All Questions
39,675
questions
2
votes
1
answer
123
views
Why does the pasuk describing idols leave out "speaking?"
In Parshas Vaeschanan the Posuk says:
עֲבַדְתֶּם שָׁם אֱ־לֹהִים מַעֲשֵׂה יְדֵי אָדָם עֵץ וָאֶבֶן אֲשֶׁר לֹא יִרְאוּן וְלֹא יִשְׁמְעוּן וְלֹא יֹאכְלוּן וְלֹא יְרִיחֻן
Translated as:
And there ...
- 33.1k
12
votes
3
answers
681
views
Music, not allowed the whole year?
The Halacha is ( אורח חיים הלכות תשעה באב סימן תק''ס סעיף ג) That since the Destruction of the Temple we may not listen to any Music.
How is it that most people do listen to recordings?
- 33.1k
2
votes
4
answers
99
views
Shnayim Veshishim - mi yodeya?
Who knows sixty-two?
Please cite/link your sources, if possible. At some point in the next few days, I will:
Upvote all interesting answers.
Accept the best answer.
Go on to the next number.
- 47.8k
6
votes
1
answer
298
views
What are the opinions regarding eating small-bits-at-a-time ("leshiurin") on Tisha B'Av when necessary?
I know on Yom Kippur, if someone is medically required to eat, s/he should do so with only a bit of food every few minutes, to avoid the full severity of eating "a full serving in one sitting."
On ...
- 131k
2
votes
1
answer
334
views
Swimming Alone in a Pool
Is it written anywhere in Halacha that one is not allowed to swim alone? I recall once seeing it in the Rambam but can't seem to find it.
Thank you
Yehuda1
6
votes
2
answers
826
views
Vacuuming during the Nine Days
I have heard in the name of one posek that vacuuming carpets is forbidden during the Nine Days (between 1 Av and 9 Av, following Ashkenazic custom) since this is equivalent to laundering. Is this ...
- 21.1k
7
votes
1
answer
987
views
Staying to enjoy the unexpected playing of recorded music during the 3 weeks/9 days
Assuming for a moment that one holds that the prohibition of listening to music during the Three Weeks / Nine Days applies to recorded music, if one were in a store that had music playing on the ...
- 41.5k
3
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Shave/Haircuts during the 3 weeks
What are the reasons why a person may be able shave and/or haircut (two biiiits!- sorry, just had to) during the three weeks? Please use sources.
- 28.1k
3
votes
4
answers
118
views
Echad Veshishim - mi yodeya?
Who knows sixty-one?
Please cite/link your sources, if possible. At some point in the next few days, I will:
Upvote all interesting answers.
Accept the best answer.
Go on to the next number.
- 47.8k
3
votes
8
answers
5k
views
3
votes
1
answer
381
views
Praying for a Sick Convert
If when we pray for a person we pray for Ploni ben Plonis (e.g. Judah son of Leah or Dina daughter of Leah), what name do we use when praying for a ger (convert)?
- 5,677
10
votes
3
answers
1k
views
How does an engaged person find a chosson/kallah (pre-marriage) class teacher?
How does an engaged person find a chosson/kallah (pre-marriage) class teacher? Preferably a good one?
Is it "just ask around"? Ask a rabbi? Is there any good way to compare different people, or is ...
- 131k
2
votes
2
answers
265
views
Why is my molad-time chart off by a day?
The HaMaor Mikraos Gedolos chumash has a chart of molad (forecasted first visibility of the new moon in Jerusalem, based on averages observable to the naked eye, assuming Jerusalem local time; am I ...
- 131k
5
votes
3
answers
935
views
4
votes
16
answers
380
views
Shishim - mi yodeya?
Who knows sixty?
Please cite/link your sources, if possible. At some point in the next few days, I will:
Upvote all interesting answers.
Accept the best answer.
Go on to the next number.
- 47.8k
8
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Why translate Torah to 70 languages?
Midrash Tanchuma, brought in Rashi to Devarim 1:5 says:
בְּעֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן בְּאֶרֶץ מוֹאָב הוֹאִיל מֹשֶׁה בֵּאֵר אֶת־הַתּוֹרָה הַזֹּאת לֵאמֹר׃ (Moses commenced [and] explained this Law, saying...)
...
- 33.1k
1
vote
1
answer
134
views
Why did Moshe complain about the Spies in Bamidbar if he thought it was a good idea?
The Posuk (Deut 1, 23) says:
,וַיִּיטַב בְּעֵינַי, הַדָּבָר
.וָאֶקַּח מִכֶּם שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר אֲנָשִׁים, אִישׁ אֶחָד לַשָּׁבֶט
[Moses replied to people's offer] It was good in my eyes...
...
- 33.1k
-3
votes
1
answer
259
views
2
votes
2
answers
541
views
12
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Meat on Rosh Chodesh of 9 days
Why is The reasoning that Sefardim do eat on Rosh Chodesh and Ashkinazim do not?
Sefardim
Is It Permissible To Have Left Over Meat From Shabbat During The 9 Days
Ashkenazim
EATING MEAT AND ...
- 845
4
votes
1
answer
391
views
Kibus (Laundry) During the Nine Days
The reason brought by Rashi and quoted by poskim such as the Mishna Berurah as to why we do not do laundry during the nine days (or Sefardim, in the week that the Ninth of Av falls out in) is because "...
