All Questions
37,736
questions
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Different Approaches to Seder Night
On Pesach, we are commanded to tell the story of the exodus from Egypt to our children. However, there are different ways that people choose to do this, depending on their focus and perspective. Here ...
- 1,105
4
votes
1
answer
32
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On what halachic premise can Yeshivot claim talmidim's belonging's hefker for bein hazmanim?
I went to Yeshiva in Israel, and the Yeshiva told us that whatever was left behind (even things with simanim) during bein hazmanim would be hefker? On what basis can the yeshiva do this?
- 61
1
vote
0
answers
13
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Is it permissible to listen to a woman speaking over a song if that is part of the song?
Consider this song following song, Presence of Mind by Dynazty (I have marked it to the point relevant to my question). At this point, a male speaks over the song, and these are part of the song's ...
- 175
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votes
1
answer
41
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How are the concepts redemption and salvation related in Judaism?
Does the term salvation (or save, yeshua) encompass redemption (geula)? Does redemption concern harm or punishment has already occurred while salvation contemplates future possible future harm? Does ...
- 7,695
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votes
1
answer
55
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Breaking a cheap glass under the Chuppah
The source for breaking a glass under the Chuppah according to many commentaries is a Tosfos in Berachos 31a. The Gemara there says the following- (taken from the Sefaria website)
רַב אָשֵׁי עֲבַד ...
- 195
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0
answers
25
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Talking on the phone over shabbos of phone call was started beforehand [duplicate]
Is one allowed to talk on the phone over shabbos if the phone call was started before shabbos started and left on speakerphone?
- 101
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votes
1
answer
49
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How can we ask in the מוסף of יום טוב שני של גליות the words ״את מוסף יום פלוני הזה״?
We know that מן התורה, yom tov is always one day at a time, but in חוץ לארץ it’s two days מדרבנן.
Now my question is: how can we ask on the last day of yom tov: ״את מוסף יום פלוני הזה נעשה ונקריב ...
- 56
0
votes
1
answer
55
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Why do some versions of the Amidah not have the ו on וקונה הכל?
In the first blessing of the Amidah, there's part that often says וְקוֹנֵה הַכּל ("and creates everything"). It looks like this in many siddurim, e.g. ArtScroll, Lev Shalem, and Mishkan T'...
- 133
2
votes
3
answers
63
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Proof from National Revelation
There is a proof for National Revalation given from Judaism. But I have a question. Even if we were all there, maybe it is possible that some people were speaking from behind the mountain and tricked ...
- 57
1
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0
answers
36
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Why do Rambam references use a weird convention?
For example, in the Ein Mishpat when quoting the Tur/Shulchan Aruch, he says ”<sefer>-<siman>-<se'if>". With the Rambam, though, it's "<perek> from <sefer>, <...
- 1,503
1
vote
1
answer
44
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Was Daniel a eunuch
Considering that Nebuchadnezzar had סריסים in his court and that Daniel became a highly appointed member of this court, it seems likely that he also was made a eunuch. Are there any documented ...
- 123
1
vote
1
answer
31
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Why doesn't the Gemera bring 3 more proofs for if צער בעלי חיים is Biblical or Rabbinical?
The Gemera in Bava Metzia 32a-33a has the famous dispute about if צער בעלי חיים is a Biblical or Rabbinic prohibition, and both sides brings proofs one way and the other. My question is, we don't find ...
- 356
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votes
1
answer
39
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After the Sadducees, who was the the first Jew to deny the belief in the literal resurrection of the dead?
The Sadducees denied a coming resurrection of the dead, since they accepted only the written Torah as scripture. However, their movement went extinct in the early first millenium. After them, who was ...
- 111
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votes
1
answer
69
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Proof from Navi about us returning to Eretz Yisrael
There is a proof given for Judaism from the fact that we returned to Eretz Yisrael, and that was so unlikely, so therefore this proves that the Torah is true. But how do we know if this occurrence is ...
- 57
1
vote
0
answers
32
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Prayer for miracles on Chanuka/Purim
The Rema Orach Chaim Siman 682 writes,
הגה י"א כששכח על הנסים בברכת המזון כשמגיע להרחמן יאמר הרחמן יעשה לנו נסים ונפלאות כשם שעשית לאבותינו בימים ההם בזמן הזה בימי מתתיהו כו' [כל בו]
Gloss: There ...
- 195
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votes
2
answers
83
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Two Riddles on Brachos [closed]
I was eating at a family's house on Shabbos, and one the sons receives a dvar Torah to share with the family, along with two irrelevant riddles, typically halachic edge-cases. This week, the riddles ...
- 101
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0
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65
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What other Jewish-born people have the same opinion about Judaism similarly to Richard Feynman's? [closed]
Richard Feynman, in a letter to Tina Lavitan, while expressing his atheism as a Jewish-born individual, states that he does not think that Judaism is a race, but a religion [See, e.g., the "...
- 101
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0
answers
27
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What are "tzon" in the parsha of korbanos?
