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1500 questions
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May one mix-and-match to create their own Hebrew pronunciation?
In the introduction to his siddur (down the bottom of the linked page), Rabbi Yaakov Emden emphasises the strict importance of a proper Hebrew pronunciation when davening. In particular, he remonstrates against the Ashkenazi pronunciation of…
Shimon bM
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Did shadchanim suggest the shidduch?
Today, the role of the Shadchan is, depending on your community, to suggest to the prospective match that they meet, to introduce them, to arrange their meetings, and/or to advocate / be the intermediary for their communications while they are…
Y e z
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Did any classic rabbinic sources discuss static electricity?
Not much more to add here, I've just always wondered if static electricity was discussed in any Chazzal or Rishonim. Someone from those times must've gotten a good zap and I'm wondering what they had to say about it.
EDIT: Birshus Double AA. To…
user6591
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Is there a source in the gemara for "Blei Gissen" (pouring lead)?
A recent article in the 5 Towns Jewish Times claims
Blei gissen, the technique of pouring lead to nullify ayin ha’ra, the poisonous evil eye, has its source in the Gemara ...
In his critique of the article, R' Natan Slifkin points out that the…
Isaac Moses
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What is Kishuf ("magic")?
In order to avoid the prohibited, we must first know what it is.
What is the halachic definition of Kishuf ("magic")?
While I am mainly interested in sources, Svaras (reasonings) and thoughts are welcome too.
Here is my own current theory as an…
Adám
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is it permitted to make a snowman?
Is it permitted to make a snowman? Or is it considered constructing a graven image?
Prompted by this:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/saudi-arabia-issues-fatwa---4967400
josh waxman
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How to make a koishele?
People use "lulav holders," or "koisheles," small containers of woven lulav leaves to hold their lulav sets (lulav + hadass + arava) together, as seen in the picture below.
My father showed me how to make "lulav rings," those rings that hold the…
MTL
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2.4 million killed according to Rashi in B'shalach. Why does no one talk about it?
In the begining of Parshat B'shalach, Rashi says that one p'shat for "Vachamushim" means one fifth, because during Makas Choshech, 4 out of 5 were killed out, and it happened during the time it was dark so that the Egyptians shouldn't see (although,…
BFree
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How and when did fedoras arise as acceptable headwear?
Today I learned that the fedora was originally a woman's hat, invented/popularized for women in the late 19th century and only migrating into menswear after 1924 when Prince Edward of England started wearing them.
Per the torah men are forbidden to…
Monica Cellio
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What activities, other than eating and drinking, are forbidden on minor fast days?
On minor fast days, we don't eat or drink. But my experience is that in other regards we mostly go about our usual activities -- go to work, tend to household chores, etc. What other activities are forbidden on minor fasts?
Entertainment? (Does…
Monica Cellio
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13
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5 answers
From where do we know that sexual intercourse with a non-jewish woman is forbidden?
From where do we know that a jewish man cannot have sexuel intercourse with a non-jewish woman? What say the Kabbala about this ? Is it related to dark forces, "qelipoth"?
far22
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Self-defense in a street fight?
I was in a situation where someone basically approached me indicating he was going to fight me, squared up with me, stared me down etc. pushed me twice, and then I thought to myself, "If he raises a fist, I'm going to hit him", based on the…
warz3
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Why didn't Yaakov go to Egypt with his sons to get food?
Rashi 42:36 says that Yaakov suspected the brothers of killing or selling Yosef and Shimon. Wouldn't he suspect them doing the same with Binyomin? If so, why didn't Yaakov go with his sons to Egypt to get food knowing the brothers wouldn't harm…
Mendel Cohen
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What primacy to give to learning halacha?
Consider a person who follows all of the halachos (he is aware of) that are involved in daily living. Any free time that he has is devoted to learning Torah. This person, however, is not proficient at all in the halachos of Shabbos and is certain to…
Gavriel
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Significance of "Shema Yisrael"
The verse Shema Yisrael (Devarim 6:4) is highly significant. It is Biblically required to be recited twice daily, it is to be said at the end of one's life, and appears in the liturgy at the end of Yom Kippur and in Kedusha of Mussaf.
It is clear…
Ypnypn
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