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Is it improper to invite a few single girls and a few single boys for a Shabbos meal to help fight the "shidduch crisis"
The shidduch system, according to many sources, isn't working and we're in a "shidduch crisis." See, e.g. this article. People complain, but nothing gets done.
I don't see that the shadchan system is working for everyone with resumes and…
Bruce James
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2 answers
Is a birthday cake celebration forbidden as a non-Jewish custom?
From what I understand the custom to celebrate a birthday with a cake adorned with candles that makes a wish on and blows out stems from a Greek ritual. As such I would like to know if any halachic authorities have discussed whether or not this…
rikitikitembo
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14
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1 answer
Exercise before Shacharis
Halacha tells us that there are certain activities that are forbidden to do before one davens the morning prayer. Would exercise be one of those activities ?
Se1110
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14
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3 answers
Why do we do hosha'nos and hakafos counterclockwise?
I have attended services in a number of different Ashkenazic synagogues on Sukos and Sh'mini Atzeres/Simchas Tora. When going around the bima for hosha'nos on Sukos, and, in most cases, when doing so for hakafos on Sh'mini Atzeres/Simchas Tora,…
msh210
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14
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5 answers
Why does it seem like Jewish texts are never translated?
I'm a Stack Exchange user on many other sites and every once in a while I will see a question on this site that sparks my interest in the hot questions. The only two things I know about Judaism are some of the more common knowledge on Kosher foods…
Sidney
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14
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3 answers
Where did the "different bracha for mishloach manos" idea come from?
Rambam and Shulchan Aruch say you can send two types of meat as mishloach manos on Purim.
Yet somehow I (and many other people, apparently) were taught that the two different items have to be in two different bracha categories.
If this is a halachic…
Shalom
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14
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2 answers
What does it mean to pronounce לו as opposed to לא
Maseches Sofrim 6:5 [4] says that there are 3 places where the word is written as לא but read as לו. This seems to mean that there is a difference in how the word would be pronounced if it were לא as opposed to לו.
I am unfamiliar with any…
Y e z
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14
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2 answers
Does our literature discuss invalidating a conversion because the convert would not put his/her lot with the Jewish people?
When a person is interested in converting, there are really two questions they are asked:
Are you prepared to accept the theology and observance of Judaism?
Are you prepared to accept your identity as a member of the Jewish people, even in their…
Shalom
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14
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2 answers
Halachically, why are men allowed to use urinals?
Shulchan Arukh, Orach Chayyim 3:13:
לא ישתין מעומד, מפני ניצוצות הניתזין על רגליו, אם לא שיעמוד במקום
גבוה, או שישתין לתוך עפר תחוח פירוש, קרקע שאינה בתולה, אלא כגון של
ארץ חרושה).
One should not urinate from a standing position lest it…
DanF
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14
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7 answers
How do observant Jews entertain themselves?
I used to be a secular Jew. As with any secular person, I watched tv, went to the movies, hung out with friends, went to bars, etc.
After becoming observant, most of these activities had to go. While I do believe that Jews are meant for a higher…
Inquiring Jew
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2 answers
Puzzles on Shabbat
Is it permitted to put together puzzles on Shabbat with children?
Does it matter what kind of puzzle it is (jigsaw vs. fit the piece in the wooden hole)?
Does it matter if there are words on the puzzle?
Does the age of the child matter?
Which…
Bas613
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Why not two days of Rosh Hodesh, as we have two days of yontif?
The reason for two days of yontif (outside Israel) is based on uncertainty about the date due to distance from Jerusalem and time needed to travel to convey the news of when the month started. The reason we have two-day Rosh Hodesh is explained…
Yehuda W
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14
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1 answer
The history of the Sephardic Chief Rabbi's outfit
The role of Rishon LeZion, otherwise known as the Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel, seems to include wearing a traditional robe and turban. Related to this question, this outfit is distinct from the typical black-and-white clothing/black-hat attire…
Aryeh
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14
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Why don't we care if the Pesach pilgrims get rained on?
After Sukkos, we immediately begin saying mashiv haruach, as it is the rainy season. However, we delay saying v'sein tal umattar, the request for rain, until we have given the pilgrims who came to Jerusalem for the festival time to get home (Taanis…
Y e z
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14
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5 answers
When is there Kaddish after a shiur?
When do you say Kaddish Derabanan after a shiur? What are the requirements for this Kaddish?
SimchasTorah
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