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PTIJ: Aliyot for the deceased
Many people use the phrasing "may the Neshama have an Aliyah" at a shiva, shloshim, or yahrtzeit celebration. Which aliyah is better to give to the deceased? Shlishi, Shishi, or Maftir?
Also, when calling up the deceased for the Aliyah, does one…
רבות מחשבות
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Is using hair removal cream on one's face a violation of "rounding one's beard?"
Would using a hair removal cream on one's face (such as Nair) be in violation of rounding the corners of one's beard? (Vayikra 19:27)
Namely, would it be akin to use a razor (assur) OR more akin to using a scissor (likely mutar)?
alicht
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13
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Giving Tzedakah with a Credit Card
If one gives a donation to a charity by using a credit card, the charity will only end up getting a percentage of the actual funds (e.g. 98%). In such a case, does the person giving get "credit" for the full amount, or is it considered like he only…
yydl
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13
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If there's no Goel Hadam (ex: victim was a convert), does the accidental killer still need to go to an Ir Miklat?
Suppose Reuvein was accidentally killed by Shimon. It turns out that Reuvein is a ger who has no halachik relatives.
Since Reuvein has no next-of-kin and thus no one who can kill Shimon- does Shimon still need to go to an Ir Miklat, and if so, why?
alicht
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13
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Sukkah on public property in the Soviet Union for Lubavitchers
The opinion of the Shulchan Aruch Harav is that one isn't allowed to build a Sukkah on public property (because it is considered stolen).
In the Soviet Union all property was nationalized and they presumably didn't give permission to build a…
ertert3terte
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What was the topic debated in the series of Satmar/Lubavitch talks?
I'd heard there was a point in the late twentieth century when the Lubavitcher Rebbe (R' Menachem Mendel Schneurson) would give an address, which would be relayed to the Satmar Rebbe (R' Yoel Teitelbaum), who replied to it in one of his addresses;…
Shalom
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How would the 'split the baby in half' situation be resolved according to halacha?
In 1 Kings 3:16-27 there is a story of two prostitutes who appear before King Shlomo, each having a newborn baby. One of the babies died and there was a dispute as to which one. There were no witnesses to consult and so Shlomo employs his wisdom, by…
rikitikitembo
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4 answers
Why are some words in Tanach read differently than they are written?
From here:
The MT [Masoretic Text] includes the kere and ketiv system, in which marginal notes indicate that certain words are to be read differently than they are spelled in the text, or that certain words in the text should not be read at all, or…
Menachem
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What has the Holocaust taught us as a people?
The Holocaust was one of the most horrific and important events in our history. What have rabbis said are lessons we should take from it?
I am looking for lessons that should apply to all Jews, particularly those that should apply to our lives and…
Beofett
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Bracha after an earthquake
Per the Artscroll Siddur after an earthquake we make a Bracha "Oseh Maaseh Breishis". Up to how long after the earthquake can you make this Bracha? (sources please)
Gershon Gold
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13
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What criteria determine what is or isn't Uvdin Dechol
I am struggling to understand the concept of Uvdin Dechol, where it originates from and how far it extends to.
We famously dont ride bikes / electric trams on Shabbos partly due to Uvdin Dechol, but many Poskim allow Shabbos lifts, which would seem…
Yehuda
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13
votes
3 answers
Fast some other day if can't fast on Yom Kippur?
If someone is sufficiently ill on Yom Kippur to be halachically allowed to eat, would there be any value in him fasting for a whole day after he gets well? I'm sure it would be voluntary, but is it ever encouraged? Anything from the Sources?
Maurice Mizrahi
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13
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Cylindrical Tefillin
The Wikipedia page on tefillin shows cylindrical tefillin found in the Cairo geniza, with reference to this image from here:
The source from the Wikipedia page cites this: Kiell, Norman (1967). The psychodynamics of American Jewish life: an…
bondonk
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4 answers
How could Rav be disproved?
Frequently, when the Gemara tries to disprove Rav from a Mishna, it answers that he's considered a Tanna and can argue on a Mishna.
But there's this case in Berachos 37a, where Rav and Shmuel both say that one doesn't say a Mezonos on rice, and the…
ertert3terte
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votes
4 answers
"Is the market-based distribution of income fair or unfair?"
This post, by a leading economist, lists the main differences on economic policy between the right and left-leaning economists. On many economic issues, Judaism does not necessarily take a clear position, since the question is more about effective…
Ariel K
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