Most Popular
1500 questions
16
votes
3 answers
Is a contract over Chat/IM/SMS "written" or "oral"?
Halakhically, is a business transaction conducted over Chat/IM/SMS a "written" or "oral" contract?
Chat is oral-style communication in a textual medium. Does the fact that it's actually written over-ride the fact that most people use it in the same…
Shmuel
- 10,533
- 46
- 98
16
votes
4 answers
Limits to Dina Dmalchusa Dina
What are the specifications of Dina Dimalchusah? A more targeted question to answer would be: If I ripped off the label of my mattress — the label that says its removal is punishable by federal law — am I also doing a sin? If so, why; if not, why…
simchastorah
- 9,061
- 1
- 21
- 70
16
votes
3 answers
How long can you say Asher Yotzar if you forgot?
If you forgot to say Asher Yotzar and remember a while later, is there a time limit as to when you are allowed to say it?
Gershon Gold
- 139,471
- 12
- 231
- 553
16
votes
4 answers
How to advise your barber
Men: What is a succinct, clear, Halachically complete line to tell a barber what not to do when cutting your hair?
Isaac Moses
- 48,026
- 13
- 119
- 333
16
votes
4 answers
How to say go-al Yisroel before Shacharis Amida
When the leader gets to just before the Shacharis Amida, how should he say the blessing
go-al Yisroel: aloud or saying the word Yisroel so the end of it cannot be heard?
Avrohom Yitzchok
- 47,518
- 8
- 47
- 131
16
votes
1 answer
Non-literal interpretation of the barrel of wine virginity test?
In Ketubos 10:, Rabban Gamliel seats a lady on a barrel of wine to test her virginity. If wine can be smelled on her breath she is not a virgin, and if not then she is; there is no odour from the lady's mouth, and so she is declared a virgin. A…
Daniel Moskovich
- 537
- 2
- 10
16
votes
1 answer
What Halachot apply to serving on jury duty?
Halachically, what are the responsibilities of one who is called to jury duty? What if one of the litigants is Jewish, and the halacha would find differently than civil law does in the case, are you considered to have financially damaged him?
ertert3terte
- 40,485
- 7
- 96
- 205
16
votes
3 answers
Does an Early Shabbos mean Early Meat during the 9 days?
If one makes an early Shabbos during the nine days of Aveilus before Tish'a B'Av, does that mean s/he can eat meat earlier? Or does one still have to wait until it is actually nightfall?
yydl
- 38,600
- 6
- 88
- 285
16
votes
2 answers
How do Etrogs grow, pitom-up, or pitom-down?
I've done a bit of research here, but I still have some questions.
To start with, for anyone who isn't familiar with this, we can't say the brucha for lulav & etrog after completing the mitzvah, and the mitzvah is completed as soon as we gather the…
zaq
- 8,864
- 30
- 65
16
votes
3 answers
PTIJ: Why do Ipods come in only 3 colors?
Shemot 28:6 says:
ועשו את האפוד זהב תכלת וארגמן
You shall make the Ipod gold, blue and scarlet
Why does the Torah limit making the Ipod only in these 3 colors? What's so special about these 3 specifc colors for Ipods?
This question is Purim Torah…
DanF
- 70,416
- 8
- 59
- 244
16
votes
6 answers
PTIJ: Can't find the fifth chelek of shulchan aruch
People keep telling me that I need to get the fifth section of Shulchan Aruch. I'm not really sure how everyone seems to know that I don't already have this chelek, but since so many people have been recommending it, I've been really trying to find…
Y e z
- 58,536
- 3
- 109
- 249
16
votes
2 answers
Deviations of Ralbag from normative Jewish theology
In an article about the Rashba's views on science, Rabbi Dr. David Horwitz throws in the following sentence (p. 53):
No less than a radical thinker than R. Levi ben Gershom (Ralbag), who had no qualms about deviating from the normative Jewish…
robev
- 19,863
- 3
- 45
- 96
16
votes
2 answers
Which mitzvah is repeated the most times in the Chumash?
I have learned that not mixing milk and meat is mentioned 3 times in the chumash, and because of this we learn 3 different laws.
I also found out today that the law "not to follow the ways of the Canaanites" is listed seven times.
Is there any…
avi
- 18,985
- 1
- 52
- 81
16
votes
4 answers
Why the Sanhedrin has a Greek name?
This bothers me since a long time. The biggest Jewish halachic authority, arguably, the peak of the Torah world which can be ever imagined, which has its most basic definitions in the Chumash (70 sages & Moshe Rabbeinu) has no official Hebrew name,…
Binyomin
- 1,148
- 6
- 15
16
votes
3 answers
What is the source of netilat yadayim before eating bread?
From where do we learn that one must wash one's hands before eating bread? What does washing one's hands before bread symbolize? Why is ritual hand washing required for bread, but not other foods?
Nathan H
- 2,619
- 18
- 32