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1500 questions
25
votes
3 answers
What makes a smart phone "kosher"?
I have to admit that my phone is far smarter than me, and I am not "with it". So, I was surprised when a neighbor who is sending his kid to Israel told me that her kid needs a special "kosher" smart phone for use in his yeshiva.
When my kids went to…
DanF
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25
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4 answers
The Trolley Problem: Is it better to kill 1 person or let 5 die?
I was recently reading about the Trolley Problem
A trolley is running out of control down a track. In its path are five people who have been tied to the track by a mad philosopher. Fortunately, you could flip a switch, which will lead the trolley…
yydl
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24
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4 answers
What is the source of the Magen Dovid (Star of David)?
What is the source of the Magen Dovid (Star of David) in Rabbinic Judaism?
When was it first used, and for what?
ertert3terte
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24
votes
8 answers
Do gentiles have neshamot?
As I have seen here, some say that only Jews have a neshama, others say that all humans have one. There was a reference there only of the former opinion (Jews only), and I know from elsewhere that that is indeed what the book of Tanya says.
Are…
Lev
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24
votes
9 answers
Is practicing Yoga against Torah?
What does Halacha and Halachic Authorities have to say about the permissibility of a Jew practicing Yoga? Is it Avodah Zarah?
If it is problematic, are there methods of doing it where it would be permissible?
If it is permitted, are there…
Menachem
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24
votes
3 answers
Must EMTs and others rend Kriyah each time they see a patient die?
I was looking at Yoreh De'ah 340:5 (יו"ד סימן ש"מ ס"ק ה) and Moed Katan 25b (כה עמוד ב), which require Kriyah (garment-rending) for all who are there at the time of death. It would seem to me that an EMT, EMS member, doctor, nurse, or any other…
Chalutzhanal
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24
votes
12 answers
Is there such a thing as "too Orthodox"?
When my family started attending the local synagogue we stuck out like a sore thumb. We moved from a Jewish area of Toronto to a small town with one Synagogue.
I cover Everything, my husband was the only black hat in the place.
I was approached by…
Rebecca Burns
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24
votes
4 answers
תהלת ה' ידבר פי - what's the origin?
In between the 'Shir HaMaalot' that precedes birchat hamazon and the the blessings themselves, there are a few psukim beginning תהלת ה' ידבר פי . Some people add these, and some don't. What's the origin of the custom? Which groups practice it?
Laizer
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24
votes
5 answers
√-1 - mi yodeya?
Who knows √-1?
The traditional Passover song "Echad - mi yodeya" implies a possible presupposition that there is a Jewish significance to be found for each number.
What significant Judaism facts are there about the square root of -1?
This question…
Ze'ev
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24
votes
2 answers
Which spouse should get up, according to G-d's advice/plan?
In Proverbs 19:21 we have
עֲצַת ה' הִיא תָקוּם
I understand this to be on the topic of division of labor between a man and his wife, in particular which one should wake up early in the morning to do chores. But the exact message depends on how it…
Meni Rosenfeld
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24
votes
3 answers
Hebrew document found in grandfather's attic—what does it state?
I found this document in my grandfather's attic and would be thankful if someone could tell me (a) what this document is, (b) whether there are any names written, and (c) which, if any, religious meanings or implications could arise.
Thank you all.
Jonah
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24
votes
3 answers
Where did "shabat shalom" come from?
What is the source for the greeting "שבת שלום"?
Where is it earliest attested in print?
What does it mean?
WAF
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24
votes
2 answers
"Am I Jewish?"
How can one tell if one needs to convert in order to be Jewish or if one is already Jewish?
Would one's or one's ancestors' conversion to another religion or their lack of knowledge about Judaism change anything?
Double AA
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24
votes
2 answers
May my wife wear my jacket to keep warm?
The Sefer HaChinuch #564 writes that it’s forbidden for a woman to wear men’s clothing.
If it’s cold outside, is a woman allowed to wear a man’s coat to keep warm?
If #1 is a problem, are any distinctions made that would allow a woman to wear her…
Gavriel
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24
votes
5 answers
Nittle Nacht Meaning
What is Nittle Nacht?
What does the name mean?
What is its significance?
Which Halachic authorities speak about it, and what do they say?
What is the actual date for it?
How is it effected this year when it comes out on Shabbos?
SimchasTorah
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