All Questions
36,511
questions
5
votes
2
answers
753
views
Is Basar Shenisaleim Min Ha'ayin still a problem?
There is a concept in halacha called Basar Shenisaleim Min Ha'ayin (meat that was hidden from the eye). Basically in the olden days, if a non-jew were to deliver meat and there was no siman (sign) on ...
- 2,853
13
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Does Ma'aser need to be given on gifts?
If I receive a monetary gift, do I need to give ma'aser on it? What about if I receive a gift that is an object (as opposed to money)?
- 2,853
7
votes
4
answers
5k
views
Does soda need a hechsher?
I have noticed that many cans of pepsi don't have a hechsher (kosher symbol) on them. Do they need one?
- 2,853
13
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Do photocopies of torah need to be put in shaimos?
Do photocopied sheets (such as chumash or gemara) need to be put in sheimos or can they be thrown straight into the garbage?
- 2,853
10
votes
4
answers
4k
views
Is it permissible to open soda cans on shabbos?
What is the halacha regarding opening soda cans on shabbos?
I have heard that according to the ones who hold that you can open it, if I would ask that person to open it for me, I would need him to ...
- 2,853
7
votes
2
answers
184
views
Chanuka - what was the real miracle?
Was the miracle the fact that they found the oil? Was it that the oil lasted all 8 days? Was it that they won the war over the mighty greeks?
From the fact that we light menorah, it seems that the ...
- 2,853
12
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Is it better to wear wool tzitzis?
Is it better halachikally (according to jewish law) to have the beged (garment) of your tzitzis to be made from wool as opposed to cotton? Is it a chumrah?
- 2,853
3
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Are you allowed to get a haircut on Motzei Shabbos?
Is there anything wrong with getting a haircut on Motzei Shabbos (Saturday night)?
- 2,853
13
votes
4
answers
410
views
Were the people of Chelm really unintelligent? [closed]
There are many stories that are told over about the people who lived in Chelm. They all have the theme of: the people in Chelm were fairly unintelligent. Where did this come from? Is it true? It ...
- 2,853
10
votes
3
answers
736
views
Wear your tzitzis out or in? [duplicate]
There seems to be some misunderstanding/machlokes (disagreement) on how you should wear your tzitzis - with the strings sticking out or tucked in. What's the proper way?
- 2,853
19
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Why doesn't the OU put DE on food packages anymore?
The OU used to put DE next to the OU symbol when a product was Dairy Equipment. Such a product can not be eaten with meat but can be eaten right afterwards (you don't need to wait the amount of time ...
- 2,853
10
votes
4
answers
158
views
Torah studies at Synagogue [closed]
How do we make studying Torah by adults a central part of our synagogue?
Steve Keleman
5
votes
2
answers
931
views
Origin of a Jewish quote about fools
There is a quote about fools that I have heard, which is attributed to the Talmud. It goes as follows, "Never tell a fool he is a fool. All you'll have is an angry fool."
I know that there are a ...
- 51
13
votes
2
answers
888
views
What do I do when asked to "open the Aron" or "take out the Torah"?
If I'm in synagogue and someone asks me if I can "open the Aron" or "take out the Sefer Torah," what will I be expected to do, and when?
- 46.9k
28
votes
9
answers
4k
views
Archeological proof of Exodus?
Is there empirical proof that the exodus from Egypt and related happenings (like Har Sinai etc) did in fact occur (i.e: Archeological proof)?
I believe in the Torah, but how would you prove to someone ...
- 381
4
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Mezzuzahs- putting them up, and saying brachot
Is there an "issur" regarding not putting up a mezuzzah? Is there such thing as having 30 days until the issue kicks in? Also, can you say the bracha each time you put one up? Or, if two different ...
- 973
3
votes
8
answers
572
views
Can you recommend an alternative outer talit bag?
I need to replace my outer talit bag - the one that most people have as a brittle, transparent, zippered bag with gold piping (e.g.). I am tired of having these bags break on me, and I don't have a ...
- 46.9k
4
votes
3
answers
566
views
How to deal with the parts of the Torah reading that are pre-empted by the congregation
Sometimes, our traditional approach to the reading includes having the congregation recite a short section of the reading aloud before the Torah reader does it, and then he follows. The most ...
- 46.9k
7
votes
2
answers
178
views
Obtaining the 7 Species in the U.S
Often on T"u BiSh'vat people like to eat members of the shiv'as haminim - the Seven Species by which the Land of Israel is praised. Some of them, such as grapes and dates, are easy enough to come ...
- 23.3k
5
votes
3
answers
354
views
Understanding Rashi's resolution of an ambiguity in Parashat Vayigash
The following is based on a question I wrote in the margin of my chumash about ten years ago.
In Yehuda's speech to the Egyptian viceroy (Yosef in disguise) at the beginning of Parashat Vayigash, he ...
- 46.9k
8
votes
3
answers
274
views
8
votes
1
answer
366
views
What went down in 1666 before Shabtai Tz'vi's apostasy?
It seems agreed upon that one or more representatives from Lvov traveled to either investigate, visit or out Shabtai Tzvi in 1666 when he was still claiming to be the mashi'ach. Immediately following ...
- 23.3k
8
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Naming your child using a dead relative's initial
Is there a Jewish tradition of naming your child using the first letter of the name of a recently deceased relative?
Lynne
2
votes
1
answer
117
views
Picking out the alephs [closed]
How can you quickly pick out all the alephs on a page of Hebrew printed text?
