Most Popular
1500 questions
15
votes
7 answers
Zmanim accuracy before digital clocks?
How was time measured for the purpose of Zmanim before we had accurate clocks like we do today? Was it possible to accurately determine Chatzos (at night) or the different watches of the night? I know the Gemara in Brachos suggests some ways to…
chaimp
- 2,171
- 12
- 17
15
votes
4 answers
Why was שמאי holding a ruler?
The Bavli, Shabas 31 amud 1, has two stories in which a gentile came to Shamay asking to be converted to Judaism, upon which Shamay "pushed him with the construction cubit in his hand". Rashi explains that a construction cubit was a cubit-long stick…
msh210
- 73,729
- 12
- 120
- 359
15
votes
1 answer
Why are the names of some Masechtot in Aramaic while others are in Hebrew?
I noticed that the names of some Masechtot have an Aramaic plural ending - nun - such as "Gittin", while others have a Hebrew ending - mem - such as "Bikurim". Was there some pattern or logic in deciding which masechtot get which type of…
DanF
- 70,416
- 8
- 59
- 244
15
votes
4 answers
Can one have a favorite pasuk/parsha/masechta?
This closed question asks for a 'favorite pasuk', presupposing that such a thing is allowed.
When it comes to sugyos or sections/topics of Torah, Chazal say on the one hand, (Eiruvin 64a) that a person may not say that 'one section of the Torah is…
הנער הזה
- 22,239
- 1
- 82
- 127
15
votes
4 answers
Is pharisaical - or any similar allusion to the Pharisees - offensive to modern Jews?
This question is inspired from an English Stack Exchange question: https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/182014/what-is-the-word-for-a-pious-person-who-never-helps-others
In short, is the term pharisaical - or any negative mention/comparison…
Ponderer
- 151
- 2
15
votes
4 answers
Ma'aser kesafim on capital appreciation
If you own property (e.g. stocks or real estate) that increase in value over the course of the year, are you require to donate 10% of the increase to tzedaka, if you are merely holding on to the assets rather than selling them? Or is the 10% not…
Sam
- 3,930
- 1
- 27
- 48
15
votes
2 answers
How does Orthodox Judaism view the Dead Sea Scrolls?
I'm trying to understand how Orthodox Jews view the Dead Sea Scrolls. Are they considered authentic representations of Judaism? If there are textual variants between our current Tanach texts and the scrolls are the scrolls seen as more accurate? Do…
user5092
15
votes
4 answers
When Tana"ch uses the phrase "until today" what does it mean?
There are numerous places where Tana"ch uses the phrase "עד היום" or "עד היום הזה" ("until\to this day"). Usually, this phrase is used regarding the names of cities, towns, etc. - occasionally, such as the law of not eating גִּיד הַנָּשֶׁה (meat…
DanF
- 70,416
- 8
- 59
- 244
15
votes
2 answers
How is the story of the Torah being given told in the Torah itself?
How was the Torah (aka the Five Books of Moses) given if the story of the Torah being given is contained in these books?
In other words, the Torah tells the story - close to halfway through it - of itself being given. This means that as the Jews of…
CodyBugstein
- 1,356
- 7
- 18
15
votes
1 answer
Woman and Zimun: What is the requirement?
What is a woman's requirement to say Bircat Hamazon with a Zimun of women?
What is a woman's requirement to say Bircat Hamazon with a Zimun of men?
RCW
- 6,748
- 1
- 24
- 35
15
votes
9 answers
Pomegranate = 613 seeds?
Has anyone ever counted the seeds of a pomegranate? Is it true that each pomegranate has 613 seeds?
Gershon Gold
- 139,471
- 12
- 231
- 553
15
votes
4 answers
A practical joke that leads to a mitzvah
When I was in Yeshiva, someone somewhere in Klal Yisrael played a practical joke. Sometime during the week of Parshas Vayeishev, a text message went around saying something to the effect of "a 17 year old boy was kidnapped by Arabs. Please daven…
Y e z
- 58,536
- 3
- 109
- 249
15
votes
1 answer
Where did the converts camp in the desert?
When the Bnai Yisrael left Egypt, many converts left with them.
Shmot 12:38:
וְגַם עֵרֶב רַב עָלָה אִתָּם וְצֹאן וּבָקָר מִקְנֶה כָּבֵד מְאֹד:
And also, a great mixed multitude went up with them, and flocks and
cattle, very much…
Danield
- 4,393
- 19
- 30
15
votes
3 answers
May a woman with artifical metal legs wear a short skirt or pants?
May a woman (or a man) wear immodest clothing over an artificial part of her body?
(Lets assume that beged ish is not a consideration)
i.e. if she has artifical legs, may she wear short shorts?
Possible considerations include whether it's considered…
Clint Eastwood
- 8,303
- 17
- 44
15
votes
3 answers
If a woman cannot have children, can she marry?
I've been doing some research, and I found a lot of references to the rule that if a marriage lasts 10 years and does not produce any children, the couple must divorce and remarry in a new attempt to have children. This raised three questions in my…
Seeker
- 153
- 1
- 5