Most Popular
1500 questions
16
votes
2 answers
Bringing wallet with benscher into bathroom
If someone has one of the small "pocket benschers" that slide into his wallet, is it a problem for him to walk into the bathroom with his wallet in his pocket?
Daniel
- 24,888
- 3
- 48
- 148
16
votes
1 answer
Why assume coffee is kosher
Why can it be assumed that coffee from coffee shops is kosher? Why couldn't the equipment become unkosher through exposure to non kosher ingredients or when being cleaned?
For example the Canadian chain Tim Horton's makes coffee in pots and puts…
robev
- 19,863
- 3
- 45
- 96
16
votes
4 answers
When you're trapped by someone Davening behind you
There's a(n) Halachah (Berachos 27a, Shulchan Aruch 102:4) that you are not supposed to pass in front of someone in prayer. As a result, many people are strict and won't take their three steps back when finishing prayer if there is someone praying…
Seth J
- 41,606
- 7
- 85
- 245
16
votes
1 answer
Do not separate yourself from the community: what exactly is the community?
Hillel teaches in Pirke Avot (2:4): do not separate yourself from the community. I'm not a historian, but I have the impression that at the time he was writing, towns tended to have one (Jewish) community. The shul you go to and the shul across…
Monica Cellio
- 56,645
- 10
- 113
- 348
16
votes
2 answers
How were judges appointed in the times of the Bais Hamikdash?
In the times of the Bais Hamikdash, were judges appointed by the king, or were they elected by the people? And was the system different based on which size court (i.e., courts comprised of 3, 23, or 71 judges)?
shachna
- 1,105
- 6
- 17
16
votes
2 answers
Insurance against משיח
According to this rather amusing blog post, there is apparently a common clause in rental contracts in Jerusalem, called the Messiah clause, in which, when a landlord outside of Israel rents out a property in Jerusalem, should משיח arrive while the…
Seth J
- 41,606
- 7
- 85
- 245
16
votes
4 answers
How can pigs and shellfish be kosher for bnei Noach?
As a ben Noach, I watch what meat I eat. I eat kosher or halal cut meat only. However, I think that bnei Noach aren't forbidden from eating pig meat or shellfish.
How would I make sure that such meat is kosher for bnei Noach? Would it be as simple…
EhevuTov
- 1,348
- 8
- 16
16
votes
3 answers
I heard not to say "Good Shabbos" after mincha. Is it true, and what defines mincha?
I heard from somewhere that, on Shabbos, one does not say "Good Shabbos" after mincha. I am not sure whether it's in a halacha sefer somewhere (I tried looking) or just a minhag.
First of all, is this true?
Second, what defines mincha? Is it after…
MosheY
- 731
- 3
- 11
16
votes
5 answers
Why do we still use the non-Jewish way of delineating chapters in tanach?
The "perakim" (chapters) of tanach were established by non-Jews. Why do we continue to use them? Many of the chapter breaks do not correspond to our petucha/setumah paragraph system, and they often seem arbitrary.
If the answer is simply they are…
user1668
16
votes
2 answers
Differences between RaMbaM and RaMbaN's mitzvah count
I know both the Rambam and Ramban listed all of the 613 mitzvos, and that they differ in some (I think like 16ish?)
What are the ones upon which they differ? If possible please include why they differ in specific instances.
robev
- 19,863
- 3
- 45
- 96
16
votes
3 answers
Falling behind during selichos
Related to, but not duplicating Falling behind during davening, how should you attempt to keep up with overly-quick recitation of selichos?
I would assume that you interrupt the piyut you’re reciting in order to say the 13 middos along with the…
J. C. Salomon
- 4,092
- 20
- 47
16
votes
3 answers
Why name but five creations?
God is described as creating many things in B'reshis chapter 1: animals, people, stars, plants, etc. However, about only five of his creations does it say that he called them by a name:
"וַיִּקְרָא אֱלֹהִים לָאוֹר יוֹם וְלַחֹשֶׁךְ קָרָא לָיְלָה"…
msh210
- 73,729
- 12
- 120
- 359
16
votes
4 answers
Standing up at the Chuppa when the Kallah passes by
Last night I was at a wedding, and when I stood up as the bride was passing by on the way to the Chuppa, a fellow in all seriousness told me "It is not proper and a lack of Tzniyus to stand up for the bride". I told him that I am certain that there…
Gershon Gold
- 139,471
- 12
- 231
- 553
16
votes
5 answers
16
votes
1 answer
Is the hadran a shevua?
When you say the hadran after finishing a mesechta are you making a promise to do so? Should you omit the hadran if you have no plans of ever returning to study that gemara again?
user1552