texts: What's with Rus sleeping over with Boaz?

texts:
This question concerns Rus chapter 3, q.v.

Why did Rus have to meet him in such an immodest fashion? Specifically: at night, alone, throwing herself at him (spread your cloak...)
Why didn't Boaz send her home? Granted people might see her, but wasn't that the point of her coming at night (ie people wouldn't see)?
If for some reason Rus couldn't leave, why didn't Boaz leave? Wasn't he concerned that he might be tempted to sin with her? The commentators indicate that he slept near her with an erection that entire night.
Isn't this a transgression of Yichud?
Why does the megillah need to record this incident? Had this entire incident been omitted would the narrative be missing anything?


texts: Why switch the reference from "גוי" to "עם" in Tachanun?

texts:
Why does the prayer "Shomer Yisra'el" in Tachanun say in two of the verses the word גוי in the first and last phrase, but עם in the middle phrase?

  שומר גוי אחד שמור שארית עם אחד ואל יאבד גוי אחד

...

  שומר גוי קדוש שומר שארית עם קדוש ואל יאבד גוי קדוש


texts:
I saw in a sefer (Ishei Hatanakh) that Yiftach's bones were scattered as a punishment for killing his daughter. The sefer said the source was otzer midrashim: the aleph bet of ben sira 36, but I cannot find the hebrew text of this online. Does anyone have a link or know where I can find the text for this?
Thank you!


texts: "Traveling their travelings" - a bit repetitive I think

texts:
וַיִּסְעוּ כָּל עֲדַת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל מִמִּדְבַּר סִין לְמַסְעֵיהֶם

What does this Posuk mean - "they traveled to their travels"

why does the Torah use a repetitive  form?


texts: What is the basis in the Torah permitting a king to kill someone?

texts:
Rambam in the laws of kings 3:10 states

כל ההורג נפשות שלא בראיה ברורה. או בלא התראה. אפלו בעד אחד. או שונא שהרג בשגגה. יש למלך רשות להרגו ולתקן העולם כפי מה שהשעה צריכה. והורג רבים ביום אחד ותולה ומניחן תלויים ימים רבים להטיל אימה ולשבר יד רשעי העולם:
The king has the right to execute a killer, even when there is no clear proof (against him) or no warning was given him or even if there was only one witness. He may execute someone who killed accidentally out of hatred. He may do so for purposes of establishing Public Order, as is necessary depending on the prevailing circumstances. He may even execute many people on one day and hang them and leave them hanging for many days in order to instill fear and crush the hands of the wicked of the world.

I would like to know the source in the Torah, ie 5 Books of Moshe, which provides the king power to execute someone or many people without due legal process and when the person in question has not committed an act of rebellion against the king (mored b'malchut).


texts: Skip Tachanun on the Sunday of Purim Meshulash?

texts:
In a situation when Shushan Purim falls out on Shabbat, walled cities (which can't celebrate Purim on Shabbat) read the Megillah and give Matanot Le’Evyonim on Friday, while on Sunday they have their Purim Seudah and give Mishloach Manot.

Is Tachanun omitted on that Sunday 16 Adar even though it's not really a holiday itself? Does it matter if one is in a walled city and performing specifical commands or not?


texts: What is considered having in mind for other food items for the same bracha category?

texts:
I don't know the exact source but all food items of the same category can be consumed after reciting a single bracha.

For example, if you have in mind to eat/drink tea, fish and ice cream you can say a single shehakol to cover all the items.

Is there a precise definition with all the criteria for "having in mind"?

If you usually have tea following a meal, but you don't have it in mind at the time of a bracha do you repeat the shehakol?

How about if you said a bracha in one room (living room) and began eating a separate item in a separate room (bed room) of the same house? Do you need to have in mind all the places you are going to eat?


texts: Is the obligation on husband to feed his wife from Torah or Rabbinical?

texts:
I always understood that it was.

But then I saw that it is for her work, and if she says do not feed me it is possible that the obligation to feed her goes away forever.  And he does not need to feed her if she does not work
So I understood that it is not biblical

So is the obligation to feed your wife only rabbinic?

I will really appreciate sources on topic


texts:
In the last years, in Israel, on Erev Chag Succot, about 4 hours before the Chag begins, we witness an interesting phenomenon - incredible price drop for the 4 Minim, especially the expensive Etrog and Lulav. As they are absolutely worthless after the Chag starts, in about 20-30 minutes the sellers drop prices from 40-50 NIS to 5NIS (~$1.5) apiece (originally they start around 100-150 NIS).

The merchandise was of very good quality, I couldn't spot any blemishes. But frankly, buying a very Kosher Etrog and Lulav for 5 NIS felt somewhat cheap and disrespectful for the Chag, for which we follow the אנווהו principle.

I wondered if anybody addressed this issue: that one should spend a decent amount of money on the 4 Minim to show personal respect or that buying them as cheap as possible is just as good?


texts: Source For Ahavat Chinam; Unwaranted Love

texts:
I have often heard the term Ahavat Chinam unwarranted love referenced as the antidote to sinat chinam unwarranted hate. What are the earliest sources for this (first) expression, particularly in the above context of solving unwarranted hate. The earliest I found was this from 1930.

Hint: I have heard this idea ascribed to R. Kook z"l, so that might be a good place to look.


texts: What is the source for "asi aseh v'dachi lo sa'aseh"?

texts: Throughout Shas we have a concept of "asi aseh v'dachi lo sa'aseh," that a positive commandment overrides a negative commandment (ex. Beitzah 8a, Yevamos 84a, etc.). What is the source for this concept? Where does the Gemara get it from? Is it a sevara, or does it derive it from a passuk?


texts: Can a Jew buy something from a vending machine that was not sold during Pesach?

texts:
The scenario:

The vending machine is physically located in a Jewish-owned business. A non-Jewish vendor owns the physical machine and is responsible for stocking the chametz cookies in the machine. The vendor comes once per week, and empties the money, and restocks the machine with products that he owns. Every month, he gives the Jewish owner a percentage of the sales. The vendor also pays the Jew a space rental fee for allowing him to keep the vending machine there.

My question - Can a Jewish employee purchase chametz from this machine after Pesach? Is the Jewish business owner considered owning chametz during Pesach by the fact that he gets a percentage of sales, in general, or is the fact that the currently purchased product not having ben sold during Pesach exempt from this prohibition? Also, is the usage fee an implication of the Jew owning the machine and its contents?


texts: (How) can a man seek favor from (or woo) a potential bride and/or her family?

texts:
Regarding Jews
1. Is a man permitted to woo the maiden (/her parents)? (Maybe it is not tznius (since maybe this is what a man does only to his wife))
2. Is it preferable that he (or family) do it ?
3. Or should he (and his family) just be himself and not do for her any special favors and let her want to marry him by herself?
4. Should he also inform of his negative traits (which he is not Halochikly obligated to)? (Or should he avoid them to speed up his marriage?)

If yes, please also give some practical advice as to how it can this be done.
It is By telling her how good he is, how he will take care of her, by giving her gifts, opening the door for her (what if you are not planning to open doors for her after marriage), paying for the food/drink?

Is over doing it, not good?
If yes what is over doing it?

(Sources that I know of, that Eliyezer gave Rifka a gift, Yakov cried that he could not give a gift to Rochel, Eliyezer showed Rifka's parents that her new husband is not poor and will be able to support her, Shchem told Dina nice words, (explaining how he can take care of her better then her father can))
A family might be similar to government (the husband is the ruler), and i see by government that the king/president many times tries to find faver in the people's eyes (this can be clearly seen in elections were people choose their leader (similar to when a wife chooses a husband))


texts: did anyone summarize/organize the laws of marriage (kesubois) after the Shulchan Aruch was written

texts:
i see that there is no aruch hashulchan for hilchois kesubois

is there anything similar?
someone who explains the shulchan aruch hilshos kezubois, or someone who lived after the shulchan aruch and summarizes/organizes these laws in his own way


texts: Rav Kapach on Rambam's view on the identification of Keneh bosem

texts:
As a follow up to this question, there seem to be two contradictory conclusions on what Rambam holds to be the keneh bosem.

First it is said that (Rav Kapach's notes to) Rambam's commentary in the Mishna (Keritot 1:1) implicates that Keneh bosem may be identified as the sweet calmus, or the Acoras calamus (which grows in Europe with similar species growing in the Holy Land - Aryeh Kaplan).

But on his Mishne Torah (Kley HaMikdash 1:3) the Rambam himself holds that Keneh bosem is to be identified as the Indian plant, (the Cympopogan martini or the palmarosa plant - Aryeh Kaplan).

How Rav Kapach solves this - considering what Rambam says in his Mishne Torah (above)? If Rambam himself holds these two positions, how can we reconcile these distinct identifications?


texts:
As far as i know, the torah shebichsav never refers to the splitting of the sea as a 'kriah', i.e. a ripping. The torah says things like ויבקעו המים (Shemos 14:21) which means that the sea split.
In torah she'b'al peh, it is always referred to as קריעת ים סוף.

Why did chazal choose to change from.the way the torah refers to that which occurred and why such an odd choice off word? Ripping seems to make little to no sense in this context.


texts:
Shortest word in the Torah
What is the shortest word in the Torah?


texts: Why did brothers take Yossef's dreams seriously?

texts:
In my understanding, the whole story of the brother's revenge to Yossef started with Yossef's dreams, which he told his father and brothers.
Yossef wasn't a prophet, he showed no signs of genius or fulfilling of his previous dreams. Nevertheless, the brothers believed the story so much they plotted to kill him and see if the dreams will come true (Gen 37, 20):

"וְעַתָּה לְכוּ וְנַהַרְגֵהוּ וְנַשְׁלִכֵהוּ בְּאַחַד הַבֹּרוֹת וְאָמַרְנוּ חַיָּה רָעָה אֲכָלָתְהוּ וְנִרְאֶה מַה־יִּהְיוּ חֲלֹמֹתָיו׃
"Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits; and we can say, ‘A savage beast devoured him.’ We shall see what comes of his dreams!”

When we read the Torah it comes to us naturally postfactum, after reading Parshos Miketz and Vayigash, but they didn't know it.
What was the reason they took his dreams seriously, especially after Yaakov himself asserted that it was meaningless?


texts: Why is the survival of the sons of Korach not mentioned in Parshat Korach?

texts:
In Parshat Korach we read about the deaths of Korach and Datan and Aviram, and that the families of Datan and Aviram descended with them as the earth swallowed them up.

In Parshat Pinchas, when it is going through the census of the tribes, when it comes to the lineage of Reuven, it mentions Datan and Aviram and at that point it mentions that the sons of Korach did not die.

Why is that fact mentioned here? It seems out of place. Why not in Parshat Korach? And if it has to be in Pinchas at all then why not in a section about the lineage of Levi under Itzhar's descendents (thus showing he has surviving descendents from Korach too).


texts:
Is there a mitzvah of welcoming guests who are non-Jews?

I know Avraham welcomed non-Jews into his home, but that could be different for several reasons: There was no formal mitzvah and he was just doing general acts of kindness; there were no halachos at that time specifically instituted for the express purpose of limiting interaction between Jews and non-Jews; there were no Jews to welcome, so perhaps this was a back-up option.

Therefore, if you want to answer based on Avraham's practice you need to explain how it is a justifiable comparison.

