Most Popular
1500 questions
21
votes
4 answers
When does somebody living in space (e.g. ISS) observe Shabbat?
I understand that Jewish astronauts have been advised to observe Shabbat by Cape Canaveral time, by analogy with traveling to a place that doesn't have daily sunrise/sunset where some rule you use the last place you were that did. But this seems to…
Monica Cellio
- 56,645
- 10
- 113
- 348
21
votes
2 answers
Do religious Jews generally believe the serpent of Garden of Eden was Satan?
Upon reading the recent CNN article, That Actually Isn't In The Bible, one not-really-in-the-Bible misconception they cite is the idea that serpent in the Garden of Eden was the Satan.
The article cites several biblical scholars who correctly say…
Judah Gabriel Himango
- 938
- 1
- 8
- 22
21
votes
5 answers
What is the nature of the numeral "ashtei-asar" (11)?
What is the nature of the numeral ashtei-asar (meaning 11) as in (BeMidbar 29:20, Parashat Pinchas):
וּבַיּוֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁי פָּרִים עַשְׁתֵּי-עָשָׂר
What is the basic word? Is this using semichus, as in ashtaim of asar? If so, what does that…
YDK
- 28,172
- 1
- 39
- 76
21
votes
3 answers
Mixed swimming in a pool?
What are the issues with mixed swimming, from a tzniut point of view? Does it make a difference if the swimmers are or aren't Jewish? For example, are there issues with me swimming with my wife and a non-Jewish male friend, provided that both me and…
Naftuli Kay
- 3,924
- 18
- 46
21
votes
4 answers
How does an outsider know how to dress for a particular Orthodox community?
Standards of dress (at least for women) aren't nearly as consistent within Orthodoxy as we might wish. Wearing exactly the same halachically-correct clothing I have been under-dressed in some places and over-dressed in others, because I didn't…
Monica Cellio
- 56,645
- 10
- 113
- 348
21
votes
1 answer
Blessing the Children on Friday Night
I have noticed that many families (including my own) have the custom for the father to bless all the children on Friday night before kiddush.
When and where did this custom originate, and by whom, and why is it done before Kiddush on Friday night?
jake
- 28,533
- 2
- 72
- 159
21
votes
6 answers
Why are women unclean longer after giving birth to a girl?
I read that women are unclean for two weeks after giving birth to a girl and seven days after giving birth to a boy. What does it tell us?
jabal
- 596
- 1
- 5
- 11
21
votes
9 answers
Are there any Jewish people alive today who can identify themselves as coming from a particular tribe?
The Christian "New Testament" claims Paul (Saul) was of the tribe of Benjamin.
Since Roman times have there been any people who can validly claim they were from a particular tribe?
At least at that time (Roman occupation) it was still a valid to…
going
- 1,086
- 1
- 10
- 17
21
votes
4 answers
What is the machlokes between the Gra and Ba'al HaTanya?
What is the famous argument between the Vilna Gaon and the Ba'al HaTanya in understanding the Sod HaTzimtzum? And what are some ma'areh mekomos in their works where this Machlokes is seen?
Reb Chaim HaQoton
- 5,993
- 27
- 41
21
votes
2 answers
Can an ultrasound be relied upon?
I have read reports of the accuracy of gender prediction from an ultrasound with numbers ranging from 90-98%.
There is a halacha (Y.D. 194:11) that if a fetus sticks its hand [or possibly any limb] out of the womb, and then retracts it, and isn't…
Y e z
- 58,536
- 3
- 109
- 249
21
votes
6 answers
Difference between אֲנִי and אָנֹכִי
Throughout the Tanakh, I have come across אֲנִי (ʾani) and אָנֹכִי (ʾanokhi) many times, which both mean "I". What is the difference between the two words in Tanakh?
Argon
- 3,636
- 23
- 35
21
votes
4 answers
Halachic Justifications for the Amshinover Rebbe
The current Amshinover Rebbe in Bayit Vegan, Jerusalem is known in the Jewish world as a man of great piety and for his great knowledge in Torah. He is also known to keep very different "Zmanim"- halachic times, he makes havdala during the week (the…
Shoel U'Meishiv
- 15,505
- 1
- 37
- 80
21
votes
5 answers
Sources For Listening To/Not Listening to Non-Jewish Music
What are sources for it being allowed to listen to non-Jewish music and sources for it being prohibited?
Matthew Miller
- 3,349
- 18
- 28
21
votes
2 answers
Does Judaism have a concept of holy text literalism?
Apologies if this is an ignorant, foolish or offensive question. I am not Jewish, and am asking to satisfy my curiosity.
Some time ago, on a political forum online, I was discussing religious literalism, the tendency of some religions to insist that…
Bob Tway
- 321
- 1
- 9
21
votes
11 answers
PTIJ: Who made the cholent?
Every week my wife and I have this problem. My wife cuts the potatoes and onions, adds the barley, beans and meat. But I spice the cholent!
I always claim I'm the one who made it because we pasken טעם כעיקר - that the taste is the most important…
Shoel U'Meishiv
- 15,505
- 1
- 37
- 80