Unanswered Questions
536 questions with no upvoted or accepted answers
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Chapter Endings while Leining Megillot
Inspired by this question.
It seems to be a common minhag to have a special trope for the end of a chapter when leining the megillot. I have seen this done in my shul, have done it myself, and also ...
- 17.9k
8
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Those who observe "Ben Zachar" at night and "Shalom Zachar" by day
There's a pretty common custom to observe what's commonly called a "Shalom Zachar" on the Friday night after a baby boy is born. People go to where the baby's father is, eat snacks, sing and share ...
- 20.2k
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Ushpizin in the Rain
Does one say Ushpizin if one is eating inside a house and not in the Sukkah due to heavy rain? Is Ushpizin about inviting the guest to the sukkah, or is it about inviting to the se'udah, where ever it ...
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English explanation of Sheva Brachot at a Wedding
I was a guest at a wedding recently. During the sheva brachot under the chuppah in addition to calling up someone to recite the bracha a second person was called up to read a relevant English passage ...
- 28k
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Proper day and time for a Shloshim Seuda
Per Chabad.org: "Traditionally, families gather on the eve of the Shloshim to share support, recite prayers and Psalms, and to give charity in the merit of the deceased. Many will also make a Siyum, ...
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Saying "Elokim" when not referring to Hashem
People often say "Elokim" instead of "Elohim" when speaking in order to avoid taking God's name in vain. I have observed, however, that some people always substitute the word "...
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What Nusach did the Twansa use?
In most of the places that Sefardim settled after being kicked out of Iberia, there were already Jews living there, usually called "Musta'arabi". In most places, these communities ...
- 34.5k
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Why we have to say Keriat Shma on the bed in the Sukkah?
It is known that on Passover night the custom is not to say Keriat Shma on the bed since it is called Shimurim night - a night that is preserved from the 'bad winds' (Mazikim). We don't put a Mezuza ...
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6
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505
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Source of wishing "Titchadesh" - תתחדש on new clothes
What is the source for wishing someone "תתחדש" for a new item of clothing?
See the Rema OC:224 who brings a minhag to wish someone that bought new clothes "תבלה ותחדש". Literal translation is "You ...
- 416
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Why do we specifically recall the greenery of Har Sinai on Shavuos?
While there are several reasons why there is a custom to spread greenery in shul, one which is brought by the Mishnah Berurah (494:10) is that Har Sinai was covered with greenery.
Why is it ...
- 74k
6
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Source for saying seven specific psalms in the cemetery
What is the source as cited in the ArtScroll Tehillim for saying chapters 33, 16, 17, 82, 91, 104, and 130 of Tehillim in a bais hachayim (Jewish cemetery)? Why specifically these chapters and why in ...
- 48.6k
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Why did Ashkenazi Jews not adopt the custom of reading the Book of Job in synagogue on Tisha B'Av, as Sephardim do?
I understand that Sephardim have the custom of reading the Book of Job on Tisha B'Av. Is there any historic discussion among Ashkenazi rabbis regarding why the practice was not adopted by them?
- 3,692
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Height of havdalah candle = height of spouse?
I have seen havdalah ceremonies where a unmarried person is charged with holding the havdalah candle and is told to hold it at the height that s/he would want their spouse to be. What is the source ...
- 74k
6
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Who were the Nistarim?
It has been documented that there is a group of righteous people called "The Nistarim". I am not referring to the lammed vav tzaddikim of the Gemara (Sanhedrin 97b, Sukkah 45b). Rather, a mystical ...
- 10.5k
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Do Sepharadim celebrate Thanksgiving?
A good deal of ink has been spilled in the past century regarding the permissibility and appropriateness of American Jews celebrating Thanksgiving.
For the most part, Ashkenazim are split, with some ...
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