Please source your answers.


texts: Can a Jew act in a play / movie where he / she has the role of an idol worshiper? He would perform the acts of idol worship without believing in the idols at all.


texts: Where online can I find the oldest Sidur?

texts:
I am looking for the oldest sidur you can find and read online. I mean a scanned version of course. If possible before 1000 Modern Era.

Ps: I am not looking for something in a museum since I want to read in it.


texts: Can the Mishnah be interpreted according to both peshat and drash?

texts:
There's a statement attributed to the Vilna Gaon (quoted in the introduction to Binas Mikra and in several other places) that the Mishnah can be interpreted according to 'peshat' which can sometimes differ from the Gemara's understanding of those Mishnayos, just as pesukim can have a 'peshat' which doesn't conform to halacha.

Are there other sources (besides for those quoting the Vilna Gaon) for such an idea, or anyone who explicitly refutes this position?


texts: Is there a source for the claim that being a Kvater (person who carries a baby to/from his Bris) helps cure infertility?


texts: Is every single punishment given in the form of Mida K'neged Mida ("Measure for Measure" - i.e. the punishment is in the same vein as the transgression) or just in some special cases?


texts: Halachic approaches to marital relations in a Succah

texts:
What are the Halachic approaches to allowing or prohibiting marital relations in one's Succah?

Note: This question does not ask for the final accepted Halachah, but for the sources for different approaches to this issue - what different Poskim think on this.

For precedence of "onah-to-sukkos" click here .


texts:
According to Judaism, do Gentiles have minhagim as it relates to how they live out the Seven Laws of Noah, or are they capable of having or establishing them?

If Gentiles can/do have minhagim, are individual Noachides obligated to follow a specific minhag based on their ancestry and/or local community to the extent that one exists, or is this purely voluntary?


texts: Can a live video feed remove the prohibition of Yichud?

texts: I was wondering if and how a public videostream could affect a potential yichud situation.  For example, may a single guy and girl be secluded if they set up a continuously broadcasting camera and send a link to the video feed to a couple of their trustworthy friends?


texts: Was King David the head of the Sanhedrin?

texts: It's widely assumed that Dovid HaMelech was the head of the Sanhedrin; see, for example, Kesef Mishneh in the beginning of Rambam's introduction to Yad HaChazaka. However, the Gemara in Berachos 4a implies that this position was held by Binayahu ben Yehoyada -- Rashi there says he was the אב בית דין. How are these reconciled? In any case, is there a source in Chazal for the assumption that Dovid HaMelech was the head of the Sanhedrin?


texts: Non-medical N95 / KN95 / FFP2 masks, beards, shaving, Chol Ha'moed, and the Omer

texts:
Background information
There's no longer a shortage of non-medical N95 / FFP2 masks.  Anyone who wants enhanced protection against COVID can now get some.  Despite some rumors to the contrary, these masks can be easy to breathe through and reasonably comfortable.  I often wear one, even at the supermarket.
If you'd like, you can view links to vendors of N95 / FFP2 masks in various countries.
Beard hair can cause an N95 / KN95 / FFP2 mask to leak.  This means that the mask may not work as well.  In fact, in such a case, it might provide you with little or no protection at all.  (Source.)  Even a day or two worth of stubble can start to reduce protection.  (Source.)
If you really don't want to shave, one possible workaround is to apply an under-mask beard cover.  But it may be safer and more elegant just to shave.
My questions
A.)  If you're planning to wear an N95 / KN95 / FFP2 mask around town, can you shave during Ḥol Ha'moed?
B.)  How about during the Omer?


texts:
May one use an induction stovetop on yom tov?

I assume there's a fundamental difference if the pot is already on the stove before yom tov, and food is just poured inside; this should be permitted. But what about placing the pot on the stove?
Is there any difference if the induction mechanism pauses if no pot is detected?

How induction works:

  Wikipedia: Induction cooking heats a cooking vessel by magnetic induction, instead of by thermal conduction from a flame, or an electrical heating element. Because inductive heating directly heats the vessel, very rapid increases in temperature can be achieved.

Symplified [my understanding, maybe I'm wrong], every solid consists of fixed atoms with rotating electrons. Some electrons rotate clockwise and some counter-clockwise. The "rotation direction" [edit me, for the correct term], can be changed temporarily with a magnetic force. The north (N) magnetic field spins it in one direction, while south (S) spins it in the other direction.

The idea of induction, is, rapidly change between N and S causing rapid changes in the atomic particals; in turn causing massive friction, which emits heat.


texts: What kinds of metals need immersion in a mikvah?

texts: Metal (and glass) utensils used for food require immersion in a mikvah. What counts as a metal for this purpose? Note that there is no universally accepted scientific definition of a metal.


texts: Being that n'ila is a unique prayer, in that it only occurs once a year, can one make up (do tashlumin for) n'ila at the next prayer or the previous one at n'ila?


texts: Source for the bride's circling the groom

texts: I understand that there are ways of deriving a scriptural basis for the tradition of circling one's groom three times or seven times, etc - but what is the earliest (written) source for this being a custom?


texts:
I was thinking about it lately.

If God can do everything, can He destroy Himself?

Is there something about this possibility in any of the holy books?


texts: Source for pure status of those buried on Har Hazeitim

texts:
In this article on Har Hazeitim (Mt. of Olives) it says:

"People buried on the Mount of Olives are exempt from the ritual of atonement that those buried elsewhere must undergo."

Is there a source for this claim?


texts: What sons of Noach are the nations disposed of by Edom, Ammon, and Moav descended from?

texts:
Edom disposed of the Horites, Moav and Ammon the Rephaim/Emim/Zamzumim etc. (Devarim 2:10-12)

What sons of Noach are these peoples descended from?

If they’re giants (Emim/Zamzumim), are they presumed to be descended from Og?


texts: Is there a Karaite answer to the Kuzari?

texts:
According to Wikipedia, the Kuzari was originally written as a reply by Rabbi Yehudah Halevi to a heretic, likely a Spanish Karaite.
Indeed, sections of the book are dedicated to refuting the Karaite views.
I was curious to know whether the Karaites wrote any text that directly refers to the Kuzari and offers up a defense of Karaism in light of the Kuzari's criticism?


texts: Can tevilas keli be avoided by giving the item to another Jew and borrowing it back from him?

texts:
The idea of giving an item that is difficult to immerse in a mikvah to a non-Jew and then borrowing it back is known to me (see for example the answer from “Lechayam” to the related question Electric Appliances and Mikva) .

But Star-K only allow it for one day:

  “Another suggestion would be to give the utensil in question to a
  non-Jew as an outright gift and borrow it back from the non-Jew.
  However, this procedure only helps for one day, such as for Shabbos.”

I have heard another idea – to give the utensil in question to another Jew as an outright gift and borrow it back from him.

Is there a source for this idea?


texts: Shnayim Ve'esrim Ushlosh Meyot - mi yodeya?

texts:
Who knows three hundred twenty-two?
?שנים ועשרים ושלוש מאות - מי יודע
In the spirit of the song "Echad - mi yodeya", please post interesting and significant Jewish facts about the number 322.
People, let's ramp up our game and conquer this number! Don't just lie down on the job and resort to lazy gematria.
Check out mi-yodeya-series for the previous three hundred twenty-one entries in this ongoing series.
Please include sources for your information wherever possible, as with all other answers on this site.


texts: May I shop at a church-owned thrift store?

texts:
May I shop at a thrift store owned by a church, such as the Salvation Army Family Store?
What if the only other thrift store is half an hour away?


texts:
Today, in a shiur, I heard someone quote an opinion of the "קדוש מרדוש" (pronounced "Kadosh Meradoosh", I think). The Bet Yosef in E"HE 35 seems to quote the מרדכי who quotes him, so apparently he's a rishon. This is likely the same person who R' Akiva Eiger in Gittin (4th chapter) calls מהר"י מרדוש.

Who is the author of this work and when was it written? Is it an independant work or just someone whose shitot are quoted by others?

In what form was this work written (i.e. a perush on Talmud, an explanation on Mishnah, a sefer Halacha...)?


texts:
If there was no duration assigned originally, when must an unpaid guardian return an object he was protecting? (e.g., Tom guards Harry's money for a couple weeks for free, but when Harry returns to retrieve his money Tom says, "Sure, I'm safely holding onto the money. I'll give it to you in a few more weeks.")

[Please provide sources]


texts:
Who knows two hundred seventeen?
Please cite/link your sources, if possible. At some point at least twenty-four hours from now, I will:

Upvote all interesting answers.

Accept the best answer.

Go on to the next number.


texts: Are there any books which specifically deal with the laws of an Aguna? Preferably in English?

texts:
I know where it is written in the Torah that a man needs to write a document for his wife in order to divorce her, but I want to know if there is a thoroughly explained book written on the topic of Aguna laws.

I'm looking for discussions about pressuring recalcitrant husbands to give a get, what kinds of evidence is needed to believe a husband died, ways to annul a marriage retroactively, and what monetary rights a wife has to her recalcitrant husband's property.


texts: Minhagim for someone with a non-Jewish father

texts:
Furthered from a question I asked earlier: Is the son of a non-Jewish father a mamzer?

If someone was born from a non-Jewish father and a Jewish mother (which makes them 100% a Jew), what minhagim do they follow? I would assume their mother's, but what if their mother also does not have a strong family minhag?

Can they choose their minhagim like a ger can, as long as they don't have a specific minhag passed down from their mother?


texts: Is there a limit to the number of consecutive leap years?

texts:
The Rambam in Hilchot Kiddush Hachodesh 4:5 (Thanks @DonielF) states that Sanhedrin was allowed to declare a leap year not just based on "seasonal alignment' (I.e. 16 Nissan should be after the spring equinox.)

They could declare a leap year if the roads / bridges were washed away during the rainy season and if it would be too difficult to get to Yerushalayim for the pilgrimage. There were other reasons as well.

Was there a limit to how many consecutive years that Sanhedrin could declare a leap year? Were there any documented cases when Sanhedrin declared a leap year for 2 or more consecutive years?


texts: What blessing(s) to make on milk's favorite cookie (Oreo's)?

texts:
Oreo cookies are wonderfilled things.

What blessing(s) should one make on Oreo cookies?

As shown below, an Oreo cookie is made of two parts: the wafer part of the cookie, which by itself is a mezonos, and the filling, which by itself would be shehakol.

Should one make a mezonos? Shehakol? Both? Would it make a difference if the cookie were to be pulled apart, and the components eaten separately?

(Double Stuf Oreos shown above)


texts:
In the Shabbos shacharis birkos kerias shema, there is a poem referred to as Kel Adon that we say.

In some congregations, the custom is to say the stanzas responsively, with the chazzan saying each stanza and then the congregation repeating it. In other congregations, the custom is that everyone says the entire poem straight through together.

This question (which is in turn currently a duplicate of this question) asks why there is a discrepancy in custom, and if either method is preferred.

I am (under the assumption that one custom was the original way and the other evolved later) curious when whichever custom is later started. All sourced answers are welcome.


texts: Prague and Pressburg and Rebbi Meir Shapira

texts:
I have seen quoted that in the newspaper of Agudas Yisroel, Rebbi Meir Shapira printed an article named Prague and Pressburg and their differing approaches.