- 46.9k
22
votes
4
answers
4k
views
Orthodox Visits to Other Denomination Sanctuaries
Why is it that some people won't set foot in another's sanctuary, even if it was for a non-prayer function? Can an orthodox person be in a reform style temple sanctuary for a lecture or concert? I ...
joeyb
16
votes
4
answers
4k
views
How to advise your barber
Men: What is a succinct, clear, Halachically complete line to tell a barber what not to do when cutting your hair?
- 46.9k
15
votes
4
answers
385
views
Why did Yosef's brothers speak freely in the presence of the interpreter?
In Parashat Miketz, Yosef's brothers encounter him disguised as the viceroy of Egypt, and he accuses them of espionage, jails them for three days, and makes a demand that they know their father would ...
- 46.9k
18
votes
11
answers
7k
views
Method for practicing Torah reading
What is your method for practicing reading a Torah portion and thus memorizing the associated vowelizations and intonations? I'm looking for ideas for maximizing your effectiveness at performing a ...
- 46.9k
56
votes
21
answers
18k
views
Is Christianity Avodah Zara?
It is commonly accepted that Islam is not Avodah Zarah (idolatry) since Islam has a clear monotheistic theology with a belief in Allah that parallels our view of "kail" or Hashem. It is even ...
- 2,229
13
votes
4
answers
1k
views
December greeting responses [closed]
How do you respond when greeted, during the Winter "holiday season" by a non-Jewish acquaintance with each of the following?
Happy Chanuka (in proximity to Chanuka)
Happy Chanuka (not in proximity to ...
- 46.9k
30
votes
5
answers
2k
views
When blogging/emailing/etc., do I use "God" or "G-d"?
Is there a religious problem with typing out the name: "G-o-d"?
- 127k
28
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Am I allowed to give my kid a non-Hebrew (non-Jewish?) name?
I'd seen some poster that said it's horribly wrong to ever give your kid a non-Jewish/non-Hebrew name. Is that the norm?
- 127k
17
votes
5
answers
798
views
Naming after bad people
Why have there been famous(ly righteous) Jewish people named after Yishma'el, who, Chaza"l tell us, was evil and an enemy of Jews? Has anything similar happened with Esav? Korach? Others?
- 23.3k
6
votes
2
answers
276
views
Why must Chata'os Ha-meisos be treated so harshly?
There are certain cases in which an animal designated for a sin offering (Chat'as) could not be brought in the Temple, but was required to be killed ("חטאות המתות"), according to some opinions, by ...
- 2,823
6
votes
1
answer
138
views
Third blessing on the second night of Channukah
If someone didn't light Channukah lights on the first night, does he/she then say the third blessing (Sh'hecheyunu) on the next night?
- 3,776
7
votes
1
answer
898
views
Moving question: prayer when posting a mezuzah
What prayer do you recite when posting a mezuzah?
Samantha
14
votes
1
answer
5k
views
Puzzles on Shabbat
Is it permitted to put together puzzles on Shabbat with children?
Does it matter what kind of puzzle it is (jigsaw vs. fit the piece in the wooden hole)?
Does it matter if there are words on the ...
- 3,009
15
votes
4
answers
371
views
How do we know what the Chazzan should say aloud?
In many siddurim, the text indicates a position, toward the end of each normal paragraph of prayer, where the Chazzan is supposed to start reading aloud, so that everyone knows when it's time to go on ...
- 46.9k
17
votes
6
answers
463
views
Online tool for minyan management?
If I'm running a small minyan that sometimes has a quorum and sometimes doesn't, and I'd like to only hold the minyan when I know we'll have ten, is there an online tool to help me manage this?
- 46.9k
8
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Mixed Minyan in a Shiva House
What to do when helping make a minyan for mourners in a shiva house when at prayer time they insist on davening conservative style, men and women sitting together?
- 3,776
8
votes
4
answers
583
views
Priority of Davening with a Minyan
Is it better to Daven [pray] with a earlier large minyan or better to wait to daven later with a much smaller minyan where I will be needed as the tenth?
- 3,776
7
votes
4
answers
121
views
Chanuka Candle Location [closed]
My whole family will be staying at a hotel over shabbos and the hotel management says that we are not allowed to light fires in our rooms. Nobody will be in our home. How can we fulfill the mitzvah ...
Fred
14
votes
6
answers
3k
views
What do I need to know in order to properly have an aliya?
What things should I know in advance in case I get called up for an aliya during a Torah-reading service?
- 46.9k
5
votes
1
answer
88
views
Chanukiah location
What it the ideal place to put a chanukiah for lighting? Is it better to put it in the window, outside or inside? Does it depend on where you live?
- 3,009
6
votes
2
answers
2k
views
20
votes
1
answer
5k
views
Why isn't the book of the Maccabees part of the Jewish canon?
I believe they are in the Christian canon... why not Jewish?
- 916
40
votes
13
answers
3k
views
Bereishit vs. science
How does Judaism deal with the differences between scientific evidence of the beginning of the world and the account(s) in Bereishit?
- 3,009
10
votes
3
answers
1k
views
11
votes
3
answers
4k
views
What is the appropriate use of the shamash on an oil menora?
It seems that with wax candle menoras, the shamash is generally lit first and used to light the other candles, but with an oil menora this is not possible. So should you light the shamash before the ...
- 3,810
15
votes
5
answers
1k
views
