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1500 questions
13
votes
2 answers
Should one make a bracha on food if only a child is eating?
I think it is common to make a bracha (blessing) when giving a small child food so that they learn the common brachot and learn to say "amen". Is this appropriate to do if you are not eating the food yourself, or would that be a bracha levatala (a…
Mike
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13
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3 answers
How to explain to friends/family that one will not attend an intermarriage
Suppose a friend or family member becomes engaged to a non-Jew. For the sake of this question, also assume that a trusted rabbi has been consulted and he has ruled (after considering any relevant personal details) that you should not attend the…
Daniel
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13
votes
6 answers
Justification for Killing all of Shechem
What was the justification for Shimon and Levi's killing all the males of Shechem in parshas Vayishlach?
I assume some people there were not in a position to prevent what happened or that their protest would not have had any affect and the Talmud in…
ray
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13
votes
5 answers
Learning laws of aveilut when your parents are alive?
Is it appropriate to learn the laws of aveilut when both your parents are alive? Or is there a superstition that it could be dangerous to them?
Chanoch
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13
votes
1 answer
Maaser to your own employer
I know there are many Jews who work for schools, synagogues, soup kitchens, and other such non-profit organizations that do a community service. Many people also give maaser money to these organizations. If you work for one of these organizations,…
Popular Isn't Right
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13
votes
5 answers
How did Achashveirosh have the utensils of the Beit Hamikdash?
In the first chapter of sefer Ezra we read that Koresh sent all the utensils that had been stolen by Nevuchadnetzar back to Yerushalayim as part of the rebuilding of the Beit Hamikdash. However the gemarah megillah 12a based on the pasuk in Esther…
rikitikitembo
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13
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3 answers
Is there a "5 second rule" for foods becoming non-Kosher?
OK so I don't actually mean a 5 second rule. But is there an amount of time that it takes for something hot that comes in contact with a non-Kosher utensil or surface to become not kosher? For example, if something falls out of my frying pan and…
jim
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13
votes
3 answers
What is the halacha regarding the expulsion of a student deemed a "nuisance student"?
Are there Halachic sources regarding the expulsion of a "nuisance student"? Or Halachic sources of not expelling a "nuisance student"? (Is this issue ever addressed as a real halachic issue?)
Below are some examples of what I mean by a nuisance
1)…
Just Curious
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13
votes
6 answers
How to pray for something
How is one supposed to pray for something he needs?
Is he/she supposed to request it from God once or repeat the request over and over, or make arguments why he deserves it or something else?
It says for example that Isaac and Rebeca prayed years…
ray
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13
votes
1 answer
What if the Kohen Gadol accidentally kills someone?
An ordinary person who accidentally kills someone has to go to an Ir Miklat (city of refuge) until the Kohen Gadol dies.
But what if it's the Kohen Gadol himself who accidentally kills? He would probably have to go to the Ir Miklat, but for how…
Scimonster
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13
votes
5 answers
Males named מיכל?
Where does the male name מיכל (as in יחיאל מיכל) come from? Is it a diminutive/corruption/translation/elision of מיכאל, derived therefrom in some other way, or simply a false cognate?
WAF
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13
votes
2 answers
Does braille go to sheimos?
Do things that, when written in print, require placement in sheimos (such as shem Hashem and divrei Torah), need to be placed in sheimos when written in Braille? Would we say that since most people can't read it, it doesn't need to be put into…
MTL
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13
votes
3 answers
How do you explain tzniut to a little girl?
Some Jewish schools have attire guidelines starting in first grade. What is the best way to explain the concept of tzniut to a very young (say first grade) girl without explaining sexuality? Please cite sources.
rikitikitembo
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13
votes
5 answers
Were Haman's possessions hung on a tree?
In Maoz Tzur we say:
רב בניו וקנייניו,
על העץ תלית
His many sons and his possessions,
You hung on a tree
Were Haman's possessions really hung on a tree?
SimchasTorah
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13
votes
2 answers
Differences between Bat Kol and prophecy
A bat kol, lit. a 'daughter of a voice', is understood by Marcus Jastrow as a divine voice, a substitute for prophecy. The instance of a bat kol occurs many times in the Talmud1. There are sources that clearly indicate when prophecy ended, and these…
Baby Seal
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