Korbanos of the "tzon" variety may be brought from the "kevasim" and "izim" type. I'm wondering if there are any essays out there that identify what a "keves" ...
- 11
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votes
1
answer
31
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What was the "kur ha'barzel" aspect of galus Mitzrayim and was it effective?
In Sefer Devarim 4:20 it says:
וְאֶתְכֶם֙ לָקַ֣ח יְהוָ֔ה וַיּוֹצִ֥א אֶתְכֶ֛ם מִכּ֥וּר הַבַּרְזֶ֖ל
מִמִּצְרָ֑יִם לִהְי֥וֹת ל֛וֹ לְעַ֥ם נַחֲלָ֖ה כַּיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃
but you יהוה took and brought out of ...
- 9,449
1
vote
2
answers
94
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Netilat Yadaim Source
Where in tanach is the mitzvah of Netilat Yadaim shown / present?
I am essentially asking for the source of the mitzvah.
- 151
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0
answers
27
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Trying to remember a piyyut about the morning
I seem to recall that there is a piyyut that lists major events that took place early in the morning, similar to the way that "Vayehi Bachatzi Halaila" (at the beginning of Nirtzah) does for ...
- 21
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votes
3
answers
69
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The Luchos Connected or separate
The tablets which Moshe got at Har Siani, and the second set which Moshe wrote. We know they were legible from both sides. We also know it was written on 2 stones.
What did the tablets look like? Were ...
- 1,105
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votes
1
answer
44
views
Is there salvation from ignorance?
How is the relationship between people who had open experiences with God or with his manifestations in relation to those who had nothing? Will God treat them differently when it comes to their ...
- 399
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vote
1
answer
44
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Numbering of Halachot in Mishneh Thora
Shalom
I am a Noahide studying publications concerning the Noahide covenant.
I have noticed that references to the Mishneh Torah by the Rambam always come with two different numbers for the Halacha, ...
- 13
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votes
2
answers
34
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Yom Tov Birkat Hacohanhim -- where find the text about dreams?
In many mahzorim, during the yom tov birkat hakohanim, there is a paragraph related to dreams. (In English: I have dreamed a dream but I no not what it means... heal it like the dreams of ______)
I am ...
1
vote
3
answers
62
views
Proper definition for an idol/idol worshiping? [closed]
What is the proper definition for an idol/idol worshiping?
I'm asking this because in Christianity, an idol can be any person or thing that consumes your thoughts, words, time, energy, or money other ...
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votes
1
answer
33
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How many stones of the Luchos were there?
We know there were two sets of tablets that Moshe got. We know that each tablet was double-sided. How many actual side-by-side stones were there in each set? The pictures usually show there were two ...
- 1,105
-1
votes
1
answer
61
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What is the first pasuk in the Torah that begins within the letter tes? [closed]
I am wondering if someone knows the first pasuk in the Torah that begins within the letter Tes? Thank you.
- 49
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0
answers
51
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Hot coffee on Motzoei Shabbos [closed]
How many times after Havdalah on Motzoei Shabbos, do we sit around and contemplate if 6 hours have passed since we ate the Cholent to finally sit down to a nice hot coffee, or do we still have to wait....
- 195
2
votes
1
answer
282
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Why does Rashi (most of the time) not quote sources for his commentary?
The Gemera in Meggilah 15a and Pirkei Avot 6:6 says, כל האומר דבר בשם אומרו מביא גאולה לעולם שנאמר ותאמר אסתר למלך בשם מרדכי. My question is, if quoting teachings of other people is very important (...
- 356
1
vote
3
answers
54
views
Man's Duty in this World
According to Judaism, what is man's duty in this world, and what should man's goal in life be?
Is our goal to fulfill G0d's commandments, which will earn us a place in Olam Haba, or is our goal merely ...
- 4,307
3
votes
1
answer
79
views
Can one water plants before Shacharit?
Would one be permitted to water plants or feed pets (as another example), before saying shacharit, or would it be better to say shacharit first?
- 151
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votes
1
answer
53
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Where can I purchase ספר הבית היהודי volume 7 by Rabbi Aaron Zachai?
It is out of print and Lehmann's (the UK's main sefarim distributor) doesn't have it and can't get hold of it. I don't mind if I have to buy the whole set, but one way or another I would like to own a ...
- 3,225
1
vote
1
answer
103
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Derivation of 42-Letter Name of G-d
I understand that from the first 42 letters of Breishis, it is possible to derive the 42-letter name of G-d that is indicated within the Ana Bekoach prayer. Where could find out more about the ...
0
votes
1
answer
72
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Shabbos shacharis - Shabbos and the nations
וְלֹא נְתַתּוֹ ה' אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ לְגוֹיֵי הָאֲרָצוֹת
וְלֹא הִנְחַלְתּוֹ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ לְעוֹבְדֵי פְסִילִים
וְגַם בִּמְנוּחָתוֹ לֹא יִשְׁכְּנוּ עֲרֵלִים
כִּי לְיִשְׂרָאֵל עַמְּךָ נְתַתּוֹ בְּאַהֲבָה, לְזֶֽרַע יַעֲקֹב אֲשֶׁר בָּם
...