Does anyone have a copy or can link me a copy of the article?


texts: Why didn't Noach Pray for his generation like Avraham did for Sodom

texts: Why didn't Noach Daven to save his generation like Avraham Davened for Sodom?


texts: Why are there four types of execution? Wouldn't it be enough if there were only one type of execution? Lashes for example are only of one type and the standard 40 lashes.


texts:
Olelet is described in mishnah peah 7:4:

  אֵיזוֹהִי עוֹלֶלֶת. כָּל שֶׁאֵין לָהּ לֹא כָתֵף וְלֹא נָטֵף. אִם יֶשׁ לָהּ כָּתֵף אוֹ נָטֵף, שֶׁל בַּעַל הַבַּיִת, אִם סָפֵק, לָעֲנִיִּים. עוֹלֶלֶת שֶׁבָּאַרְכֻּבָּה, אִם נִקְרֶצֶת עִם הָאֶשְׁכּוֹל, הֲרֵי הִיא שֶׁל בַּעַל הַבַּיִת, וְאִם לָאו, הֲרֵי הִיא שֶׁל עֲנִיִּים. גַּרְגֵּר יְחִידִי, רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר, אֶשְׁכּוֹל. וַחֲכָמִים אוֹמְרִים, עוֹלֶלֶת:

Sefaria Translation:

  Which is Olelet? Any [cluster] that has neither a shoulder nor a dangling portion [but rather is entirely attached to the main stem]. If there is a shoulder or a dangling portion, it belongs to the property owner; if there is a doubt, it belongs to the poor. An Olelet that is attached to the knee [the joint between branches or the stem and the trunk] - if it is plucked with the grape cluster, indeed it belongs to the property owner; if not, indeed it belongs to the poor. A single grape - Rabbi Yehudah says: It is a cluster; the Sages say: It is an Olelet.

Unfortunately, I don't really know how grapes grow, and I'm having a hard time understanding what's being referred to, even after reading this and the Kehati English. Are there pictures or a diagram of the various features of grape growth that correspond to olelet?


texts: Why is elevation not factored into zmanim in places like New York?

texts: As you might already know, zmanim (for Shabbos, etc.) are determined by a number of factors, one being the elevation of the particular locale. But for some reason, if you check the charts and algorithms for the zmanim of New York (I'm thinking Monsey (elevation 548 feet), specifically), the elevation is not factored into the times. Any idea why this is? I know the difference would be nominal at best, but it's still a difference. We might as well use it, right? Any ideas why we don't?


texts: Is there any reason why Yizkor, in particular, should be said in shul/with minyan rather than alone?

texts:
Is there any reason why YIZKOR in particular, should be said in shul (the synagogue) rather than at home?

Why is it common (orthodox) practice that women who almost never attend Shul make an extreme effort to come to shul for Yizkor?


texts:
A while ago, I asked a mashgiach what type of duck is typically sold in the U.S. kosher market? He said mallards.

My area has many mallards in nearby ponds. But, I also see teals and wood ducks as well as several other species. I don't know if all duck species are kosher. If not, is there a published list of all kosher duck species?


texts: How did Rivkah give Yackov Eisav's clothing? Isn't borrowing without permission tantamount to stealing?

texts:
How did Rivkah give Yackov Eisav's clothing without asking?

וַתִּקַּח רִבְקָה אֶת בִּגְדֵי עֵשָׂו בְּנָהּ הַגָּדֹל הַחֲמֻדֹת אֲשֶׁר אִתָּהּ בַּבָּיִת וַתַּלְבֵּשׁ אֶת יַעֲקֹב בְּנָהּ הַקָּטָן
And Rebecca took the costly garments of Esau, her elder son, which were with her in the house, and she dressed Jacob, her younger son.

(Gen. 27:15)
Is it stealing?


texts: Why do we remove tefillin (tefilin) for Hallel?

texts: Those who wear tefillin on chol hamoed remove them before beginning Hallel. What is the reasoning behind doing that? Also, is there an ideal time to remove them (e.g., before or after the repetition of the amida).


texts: I'm working on a book to bring iyun torah to everyone through a clear, English, user-friendly book of 11 essays of chiddushim in various talmudic topics. The idea is that learning in depth is unfortunately not so common for many people for a whole range of reasons, and so this project is aiming to help give iyun back to the entire frum community (and the not frum community too). I'm doing self-publishing as its the cheapest model. Now I've started fundraising and, besides, obviously, asking people in my city who I know, I wanted to know if there are any foundations  that look to support publication of sefarim and chiddushei Torah (as well as gevirim who are known to be into supporting sifrei Torah). Are there any such things? Which ones are they? how can I find them? Thanks very, very much!


texts:
A midrash tells us that a man's father drank too much wine and frequently collapsed in the streets in drunken stupor. One rainy day, the son saw a drunk lying in the gutter with rainwater running all over him. He brought his father to the scene to show him what happens when you drink too much. The elderly father went to the drunk, came close, smelled him, and asked him, “Wow! Where did you get such good wine?” [Midrash Tanhuma, Shemini 11]
Unfortunately, the drunk's answer was cut off in the copy I have. Does anybody have a complete copy and can tell us where such good wine can be bought? Inquiring minds want to know.
This question is Purim Torah and is not intended to be taken completely seriously. See the Purim Torah policy.


texts: On Hoshana Rabba after one uses (Klaps) his Hoshanos may another person use the same Hoshanos?


texts: Source? The day you were born was the day Gd decided the universe could no longer exist without you

texts:
I am looking for the source for the following quote

  The day you were born was the day Gd decided the universe could no longer exist without you

The greeting card I saw it on said the quote was from the Talmud.


texts:
The Chabad Chumash we use has The first portion of Naso to be from 4:21-28. Other Chumash I have (such as the Stone version) have it as 4:21-37. Other random places I look agree with this latter ending point. The second portion in all cases ends at the same point - 4:49.
Can someone explain why there is a difference?


texts: Would a Noahide be allowed to add or subtract from the seven laws of Noah?


texts:
Is it permissible for a woman to wear ankle socks? The issue that comes to mind is that the area between the bottom of the skirt and the top of the socks is visible and quite substantial. But if you follow the halachah strictly - if I am not mistaken - the only requirement is that the skirt be below the knees.

What exactly might be the problem? Please provide any rabbinical sources with your answers - if there are any.


texts: Suppose a Jew charges and receives interest from a Jew, only finding out that the other party is Jewish after. He should refuse the interest. BUT he knows that the debtor has defaulted on a debt to someone else. May he give the interest collected to the other creditor who lost his principal?


texts: Rav Soloveichik foundational essay on what Modern Orthodoxy is

texts:
I was having an argument with someone about Modern Orthodoxy, me being pro him being against, he said that even The Rav said in his foundational essay on Modern Orthodoxy that the reason for Modern Orthodoxy is because nowadays we need madah to survive as a nation in the Modern World, making it a bidyeved movement according to The Rav.

Does anyone know what he might be talking about? I've been searching for this essay and I can't find anything.


texts: Is there an issue [transgressing the Mishna Avos (Avos 3:8) of causing oneself to forget his learning] to eat olives seeing that Horayos (13b) writes olives eaten frequently will cause one to forget his learning? If there is an issue, is there a way to remove the forgetfulness?


texts: Assuming your Rabbi already permits you to take medicine on Shabbos for a serious chronic disease: If your doctor increases your dosage by half a pill, and the pill is already pre-scored to make it easy to split into two, can you split the pill on Shabbos, or must you do it before? What if you forgot until Shabbos had already started? Would splitting the pill be like grinding? If you pre-split some pills, what is the best way to find a whole and half pill from the bottle and avoid borer (the melacha of selecting)?


texts: While sleeping in a sukkah, are you exempt from prayer?

texts:
Someone engrossed in one mitzvah is sometimes exempt from certain other mitzvot.

So, I wonder, based on a question from Reddit user GutsAndGlory2:

While engaged in the mitzvah of sleeping in a sukkah, are you exempt from saying the morning Shemoneh Esrei?


texts: What are the earliest sources that reference the recitation of Shir HaShirim on Erev Shabbos? (Bearing in mind the dates of redaction of various Midrashim).


texts:
When saying shma in davening without a minyan, the three words א-ל מלך נאמן are recited. It is done in order to make up 248 words total (with a minyan, the chazzan says ה' א-לוקיכם אמת to get the 3).

With this in mind, what is considered davening alone that kel melech ne'eman would be said?

Must you be actually without a minyan, or can you be considered 'alone' even if you're with a minyan, but catching up? Does it make a difference if the chazzan hasn't finished saying shma yet or not?


texts: Why do some women light additional shabbat candles for the past weeks they didn't light?

texts: Some women have the custom to light an additional shabbat candle for every week which, for whatever reason, they did not have a chance to light shabbat candles in the past.  For example, if a woman with 2 kids did not light candles on 3 occasions at various times in the past, she would light a total of 7 candles (2 + 2 kids + 3 for missed weeks) every shabbat, indefinitely.  One woman I know who is newly observant (ba'al teshuva) only lights additional candles for weeks she missed starting when she became observant.  Where did this custom originate?  What is the basis for the custom?  Is there a limit as to how many additional candles one should light, both in terms of number of additional candles per week and in how long you should persist in lighting the additional candles?  Is there a basis for not counting the weeks before you became observant?  Any other "exceptions"?


texts: Seforim about Halachic status of Beta Israel

texts:
I am looking for any seforim that talk about the halachic status of the Beta Israel (Ethiopian Jews).

(I remember once seeing a book generally about yichus of Jews, mainly the Russians and the Ethiopians - it was yellow and had pictures of olga dolls on the front cover - if someone answers with the name of that book, that is most preferable)


texts: If you leave your store open on shabbos for your non-jewish or non-observant workers to run, and you don't make any money from it (give all profits to workers) is that ok?


texts: Which mishnah in Shas has the most daf between it and the subsequent mishnah?

texts:
Beginning from:

one  מתני׳  => gemara => the next מתני׳

Does anyone know which mishnah has the most dafim between it and the subsequent mishnah?

My gut tells me Bava Basra due to its length (176 daf) and the shortness of each daf, but not sure.

(asking as a fun fact, obviously this has no practical implication)


texts: Was it David's custom to go into battle without an armour?

texts:
Shmuel I 17:38-39:

וַיַּלְבֵּ֨שׁ שָׁא֚וּל אֶת־דָּוִד֙ מַדָּ֔יו וְנָתַ֛ן ק֥וֹבַע נְח֖שֶׁת עַל־רֹאשׁ֑וֹ וַיַּלְבֵּ֥שׁ אֹת֖וֹ שִׁרְיֽוֹן. וַיַּחְגֹּ֣ר דָּוִ֣ד אֶת־חַ֠רְבּוֹ מֵעַ֨ל לְמַדָּ֜יו וַיֹּ֣אֶל לָלֶכֶת֘ כִּ֣י לֹֽא־נִסָּה֒ וַיֹּ֨אמֶר דָּוִ֜ד אֶל־שָׁא֗וּל לֹ֥א אוּכַ֛ל לָלֶ֥כֶת בָּאֵ֖לֶּה כִּ֣י
לֹ֣א נִסִּ֑יתִי וַיְסִרֵ֥ם דָּוִ֖ד מֵעָלָֽיו
And Saul dressed David with his garments, and he placed a copper helmet on his head, and he dressed him with a coat of mail.
And David girded his sword over his garments, and he did not want to go (in them), for he was not accustomed, and David said to Saul,
"I cannot go with these, for I am not accustomed." And David took them off. (Source: Chabad Website).

