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1500 questions
16
votes
5 answers
Why do we say "You should live till 120"?
Prior to the Mabul people lived for hundreds of years. After the Mabul lifespans shortened although we see that the Avos lived in the 180 year range. In the Pasuk in Tehilim we say Yemei Shenoseinu Shivim Shana, V'Im Bgevuros Shemonim Shana. Where…
Gershon Gold
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16
votes
2 answers
Why does almost every community say Lecha Dodi?
The prayer Lecha Dodi was composed in the 16th century which is relatively recent as the general Nusach of prayer was founded between 516 BCE – 70 CE by the Anshei K'neset Hagdolah, and its rare that everyone, ~2000 years later, adds a set prayer…
user3113
16
votes
1 answer
Would a widower observe Yahrzeit after remarriage?
If a Jewish man's wife died, he would naturally observe the Yahrzeit on the anniversary of her death. Would he continue to do so if he remarried?
My question comes from reading about the Yahrezeit today for the first time (I am not Jewish). It…
Frank Luke
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16
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4 answers
Oops, I just missed the siyum for Fast of the Firstborn
I am a firstborn. Suppose I wake up late on Erev Pesach and walk into shul right after they finish the siyum. Can I still partake in the post-siyum meal, or am I too late? More precisely, what are the minimal requirements for breaking the Fast of…
Sam
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16
votes
2 answers
What are the halachic boundaries between a brother and sister?
Can they touch each other? Hug? Are they allowed to expose their legs, arms, etc., in front of each other? Can they swim together? Dance together?
Anonymous_Sukkot5771
16
votes
3 answers
What will happen if the Ark of the Covenant is discovered today?
I read this question and the answer says that the Ark of the Covenant was buried somewhere beneath Jerusalem during the First Temple period (~580 BC), to hide it from the Babylonian invaders. It seems no one has discovered it yet since that…
Mawia
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16
votes
6 answers
Hashem studies Torah?
The Gemara in Avodah Zarah 3b lays out the 12-hour schedule of Hashem's day. I realize that any kind of description of Hashem in human terms is allegorical as Hashem is not a human bounded by time and space.
The schedule in the Gemara is:
First…
Premundane
- 4,501
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16
votes
4 answers
Typing on Chol Hamoed
Is typing allowed on Chol Hamoed? Does it make a difference if whatever is typed will be printed afterwards?
yydl
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16
votes
4 answers
Is it heresy to read the Bible literally?
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks in this debate with Richard Dawkins says:
Rabbis in the 10th century laid down the following principle: If a biblical narrative is incompatible with established scientific fact, it is not to be read literally.... And in Judaism…
Aaliyah
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16
votes
3 answers
How are the two tales of dancing in vineyards on the 15th of Av related?
The Mishna tells us (Taanis 26b) that on the 15th of Av, unmarried girls would borrow clothes, dance in the vineyard, and invite the unmarried men to choose them for marriage.
The Talmud (Taanis 30b) gives a list of historical reasons that make the…
Menachem
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16
votes
1 answer
Why is Jacob idolized and not villainised?
I've just read the story of Jacob and Esau (Bereishis ch. 25 and 27), and I fail to understand why Jacob is consistently portrayed and idolized as a protagonist and a hero - based on what I've read, I consider him treacherous and evil character.…
Daniel
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16
votes
5 answers
Why wasn't the Torah given in Israel?
One might naturally expect that the Jewish people would enter the land and then receive the Torah there. It seems logical to me that the Torah should come from a holy place characterized by the revelation of Hashem, in keeping with passages like "Ki…
Premundane
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16
votes
2 answers
What meaning do the names of the ten sons of Haman have?
Is there a meaning behind the names of the ten sons of Haman who were killed and hung (Esther 9:7-9)? They are:
פַּרְשַׁנְדָּתָא Parshandasa
דַּלְפוֹן Dalphon
אַסְפָּתָא Aspasa
פּוֹרָתָא Porasa
אֲדַלְיָא Adalia
אֲרִידָתָא Aridasa
פַּרְמַשְׁתָּא…
Joan
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16
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2 answers
Were there any sages who supported the Zealots during the siege of Jerusalem?
In Gittin 56a-b, we read how the sages warned the Zealots (a.k.a. the Biryonim) to not wage war with the Romans who were holding Jerusalem under siege, but that the Biryonim set fire to the store houses, making war inevitable. Thereafter, Yochanan…
Bruce James
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16
votes
4 answers
Overhead projector on Shabbos?
A discussion came up with some guests over shabbos. One asked if one could use an overhead projector on Shabbos if it was turned on from before, i.e. could one put a new plastic sheet on it or not? In theory, it should be the same with old school…
jekishboy
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