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1500 questions
16
votes
4 answers
Why did Avraham name his son before the Bris (circumcision)?
Why does the Torah seem to imply that Avraham named his son before the bris?
First:
וַיִּקְרָא אַבְרָהָם אֶת שֶׁם בְּנוֹ הַנּוֹלַד לוֹ אֲשֶׁר יָלְדָה לּוֹ שָׂרָה יִצְחָק
And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bore…
simchastorah
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Is there sufficient evidence to support the theory that ancient Israel practiced monolatry?
I just came across this Wikipedia article on monolatrism that says some people believe ancient Israel practiced monolatry.
The highest claim to be made for Moses is that he was, rather than a monotheist, a monolatrist. ... The attribution of fully…
user1002
16
votes
1 answer
Why don't we say a blessing before giving charity?
Before doing many mitzvos (commandments), we are required derabanan to say a blessing. Why is this not the same for giving tzedakah (charity)?
Shalom Meisels
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Where can I find examples of R. Yishmael's 13 talmudic rules?
We read Rabbi Yishmael's 13 principles of interpreting torah in the shacharit service and many of the explanations seem fairly straightforward, but I am not a very advanced student and I find I don't really know how some of them work. The only ones…
Monica Cellio
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16
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The Mitzva of Peru U'Revu (Reproduction) - when does it start?
The first commandment in the Torah is Peru U'Revu, the commandment to "be fruitful and multiply" (Bereshit 1:28).
When does the obligation to fulfill this commandment begin?
Does the Mitzva of Peru U'Revu start at 13, when a child becomes Bar…
Gershon Gold
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16
votes
3 answers
Loshon Hara against an Online Identity
Does the prohibition of Loshon Hara apply when the target is an online name or identity, where the person behind it is anonymous, such as an anonymous user on this forum ?
simchastorah
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16
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4 answers
Best way to explain to my boss that I cannot attend a team summit because it is on Rosh Hashana or any other Jewish Holiday
I have a team summit which unfortunately falls on Rosh Hashanah and I will not be able to attend.
It is not mission critical that I be there - it is more for team building but still the team spent a lot of time organizing it. It is at a very nice…
javadev
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What is the status of a pull-apart challah for "lechem mishneh"?
On Shabbat, we're supposed to begin the meals with two whole loaves - "Lechem Mishneh." According to Shmirat Shabbat KeHilchato as quoted in the article linked above, "If two loaves bake together in an oven and become attached, they may be broken…
Isaac Moses
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16
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2 answers
Why the difference in minhagim about wearing a kittel on Yom Kippur only, or also on Rosh Hashanah
My families minhag is to wear a kittel just on Yom Kippur (so I do). But in shul I see a number of folk with the minhag to wear it also on Rosh Hashanah.
I know it is related to Yom Hadin, and whatnot for wearing it in the first place, but why the…
geoffc
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4 answers
When can you build the sukkah?
My wife and I love the holiday of Sukkot, as do many of our friends. We build the sukkah every year and have friends over for an evening meal, preferably on Shabbes - if someone else in our group of friends isn't doing those. It's a wonderful,…
Goodbye Stack Exchange
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1 answer
Where can I find the radio program of יחוה דעת?
The books called יחוה דעת were authored by Rabbi Ovadya Yosef. In the title page, it states that these books are essentially transcriptions of a radio show called פניני הלכה, with small additions. Are these radio shows available for listening? I’ve…
Dr. Shmuel
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votes
5 answers
Keeping up with fast davening
My local shul in Johannesburg, South Africa is traditional with very few Yeshivah-background or even Shabbat-keeping members. They daven so fast I simply cannot keep up. Even if I skip most of Pesukei D'zimrah in order to say Yishtabach with the…
Michael Sandler
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16
votes
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According to Halacha, does one have to bury teeth?
Is there a halachic obligation to bury teeth that have fallen out, just as one buries other body parts that become detached?
If not, why?
Does the same apply to detached skin? Or hair?
Related: Do surgically removed body parts require Kevurah?
(I…
HodofHod
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16
votes
1 answer
Out-of-order minyan participation
Some shuls have several minyanim back to back. If one arrives before the Torah reading of the 8:30 minyan and has finished davening before the Torah reading of the 9:30 minyan (to whose Kedusha one responded), is one obligated to stay for that Torah…
yoel
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5 answers
Eating before davening Shacharis
Are there any accepted authorities of Halacha that permit a man to eat (i.e., "real" eating such as consuming cake or cereal) before davening Shacharis under "normal circumstances" (i.e., a healthy person with no other reason to eat then other than…
C.K.
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