own accord, and Hashem concurred (Shabbos 87a; Yevamos 62a; Shemos Rabbah 46:3 (slightly different list); Avos D'Rabbi Nosson 2:3 (lists four, the ...
- 18.8k
2
votes
3
answers
245
views
Cholov Yisroel formula
Where in the world can there be found producers of the cholov yisroel formula (except Materna that does not ship to north America & US where, they don't like to ship and the Kenda from england) ?
...
- 21
2
votes
0
answers
40
views
Sefer Matei Efraim on Noach
I was told once by an older Rabbi about 10 years ago, how he read a sefer 30 years ago that taught that the Dor Ha-Mabul (the generation of the flood) had what seemed to be technology that let them ...
- 471
2
votes
0
answers
46
views
What Ever Happened To Palti Ben Laish After He Returned Michal To King David?
Did he end up marrying someone else? I feel so bad for him that someone he loved so dearly was taken away from him after being teased. etc. I'm not condemning What King David did but hindsight he ...
- 937
1
vote
1
answer
48
views
Who was Nasi and who was Av Bais Din?
The third zug was Shimon ben Shetach and Yehuda ben Tabai. Wondering who from these two sages was the Nasi and who was the Av Bais Din?
- 541
1
vote
2
answers
77
views
Is the Mishna making the dresha from מְאֹד or , מוֹדֵד, מִדָּה?
דָּבָר אַחֵר בְּכָל מְאֹדֶךָ, בְּכָל מִדָּה וּמִדָּה שֶׁהוּא מוֹדֵד לְךָ הֱוֵי מוֹדֶה לוֹ בִּמְאֹד מְאֹד
(Berachos 9:5)
This is one of the Mishnah's explanations of the phrase in the Pasuk we say ...
- 494
2
votes
0
answers
63
views
Warning/hasrah nowadays
If 2 witnesses give a warning to someone not to transgress an aveira, I.e. “don’t eat that dead animal or you will get lashes,” and the man eats it anyway. If the Bais Hamikdash and Sanhedrin are ...
- 1,495
0
votes
1
answer
52
views
Why do Chazal refer to the emergence of a baby from the womb as pesichas hakever
A term throughout Chazal is פתיחת הקבר, pesichas hakever, translated literally as the opening of the grave. For example, Niddah 21a. This term refers to the emergence of a fetus or baby from the womb (...
- 18.8k
5
votes
2
answers
527
views
Why did Ahron Hakohen not daven to be allowed to Enter E"Y?
How come Ahron Hakohen didn't pray to enter E"Y like moshe did? Did he have less of a desire to enter?
- 1,678
1
vote
1
answer
39
views
Help finding an article from Hearot u-Veurim in 2013
can anyone help me find an article cited as:
R. Chaim Rapoport, “Sipurim Temuhim . . .,” Hearot u-Veurim 33:2 (2013), pp. 55-67
…in note 7 here?
- 1,550
1
vote
2
answers
133
views
Wiping toilet seat on Shabbos
If one urinates a few drops on the toilet seat on Shabbos, is he permitted to wipe off the urine with a detached toilet paper, or would this be forbidden because urine is muktzeh?
user31342
3
votes
6
answers
133
views
Book With Talmudic Moral Proverbs Compilation
is there a book with a compilation of all the moral proverbs found in the Talmud? Not directly related to הלכה (Halacha). For example:
פסיעה גסה נוטלת אחד מחמש מאות ממאור עיניו של אדם
A large step ...
- 289
1
vote
1
answer
64
views
Do any poskim permit one to recite Parshas Hamon on Tisha b’Av?
Do any poskim permit one who says parshas hamon daily the rest of the year to recite parshas hamon on tisha b’av as well? And if so, which poskim?
user31342
1
vote
0
answers
80
views
Rashi on Devarim 6:8 - Why does the Torah use a foreign language?
In Devarim 6:8 Rashi says, והיו לטטפת בין עיניך: אלו תפילין שבראש ועל שם מנין פרשיותיהם נקראו טטפת. טט בכתפי שתים, פת באפריקי שתים:
Rashi's English translation is:
and they shall be for ornaments ...
- 471
1
vote
2
answers
60
views
According to Tanya, does the animal soul partially abide in the mind?
Tanya Chapter 8 (source) writes that "the abode of the animal soul ... is in the heart, ... the left ventricle". In contrast, "the abode of the divine soul is in the brains ... [and] ...
- 585
0
votes
2
answers
107
views
Does the future depend on me alone?
I read in a book that the Zohar says that everyone should consider himself as if the future of the world depended on him alone. Where does it say that, and does the idea originate elsewhere? I know ...
- 17.3k
4
votes
2
answers
249
views
Why hold only the front 2 tzitzit for baruach sheomar?
The Artscroll siddur says to grasp the front two tzizit while saying baruach sheomar. Why hold only 2 of the 4 tzitzit? For the shema we hold all 4.
- 7,597
2
votes
1
answer
91
views
Why not take high elevation into account for calculating zmanim?
The Zmanim Project uses sea level by default to calculate sunrise and sunset. They rationalise this by referencing a machloket on the subject.
I don't have access to the sefer זמנים כהלכתם, otherwise ...
- 5,336
1
vote
1
answer
47
views
Did Joshua serve Moses in Egypt?
Three days ago, I asked this. While I'm still hesitant to accept that נער could be used of a 57 year old, the question I'm asking today focuses on Numbers 11:28 labeling of Joshua as Moses' aide ...
- 51
2
votes
0
answers
66
views
Source for "Miktzas HaYom K'Kulo"?
What is the source for "Miktzas HaYom K'Kulo"? I realize it applies to Availus (mourning) and it is also brought up regarding Nazir but I could not find its source?
- 21
3
votes
1
answer
56
views
Shabbat Candle Lighting
SHEMIRATH SHABBATH by Rav Yehoshua Y. Neuwirth ZT”L is, in my opinion, THE supreme, most authoritative English guide to the Halacha (and more!) of Shabbat and Yom Tov. I do have a question in ...
- 379
0
votes
2
answers
96
views
Who exactly doesn't hold of Murex techailes?
One often repeated argument against the acceptance of Murex techailes is that "the Gedolim" don't accept it. Certainly there are many Gedolim who considered the issue, at least superficially,...
- 3,334
1
vote
0
answers
48
views
How can not taking revenge be reconciled with the concept of goel hadam?
We are not allowed to take revenge, as the Rambam codifies
This would be, for example if one person did something [against another]; and the other person doesn't stop pursuing him until he pays him ...
- 11