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1500 questions
16
votes
3 answers
How do we know that we have free will?
Where in the torah does it state that humans have, and are entitled to in perpetuity, free will?
user1520
16
votes
4 answers
How sick does someone have to be to be put on "the cholim list"?
By putting someone on a cholim list you are asking the tzibur to daven/ say tehillim on their behalf. How sick does someone need to be for it to be appropriate to put them on such a list?
mah-nishtana
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4 answers
What is the source for the mitzvah of kiruv?
Is kiruv a mitzvah?
Is it biblical or rabbinic?
Is there any reason it should supersede other mitzvot?
what are the sources in chazal and halacha relating to kiruv?
related: Kiruv and halachik compromise
rachav
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16
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Goshen, the most immoral part of Mitzrayim
Rashi on Vayikra 18:3 says (as understood by the Mizrachi) that the most immoral part of Mitzrayim was Goshen, where the Jews had settled — indeed, according to B'reshis 45:10, Yosef chose it as his family's settlement.
Was it the most immoral area…
msh210
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16
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3 answers
Why do Fish not need Shechita?
In order to eat "regular" Kosher animals, there is a requirement for the animal to undergo Shechita (ritual slaughter). If an animal were to be killed / die without Shechita it is forbidden to be eaten.
Yet, by Kosher fish we find no such…
yydl
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16
votes
6 answers
Is swordfish Kosher?
What's the deal with swordfish? Is it Kosher? Which sources say yes, and which sources say no?
EDIT: I know that R' Dr. Moshe D. Tendler is well known for having consulted with scientists (in 1951) and deciding that they are not, based on the way…
Seth J
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16
votes
3 answers
Why is a "leper" allowed to sit with other "lepers"?
In Parshat Tazria (Vayikra 13:46) we are told:
All the days the lesion is upon him, he shall remain unclean. He is unclean; he shall dwell isolated; his dwelling shall be outside the camp
As Rashi explains:
He shall dwell isolated: [meaning] that…
Menachem
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16
votes
1 answer
Time-frame for naming a newborn girl
I have heard many differing Minhagim as to the time-frame for naming a newborn girl. There are those that name at the first possible opportunity and some that wait till the second Shabbos. Many others name sometime in between these extremes. My…
Gershon Gold
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16
votes
5 answers
Leniencies for someone keeping Kosher in a non-Kosher home
My family is not frum, but they do not eat non-kosher meat at home, although they do eat other not-certified-kosher products, including cheese. They don't mix meat and milk, but they do wash meat and milk dishes together. Although I have kept kosher…
Sean
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16
votes
3 answers
Forbidden to eat while standing up?
I heard that it was preferred, or perhaps even required, to avoid eating food while standing. For example, as people often do at a cocktail party or a shul kiddush.
With the reason being that "animals eat standing up thus we Jews only eat while…
Larry K
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16
votes
5 answers
Is Hebrew the mother of all languages spoken today in the world?
I often wonder what language Adam, Seth, Noah and Abraham (may peace and blessings be upon them) used to speak. What was their native tongue? Was it classical Hebrew? If yes, then would it be right to claim that Hebrew is the mother of all languages…
Maxood
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16
votes
2 answers
What should I do about a fake convert?
I know someone who converted to Judaism, yet throughout the whole process was telling me personally (so I can't tell the Rabbi) that she wasn't interested in keeping Torah AT ALL but was telling the Rabbis that she was. After the Geirus (conversion)…
friend-of-ger
- 163
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16
votes
3 answers
So should be done unto the man
The verse in Esther 6:11 describing Haman's pulling Mordochai on the streets says:
כָּכָה יֵעָשֶׂה לָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר הַמֶּלֶךְ חָפֵץ בִּיקָרוֹ
So shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.
The verse in Devarim 25:9 states…
Double AA
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16
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3 answers
How did Mordechai get *all* the Jews of Shushan to agree to fast for three days?
My question is a bit long-winded so I'll summarize first:
TL;DR How did Mordechai rouse the will of all the Jews of Shushan to agree to fast for three days? And further, why did Esther limit her request that only the Jews of Shushan fast?
I look…
chaimp
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16
votes
1 answer
Second day of Shavous
The main reason for the second day Yom Tov is because in the times of the Beis Hamikdash when we decided to declare months based on the seeing the new moon there where certain places that the messengers of Beis Din would not get to, Hence they held…
SimchasTorah
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