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4 answers
Halachot of Shul Mechitzot
What are some good books, articles, websites, or seforim for learning about the Halachot of constructing and maintaining a Shul Mechitza (the barrier between the men and women sections)?
Issues include: How tall and wide must they be? Can there be…
Shmuel
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19
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2 answers
What is the meaning of psak?
I have asked many people this question, and not yet got a comprehensive answer: What is psak?
Like, let's say I have a certain piece of food of uncertain status. If I ask my 6 year old kid if it's kosher, and she says yes, and I eat it based on…
Shaul Behr
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19
votes
2 answers
PTIJ: Should I kill my computer after installing software?
Shemot 22:17 says that a wizard should not live.
When I buy a new computer or if I've inherited a computer and I install new software, it frequently involves a wizard to set it up or install it. What should I do with this? The software package…
DanF
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18
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3 answers
What literally was the mark of Cain?
וַיֹּ֧אמֶר ל֣וֹ יְהוָ֗ה לָכֵן֙ כָּל־הֹרֵ֣ג קַ֔יִן שִׁבְעָתַ֖יִם יֻקָּ֑ם וַיָּ֨שֶׂם יְהוָ֤ה לְקַ֙יִן֙ א֔וֹת לְבִלְתִּ֥י הַכּוֹת־אֹת֖וֹ כָּל־מֹצְאֽוֹ׃
(Genesis 4:15)
What literally was the mark of Cain? Was it a physical blemish, scar tattoo of some…
Ephraim77
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18
votes
3 answers
Why didn't Avraham argue with HaShem about sacrificing Yitzchak just like he argued with Him about destroying Sodom?
It's known that when Avraham found out that Hashem was going to destroy Sodom and the other cities, he fervently argued with Hashem to save them.
My question is: when Hashem told Avraham to sacrifice his own son, why didn't Avraham at least try to…
user8832
18
votes
3 answers
What Bracha should you say on a Hurricane?
What Bracha should you say on a hurricane? Oseh Ma'aseh Vereishis?
You say Birchas Gomel if you travel over the sea; do you also say it if the sea travels over you?
follick
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18
votes
3 answers
Why aren't Tefillin called Totafot?
They're called Totafot in the Torah, so why do we call them Tefilin?
zaq
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18
votes
2 answers
Is the material permitted to learn on Tisha B'av available online?
From Aish.com:
Other prohibitions include...Learning Torah, since this is a joyful activity. It is permitted to learn texts relevant to Tisha B'Av and mourning -- e.g. the Book of Lamentations, Book of Job, parts of Tractate Moed Katan, Gittin…
Menachem
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18
votes
3 answers
What potential issues may arise with serving jury duty on Tisha b'Av?
I was recently summoned for jury duty and initially selected to be on the jury for a criminal trial that was expected to go through Tisha b'Av. If I were selected, what issues would I face in serving jury duty on that day? Suppose I was able to go…
Tal Fishman
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18
votes
11 answers
Method for practicing Torah reading
What is your method for practicing reading a Torah portion and thus memorizing the associated vowelizations and intonations? I'm looking for ideas for maximizing your effectiveness at performing a correct reading when actually confronted with a…
Isaac Moses
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18
votes
3 answers
the aggadic concept of a finite number of words to speak
Is there any truth to the common claim that each person has a predetermined number of words that he can speak in his life? Source, please.
If so, then how does it work? In particular (with sources or arguments, please):
To whom does this apply?…
msh210
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18
votes
7 answers
Non-Jews (Gentiles) in Olam Haba (Jewish Afterlife)?
Are there non-Jews in Olam Haba (the world to come), either in Gehenom (Hell) or Gan Eden (Heaven)?
shy''k
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18
votes
2 answers
For how long must a Jew keep Shabbat before he can be considered Shomer Shabbat?
Certain Kashrut issues require (or may require according to some opinions) that a Shomer Shabbat Jew (not just any Jew) supervise cooking. For example, see here, and here.
How is the status of Shomer Shabbat formally defined? For example:
1) If Jew…
Robert Columbia
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18
votes
8 answers
What is the source for the "Upsheirin"?
In some families/communities, little boys do not get their hair cut until they are three, and then there is a gathering for cutting their hair. The haircut is called an "upsheirin" or "chalakeh."
What is the source for (and significance of) this…
JXG
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18
votes
4 answers
Does dividing bulk Kosher items make them no longer Kosher?
Background: I am responsible for religious access in our jail. We have several Jewish inmates who are complaining that by opening the bulk Kosher powdered milk and dividing it into single servings, we are contaminating it and it is no longer…
Sgt. Porter
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