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1500 questions
15
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2 answers
Using Hoshanos more than once
On Hoshana Rabba after one uses (Klaps) his Hoshanos may another person use the same Hoshanos?
Gershon Gold
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First trip to the synagogue! Tips and advice please!
I am preparing for my first trip to a synagogue after the High Holy Days.
My first visit will be to a Modern Orthodox Synagogue. I have interacted with the Rabbi by email and we will be meeting before my first shabbos service. The rabbi said they…
Malka S
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Why do we read vayechal twice on a fast?
I have been doing some research on the question of vayechal at mincha and have hit a roadblock. So far, here are the questions I have considered and feel ok with as "answered":
why lain at mincha on a fast day? Got it -- mincha is an important time…
rosends
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15
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4 answers
Women and Mayim Acharonim
I very often eat at meals where after the meal, all of the men wash mayim acharonim, but none of the women do so.
I am aware of a number of halachic sources that say both men and women should wash mayim acharonim (either because of a concern for…
Chanoch
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15
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7 answers
Why don't we just follow the shittah of Moshe Rabeinu?
My question can apply to virtually all mitzvos where there is a disagreement in the standard way to fulfill them.
If one reads the hakdama (introduction) to the Rambam's peirush mishnayos (commentary on the mishna) he explains the origin of…
sam
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15
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3 answers
Shalom Aleichem in Kiddush Levanah
Why do we say Shalom Aliechem in Kiddush Levanah? And what should one do if there are no other people around (or not enough people around)?
yydl
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15
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3 answers
Is it Halachically wrong to avoid the rabbi's sermon?
At some point in our history, the rabbi's Derashah, or sermon, went from being taboo to being so integral to the service that some Shuls have ushers to keep the doors closed at that time so that no one may enter or leave.
I'll refrain from asking…
Seth J
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15
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2 answers
Am I allowed to count people?
Where did the practice of not counting people come from? People count not-one, not-two, not-three etc. What is wrong with counting one, two, three etc? This is often found when counting to see if there is a minyan in shul.
N123
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15
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3 answers
What is the red string all about?
Where did the concept of wearing a red string come from? I have heard different opinions ranging from "you should definitely wear it" to "its forbidden like idol worship" - who is right?
user1668
15
votes
5 answers
Who is the voice of Tosafoth?
Tosafoth were the sons-in-law, grandchildren, and students of Rashi (and their students), and "they" wrote a commentary on the Talmud that is often at odds with Rashi's earlier commentary. Sometimes there are internal disagreements within a single…
Seth J
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2 answers
Is one allowed to drink alcohol on regular weekdays?
Is it permissible to drink alcohol in any circumstance other than Holidays and Shabbat? Please cite sources.
CYLOR.
Hacham Gabriel
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Is God swayed by popular appeal?
When we pray for someone to be healed, we pray this individually in the Amidah but we also often have a community mi shebeirach list. I assume that there is a theological reason for the public prayer, and not just to publicize who might need some…
Monica Cellio
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15
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Understanding discouragement of converts
Why do we discourage converts? I know that Naomi did so with Rus, but Moshe doesn't seem to do so with Yisro. Why wouldn't Judaism want to encourage converts? Furthermore is it a responsibility merely of the Rabbi performing the conversion or of any…
user1552
15
votes
4 answers
Marital Prenups
In 1993 Rabbi Mordechai Willig, a Rosh Yeshiva at YU and a member of the Beth Din of America, drafted a prenup for use at Jewish weddings to avoid future Aguna/Mesorevet Get problems. The agreement basically obligates the husband to pay a fixed sum…
Double AA
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How old is the custom to eat dairy on Shavuos?
I don't think I've ever seen a rationalization for this custom in works earlier than those of the Acharonim. I've never seen any Rishonim even mention it; certainly not earlier authors.
What's the earliest source we have for the eating-dairy custom?…
jake
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