- 16k
0
votes
3
answers
163
views
2
votes
2
answers
1k
views
4 Brachos once? [closed]
Which four brachos are said exactly once every year outside of Israel?
- 33.1k
9
votes
4
answers
726
views
Teiku VS. Kashya
When a Gemara does not have a solution to a question why does it sometimes it end off with "Teiku" and sometimes with "Kashya"?
- 16k
6
votes
3
answers
291
views
Why did the Torah list all the stops the Jews made in the Wilderness?
What is the significance of the stops that the Jews made in the desert, that the Torah had to name them (Numbers 33:1–49)?
- 33.1k
8
votes
2
answers
409
views
The Split Between Sefardim and Ashkenazim
How did this split happen historically and halachically before Shulchan Aruch, and why is not like having two Torahs? Where is the source for the split?
- 270
1
vote
3
answers
70
views
Tish'a Vachamishim - mi yodeya?
Who knows fifty-nine?
Please cite/link your sources, if possible. At some point in the next few days, I will:
Upvote all interesting answers.
Accept the best answer.
Go on to the next number.
- 47.8k
10
votes
1
answer
534
views
Is it proper for a man to hold open a door for a woman?
Is it proper for a man to hold open a door for a woman? (Does it matter if it's his wife, or any other woman?)
The American-manners, don't-dare-be-or-look-like-a-misogynist part of me says "always, ...
- 131k
7
votes
2
answers
523
views
Is returning a car with a full tank of gas a problem of ribis (interest/usury)?
I was told that if you borrow a car from a friend, it's courteous to return it washed, and with a full tank of gas (even if the car was dirty and had an empty tank when you borrowed it). Is there any ...
- 131k
18
votes
6
answers
3k
views
Prayer for Illness - Why use the mothers name?
Why when someone is sick do we say his mothers name not his father's?
- 33.1k
6
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Wearing New Clothes in Three Weeks
Can one wear new clothes during Three Weeks? Do pajamas and undergarments have the same rule?
- 845
7
votes
1
answer
383
views
Can a man fulfill his obligation by listening to a woman's Birchos HaShachar?
Can a man fulfill his obligation by listening to a woman's Birchos HaShachar (morning blessings)? What about vice-versa?
I suppose my question breaks down into three parts:
Do women have a lesser ...
- 131k
2
votes
2
answers
53
views
Shemona Vachamishim - mi yodeya?
Who knows fifty-eight?
Please cite/link your sources, if possible. At some point in the next few days, I will:
Upvote all interesting answers.
Accept the best answer.
Go on to the next number.
- 47.8k
4
votes
1
answer
282
views
8
votes
5
answers
1k
views
11
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Double Yud as G-ds Name
What is the significance of the double Yud used as a stand-in for G-d's name?
- 33.1k
0
votes
1
answer
930
views
Chassan and Kallah [closed]
Why in Hebrew is the word Chosson mean both Groom and son in law and Kallah means bride and daughter in law?
- 33.1k
8
votes
1
answer
149
views
Can you have a shliach do something you have sworn not to do?
If you swear not to do something can you send someone to do it for you?
- 33.1k
4
votes
1
answer
172
views
Shabbos and Later Davening (Prayer)
Why on Shabbos do most people daven (pray) later than usual? (I seek an halachic answer.)
- 33.1k
3
votes
1
answer
222
views
Billam's Bitter End
The Gemara in Sanhedrin (Kuf Vav Amud Beis) says that Billam suffered all 4 deaths that are given by Beis Din. Rashi explains they hung him-CHENEK, and lit a fire under him, and chopped off his head-...
- 33.1k
1
vote
1
answer
89
views
Signposts Ahead
Why do we go out of our way to put up roadsigns for unintentional murderers (Makkos 10a) while we do not for people going to Yerushalayim for Yomim Tovim (which is a Mitzva)?
- 33.1k
4
votes
2
answers
269
views
Yarden's River Name
The Torah refers (e.g. Numbers 33) to a river called ירדן. Why is it called ירדן?
- 33.1k
11
votes
2
answers
366
views
Pool and Tzitzis
Do I need to make another Bracha on putting on tzitzis after I get out of the pool?
- 668
17
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Mikvah - Non Jewish Husband
Can a woman use a Mikvah if her Husband is not Jewish (She is currently on the road to becoming a BT)
Devorah
18
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Can you take food into the bathroom?
Is one allowed to take food into the bathroom? I heard that the prohibition is only on the type of bathroom used years ago.
SK1
2
votes
3
answers
306
views
How many people died before Pinchas killed Zimri?
In the mass death at the end of Parashas Balak, how many people died before Pinchas killed Zimri?
- 33.1k
-3
votes
1
answer
254
views
4
votes
2
answers
462
views
What's the "ORegon 7-1222" on R' Moshe Feinstein's letterhead? [closed]
The English part of of R' Moshe Feinstein's letterhead reads as follows:
RABBI MOSES FEINSTEIN
455 F.D.R. DRIVE
New York, N.Y. 10002
__
ORegon 7-1222
See for instance this letter, this ...
- 131k
2
votes
3
answers
58
views
Shiv'a Vachamishim - mi yodeya?
Who knows fifty-seven?
Please cite/link your sources, if possible. At some point in the next few days, I will:
Upvote all interesting answers.
Accept the best answer.
Go on to the next number.
- 47.8k
0
votes
1
answer
168
views