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24
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5 answers

What is the source that Parshas Parah is from the Torah?

I have read in many places that Parah could be a biblical requirement to read. Why is that? Zachor makes sense (as it says so in the Torah here). Why Parah?
24
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4 answers

What was the shape of the Luchot?

According to the Talmud in Bava Batra 14a, the Luchot HaBrit were square. As a side note, I have seen those "correctly-modeled Luchot" in the Shteblach of Meah Shearim. Where did the common "tablet" shape come from, with rectangles and a rounded…
Baal Shemot Tovot
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7 answers

Anyone who says these people sinned is mistaken. For real?

The Gemara (Talmud Bavli Shabbos 55b-56b) relates that several Biblical figures who, from the text itself, seemed to have sinned, in reality did not. These statements take the form of "כל האומר פלוני חטא אינו אלא טועה" - "Anyone who says that…
jake
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Can a Noachide continue to believe in religious tenets that are against the Torah?

Say you have a Christian* or a Muslim (or a member of any other monotheistic religion) who accepts the Seven Noachide Laws, and (as per Mishneh Torah, Hil. Melachim 8:11) does so because he believes that G-d (re)gave them through Moshe. However, he…
Alex
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24
votes
14 answers

How can I redeem a wasted youth?

I wasted my youth. I am 35 years old. I had a toxic relationship with my parents, especially my mother. My career never started, and I am still looking for a fresh start and finding it humiliating at my age. What does the Torah says about wasting…
Reeel
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24
votes
3 answers

The two stamp question

One man owns two of the only very expensive stamps in the world. Let us say each stamp was worth a million dollars. A second man comes along and destroys stamp one. The catch is that now according to the new value the one stamp is worth more than…
simchastorah
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24
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5 answers

Is it a sin to escape the death penalty?

If someone is sentenced to death by a Jewish court and is being held prisoner until the sentence can be carried out, if he escapes, is that a sin for him?
Desert Star
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24
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5 answers

Is there a list of Mitzvot and their corresponding body parts?

The Talmud (Makkot 23B)and the Zohar (1:170B - unverified English translation here) say that the 248 positive commandments correspond to the 248 limbs of the human body. (The Mishna (Ohalot 1:8) lists the 248 Halachic limbs). The Talmud also says…
Menachem
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Providing wine for Christian ceremonial purposes: in the 8th century, what did the rabbis write?

Under Charlemagne in the 8th century and the Carolingian emperors, Jews were official importers of exotic foods from the Holy Land;[1] they also provided wine for Christian mass. At the time, what did the rabbis write about the following…
Rabbi Levi Cash
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4 answers

Orthodox Visits to Other Denomination Sanctuaries

Why is it that some people won't set foot in another's sanctuary, even if it was for a non-prayer function? Can an orthodox person be in a reform style temple sanctuary for a lecture or concert? I understand possible discomfort with prayer services…
joeyb
23
votes
3 answers

Does Down Syndrome make one a Shoteh?

I had a very strange experience and I would like to know what halacha thinks. I was in shul on Shabbos, and an adult with Down Syndrome ripped by opening the box of tissues. I was not going to say anything, but I guess he noticed my disapproval of…
Chalutzhanal
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23
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1 answer

a wheelchair user's taking "steps" before sh'mone esre

The Shulchan Aruch, OC 94:5, writes: Suppose someone is sitting on a boat or wagon [and saying sh'mone esre (amida)]. If he can stand up when he reaches the point of bowing, he should stand, so as to bow while standing. Likewise, he should take…
msh210
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23
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2 answers

Which way to face while praying on another planet

On Earth, we pray facing Jerusalem. On another planet, it makes sense to pray facing Earth. However, since planets move relative to each other, Earth might not be always in the same direction. In particular, the direction of the Earth might be…
23
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3 answers

PTIJ: How local does my rabbi need to be?

I've seen several comments on this site that say to check with your local rabbi to get a final decision on what you should practically do. My question is about how local, exactly, my rabbi needs to be. For example, I have heard that there is a…
magicker72
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6 answers

PTIJ: How do I know if MiYodeya cookies are kosher? What should I do on Pesach?

I understand many Internet sites including MiYodeya use cookies during authentication and leave them on my computer. I find this highly concerning for two reasons even if my computer is not Jewish, I am concerned one of my kids might walk in, find…
mbloch
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