This is a two-part question:
A. Does this passage imply David's custom to go into battle without a military type of protective covering?
B. If this was only an exception (not that I know it is an exception), why would this be an exception, as fighting Goliat would be as dangerous, if not the most dangerous thing he ever did?
To familiarize oneself with the incident in question, the following miyodeya question might serve as a background information.
Understanding the incident with Goliat


texts: The Artscroll siddur offers two insertions that one can add to the bracha of shma koleinu every day, one asking forgiveness for sin and the other asking for livelihood. What are the sources for these insertions, and why are they not found in the Koren, Metzudah, or Rinat Yisrael siddurim?


texts: What happened to Korach's third co-conspirator?

texts:
Numbers 16 begins:

  Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men;

They rebelled and lost. The Lord punished them (16:23-25):

  And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak unto the congregation, saying: Get you up from about the dwelling of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.' And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him. [...]

Korach, Dathan, Abiram, their families, and 250 people total died.
On the son of Peleth isn't mentioned by name after the first verse.
What happened to him? Was he one of the 250 (but not named, unlike other
two) or did he stop being part of the rebellion or something else?

(I am asking this question on behalf of someone who wishes to remain anonymous.  Instead of just answering his email I chose to post it here in case it benefits others in the future.)


texts: Can you eat food that has been bought on Shabbos by guest?

texts: If you live in a house with people who do not keep Shabbos and you all have dinner, and a guest or someone else living in that house brings kosher food for dinner bought on Shabbos, can a Jew eat that food on Shabbos? You did not buy the food or ask that someone should, and the food was not cooked on Shabbos.


texts: New Al Netilas Yadayim after washing after Defecating During Meal

texts: Should one make a new bracha of al netilas yadayim upon washing his hands after defecating within a meal?


texts: Orthodox Camps in Spanish Speaking World

texts: I am a 17 year old in my 6th year of learning Spanish, and would love to utilize my skills.  Therefore I ask you: are there any opportunities you know of for a nice, Orthodox boy in any Spanish speaking country?  I would like to be a counselor, but a camper would also work.  I want something for Spanish-speakers, not something for tourists.  I would like thrice daily davening and kosher food, of course.


texts: Seemingly Hefker Esrog - used for the Mitzva

texts:
This past Erev Succos I arrived at a local synagogue that had a fellow selling Lulavim and Esrogim in their Simcha hall. The fellow left three Esrogim (not in the greatest condition - yet Kosher) on the Synagogue porch without any sign or information as to their ownership. They were left in such a way that they seemed to be Hefker. I even overheard a few people saying "I guess these are the leftover Esrogim and the guy selling them left them for anyone to take".

After Succos a sign appeared on the bulletin board "Whoever took the three Esrogim from the porch on Erev Succos please call ..... to arrange payment".

I do not know who took them and if they were used for the Mitzva of Lulav / Esrog or perhaps hung as a decoration in a Succah. Suppose they were used for the Mitzva - how does one determine whether an item is / was Hefker? Does the fact that a seller put up a sign demanding payment reverse the Hefker status of an item?

A stolen Esrog may not be used for the Mitzva


texts:
If someone buys something from a vending machine and two items accidentally pop out (due to some error in the machine), is he/she allowed to keep the extra item? And if not, what should he/she do?

For example, if someone puts a $1 bill in to a vending machine to buy a can of soda, and two sodas fall down, what should he do?

Also, since the halachos of "mistakes" are different for Jews vs non-Jews, would the answer to this question depend on whether the owner of the vending machine is Jewish?


texts: How to carry the Torah (which way to go)

texts:
I heard 2 ideas
1. When coming go the shortest way, when leaving go the longest way.
2. Always turn right

So what needs to be done?
Sources for both ideas, and what to do, please.


texts:
If one owns a restaurant that features news from Israel, can he allow that to be on  on Friday afternoon when it is Shabbos in Israel?
In other words  if a Jew may benefit before Shabbat from mealcha done by a Jew living somewhere else when it was Shabbat there.


texts: why evidence for common ancestry evolution?

texts:
In genesis it implies that creatures were created independently from the ground according to their kind *ex. "Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kind, cattle and creeping things and the beasts of the earth according to their kind" Gen. 1:24,

or more explicit regarding Adam "Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground" (Gen. 2:7).

On the other hand, DNA evidence suggests a common ancestry such as the genetic similarities between species (ex. we share roughly 95% of the same genes as monkeys, 90% with cats, 80% cows, 50% bananas). The order of the genes are also closer to humans in this lineup and as far as we know the order is not important for gene production. they just need to be there. There is also signs of chromosome fusion of chromosome 2 in humans which would explain why we have 23 pairs of chromosomes while apes have 24 from a common ancestry perspective. there are other converging evidence of this sort such as retrovirus genes from ancient viruses which, scientists say, allow us to trace the DNA lineage somewhat.

some say the Genesis account is not literal. But according to the view that it is (which is supported by the Midrash in the creation of Adam) why would God give such contradictory evidence to the Genesis account? Why would He create living things in a way which seems to contradict the plain meaning of the torah's account. After all, many people will read this without access to the torah law (ex. non jews)


texts: Where does the Kaf HaHayyim first cite the Aruch HaShulchan and the Mishnah Berurah?

texts:
The Kaf HaHayyim was written roughly contemporaneously with the Aruch HaShulchan and the Mishnah Berurah, but is the last of the three seforim to be finished, with its final chapters completed by the young Rabbi Ovadia Yosef after the death of the author in 1939. The Kaf HaHayyim saw both of these seforim and quotes them both. Citations to the Mishnah Berurah can be easily found in Hilchot Purim, and citations to the Aruch HaShulchan can be found in Yoreh Deah 74, 75, and 76 (at least), but there are interesting opinions brought in the Aruch HaShulchan that would seem appropriate to cite in Yoreh Deah 69 and 70, yet Kaf HaHayyim does not cite them.

I haven't learned the Kaf HaHayyim from cover to cover yet, but maybe someone who has can answer this: where in Kaf HaHayyim does he first cite each of these works?

The Kaf HaHayyim cites ער’’ה often, but I think always refers to the Erech HaShulchan (ערך השלחן), by the Tunisian posek R’ Yitzhak Taieb, as that's the only work given for that acronym in the luach rahsei teviot. The work by Rabbi Yechiel Michel Epstein (ערוך השלחן) that I'm asking about in this question appears to always be cited by full name.


texts:
A nursing home in an out of town community, for example, may not get 10 men each shabbos for laining. It is clear from Shulchan Aruch (143:1) that you need 10 men, and I have yet to see other authorities who are lenient in a less than ideal situation.

Has anyone heard of a source that may allow laining with less than 10, as an emergency situation?


texts: What Bracha do you make on craisins (dried cranberries)? Is it a HaAdama as fresh cranberries or is it Shehakol as it is dried with a significant amount of sugar? Sources please.


texts: Why isn't Keilim 20:6 reckoned amongst the stringencies of Beit Hillel and the leniencies of Beit Shammai?

texts:
In Keilim 20:6, we see a disagreement between Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai (and Rabbi Akiva) as to when a floor mat (that is susceptible to midras impurity) loses its susceptibility to midras while being turned into a door curtain.

סָדִין שֶׁהוּא טְמֵא מִדְרָס וַעֲשָׂאוֹ וִילוֹן, טָהוֹר מִן הַמִּדְרָס, אֲבָל טָמֵא טְמֵא מֵת. מֵאֵימָתַי הִיא טָהֳרָתוֹ. בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים, מִשֶּׁיִּתָּבֵר. בֵּית הִלֵּל אוֹמְרִים, מִשֶּׁיִּקָּשֵׁר. רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא אוֹמֵר, מִשֶּׁיִּקָּבֵעַ:
If a sheet that was susceptible to midras uncleanness made into a curtain, it becomes clean from midras uncleanness but it is still susceptible to corpse uncleanness. When does it become insusceptible to [midras] uncleanness? Bet Shammai says: when the loops have been tied to it. . Bet Hillel says: when it has been attached. Rabbi Akiva says: when it has been fixed. [from Sefaria]

Beit Hillel's opinion is that the mat is still susceptible to midras at a time when Beit Shammai's opinion holds is insusceptible (namely, when loops are tied to it, but it's not yet hung up). Why isn't this listed in Masechet Eduyot amongst the other places where Beit Hillel is more stringent than Beit Hillel (see Eduyot chapters 4 and 5)?
I know that there are other understandings of this mishnah, but I'm asking according to the understanding (presented as the first option in Kehati's commentary) that Beit Shammai requires just attaching loops (and not a major alteration like ripping and resewing).


texts: Why does the Artscroll commentary to Vayeira mention Ishmael?

texts: The Artscroll commentary to the first pasuk of Vayeira says that Abraham pressed Ishmael into service to teach him about hospitality.  From whence this comment about Ishmael?


texts: Why can't a minor's rights to eat while harvesting crops be waived?

texts:
The Torah grants workers who are harvesting a field to consume some of it while on the job.

The Mishna in Bava Metzia (7:6) points out that a worker can waive his Biblically-granted rights, and make a deal that he won't eat any of the produce. He can similarly make an agreement on behalf of his workers, or his adult children. However, the Biblical rights cannot be waived for a minor (or for an animal, for that matter).

  ז,ו  קוצץ אדם על ידי עצמו, ועל ידי בנו ובתו הגדולים, ועל ידי עבדו ושפחתו הגדולים, ועל ידי אשתו--מפני שיש בהן דעת.  אבל אינו קוצץ לא על ידי בנו ובתו הקטנים, ולא על ידי עבדו ושפחתו הקטנים, ולא על ידי בהמתו--מפני שאין בהן דעת.

Is the reason for this:

  To waive one's Biblical rights (in this case? Generally?) is an act that requires Halachic capacity for consciousness -- da'at

Or is it:

  It is too much to ask of the self-control of a child to pick berries but not eat a few.


texts: Please explain anomalies in phrasing of Succot sacrifices (B'midbar 29:12-39)

texts:
The description of the Mincha and libations and the majority of wording (and trope) fof the Succot sacrifices described in B'midbar 29:12-29 are identical except for the following changes:
1st day (of Succot) Numbers 29:16:
וּשְׂעִיר־עִזִּ֥ים אֶחָ֖ד חַטָּ֑את
and one he-goat for a sin-offering
2nd day (verse 19):
וּשְׂעִיר־עִזִּ֥ים אֶחָ֖ד חַטָּ֑את
3rd day (verse 22):
וּשְׂעִ֥יר חַטָּ֖את אֶחָ֑ד
4th day (verse 25)
וּשְׂעִיר־עִזִּ֥ים אֶחָ֖ד חַטָּ֑את
5th day (verse 28):
וּשְׂעִ֥יר חַטָּ֖את אֶחָ֑ד
6th day (verse 31):
וּשְׂעִ֥יר חַטָּ֖את אֶחָ֑ד
7th day (verse 34):
וּשְׂעִ֥יר חַטָּ֖את אֶחָ֑ד
8th day (verse 38):
וּשְׂעִ֥יר חַטָּ֖את אֶחָ֑ד
Why the difference in wording for these days? It looks like the majority uses a short version, but, days 1, 2 and 4 differ from the others. Is there something special about these specific days that warranted different phrasing?


texts: Halachic view on the order of personal effort vs prayers

texts:
In my previous question "yaakov-preceded-his-effort-to-a-prayer" we see that Yaakov, hearing the bad news preferred to make the effort first and daven later.

