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I've got a friend who's not holding with yiddishkeit at the moment, as he's gone through a difficult life

Should I convince him when he eats out to try and eat vegan. Or is this counterintuitive, as he will feel that I'm trying to be mekarev him.
yosefkorn's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
42 views

Why was Avshalom riding a donkey into battle?

In the battle between Avshalom's army and David's forces Avshalom is riding a donkey which runs away when Avshalom is caught by his hair in a tree. וַיִּקָּרֵא אַבְשָׁלוֹם לִפְנֵי עַבְדֵי דָוִד ...
rikitikitembo's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
30 views

What is the white powder that covers the Lulav

I bought Lulav and it is covered with white powder. What is this powder? Is it something that relates to the kosher of the Lulav?
Avi's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
32 views

5 fingers correlating to the five senses

Someone was trying to explain to me how the five fingers are connected to the five senses... without much success. Is there a reputable source for this?
Shababnik's user avatar
  • 999
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0 answers
31 views

Tri Maschu תרי משהו - Shach and Taz [closed]

I am trying to find a definition to the principle תרי משהו. I am totally confused by what I have read. Could someone explain this principle to me? Thanks! Shkoyach!!!! Shana Tova!
Andres Bruck's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
63 views

Midrash about eshet potifar

I heard in a shiur a midrash that the friends of Eshet Potiphar didn’t believe how beautiful a Jew like Joseph was, so she brought all her friends in a room, sat them in a circle and gave them knives ...
Curious Yid's user avatar
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1 vote
0 answers
29 views

Why did Yoav quote the pasuk of Amalek by Edom?

The Gemara (Bava Basra 21b) says that Yoav misread the passuk Deuteronomy 25:19 "Eradicate the memory of Amalek" as "Eradicate the males of Amalek" and thus only killed the males ...
fartgeek's user avatar
  • 154
1 vote
1 answer
89 views

Did Rash"i hold like the Gr"a or like Rabbeinu Tam?

NOTE: Most of these time calculations assume the day is either the autumnal or vernal equinox, where there are 12 hours of sunlight and therefore Neitz is at 6:00 AM and Gra's shkiah is 6:00 PM There ...
fartgeek's user avatar
  • 154
0 votes
1 answer
45 views

Why does כרת וערירי (Excision and Childlessness) come after "death at the hand of Heaven"?

While davening from the Machzor, I noticed this seemingly strange anomaly. At the end in the text of the Al Chet prayer it says, "וְעַל חֲטָאִים שֶׁאָֽנוּ חַיָּבִים עֲלֵיהֶם כָּרֵת וַעֲרִירִי - ...
Shmuel Goldstein's user avatar
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0 answers
51 views

Was Migdal bavel a rocket ship? [duplicate]

I seem to remember hearing somewhile ago that the tower of bavel was a rocket. What is the source that migdal bavel was a "rocket"; or some thing that would fly up to the sky instead of the ...
Shababnik's user avatar
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3 votes
0 answers
55 views

Should you always avoid embarrassing people?

Following up on a recent question here, if someone asks you a question in a large group setting and mispronounces a word, how should you pronounce that word in your answer? If you pronounce it right, ...
Maurice Mizrahi's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
32 views

Is it possible to kasher black stainless steel sinks?

Is it possible to kasher a "black stainless steel" sink? I mean not one that is painted but one that is made with black metal coating, like jewelry. Example
Tremendus Apps's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
997 views

What’s the source of not asking a question to a person that might not know the answer, so that they won't get embarrassed

BH Someone told me that you shouldn’t ask a question to someone who won't know the answer to what you're asking. What’s the source of this?
David 's user avatar
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1 vote
0 answers
63 views

Is there a source for this story of the seven brothers?

This is part of the story: "There were once seven brothers, the sons of one woman, in the city of Tzippori. They were wealthy, but one day they went to a certain city in the land of India. They ...
haroune zeraib's user avatar
3 votes
0 answers
67 views

Reconiciling Statements Rav Kook made about other Religions

The introduction to the book "Abraham Isaac Kook - The Lights of Penitence, Lights of Holiness, The Moral Principles, Essays, Letters, and Poems", states that Rav Kook was positive toward ...
Benyamin's user avatar
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1 answer
69 views

Are there online sources for learning Te’amim of Tehillim?

Are there any online sources for learning how to read the Sephardi Te’amim of Tehillim? While I can find recordings, I can’t find any list or descriptions of the exceptions and such—for example, when ...
QwertyCTRL.'s user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
204 views

The Satan and his limitations on Yom Kippur?

The Gemara in Nedarim 32b famously writes: ״הַשָּׂטָן״ בְּחוּשְׁבָּנֵיהּ תְּלָת מְאָה וְשִׁיתִּין וְאַרְבְּעָה The letters of the term "HaSatan" ("The Satan") is 364 in numerical ...
Dov's user avatar
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0 votes
0 answers
44 views

Why can't we look at Birkat Kohanim if the Kohanim are covered by a tallit?

