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Questions tagged [halacha]

Jewish law. Specifically, the legal process beginning with the written Torah and continuing through the Mishna, Talmud, and the legal codes (e.g., Rambam, Tur, Shulchan Aruch). // NOTE: Like Wikipedia, this site makes no guarantee of validity, and does not offer professional (particularly rabbinic) advice. Treat information from this site like it came from a crowd of your friends.

Jewish law. Specifically, the legal process beginning with the written Torah and continuing through the Mishna, Talmud, and the legal codes (e.g., Rambam, Tur, Shulchan Aruch).

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Is there any discussion in Jewish Literature regarding Dowsing?

There is a method of finding underground water called Dowsing, or Water Divination. It involves walking through a field with a stick until the stick moves, which indicates there is water underneath the ground at that point. Regardless of whether it…
Menachem
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Voting before davening

Is it permitted to go to the polls to vote before davening shachris? Is voting included in "chafatzechah" (your own needs) that Halacha forbids or is it a dvar reshus (a neutral act), a dvar mitzvah or none of the above?
Mark A.
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Why no bracha on reciting the Shema?

Although there are brachot that we say before and after reciting the Shema, they are not blessings on the recitation of the Shema. First, none uses the typical formula, "asher kidshanu bmitzvosov" - who has sanctified us with his commandments.…
Yehuda W
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Is there a prohibition against being a hypocrite?

Is there either a Torah or Rabbinic prohibition against being a hypocrite? Is there any prohibition in and of itself in telling people to keep some Halacha that you don't keep? Or, is there anything wrong with, say, being very midakdeik to wear a…
WhoKnows
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When does someone become an orphan?

At what age is someone considered an orphan when his/her parent(s) die? For example, what if a 90 year old's parents die. Does he have the status of an orphan? What about a 20 year old?
yogazefish
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Taking Tallis Gadol into Bathroom

Generally Talis Gadol is wrapped only for prayer, not as a simple jacket. If someone has to wash his talis gadol, but the only place he can wash and dry it in his apartment is in the bathroom, can one take a tallis gadol into a bathroom or the like…
yds
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Sofer STA"M who stole money

If a sofer takes money for a Sefer Torah and does not supply it, are the STA"M he writes after that considered kosher?
Shimon
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Does Boreir Apply to Vessels?

I was learning about Boreir today and noticed at some point poskim started applying boreir to vessels. When is the earliest source of this? Do any communities reject this idea outright?
Aaron
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Is it halachically acceptable for a Jew to be a Zen monk, as Leonard Cohen was?

With the news today of Leonard Cohen (z"l), I was surprised to find out he was ordained as a Zen monk as well as seeing Judaism as his religion. I read: He’s carried his Jewish faith with him throughout his life, regularly observing the Sabbath.3…
Andiamo Va
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Are specific tactics prescribed for civil laws that encroach on Jewish law?

When a government makes decrees that force Jews to transgress religious laws, does halacha describe the degree to which the government's laws must be ignored? If so, are there specific ways in which one is told to disobey non violently?
J. Doe
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What to do upon finding multiple corpses?

If a corpse is found outside of city limits, the Torah (Devarim 21:1-9) requires a procedure involving the decapitation of a calf and the elders of the city praying for forgiveness. If multiple corpses are found together, what should be done? Should…
Ypnypn
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Putting quotes from the Talmud/Torah on the wall

What are the halachic issues which might come up in printing verses of the Talmud and Torah and sticky-taping them on a wall? One example would be Taanit 20a:16 - 20b:3.
Uriel C Ingress
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Washing hands on Yom Kippur during pandemic

From what I understand, halacha places a limit on washing hands on Yom Kippur up to knuckles. Does anyone know of a psak which waives this limitation (up to knuckles) and allows a more extensive washing due to Covid-19?
user16403
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Does אונאת דברים include disgusting someone?

Does the issur of Onaas D'varim include disgusting someone? or eating in a way that can disgust someone
user22284
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How to reconcile the concept of hora'at sha' ah in regards to a legitimate prophet?

There are many instances where the Bible allows the prophets to commit certain acts contrary to Torah law. Thus the Midrash Sifrei Deuteronomy 175 and the Babylonian Talmud, Yevamot 90b, exempts these acts as an exception to the rule. This exception…
Jonathan
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