It made me think: this happens to me a lot, for example, my kid says "my back hurts, I need to see a doctor", my other kid says "my car's stuck I need to fix it" or my wife says "my credit card was declined, we need to check our balance".

What does the Halachah say about what should precede what - pray first and act later or act and then pray? Does it depend on its urgency, like rushing into emergency room or setting an appointment for the next week? Does it differentiate between health and monetary issues?


texts: Saying a b'racha acharona and continuing to eat other food

texts: Suppose someone is eating something that requires saying a b'racha meen shalosh — for example, noodles — and something that requires saying "bore n'fashos" — for example, salad or water. Then he decides he wants no more of the one type of food, but wants to continue eating the other. Is it more, less, or equally acceptable to say the one b'racha acharona immediately and continue eating, as opposed to saying both after finishing all of his food; and why? Sources, please.


texts:
Where did the popular tune for the Yom Kippur piyyut, מראה כהן, come from?  Who wrote it?  When did it originate?  Where is it from?  Does the tune have a name other than "that marei kohen tune"?

Note I'm asking for the music, not the words of the piyyut.


texts:
Refer to this question regarding whether an adult is allowed to drink human breast milk.

While there is controversy about the health benefits of drinking breast milk, some doctors recommend it for cancer patients or those with digestive or nutritional problems. (See here.) Why would breast milk be considered pareve, while milk from kosher animals is considered dairy?


texts: May a Kohen with Auto-Brewery Syndrome Duchan?

texts:
This question is related to another question asked (How much alcohol does one need to consume in order to be halachically drunk or intoxicated?).
Auto-Brewery Syndrome is a condition in which fungi or bacteria produce intoxicating quantities of ethanol in the stomach, which result in drunkenness.
May a Kohen experiencing Auto-Brewery Syndrome Duchan, or perform any obligations which require him to be sober?


texts: When did weekly sermons become part of the rabbi's job?

texts:
Each year on Shabbat Hagadol (the Shabbat just prior to Pesach), our shul rabbi explains that the reason it is called "Shabbat Hagadol" is that it means "The Shabbat of the Gadol" ("The great one"). It is a reference to the "gadol" or the rav of the community or congregation.

My rav explained that originally, the rav delivered a sermon only twice yearly - on Shabbat Hagadol and Shabbat Shuva (Shabbat between Rosh Hashanna and Yom Kippur.) He did not deliver weekly sermons as is quite common in shuls, currently.

My question is when and why did the original custom change?


texts: Is one allowed to visit a temple or place of worship of a religion no longer in existence?

texts:
There seems to be an issue with visiting a house of worship or temple or possibly a cemetery of other religions. Where does that come from and what are the parameters of any interdiction?

Assuming that there is an issue, does it apply to a religion no longer in existence or a place of worship that is no longer functioning as a place of worship but rather as a tourist attraction? (for instance Chichen Itza, the famous Mayan ruins in Mexico).


texts: Can one use an automatic sugar dispenser on shabbat?

texts:
An automatic sugar dispenser is a device that mechanically releases a specific amount of sugar (e.g. half a teaspoon) at the press of a button.

No electricity is involved, nor would there seem to be an issue of grinding.

However, measuring on shabbat is (in principle) forbidden.

Would using this dispenser to obtain a pre-specified amount of sugar for one's hot drink be considered to fall under 'measuring' and thus forbidden on shabbat?


texts: Touching the opposite gender by way of an object

texts: Is it permissible to touch someone of the opposite sex with an object (for example: to get their attention)?


texts: Selling living space to a non-Jew over pesach to get rid chametz

texts: Is one allowed to temporarily sell their living space to a non-Jew in order to get rid of their chametz during pesach? If so, are they still obligated to do a bdikat chametz?


texts: If you're short on time or came late to shul, which paragraphs of the selichot should you recite? (sefardic version)

texts: If you come late to shul and need to catch up while the congregation is finishing selihot or has already started shacharit, which paragraphs of the selichot should you recite? I would like answers for the sefardic version of the selichot.


texts: The amount of Parah Adumah ashes and water ("mei chatas") required to purify a person

texts:
This week's parsha teaches us all about the Parah Adumah and how it can purify a person.

Namely, that in order for a person who was ritually impure via a dead body to become pure, said person would have to have to be sprinkled with mei chatas- ie water with Parah Adumah ashes in it   (Rambam Sefer HaMitzvot, Positive Commandment #113).

A couple questions:

1) Is there a minimum requirement for the amount of Parah Adumah ashes that must be in the mei chatas?
2) What's the minimum requirement for the amount of water sprinkled that will purify a person?

What's the d'oraisa source for #1 and #2? (ie gezeiras hakasuv, drasha, halacha l'moshe misinai etc)


texts: How does shechita (kosher slaughter) actually work?

texts: If I understand correctly, the classical Halachic requirements on kosher slaughter only discuss cutting the trachea and esophagus.  Is that enough to kill the animal quickly (and painlessly?)  What about the blood vessels?  Are those usually cut too?  Must they be?


texts: Is the Marijuana plant a type of forbidden form of Kitniyos?


texts: Can one leave birdseed in an outdoor bird feeder during Pesach?

texts:
This question regarding selling birdseed that contains wheat or barley, etc. states that if the seeds get wet, they are chametz.

The seeds in an outdoor bird-feeder in a non-desert climate certainly get wet during the year. However, when one places seeds in his feeder, it doesn't appear to be the same as feeding his pet whom he owns. To me, it seems that once he places the seeds in the feeder, it is hefker. Does the owner care if birds come or not? He doesn't own the birds in the same way as he owns a house pet.

With these ideas, can one leave the birdseed in the feeder during Pesach, or does he need to dispose of the seeds or sell the feeder?


texts: Beracha on lighting yom tov candles : before or after?

texts:
There are two minhagim concerning the time the beracha should be said on lighting yom tov candles for a woman, before or after (like shabbos neros).

I've read arguments like these :

before, because we don't receive yom tov with the beracha we can say it before the lighting
after, to not differentiate with shabbos procedure

I would be glad to know a little more on the subject with sources and some poskim opinions


texts: Opinions concerning using other beverages for kiddush and "cups of blessing"

texts: What are the major rabbinic opinions today concerning the suitability of substituting  another beverage for wine (or grape juice) for kiddush and other "cups of blessing," e.g., havdalah or Passover seder's four cups? Can one use another beverage even if wine is available? If one finds something distasteful, does that disqualify it from use?


texts: What are the "books of experiments" the Ramban refers to when noting a infant which nurses from a pig will become a leper?

texts:
The Ramban in Leviticus 11:3 writes:
(Source from Sefaria.org)
(Partial Quote)

וראיתי בקצת ספרי הנסיונות שחלב החזיר אם ינק היונק ממנו יהיה אותו הנער מצורע
I saw in some of the "books of experiments" regarding the milk of a pig, that if a infant which nurses from it, the infant will become a leper

What are the "books of experiments" the Ramban is referring too? Is there any known manuscript which cites this finding ?


texts: "Poems" in Selichos. Names and structures of Pizmon and Shalmonis. Please explain

texts:
What is (1) the meaning of the names and (2) the structure of the “poems” found in Selichos particularly the Pizmon and the Shalmonis.
(3) I note that the number of phrases in the first verse of the Pizmon is less than in subsequent verses. Why is that?


texts: How do you pronounce the הוי״ה in hataras nedarim (annulment of vows) before Rosh HaShanah?

texts: In the siddurs I've seen, we ask for annulment for vows made "with the name הוי״ה ".  That word is left unvowelized.  How is it pronounced?


texts:
Is one allowed to move a working electrical fan on Shabbos, or is this a problem of Muktzah?

I would hope an answer cover:

If there's a difference between moving a fan so that it blows towards the person (when too hot), or away from the person (when too cold)
If there's a difference whether the entire fan is moved, or if a part of the fan is moved (the latter is more common in fans attached to a wall, or clip-on fans)
Whether the oscillation functionality of the fan can be turned on or off


texts: What is the role of a husband in a marriage according to Jewish thought?

texts: What does the Torah, encompassing all of the Jewish works, say about the duties and responsibilities of a husband? I would like some sources on the matter.


texts: Is there a halacha that prohibits punching or slapping someone?

texts:
I assume there must be a law against causing a person very mild physical injury, but I don't know what it is.

1) If the injury may cause enduring harm--like punching someone with the risk of breaking their bones--what are the laws?

2) What about if the injury is extremely unlikely to cause any lasting harm, like slapping someone?

3) Are there any exceptions for parents to slap their children?

BONUS:
Are you allowed to be a boxer, and have this as part of your job?


texts: Is there a chief Rabbi of the United States?

texts: Is there currently or has there ever been historically a chief Rabbi of the United States? If not, why not?


texts: I'm in the process of kashring my kitchen. I almost only eat parve so it's pretty easy, and the kitchen is formally all milchik. However, I can't find any good instructions on how to handle a menstrual cup (neither here nor google). The problem here is that the cup needs to be sterilized now and then, to which one usually does with a saucepan on a stove. It's washed beforehand, but it's still an object that has had contact with blood. Would I need a separate saucepan and stove for this, or is there some other way to solve this?


texts: Is there a concept in Jewish law similar to a corporation?

texts:
In modern law, a corporation, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is an "artificial person or legal entity created by or under the authority of the laws of a state or nation . . . ordinarily consisting of an association of numerous individuals."  Assuming that the corporation has its own assets, a creditor who has done business with the corporation, or a tort claimant, may only collect from the assets of the corporation, and not its members or shareholders.  The corporation's own liability and structure effectively shields its shareholders from personal liability for the debts of the corporation, unlike a partnership whose members are legally required to make good the debts of the partnership if the assets of the partnership are insufficient.

Is there anything comparable in Jewish law?


texts:
Who knows one hundred twenty-eight?
Please cite/link your sources, if possible. At some point at least twenty-four hours from now, I will:

Upvote all interesting answers.

Accept the best answer.

Go on to the next number.


texts: Origin of Reform/Conservative "scarf" talleisim

texts: I've noticed that Reform and Conservative often use small "scarf" talleisim (here's an image). Where did this practice originate? (Is there any connection to the scarves that some Christian priests wear, and if so, could there be an issue of chukas hagoyim)? Is there some ideological reason why Reform and Conservative continue using "scarf" talleisim b'davka, or is it just something that they are used to doing for historical reasons?


texts: Why do music tapes and CDs warn about playing on Shabbos?

texts:
I have seen written on almost every music CD and Cassette Tape that I have in my house the line:

  Please do not play on Shabbos and Yom Tov

I've always wondered if this is really necessary. Does not having this line make the seller an accomplice to the one who transgresses on Shabbos?