- 2,967
2
votes
0
answers
75
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your Masechta to enter the world to come [closed]
I found in one of the works of the great gaon Rav Moshe Greenwald (1853-1910 Chust-Hungary, known famously for his responsa sefer ערוגת הבושם), a sefer written as his 'final will' called- הכנה דרבה (a ...
- 195
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0
answers
36
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Animal offerings as philanthropic gifts when the Holy Temple (Beit HaMikdash) returns?
When the Beit HaMikdash returns, and animal offerings are reinstituted, will one be able to, in accordance w/ halakha, brand his sacrifice with his (or his family's) name on it, similar to the way ...
-1
votes
1
answer
48
views
Soul Fruit - what do we know?
Bereshit 2:9:
ויצמח יהוה אלהים מן־האדמה כל־עץ נחמד למראה וטוב למאכל ועץ החיים בתוך
הגן ועץ הדעת טוב ורע
And from the ground Hashem, God, caused to grow every tree that was pleasing
to the sight and ...
- 3,225
1
vote
1
answer
64
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firstborn status after the arrival of the moshiach
The Ohr Hachaim (Bamidbar 3,45) says a chiddush that seems to not have any obvious source, that לעתיד לבא (after the arrival of mashiach) the Avoda in the Beis Hamikdash will return to the firstborn! (...
- 195
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votes
1
answer
46
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Eyebrow- hair removal [closed]
I have some long hairs growing out by my eyebrows, and it bothers my wife, am I able to remove them with my fingers? Same with hairs growing by my ears. or this is Lo Silbash? Appreciate it
- 1
1
vote
1
answer
56
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Why in Beresheit 2:2 (and Kidush) we switch between מְלַאכְתּ֖וֹ and מִכׇּל־מְלַאכְתּ֖וֹ?
I've always had this question regarding the pasuk in Beresheit 2:2 which which we also say at kidush which says,
"וַיְכַ֤ל אֱלֹהִים֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י מְלַאכְתּ֖וֹ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֑ה ...
- 356
1
vote
3
answers
120
views
Hashem too holy to abide by us, yet closer to us than we can imagine - how to resolve?
It seems like, when it comes to Hashem's closeness to us, we have 2 different sides, and they go in opposite directions and I would like to know how to resolve them.
A) On the one hand, the reason why ...
- 3,225
1
vote
1
answer
51
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The Rambam Titling the Halachos of Pesach "״הלכות חמץ ומצה
I opened up the Yad today on Hilchos Pesach and was taken aback on Rambam's choice of words for the title : "״הלכות חמץ ומצה. Firstly, why is the Rambam putting the Halachos of the seder (...
- 394
2
votes
2
answers
225
views
Rabbi Meir's yeshiva
We learned in the Daf (Nazir 49b also Keddushin 52b) that Rav Yehuda instructed his Talmidim not to accept into his Yeshiva any Talmid of Rav Meir because they just ask questions to annoy and confuse (...
- 195
1
vote
1
answer
107
views
Wonder Child of Jerusalem
I grew up hearing about the story of a wonder child in Jerusalem that was born knowing כל התורה כולה. The Gedolim of that era explained that he didn't receive the flick from the angel at birth to make ...
- 195
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votes
3
answers
125
views
How does the olam haba of a Noahide differ from that of a Jew?
In other words, what precise reasons would motivate a gentile to convert rather than be a Noahide? I have heard that a Jew's olam haba is “better” but in what sense? What exactly is the difference?
3
votes
3
answers
229
views
Source that Mishlo'ach Manot were instituted to encourage Jews in ne'emanut - to trust each-others' kashrut
A long time ago I heard a number of vertlach that the reason why the destruction of Purim was decreed on the Jews was because they were refusing to eat in each others' houses because they didn't trust ...
- 3,225
0
votes
0
answers
39
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In 1 Chronicles 4:39, Where Is Gedor At?
39 And they went to the entrance of Gedor, even unto the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks.
40 And they found fat pasture and good, and the land was wide, and quiet, and ...
- 131
2
votes
0
answers
72
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Torah Reading for Chet Haegel, when the reader is a Levi
The Be'er Heitev in OH 428(7) brings the custom to arrange the aliyos in Parshas Ki Sisa so that the story of the Cheit Haegel is read during the Levi aliyah.
גם נוהגין לקרות ללוי פ' העגל וקורין אותה ...
- 2,967
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0
answers
140
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Are these ChatGPT-given sources concerning the gematria of ציון accurate? [closed]
Stated ChatGPT:
“There are several rabbinical sources that call for the addition of 30 to the gematria of ציון (Tzion or Zion). Here are a few examples:
The Arizal (Rabbi Isaac Luria), a prominent ...
- 71