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1500 questions
21
votes
4 answers
Why don't Jews accept Our Lord and Savior?
Why don't Jews believe the Messiah has come? It's clear from all the Scriptures that He has come! We should all believe in Him! As it is written (Isaiah 53)
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities
and indeed…
msh210
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21
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5 answers
Why is Sha'ar Ha'Yichud of Chovos Ha'Levavos so "controversial"?
I have heard that Sha'ar Ha'Yichud of Chovos Ha'Levavos is controversial, and that one needs a rebbe in order to learn it. What does the author say that is so difficult to understand?
Matthew Miller
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21
votes
5 answers
Gezeira of Rabbeinu Gershom text
Does anyone know where I can find the actual text of the Gezeira of Rabbeinu Gershom? It keeps popping up in my learning, but only as being referenced, I would like to read that actual text.
Rabbi Michael Tzadok
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21
votes
2 answers
Making the Kohen's Gesture
Is it forbidden for a non-Kohen to form the hand formation that Kohanim use during their priestly blessings?
Tzvi
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21
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3 answers
Why do people keep saying 12 tribes of Israel when there are 13?
The Encyclopædia Britannica article “Twelve Tribes of Israel” says (emphasis added),
Jacob’s first wife, Leah, bore him six sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi,
Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. Each was the father of a tribe.
That’s six tribes.
The article…
user4951
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21
votes
4 answers
Why are there no fish korbanot?
Land animals, birds, wheat and fruit offerings all feature on the list of offerings that Bnei Israel bring for Hashem.
Is there anyone that discusses why there are no fish korbanot?
bondonk
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21
votes
4 answers
Why don't most American orthodox Jews send their kids to public school?
Given the benefits of a public school education over private day school education, such as $0 tuition and technology and extra curriculars which many schools do not have, why don't most orthodox American Jews send their kids to public school for…
user5092
21
votes
5 answers
How to reconcile Biblical Flood story vs science and history?
Genesis spends a good deal of time -- Chapters 6 through 11 -- discussing the "mabul mayim", a flood that killed all humanity outside the ark. Here is what the Torah's text says about the universality of the flood:
ה וַיַּרְא יְהוָה, כִּי רַבָּה…
Gregory Magarshak
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21
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5 answers
What are the essential books which every Jew should own?
What Jewish religious books should one consider when starting a Jewish Library in their home? A set of Shas (Talmud) and the Shulchan Orech (Code of Jewish Law) are the obvious ones, What else should be considered essential for the Jewish home?
Ken
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21
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4 answers
Praying in "multifaith spaces" in airports and other institutions
In airports and hospitals and such, you can often find "multifaith spaces". Is it permitted to pray in them? These "interfaith prayer chapels" are not churches: they're completely neutral rooms and are described as welcoming all religions. Is there…
ben
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votes
3 answers
December 25 Greetings
Is it permitted say any of the following to a Christian colleague:
1) Merry Christmas
2) Happy Xmas
3) Happy Holidays
I am specifically referring to initiating a greeting not responding to such a greeting as mentioned elsewhere December greeting…
eramm
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21
votes
1 answer
Should someone tell a Jewish doctor about a tattoo of G-d's name?
Background: I am not Jewish. I have a tattoo containing G-d's name. I have been in the process of removing this tattoo using laser treatment. There seems to be some disagreement on whether or not Jewish law would allow me to remove this tattoo since…
Dan
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21
votes
1 answer
Why isn't the book of the Maccabees part of the Jewish canon?
I believe they are in the Christian canon... why not Jewish?
ArghMo
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21
votes
3 answers
Why does the Torah give us exact dates for the flood?
This question asks why the flood didn't end on the 18th of Cheshvan (one year after the start). My question is more basic: why does the torah give us precise dates here at all? Bereishit 7:11 tells us it began on the 17th of the second month and…
Monica Cellio
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21
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Is this really in the Talmud?
I've seen this before on anti-semetic sites - is it really in the Talmud?
Extracts from the Jewish text the Talmud
"Just the Jews are humans, the non-Jews are no humans, but cattle"
Kerithuth 6b, page 78, Jebhammoth 61
"The non-Jews have been…
Malka S
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