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1500 questions
21
votes
3 answers
Why do we still say sections of davening in aramaic?
I am pretty sure the aramaic sections of davening were written in aramaic because it was considered necessary for people to understand what they were saying. If this is true, why don't we say those sections in languages that more people understand…
2345678876543
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21
votes
4 answers
Why is Lag Baomer celebrated the way it is (or at all)?
Why do we celebrate lag baomer with bon-fires and bow-and-arrow. Why do we celebrate lag baomer at all?
shlomo
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21
votes
6 answers
Did Moshe have an earlier name?
Moshe was given his name by Pharaoh's daughter after she drew him from the water. However, Moshe was already three months old when this happened. Did he have a name before Pharaoh's daughter found him?
zaq
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21
votes
4 answers
Why must prophets be wealthy?
I was studying in Sefer Ha-Aggadah with a chevruta this morning and we came across a passage about prophets having to have certain qualities, including wealth. I followed the reference to Nedarim 38a, which quotes R. Yochanan as saying: "The Holy…
Monica Cellio
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21
votes
4 answers
Is it okay to enjoy Christmas lights?
My daughter is always talking about how she hates everything Christmas, including the lights on the houses. I am trying to encourage her that she can like non religious things like the lights, so that she can comfortably live in America.
Is there…
morah hochman
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21
votes
3 answers
When did we start counting the Year since Creation?
This year is 5772 / תשעב (Taf-Shin-Ayin-Bet) on the Hebrew Calendar.
What is the earliest reference to the Year counting from the Creation of the world?
David P. Hochman
- 557
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21
votes
7 answers
What justifications are there for not moving to Eretz Yisrael?
The Gemara in many places is clear that there is some level of mitzvah to live in Israel. This is also the accepted consensus among the rishonim. In the past, it was very difficult to move to Israel, as the journey alone had many dangers, and no one…
Ariel K
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21
votes
3 answers
Returning after driving someone to the hospital on Shabbat
If a man needs to be brought to the hospital on Shabbat due to a life threatening situation, another man may bring him there even by violating biblical Shabbat prohibitions (e.g. driving a car). Which prohibitions (such as driving or Techum Shabbos)…
my rebbi's talmid
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21
votes
13 answers
How to learn gemara independently
Is there an organized path that a Ba'al Teshuva can follow to learn Gemara and prepare the Daf by himself?
I mean after he is able to learn with Artscroll.
rony
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21
votes
3 answers
How did plants survive the Mabul?
Inspired by this answer:
As far as I can tell, there is no mention of Noach bringing plants into the ark. Moreover, it appears Noach had nothing to do with the survival of the plants, given that the dove brought back the olive tree leaf after the…
yydl
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21
votes
4 answers
How do you handle possible Shabbat issues when receiving a jury summons?
The last time I was summoned for jury duty it was mid-week in January, and I made a point of telling the lawyers during questioning that I would have to be home before sunset on Friday. They were not concerned (and I was picked for the jury, and…
Monica Cellio
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20
votes
2 answers
Can an ecommerce website remain open on Shabbat?
This question is more general and doesn't apply specifically to ecommerce sites even though the discussion mentions them a little.
Specifically, we know we can't do business on Shabbat. So what is the action on the part of the user and on the part…
Shmuel
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20
votes
1 answer
Why don't we bow "correctly" during tefillah anymore?
According to the Gemara (Megillah 22b), and according to the RaMBa"M (Hil. Tefillah 5:13) (and apparently R' Avraham ben HaRaMBa"M was adamant), when we pray we are supposed to bow down ON our knees (not merely bending our knees) and in certain…
Seth J
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20
votes
6 answers
Why put on Tefillin shel yad halfway?
When we put on the tefillin shel yad, I've noticed that virtually everyone ties the tefillin up until the actual hand (like a placeholder), puts on the shel rosh, and only then finally completes the tying of the shel yad.
Why is this so? Is it…
yydl
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20
votes
5 answers
"The Rambam" vs Rashi
In every shiur I've heard, Gemarah or otherwise, when referring to Maimonides, the one giving the shiur says "The Rambam". But when speaking of Rashi, I've only heard someone say "Rashi". How did this distinction come about? Why is it that people…
Bochur613
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