More importantly, though, how did this practice originate? Last time I bought a chicken at my local butcher, I don't recall seeing a sign "please do not cook on Shabbos". Actually, I don't remember seeing this anywhere else. So why music?


texts: What is the status of someone who denies one of the Rambam's 13 Principles?

texts: i.e. are they considered an apikores etc? Or that they just hold an incorrect belief. Previously I had assumed their status was dependent on the principle they denied, so a person who denied the first 5 would be a min, 6 & 7 would be an apikores etc. However after reading this Is it heretical to not accept the writings of the Prophets (besides of Moses)? and the responses it seems apparent that a person who denies the 6th principle is not inherently an apikores.


texts: What was Reb Moshe Feinstein's view on electricity use on Shabbos?

texts: Did Rabbi Moshe Feinstein hold that the ban on electricity use on Shabbos (where no other issur results) is a biblical prohibition, a rabbinic prohibition, or just a minhag?


texts:
Who knows infinity?
?אין סוף - מי יודע
Breishit 41:49 says that when Yosef gathered grain to prepare for the upcoming famine in Egypt, he gathered so much that he stopped counting because there was no number.
It seems that Yosef was attempting to count to infinity but couldn't get there so he stopped somewhere just before it.
Other than Yosef's attempt, please cite other interesting Jewish facts about infinity that you can think of.

This question is Purim Torah and is not intended to be taken completely seriously. See the Purim Torah policy.


texts: How many kids did the Tannaim and Amoraim have?

texts:
The Gemmorah (Yevomos 62b) brings a statement by R'Yehoshua:

...דתניא: רבי יהושע אומר נשא אדם אשה בילדותו ישא אשה בזקנותו היו לו בנים בילדותו יהיו לו בנים בזקנותו שנא' (קהלת יא, ו): "בבקר זרע את זרעך ולערב אל תנח ידך", כי אינך יודע אי זה יכשר הזה או זה ואם שניהם כאחד טובים
...Rabbi Yehoshua says: ... If he had children in his youth, he should have more children in his old age, as it is stated: “In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which shall prosper, whether this or that, or whether they both alike shall be good” (Ecclesiastes 11:6). This verse indicates that a man should continue having children even after he has fulfilled the Mitzvah to be fruitful and multiply.

Do we have sources that discuss how many kids did the Rabbis (in the times of the Mishna and Gemmorah) had on average and their reasons for that?
This question is not about specific Rabbis, as we know about R' Akivah, R' Meir or R' Papa, but general trends and statistics.


texts:
The verse in parshas Terumah Exodus 25:22 says:

  וְנוֹעַדְתִּי לְךָ שָׁם וְדִבַּרְתִּי אִתְּךָ מֵעַל הַכַּפֹּרֶת מִבֵּין שְׁנֵי הַכְּרֻבִים אֲשֶׁר עַל אֲרֹן הָעֵדֻת אֵת כָּל אֲשֶׁר אֲצַוֶּה אוֹתְךָ אֶל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל׃

Rashi on this verse says (translation from chabad.org):

  This “vav” [that Rashi adds, meaning “and,”] is superfluous, and there are many similar [examples] in the Torah. And you shall interpret it thus: "and all that I will speak with you there is all that I will command you unto the children of Israel."

There is one very large problem - the extra 'vov' Rashi is referring to does not exist! What happened and why?


texts: Disqualification from being Shaliach Tzibbur

texts:
What would disqualify a man from being a Shaliach Tzibbur?

Mechaellel Shabbos Publicly?

Married out of the faith?

Does not keep Kosher?

Maybe taking it further someone who allows their children to marry out by which they gave consent and does not protest.

I think Shulchan Aruch or M”B may write something on this but can’t seem to find the source.


texts: If the "Nun" preceding Bamidbar (Num) 10:35 is not upside down, is the Torah still kosher?

texts:
While reading last week's parsha, I noticed that the letter "nun" immediately preceding the verse Vayehi B'nso'ah ha'aron Bamidbar 10:35 was written as regular nun (tagin on top) rather than upside down, as the majority of Sifrei Torah seem to have this. I base myself in this on my own experience as a Ba'al Kri'ah over 30 years and having seen about 200 different sifrei Torah in that time that ALL have them. (See Talmud Shabbat 115b - 116a, for the source of the symbols, though it's not apparent that the format is specifically a nun, there.) The nun after verse 36 was upside down.

Does this make the Torah passul? I am surmising that it might, because one might argue that this is like an extra letter written in the Torah, which should not be there. Incidentally, there was a space between the 1st nun and the preceding as well as the next parsha, so it did not look like it was attached to any word.


texts: "The Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Prizite, the Jebusite, and the Girgashite,"- What is the Noam Elimelech's source?

texts:
The Noam Elimelech writes in the Tzeitel Katan (5) the following:
(Source from Sefaria.org)
(Partial Quote)

כשיתחיל להתעורר בו מידה רעה ח"ו ממידות רעות שהוא רגיל בהם, כגון עקשנות ובושת של גאוה ועצלות ובטלה המביאה לידי שיעמום וכיוצא בהם, יאמר תיכף ומיד בזה הלשון ובכל כחו: "הכנעני החתי האמורי הפריזי החיוי והיבוסי והגרגשי" וינצל
When one begins to feel temptation from one of his bad traits which he is accustomed to, for example: stubbornness, haughtiness, laziness, idleness that bring one to foolishness and the like, he should say the following verse with all his might: "The Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Prizite, the Jebusite, and the Girgashite," and he will be saved

My Question
Where does the Noam Elimelech get this idea from?


texts: Translating וידבר using BDB Lexicon and Gesenius' Grammar

texts:
Context

I am practicing my biblical Hebrew by translating the weekly Parshah. As resources, I have the Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB) Lexicon (coded with Strong's concordance numbers) and Gesenius' Grammar - specifically the edition expanded and edited by Kautzsch. I am using the Stone edition Chumash, which includes both vowelized Hebrew and English translation. After translating a sentence myself, I then cross-check to see the differences between my translation and the Stone translation, note which ones are obvious mistakes on my part and then make notes on the more ambiguous differences to ask my Rabbi (or here) later. This question pertains to Lev 6:1, and specifically the opening word of the Hebrew: וַיְדַבֵר (translated by Stone as "spoke" in the clause: :וַיְדַבֵר יהוה אל–משה לֵאמְֹר - "Hashem spoke to Moses, saying:").

Actual Question(s)

What does the vav-consecutive in וַיְדַבֵר tell us about the tense of the word? Am I misreading the prefix here as the vav-consecutive?

What My Sources Say

I am trying to better understand the vav-consecutive as a grammatical tool. In Gesenius, §49 (a), the vav-consecutive is described as setting up a series of sequential events. In this same section, Gesenius notes that if the first verb of the sequence -- I assume this means the verb attached to the pregnant vav -- is in the perfect tense, the rest are in the imperfect and the entire sequence represents a series of past events. For a chain of future events, the converse is true: the first verb is imperfect and the rest of the verbs are perfect.

There is only one other verb in this clause, לֵאמְֹר, and BDB states that it is "especially infinite, after וַיְדַבֵר (p. 55-56, entry 559.1), which is helpful for translating this sentence, but not super helpful for understanding the underlying grammatical structure in question. However, יְדַבֵר is stated as being in the imperfect by BDB (p. 180, sec 1696). This would initially make me think to translate this sentence in the future tense:

"Hashem will speak to Moses, to say:"

However, this seems intuitively not correct. What am I missing here? There is another entry for דַבֵר in the same section cited above that states it takes the imperative. But this also seems like a weird translation to me.

Any help or guidance to sources that will explain this to me (even citations within Gesenius I may be missing) would be helpful. Thank you!


texts: Can there be kiddushin between a Ger Toshav and a Jew?

texts: I came across an article that quoted Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef in his Shulchan Ha'ma'arechet, (it didn't give an exact reference,) as saying that Kiddushin can be effected between a Ger Toshav, meaning a non-Jew who follows the 7 Noahide commandments and a Jew, because a Ger Toshav is considered not to worship idols. First of all is this correct and secondly are there any other authorities who either hold, or dispute this view? Please give sources if known.


texts: How do non-literalist Jews interpret the "year zero" in the Hebrew calendar?

texts:
As I understand, the Hebrew calendar is counted from the "date of creation". Currently you have the year 5774.

In the Christian world there are some creationists who also believe that the world is of about the same age, however they are (at least outside US) quite a minority.

I am interested how do those current Jews who do not believe that the world was created 5774 years ago (or similar plus/minus a few years) interpret the "year 0" of the Hebrew calendar. Is it just taken as a convention?

And another question related to the Hebrew calendar - is it currently used for practical things, or is it more or less just a liturgical (or folklore or tradition) stuff and for the practical dates you use the standard world calendar?

I am not interested in theological answer. I am just curious of the everyday practice of those current Jews described above: their interpretation of the "year zero" and if the Hebrew calendar is used for practical things.


texts: Why is there a difference of the position of Selichot?

texts:
In name of my astute oldest son (Yes, as a father, I am biased!):

Why during most fast days is Selichot said after the repetition of the Amidah, but during 10 days of Teshuva, they are said before Shacharit (or after midnight, after Ma'ariv, etc.)?


texts: pidoyon haben for a baby born from egg donation?

texts: If a non married bat Cohen donates an egg to a yisraelite couple who have a first born son from it, do they have to do a pidyon haben?


texts: Where can I find the commentaries of the Rif and of the Rosh on Tractates Nazir and Sotah? They're not in my gemara (Oz v'Hadar), and I was wondering if they were appended to a different tractate?


texts: Fulfilling Kri'at Shema by reading it as a Torah reader

texts:
Let's say someone is a Torah reader. The weekly Torah portion is Va'etchanan, which contains the first pargraph of Kri'at Shema.

He arrives in shul exactly at the time when he must start to read the Torah for the congregation. He knows that at his reading pace, he will reach the section starting with the verses of Shema Yisra'el (Deut. 6) very close to the ending time of Kri'at Shema.

Can he fulfill the mitzvah of having read the morning Shema while he is reading the Torah portion for the congregation assuming he has the proper kavana (intent) to do this? Is there a rule that one cannot fulfill two mizvot simultaneously, and would this rule apply, or not apply, here?


texts: Is there any place I can rent or borrow a Megillah from?

texts: Specifically in or around Brooklyn, NY: I was wondering if anyone knows of a place that rents or lends out Kosher Megillos for Purim.


texts: Who gets shelishi if there are no Israelim?

texts: Imagine that the Cohen family reunion is on a Monday.  A minyan is planned with a sefer Torah.  However, the gabbai, a kohen, looks around and sees that the minyan has nine kohanim and one levi - who married into the family.  Normally, the first aliyah goes to a kohen, the second to a levi, and the third to an Israelite.  But since, here, there are no Israelites, how should the aliyahs be given?


texts: Please I need help: to find online Ruth Cantillation (teamim) of Livorno tradition. Maybe in some University department (Ramat Aviv ,Givat Ram)?

texts: Is it possible to find online (audio to listen) Cantillation of biblical book : Ruth,  for specific Livorno traditional music? Maybe in some University department (like Ramat Aviv or Givat Ram)? Or Maybe in some jewish seminary in USA? If someone know please tell me.


texts: Location of kaddish titkabel during shacharit

texts:
Why is the kaddish titkabel after shacharit on a regular weekday (or indeed any day without musaf e.g. Chanukah), deferred until after (keriat hatorah) ashrei and uva letzion?