The Peninei Halacha writes (here) that: He should not look at the Kohanim or at anything else, so as not to distract his thoughts from the berachah (Shulchan Aruch 128:23; Mishnah Berurah 89). The ...
bondonk's user avatar
  • 10k
2 votes
0 answers
57 views

How to make Hadassim grow more leaves? [closed]

B"H My Hadassim (chut Hamakif AAA) grew roots. For the first 1+year, the main one grew 3 leaves and the off-shoots (from where the leaves fell off) grew one leaf staggered up each twig. Now for 1+...
Rabbi Y. A. Abraham's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
200 views

Is this Jewish Neoplatonic idea heresy?

Context: I've noticed before that whenever I post anything about Neoplatonism in a Jewish context, such posts usually tend to get downvoted to oblivion, and in general, such views are not very well ...
setszu's user avatar
  • 541
2 votes
1 answer
364 views

Why didn't David ask God what to do when Avshalom rebelled

During the conflict between David and Shaul, David inquired of God (perhaps via the urim v'tummim) as to how to behave (where he should go, what he should do etc.). However, when his son Avshalom ...
rikitikitembo's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
31 views

Is Chushai to blame for the deaths in Avshalom's rebellion?

In 2 Shmuel 17 Ahitophel counsels Avshalom to immediately pursue David with 12,000 soldiers and predicts that they will be able to kill David without having to kill David's men. At David's behest, ...
rikitikitembo's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
20 views

When does G-d desiring a person to "return and live" apply?

In the machzor there are many variations on a theme that G-d does not desire the death of the wicked, but really wants them to do teshuva and live. For example, For your praise is just as your name. ...
user9806's user avatar
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2 votes
0 answers
46 views

Insincere (Erev Yom Kippur) mechila

There are those who say that even if someone was only moichel Erev Yom Kippur because he was a pushover or embarrassed not to, the story is over. Once the aggrieving party was told that he has ...
Schmerel's user avatar
  • 4,489
0 votes
1 answer
61 views

How to understand the Union of Zeir Anpin and Malchut in Assiya

BH I understand the world goes through a process of Seder hishtalshelut. So how to understand the union of ZA and Malchut in the world of Assiya? And how does this happen through the Tzimtzum?
David 's user avatar
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0 votes
0 answers
17 views

When did Akedat (Binding of Isaac) Issac occur [duplicate]

I heard that one of the reasons that we read "Akedat Issac" in Rosh Hashana is since it happened at the same day. On the other hand, I heard that it occurred on Yom Kippur (day of Atonement)....
Avi's user avatar
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1 vote
0 answers
60 views

Why do we say "shel Yom HaKippurim" for Yom Kippur candlelighting but "shel Yom Tov" for all other Yom Tovim?

I recognize that Yom Kippur is special, VERY special. But Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, Pesach and Shavuot aren't exactly chopped liver, as the saying goes. And it is no more difficult to say "shel Rosh ...
Sidney76's user avatar
  • 459
2 votes
1 answer
53 views

Different names for man

What is the difference between the Hebrew words 'adam', 'ish' and 'enosh'? In Genesis, the word adam is used until the woman is brought to him and then he calls her 'Ishah' and refers to himself as '...
Lisa Cremer's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
191 views
+50

Did early biblical figures like Isaac abstain from intimate relations until marriage?

In biblical accounts, several figures, such as Isaac, are noted to have married at a relatively older age compared to today's standards. Isaac, for instance, married at the age of 40. Given the ...
naarter's user avatar
  • 70
0 votes
0 answers
61 views

Why is not Yom Kippur is kept from the Mazikim

It is written that Satan has no control on this day (Yom Kippur), so why, unlike the Seder Night, we say a regular Kriyat Shema on the bed? Moreover, in the Machzorim there are additional Psalms ...
Avi's user avatar
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0 votes
0 answers
65 views

Does eating a lot a day before Yom Kippur align with the fast and health restrictions [closed]

The Gmara in Yoma (81:2) brings the verse in parashat Amor and explains that the verse comes to teach that there is a mitzvah to eat on the eve of Yom Kippur. Does eating a lot before fasting lead to ...
Avi's user avatar
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1 vote
0 answers
59 views

Why adding the first verse to Ashrei Yoshvei Beitecha

The Mizmor Ashrei Yoshvei Beitecha is mostly based on the 145 chapter in Psalms. The first two verses begin in the 84:5 chapter and the last verse of the 144 chapter. It is understood that apparently ...
Avi's user avatar
  • 965
3 votes
1 answer
470 views

Wine on Erev Yom Kippur

Are there any sources saying that one should drink wine on Erev Yom Kippur, it being considered a Yom Tov? (I’ve heard in chabad that Chassidim used to show up to Kol Nidrei drunk, as “a drunk cannot ...
Yø-c Ro's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
97 views

If one has reasons to think that their mom is Jewish but still lacks hard proof, should they celebrate Jewish holidays (e.g Yom Kippur) just in case? [closed]

Say one has reasons to suspect that their mother is Jewish and thus, they too would be Jewish but they lack hard proof, should they celebrate Jewish holidays just in case? Are they halachically ...
setszu's user avatar
  • 541
-1 votes
0 answers
28 views

What is the difference between Tachanun and Vidui?

