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Do angels have jealousy?

In a famous Midrash in Shab. 87a-b, the angels object to the Torah being given to humans, until Moshe proves that it is only relevant to humans because of their nature. In one example, he asks rhetorically, "Do you (angels) have jealousy (that might…
Seth J
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Why was Hosea acceptable to the people if he took his adulterous wife back?

Hosea is described by Rabbi Yochanan in Pesachim 87a as the greatest of the four major prophets. At G-d's command (Hosea 1:2), he married a prostitute, Gomer, and fathered children, although there was some doubt as to whether they were all his. …
Bruce James
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How can I make my Judaism more enjoyable?

I really enjoy being Jewish, most of the time, but let's be honest, sometimes it can be difficult to enjoy Judaism. Sometimes it's the little things, like having to wait those extra minutes to eat dairy, and sometimes it's the big things, like not…
not-allowed to change my name
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Mentioning Yeshu's name?

Is there a source for not verbally (or in writing, for that matter) mentioning the name of Yeshu (the father of Christianity)? If there is such a source, what exactly is forbidden to say? Is it only the English and/or the "full" pronunciation in…
AEML
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May a man learn Torah without a Kippah?

Is it permissible for a man to learn Torah without a Kippah? Let's say that he can't wear a Kippah at work, or he lives someplace where it is dangerous to outwardly display signs of being Jewish, yet, for whatever reason, picking up a Sefer, or…
Seth J
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Does one make a blessing if preparing to die al kiddush Hashem?

If one is reasonably sure that he is about to die al kiddush Hashem does he make a blessing before fulfilling this mitzvah? What would the nusach (text) of this blessing be? Note: I realize that even with a sharp sword at your throat you are never…
not-allowed to change my name
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Prohibition of a Kohen marrying a Zonah

In the prohibition of a Kohen marrying a Zonah (cf. Vayikra 21:7), what defines a woman as a Zonah? Is it just having had relations with a non-Jew, or does it also include having relations out of wedlock?
Binyomin Trager
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Killing Civilians in a defensive war

In the recent Operation Pillar of Defense against Gaza, many Palestinian civillians were killed by Israeli air-strikes (the Palestines claim the number is as high as 158, while according to the IDF the correct number is 57 [source]). Israel has…
Michoel
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Cooking water on Shabas renders the pot non-kosher?

The halacha (SA OC 318) generally is that if someone cooks food b'mezid (on purpose) on Shabas then he may not eat it, not even after Shabas. Magen Avraham adds that the pot in which the food was cooked is non-kosher also. Later authorities explain…
msh210
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Is the lemon slice added to a soda in many bars a problem kosher-wise?

Many bars (and hotel lobbies) will add a lemon wedge to the top of a glass of soda; often it's used to differentiate between Diet Coke (gets the lemon) and regular Coke (no lemon). Does this pose a kashrus problem?
Shalom
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Minhag of bothering the chazzan on Simchas Torah

I have seen the custom of bothering the chazzan during the musaf service on Simchas Torah. I have seen people tie the chazzan's gartel to a chair, or try to move the chazzan to a diffrent place. I even heard that in one shul they threw the chazzan…
sam
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Is there a way to tell if a Pitom of an Etrog has been broken, or was grown that way?

Is there a way to tell whether the Pitum of an Etrog has been broken off or whether the Etrog had just grown that way (without a pitum)? (I just seem to be a little worried about mine, so any advice based on experience and knowledge would be…
Larry
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What is a "Sephardic Jew"?

My name is Paul Avila (yea, I know, doesn't sound Jewish at all) I was born in the Azores Portugal and moved to the United States when I was 2. People always ask me if I am Persian. Never understood why. Especially with a Spanish, or what I…
Paul Avila
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Why do Sephardic Jews dress in black and white?

Many observant sephardim in Israel, especially those in yeshivot, dress in black and white. Does anyone know how this happened? There is no tradition of Jews in North Africa or in the Middle East wearing European black and white clothing with black…
Aryeh
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Embarrassing a Baal Teshuva

Be'er Hagolah at the end of Yoreh Deah 334 says that one of the things that are considered Cherem D'Rabeinu Gersom is not to embarrass a Baal Teshuva regarding his previous lifestyle. Yet when you look in Bava Metzia 58b the Gemara counts it as…
Gershon Gold
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