One may have expected it to always come after chazarat hashatz (or tachanun or hallel where relevant) as that would seem to be the conclusion of the core shacharit service. This is indeed what we do on Shabbat, Yom Tov, Chol HaMoed and Rosh Chodesh, where it is consistently recited before keriat hatorah.

Does its recitation after uva letzion on a weekday imply that (keriat hatorah) ashrei and uva letzion are viewed as part of the shacharit service?

Conversely, does its location on musaf days imply that keriat hatorah and ashrei (and uva letzion) are not part of shacharit on those days (and maybe even become part of the musaf service)?

(Partly inspired by discussion on this question.)


texts: Is the Hebrew text of Maimonides' Moreh HaNevuchim available for free online? (In text form rather than Pdf).


texts:
I understand that it is forbidden for a Jew to take revenge.
Rambam Deyot 7.7

  A person who takes revenge against a colleague transgresses a Torah prohibition, as Leviticus 19:18 states: "Do not take revenge."

And that it is a Mitzvah for a Jew to avenge the killing of his relative (whom he will inherit)
Rambam Rotzeah 1.2

  It is a mitzvah for the blood redeemer to kill the murderer, as Numbers 35:19 states: "The blood redeemer shall put the murderer to death." Whoever is fit to inherit the victim's estate becomes the redeemer of his blood.

Is it correct to see the second law as an exception to the first?
(What is the best way to look on it?).
Are there other exceptions?
Sources please.

Is it that when someone does something active against you you can avenge (but not letting you borrow something is an inaction, (not active)?

PS Saifer haChinuch revenge


texts: Can one char / sear a frankfurter on Shabbat?

texts:
I'm trying to get a better understanding of the general rule that "there is no cooking of already cooked foods".

Let's say a frankfurter has already been cooked (via boiling, etc.) If one puts the frank on the covered "blech" on the stove until it gets roasted and black, to me, it looks like it's being cooked more. Is blackening a frank or any other similar solid cooked food still permitted?


texts: How did Shaul consult the Urim and Tumim?

texts: During the events of chapters 27–31 of I Sh'muel (David's stay among the P'lishtim), David had the Urim V'sumim with him, as is clear from 23:2–6 and from 30:7–8. Yet in 28:6, Shaul consults Hashem via the "Urim". Radak ad loc. wonders how he could have done so, inasmuch as he was not with the Urim, and says "maybe he sent men there [=to David] to ask". M'tzudas David says the same. Bimchilas k'vodam, this explanation is unsatisfying. After all, Shaul was out to get David: it seems odd that he'd send him a peaceful messenger. Does anyone know of any other explanation of 28:6 in light of the fact that the Urim V'sumim were with David?


texts: Why are Converts required to use "Ben Avraham" instead of "Ben Ysrael"?

texts: If converts become part of Israel and the Jewish people, then why are we required to go by "_______ Ben Avraham"? Wasn't Esau a "Ben Avraham"? Wasn't Ishmael? Does "_____Ben Avraham" mean we are less than fully Children of Israel? Please explain. Thanks!


texts: Vilna Gaon: Tehillim's prophecy about Eisav and Yishmael

texts:
I heard once in a class where the Rabbi taught a teaching from the Vilna Gaon on Tehillim 20:8:

  אֵ֣לֶּה בָ֭רֶכֶב וְאֵ֣לֶּה בַסּוּסִ֑ים וַאֲנַ֓חְנוּ ׀ בְּשֵׁם־יְהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֣ינוּ נַזְכִּֽיר׃

  They [call] on chariots, they [call] on horses, but we call on the name of the LORD our God.

I don't remember the details but something to the effect that אלה ברכב is referring to Eisav and אלה בסוסים refers to Yishmael, and something about how the 70 nations (I think the number of words in this chapter) will battle each other in the end of days, led by Eisav (Christianity) and Yishmael (Islam), and we'll only have Hashem.

Where is this teaching found, and what does it say exactly?


texts:
What was the purpose of the tiny rooms surrounding the Heichal?

I've never seen anything about how they were used, but there are a lot of them and they are in a very holy place.


texts: Is there an online source for trope occurrences?

texts:
As a Torah reader, I like to find nuances and inherent meanings in trope (cantillation) nuances and "unusual" occurrences in the Torah. For example I'm looking for all the places that have two consecutive:

pazer
zarka
zakef gadol

as well as the verses having no etnatchta and ones having an etnachata on the 1st word of the verse.

These are just examples of some of the items I seek. I'm not looking for answers to the specific items. But, I know that there is an on-line search tool to locate words and phrases. Is there any on-line tool or, if not, a hardcopy book that enumerates such trope occurrences such as what I mentioned?

I'm currently focusing on just Torah, but if there's one that handles Tana"ch that would be even better. I know that Iyov (Job), Mishlei (Proverbs) and Tehilim (Psalms) have different tropes, so if there's one that could include that - even better.


texts: We are being asked to say the parsha of ketores and tehillim during the current Coronavirus outbreak. Why are we not saying on a daily basis those sections of the Torah that discuss past mageifahs to strike Klal Yisroel? In specific, the eigel and Korach’s rebellion. I would think that reciting these chapters would spur us on to better ourselves by learning the lessons from those two mageifahs


texts: What is the right way to wave the lulav and esrog in the down direction?

texts:
We wave the lulav and esrog (4 minim) in six directions including “down”.

What is the right way to wave down?
I have seen two procedures.

1) The 4 minim are held lower (nearer to the ground) than in the other wavings and waved up and down held vertically three times.

2) The 4 minim are pushed downwards towards the chest and away from the chest, while being held roughly diagonally three times.


texts: Why do many people say כאלה with the Baal koreh during the leining of pesach? (http://www.collive.com/show_news.rtx?id=31122 confirms what I find to be true across the spectrum of different kinds of shuls all having some people who feel this is a minhag.)


texts: Is there a Special Hadran for finishing the whole shas? or do you just recite the Hadran for the masechta just completed?


texts: Minyan of 9 Israelis and 1 American on first day chol hamoed?

texts: If there were 10 men in Israel, 9 Israelis and 1 American, together in a small shul on the morning of the first day of chol hamoed, would they form a minyan? The question is whether the one person davening the yontif amida can join with the 9 men who are davening the chol hamoed amida. Why or why not?


texts:
On Tishah B'Av that falls out on Motzaei Shabbos, one only makes a bracha on the fire in Havdalah. The bracha on the wine and the bracha of "Hamavdil Bein Kodesh Lechol etc." is pushed off to Sunday night (SA OC 556:1).

I understand why we don't drink the wine Motzaei Shabbos; it's already Tishah B'Av and we can't drink anything. I also understand why we don't have the spices; they're said only on the conclusion of Shabbos, to gladden the Neshamah on the departure of the Neshamah Yeseirah (MB 556:5, from SA OC 299:5) and we want to be sad on Tishah B'Av (I'm assuming). But why don't we make the final bracha of Hamavdil Bein Kodesh Lachol? We are, indeed, separating between the holy and the less holy, as indicated by our recital of Baruch Hamavdil and Atah Chonantanu during Maariv, so why do we omit the bracha in the process of makin Havdalah?


texts:
When you need to make a bore nifashois do you have to make it in the place you started to eat (as @LN6595 seems to claim here).

Or even if you are planning to continue in another place (and will have to make another first brocho) you should wait until you finish there and then make the bore nifashois.


texts: Where are the best places to post chiddushim?

texts:
Over a couple of years I've BH put together a booklet of chiddushim in English on various topics (Lifnei Iver, Bal Tosif, Maris Ayin, Chatzi Shiur, Kavona Lotzeis, Yehoreg V'Al Yaavor, P'sik Reisha by Issurei Hano'oh, Bedikas Chometz, Bor Birshus Horabim) following a lomdish Brisker/Telzer style with all the necessary background in each piece to be able to understand the question and then the chiddush which I thought of. It also has a glossary for Hebrew terms. I think they'd hopefully be really enjoyable for experienced learners but also a tool for less experienced learners or younger bochurim (and girls) to find excitement, enjoyment and conceptual depth in gemara.
Does anyone know which places and sites would be best to send these to to be able to reach the most people who may take a look and benefit? I've emailed many yeshivos around the world but have heard little back. I'd love to reach these people and for them to enjoy the chiddushim and to hear back from them on their thoughts.


texts: Handling Conflict between Jewish and Civil Law

texts:
This question is an offshoot from the one titled "Questions about Polygamy in Jewish Law and Culture"

Taking under the knowledge that the previous question was well answered with an observation:
It's a lot like eating grasshoppers. Yes, the Bible allowed it, though never said it was a good thing. Nobody does it today except for a few Yemenites.

I am curious where Judaism stands as a whole and as a religion when facing opposition from civil law. In the adjoining questions some parts of Judaism took the ban of the Rabbi and others acknowledged it but merely fell into step with the civil laws of state.

However there is an acknowledgement of the fact that there are a few that still practice a piece of behavior as supported by fair interpretation of religious texts that go against common Western law.

In a country such as the US where legislation is not supposed to interfere in the practice of religious belief; the question I have is:

Does Judaism have a stance (in modern day) on pushing back against civil law where applicable or simply accepting and adapting to the civil decree.

Note: I've tried to ask this in as generic and unpolitically biased way as I can. The specifics are based on a friend who asked me why he couldn't challenge polygamy rules based on his Jewish faith.


texts: Where can I find the minhagim of Algeria?

texts: Is there a compilation of all the minagim of Algeria, especially for the Setifian custom?


texts: Can an Orthodox Jew attend the Reform wedding of a close relative?

texts:
A Jew is marrying a non-Jew who converted in a Reform synagogue. The Chuppah will be held in a Reform synagogue and the party (dinner/dance) will be in a non-religious venue.

Is there any reason why an Orthodox, Halakhah-observant family member should not come to such a ceremony and/or party? Kashrut will be adhered to.


texts: Which Book Should I be Reading to Learn Everything About Eliyahu Hanavi's Teachings?

texts: Which book should I be reading to learn everything about Eliyahu hanavi's teachings? I have Shai Lamoreh, but right now need more depth into his teachings, with extended explanations.


texts: By what standards does Judaism hold infants accountable for sin?

texts:
In Samuel 15:3 Samuel relays God's instruction to Saul of obliterating the nation of Amalek. Included in this instruction is also the command to slay infants and sucklings.

Samuel 15:3
"Now, go, and you shall smite Amalek, and you shall utterly destroy all that is his, and you shall not have pity on him: and you shall slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.' "

We are dealing with two moral issues regarding this instruction:

Accountability of babies over the sins of their parents/nation
Accountability of babies despite their lack of intellectual capacity to understand sin

Not only are we speaking of sins these children are not to blame for, EVEN if they had sinned we would surely look at it differently than if a grown adult had sinned and therefore hold them to different standards.
In Ezekiel 18:20 God even seems to disavow the idea of inheritance of sin and the liability of a son over his father's wrongdoings.

How does Judaism resolve this moral dilemma? This surely does not sink well with 21st century ethical standards, nor is it very fitting with the aforementioned verse in Ezekiel.


texts:
The menora in the synagogue is normally situated on the south side of the synagogue (O Ch 671:7).