What is the difference between Tachanun and Vidui? When do you say (or not say) one or the other? Does every nusach/siddur contain them?
danyelbenyosef's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
299 views

The reason for the evil in the world today [duplicate]

I have read a book by Dr Michael Heiser that stated if you asked this question to a Christian audience, they would say, the fall of Adam in the garden is the cause of evil in the world today. But if ...
Lisa Cremer's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
30 views

What does living creature mean?

Does the Hebrew word 'nephesh' (נֶפֶשׁ) refer to any creature (animal or human) or just humans? What does it actually mean in Hebrew? I see it is used in Bereshit to describe the living 'creatures' ...
Lisa Cremer's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
177 views

The Minhag to break specifically glass by Chatan leg in wedding

Why do you break a glass at a wedding and not something else like a plate at an engagement and perhaps something really valuable? And why exactly does the Chatan break the glass by his leg? Why not ...
Avi's user avatar
  • 965
1 vote
3 answers
95 views

When was Adam restored to favor?

In the Guide for the Perplexed (Part 1, Chapter 7), Rambam quotes the Midrash which states that during the 130 years when Adam was under rebuke, he begat spirits, i.e demons; when, however, he was ...
Lisa Cremer's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
44 views

Looking at one's tzitzit

In some siddurim it writes to look at one's tzitzit during birchat halevana and kaparot. What is the reason for this?
Shababnik's user avatar
  • 999
4 votes
1 answer
155 views
+50

What are the peculiarities of a school or company of the prophets לַהֲקַ֚ת הַנְּבִיאִים֙ (1 Samuel 19:20)?

What are the peculiarities of a school or company of the prophets לַהֲקַ֚ת הַנְּבִיאִים֙ (I Samuel 19:20)? What did one learn in a school of the prophets? How did one become a student in a school of ...
ninamag's user avatar
  • 83
0 votes
0 answers
34 views

Mourner’s Kaddish at Minchah [closed]

Due to my medical work I am unable to say Kaddish for my parent at Minchah. I understand that I should say Kaddish at least once a day. What is the source for this? Besides using a proxy and practical ...
DWoptom's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
71 views

Mislabeling of Kosher food

This question is regarding the mislabeling of treif as kosher, by food producing companies. It happens every so often that we see the OU, OK etc. put out a msg saying that their kosher symbol was used ...
Mars Sojourner's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
169 views

Man like God or separate from God

Bereshit 3:22: ויאמר ה' אלקים הן האדם היה כאחד ממנו לדעת טוב ורע Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil" Is this the correct translation? ...
Lisa Cremer's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
48 views

What’s the correct nusach Ari [closed]

BH How come there are so many Nusach Ari’s?? What is the correct one to Daven from? And are all Nusach Ari’s the thirteenth gate where everyone could enter?
David 's user avatar
  • 381
0 votes
1 answer
60 views

Why does G-d, blessed be He, say that something did not enter His mind when He is all-knowing?

Jeremiah 19:5 states: They have built high places to Baal on which to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal— something I never commanded or mentioned, nor did it even enter My mind. ...
setszu's user avatar
  • 541
5 votes
3 answers
809 views

What’s the deal with צרויה?

Found out recently that צרויה as in (Yoav Ben Tzruyah) was actually Yoav’s mom and not his father. Why is Yoav constantly referred to as the son of his mother, when the Tanach norm is to use their ...
Curious Yid's user avatar
  • 1,076
4 votes
0 answers
65 views

Using Wooden Screws to Secure the Beams that Hold Up Schach?

Lechatchila one should not use metal objects that are mekabel tumah (susceptible to tumah) for something that supports the s'chach ("maamid"), however, "maamid d'maamid" is ...
1000K's user avatar
  • 41
1 vote
0 answers
50 views

Aser titasher Talmud bavli Taanith 9a-b

As for the advice to give maaser kesafim, מעשׁר כספים to become rich: Talmud Bavli Taánith 9a-b עַשֵּׂ֣ר תְּעַשֵּׂ֔ר becomes תִּתְעַשֵּׁר עַשֵּׂ֣ר. Why does the Talmud uses ithpael ThiTh’ASheeR in ...
Diederik Ouwehand's user avatar
-1 votes
1 answer
70 views

There were foreigners living in the Holy Land during the times of the Monarchy. Were they Noahides? If not, why didn't Israelites convert them?

Often throughout the Tanakh, you will see references to foreigners living the Holy Land, e.g. in Leviticus 19 I think. Were these foreigners Noahides, and if not, why didn't they convert them so that ...
setszu's user avatar
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