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Unanswered Questions

478 questions with no upvoted or accepted answers
12 votes
1 answer
442 views

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 ...
8 votes
0 answers
177 views

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 ...
8 votes
0 answers
249 views

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 ...
7 votes
0 answers
181 views

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 ...
7 votes
2 answers
3k views

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, ...
7 votes
0 answers
2k views

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 "...
6 votes
0 answers
209 views

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 ...
6 votes
0 answers
94 views

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 ...
6 votes
0 answers
502 views

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 ...
6 votes
0 answers
65 views

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 ...
6 votes
0 answers
89 views

Why is it forbidden to eat after the Qorban Pesah?

The Mishnah (Pesahim 10:8) states (Hebrew, English): אין מפטירין אחר הפסח אפיקומן They may not add an afikoman after the Pesach offering. The commentators (e.g. Bartenura) explain that this is to ...
6 votes
0 answers
2k views

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 ...
6 votes
1 answer
706 views

May one order food from Amazon Prime after Pesach?

May one order chametz from a publically-traded company (Amazon) which may have had food pass through any number of distributers on the way? The service in question is Amazon Prime Pantry.
6 votes
0 answers
126 views

May a nutrition scientist perform research on chametz as part of his job on Hol Hamo'ed Pesach?

For this question, I am interested only in the aspect of handling the chametz and "benefitting" from it on Hol Hamo'ed, not any problems, possibly of going to work. (Let's assume that if the worker ...
6 votes
0 answers
307 views

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?

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