On which side of the menora is it lit? I can think of two options:

The person lighting faces south and the first candle is as far as
possible from the ark

OR

The person lighting faces north and the first candle is as near as
possible to the ark?


texts: Bittul of Hameitz in Mixtures Aquired Before Passover

texts:
Looking for clarification on the kind of bittul of hameitz that occurs for foods acquired before, but not during, Passover:

What is the maximum ratio of hameitz to other food that the bittul happens for?
Is this bittul an effect of making making the statement כל חמירא וחמיעא וגו and having the intention to nullify, as is done after searching for hameitz? Or is this something that happens on its own without human intervention?
When is the cut-off for having the food in your possession for this bittul to occur? Is it the onset of yontif? The onset of the period of hameitz being forbidden on the 14th of Nissan? The time of making the statement כל חמירא?


texts: Moshe and the Egyptian - Justifiable Homicide?

texts:
Shemot Chapter 2 has the incident of Moshe slaying the Egyptian who was beating the Hebrew slave.  He "looks this way and that", kills him, and buries him in the sand.  After he realizes "the matter is known", and Pharoah wants to kill him, he flees to Midian. Next Chapter, instead of punishing him, or at least letting him know He knows he's got blood on his hands, He grants him the vision of the burning bush and informs him he's been elected Prophet to the Children of Israel.

I get the feeling some information is missing here...and questions arise:

Why didn't HaShem punish or at least rebuke Moshe for killing the Egyptian?

Was it "justifiable homicide"?

Is there any information in the Literature that clears up this situation?

I always thought that it was kind of odd that Moshe was explicitly denied entrance to the Land of Israel because of the incident where he struck instead of spoke to the rock/spring, and not also because he killed a man in anger.


texts:
The comment and the ensuing thread quoted at the bottom of this question make me wonder what, exactly, was buried at Qumran.

Were the items buried there actually used at some point and later placed there for safekeeping, or were they scribal errors that were placed there out of reverence because, although they were written as holy texts, they were ultimately incorrectly written/copied?

I know that there is no consensus as to their origin or the reason they were buried there, and thus no consensus as to whether they provide historical proof about accuracy or inaccuracy in our own texts; but has any noted Posek stated that these texts were errors (or even deliberate violations of the correct Mesorah which we have today) and put there to keep them out of use?

Quoted thread:

  I heard recently that R"T's order is not something that was not something that he made up; rather, there is a mesorah for it. Archaeological evidence has been found in the Qumran caves of the Dead Sea Scrolls. – Adam Mosheh Dec 30 '11 at 5:39

  I think I read in Ben Ish Hai that they found Tefilin buried next to Yehezkel's grave and I think he said they are Rabenu Taam's... – Hacham Gabriel Dec 30 '11 at 5:57

  @HachamGabriel, interesting. – Adam Mosheh Dec 30 '11 at 6:19

  @HachamGabriel In the end of the first Bach in Siman 34 the Bach quotes a Smag and Mordechai saying that it was Rashi tfillin buried there. Some say that it was because Rashis are pasul and that's why they were buried there. The Bach says that it couldn't be for that reason as one could just change the order of the parshios and doesn't have to bury them. – Shmuel Brin Mar 2 at 18:43

  @ShmuelBrill see Levush 34 – Hacham Gabriel Mar 2 at 22:58


texts: What are the most essential Jewish websites?

texts:
What websites are essential bookmarks on a Jew's internet browser? I am thinking broadly of resources like a place to get online texts or a particularly good blog etc...

Please include links as well as a description of the particular value of each website to the Jewish bookmark collection.


texts:
Does G-d want intermarried couples to divorce? I don't want to provide too much explanation, but rather leave it open-ended.

I will ask those who post answers to consider a broad range of cases, like wife vs. husband Jewish; whether there are children involved; and whether teshuvah and/or conversion may be imminent possibilities.

I am interested in answers that use sources to support a philosophical position on whether such a thing would make G-d "happy" or "sad"—in light of possible pain to children, and of the assertion in Talmud that "Anyone who divorces his first wife - even the Altar sheds tears." (Gittin 90a-b)


texts:
What can someone who has been a practicing, orthodox Jew all his life, with belief in the torah way of life now waning, do to reinvigorate his faith in God and in keeping the torah and mitzvot?

Any answers should be supported by facts, references, or specific expertise, not arguments, opinions, or discussion.


texts: Does anyone know why the position of Reish Galusa no longer exists and when it was discontinued?


texts: Shopping is forbidden on Yom Tov, so there's also presumably a prohibition on it on Chol Hamoed. What are the parameters within which it's permitted on Chol Hamoed?


texts: Can one practice their Leining on Tisha Be'av?

texts:
One cannot learn Torah on Tisha Be'av. Is practicing one's leining considered 'learning'?
To an extent if one understands the words one's saying automatically one will have learnt Torah.


texts: Why is the Pasuk for Vayareiu Osanu Hamitzrim a Pasuk where nothing happens?

texts:
Why is the Pasuk that the Haggadah uses to show that “the Egyptians did bad to us" the Passuk in which Pharaoh sits down and says (Shemos 1:10):

הָ֥בָה נִֽתְחַכְּמָ֖ה ל֑וֹ פֶּן־יִרְבֶּ֗ה וְהָיָ֞ה כִּֽי־תִקְרֶ֤אנָה מִלְחָמָה֙ וְנוֹסַ֤ף גַּם־הוּא֙ עַל־שֹׂ֣נְאֵ֔ינוּ וְנִלְחַם־בָּ֖נוּ וְעָלָ֥ה מִן־הָאָֽרֶץ׃
Let us deal shrewdly with them, so that they may not increase; otherwise in the event of war they may join our enemies in fighting against us and rise from the ground.”

Nothing bad really happens in that Passuk. Why not use an example of the Egyptians giving us backbreaking useless labor, throwing the baby boys in the river, or even [if you can use a Midrash] (Midrash Rabbah 1:34) slaughtering 150 Jewish children twice a day and bathing in their blood?
Additionally this is supposed to be an example of the Egyptians doing bad to us. This is just Pharaoh himself talking.


texts: Will I ever actually make "al mitzvat tzitzit" on a daily basis if I don a tallit gadol?

texts: I wear a tallit katan at almost all times and I do, in fact, sleep in it. I spoke to a rabbi about whether I would actually ever make "al mitzvat tzitzit" and it seemed that the answer was no. Kitzur also informs me that one doesn't make the blessing when putting on the tallit katan after a shower, as far as I know. So, if I'm donning a tallit gadol every morning for Shacharit, will I ever actually make "al mitzvat tzitzit" on a daily basis?


texts: How are Birchos Krias Shema blessings on Krias Shema?

texts:
The Ramban (Brachos 11b) writes that Birkas Kriyas Shema are blessings over the Mitzva of saying Shema.

What's in the text of Birkas Kriyas Shema that has to do with Shema? It talks about angels, Torah study, anything but the standard "Baruch Ata Hashem Elokeinu Melech Haolam Asher Kidishanu Bemitzvosav Vetzivan Al Kriyas Shema (or Likros Shema)?"


texts: Origin of saying Adon Olam or Yigdal at end of prayers

texts:
In many Nusach Ashkenaz shuls, there is a minhag to say either Adon Olam or Yigdal at the end of Shabbat / Yom Tov Ma'ariv and many say Adon Olam at the end of Musaph.

What's the reason / origin of this custom?


texts: May a non Jew count the Omer? May he count if he is in the process of converting? If he May does he count with blessing or without?


texts: HoRav Yisroel Belsky Shlit"a (see Mishna Berurah 299:1) permits one to eat סעודת שלישית until 20 minutes after Shekiyah. Would someone still be able to say רצה if he started eating after Shkekiyah or is it too late?


texts:
Nowdays, it seems to be standard for jewish family's to begin cleaning their houses days before Pesach. By the time bedikat hametz arrives, the houses are usually hametz free.

From reading Talmud Pesachim and Rambam, it seems that Chazal envisioned all the cleaning to be done the night of bedika, and weren't so meticulously with all the tiny specs of hametz as we are nowdays.

1) Is what I'm saying true?
2) if not, why didn't Hazal tell us to make the bracha for bedikat hametz when we started cleaning days/weeks earlier? Why wait for the houses to be hametz free the night of eruv Pesach?


texts:
In Mechilta (to ex. 12.16), while discussing whether or not work is forbidden on chol hamoed, the time before and after the six days of creation are referred to as holy.

  ששת ימי בראשית יוכיחו שיש קדושה לפניהם ולאחריהם ומותרים במלאכה

Obviously after creation creation refers to the seventh day when God rested; very holy. But what is the reference to being holy about prior to the six days? Is this a specific reference to something, or shall I just learn from here that it was a holy time (that is, before time).


texts: Explain assignment of "joy" terms in Shalosh Regalim Amidah

texts:
In the opening paragraph of the Shalosh Regalim Amidah's middle section the phrasing is:

  ... מועדים לשמחה, חגים וזמנים לששון

This M.Y. answer explains the difference in meaning between שמחה and ששון, generally. Why is a מועד associated with שמחה and חגים וזמנים associated with ששון?


texts: In Pirkei Avos we are told not to judge another unless we are standing his place.  Is this a command never to judge another negatively no matter his actions? or is there a qualification that it only applies in certain circumstances?  What about someone who murders or who publicly demonstrates against the Torah?  How do we understand Hillel's dictum in light of this?  Please provide sources.  Tks.


texts:
We say it daily in the morning prayer:

אַתָּה־הוּא ה"א אֲשֶׁר בָּחַרְתָּ בְּאַבְרָם וְהוֹצֵאתוֹ מֵאוּר כַּשְׂדִּים וְשַׂמְתָּ שְּׁמוֹ אַבְרָהָם׃ וּמָצָאתָ אֶת־לְבָבוֹ נֶאֱמָן לְפָנֶיךָ...

You are the LORD God, who a) chose Abram, b) brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans, and c) changed his name to Abraham, and d) found his heart true to You, ... Nehemiah.9.7-8?

Why the choice of Abraham preceded finding him righteous?


texts:
Recently, someone who presents himself as a religious member of Jewish society told me that he feels it doesn't matter if the story of the Exodus actually happened, and can be viewed as a nice meaningful story meant to teach a lesson, not a fact. His exact words were  this story is 'Meaningful, Serious, and Significant, but who cares if it actually happened'.

When I disagreed, he stated my opinion was based on a lack of knowledge of opinions concerning what is fundamental to believe in this religion. He dismissed my own literal opinion as an oness due to laziness of finding those said opinions, and told me not to worry about it. This is a seemingly intelligent person who when making a claim of sources, I cannot simply dismiss. However, the weight that our Torah put on the factual nature of this event and the duty incumbent upon us to Hashem based on this event makes it incomprehensible in my eyes to claim this event never took place.

I cannot defend his opinion and I don't intend to, I am just trying to find out if I am missing something. The only leeway might be is turning the story into a non-literal read the way many have done with the first chapter(s) in Bereishis. Both these accounts are tied to Mitzvos of zechira. Both these accounts are fundamentally connected to Shabbos and holidays. Yet only the creation account gets the imaginative treatment in society.

So, are there any mainstream Jewish opinions* stating the Exodus can be viewed as a 'meaningful story'?

*By this I mean a traditionally accepted as a Jewish opinion. I am not posting this to hear biblical criticism, whether or not the critic is Jewish.


texts:
I need advice on mefarshim for the seventh chapter of pessahim keitsad tsolin. Most mefarshim left it.

I am looking for rishonim or kadmone achronim, like Pney Yehoshua.