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1500 questions
19
votes
2 answers
Bootstrapping problem: havdalah ends shabbat (for one who didn't daven ma'ariv) but lighting the candle is melacha?
This answer (originally elsewhere, later merged here) to a question about melacha before havdalah notes that in that situation one should say "baruch hamavdil bein kodesh l'chol" first. Does that apply to lighting the havdalah candle? I have never…
Monica Cellio
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19
votes
1 answer
Mushrooms in a Vineyard
The bracha on a mushroom is "shehakol" because the Talmud (Berachot 40b) correctly (I think) states that mushrooms do not derive their nutrients from the ground.
If a mushroom is growing in a vineyard, does that constitute Kilaei HaKerem (forbidden…
Double AA
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19
votes
4 answers
Was Darius Jewish?
Darius the Second (the son of Queen Ester and Achashveirosh) was at first glance Jewish, as he was the son of a Jew. On the other hand,the Gemara Rosh Hashana implies that he wasn't Jewish.
What was his status with regards to his Judaism?
ertert3terte
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19
votes
2 answers
What defines a country to be a legitimate country?
There are a few Halachas that apply to a Jew's relationship with his country. For example, Dina Dmalchusa, another is not to rebel (although its Halachic strength is disputed, all agree that under normal conditions, one should keep those three…
ertert3terte
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19
votes
2 answers
Mouthwash on a public fast day?
Is it permitted to use mouthwash on a public fast day? Would a sensitive mouth, due to medical reasons be a good reason to be lenient?
(I can see it being less problematic than brushing one's teeth, because there's no fresh water being used, only…
Moshe
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19
votes
5 answers
Can we argue with gedolim when we are sure that we are right?
I recently saw a teshuva by Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, Ohrach Chaim Volume 1 Teshuva 109, that quotes a letter from Rabbi Menashe Klein asking a question on Rabbi Moshe's psak but saying that he does not mean to argue with a Gadol! Rabbi Moshe replies…
Yehuda
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19
votes
2 answers
Why Not Eight Days Until a Convert's Circumcision?
Why doesn't a convert dip in the mikveh and then wait eight days until he gets his circumcision? The gemara (Yevamot 97b) says ger shnitgayeir kekatan shenolad dami (A convert is like a newly-born baby). So - ostensibly - he should dip in the…
Adam Mosheh
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19
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2 answers
When (if ever) are converts still related to their relatives?
It is my understanding that when a person converts to Judaism, certain halachic relationships are severed.
So I have a couple questions about this.
Which relationships are severed?
Is a convert related to their Jewish (from birth) father?
If a…
HodofHod
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19
votes
4 answers
Intermarriage Attendance
Is there a Halachic problem with being in attendance to an intermarriage preformed in a regular hall meaning not a problematic location? What is the source in the Halachic literature if there is an Issur?
simchastorah
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19
votes
10 answers
How are Spartans the son of Abraham?
I was reading the Book of Maccabees (I and II) over Shabbat and in it there is a letter written to Sparta to ask for peace, goodwill and friendship.
In the reply letter back from Sparta, they affirm everlasting peace and friendship, and say that the…
avi
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19
votes
9 answers
Where do the different traditions for hours of waiting between meat and milk come from?
As far as I can tell, there are 5 different traditions for how long one has to wait between eating meat and milk:
wait 6 full hours
wait into the 6th hour (thus, 5 hours and 5 minutes would suffice)
wait 5 full hours
wait 3 hours
wait 1…
Barry Hammer
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19
votes
3 answers
19
votes
2 answers
Why did Yonatan arrange the secret arrow sign with David?
In Shmuel Alef (20:20–22) Yonatan arranges a whole scheme to secretly inform David whether or not it's safe for him to return. However, after the sign is given that it's not safe (20:40), Yonatan sends away his boy and David comes out of hiding and…
Mark
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19
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2 answers
Silent Amidah when praying without a minyan
If one is davening b'yichidut (praying by oneself), without a minyan, do they need to say the amidah silently or can they say it out loud?
Phrased another way, what is the reason for praying the amidah silently when praying with a minyan?
Is it so…
Ariel Allon
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3 answers
How many of the 613 Mitzvos can we do only in Israel?
There are many Mitzvos we can not do in today's generation. For example there are no Korbonos, no slaves, etc.
Per the Chofetz Chaim, there are 77 positive Mitzvos and 194 negative Mitzvos which can be observed outside of Eretz Yisroel today. How…
Gershon Gold
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