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Activity for manassehkatzâ€
| Type | On... | Excerpt | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comment | Post #277947 |
@robev I 100% agree. Smell is the easiest thing to fake an answer to, unless you start including non-smelling items in a blind test - and then the people will claim they smelled something in the air (which could really be true). I think that's why the non-contact thermometer tests are so popular - yo... (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Comment | Post #277947 |
The fact that is **is** Besamim may be very relevant. As I understand it, smelling spices and similar grown items gets a Bracha but artificial smells do not. (No source, I heard this many years ago.) My guess though is that this would be similar to questions regarding medicine - e.g., perhaps like a ... (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Comment | Post #277910 |
Believe it or not *no stupid jokes this time*. I actually met Rabbi Steinsaltz twice when he visited this area - once almost 40 years ago and again more recently (I think 2006 but not sure). (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Comment | Post #277512 |
Wow! So easy - all I have to do is cross-post some juicy gossip from a blog...oh wait, you want something about Halachos of Loshon Hara, not actual Loshon Hara? Oh well... (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Comment | Post #277324 |
@MTL Reading it now, I spotted (and fixed) a typo. And went back to the original bulk member email message and it had the typo. And went back to the original message from the Rabbi, and it had the typo. So I can assure you this is the real thing. (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Edit | Post #277324 |
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— | over 4 years ago |
| Comment | Post #277324 |
Sorry, this was a bulk member email message. Public - not limited to members - anyone can sign up for it - but not archived on the web site except when I get around to making a page or adding an existing page. Might end up in the Shabbos Shorts (which always goes on the wbe site) if I have space this... (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Edit | Post #277359 |
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— | over 4 years ago |
| Edit | Post #277359 |
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— | over 4 years ago |
| Edit | Post #277359 |
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— | over 4 years ago |
| Edit | Post #277359 | Initial revision | — | over 4 years ago |
| Answer | — |
A: Seeking advice as a chazzan in training Nusach and Minhagim This may seem trivially obvious - basically pick from Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Nusach Sephard, Chabad, and a few others. But you may find a Shul that has more than one (mine has Ashkenazi, Sephardi and Nussach Sephard, though constitutionally (and the most Minyanim) Ashkenazi). The... (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Comment | Post #277286 |
or if he had other reasons to move, as I didn't know him well at the time, though we became friends in later years. He certainly had the public respect and admiration of other (younger) Rabbis despite being retired. (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Comment | Post #277286 |
Paskening (generally not a good idea, at least publicly, for a "retired" Rabbi) and teaching (always encouraged). In my experience, Orthodox Rabbis mostly serve until death (whether a ripe old age or sometimes much younger). The one exception I can think of locally was Rabbi Klavan. He actually *move... (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Comment | Post #277286 |
Life-cycle events is actually, IMHO, a new addition to Rabbinics. Anyone can do a funeral (I've been to a few run by laypersons for various reasons). A Bris needs a Mohel but doesn't need a Rabbi. A Bar/Bat Mitzvah has no need for anyone special. A wedding is the one where, due to frequent complicati... (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Edit | Post #277324 |
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— | over 4 years ago |
| Edit | Post #277324 |
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— | over 4 years ago |
| Edit | Post #277324 | Initial revision | — | over 4 years ago |
| Answer | — |
A: Can a woman blow the shofar during Elul for herself? Can anyone? Official rabbinical guidance from my Shul Young Israel Shomrai Emunah of Greater Washington: > One of the most cherished practices in this time of year is the blowing of shofar in shul during the month of Elul. In these very strange times we have been doing many things differently than we would l... (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Comment | Post #277287 |
Ongoing discussions, but most recently with my LOR, indicated that based on medical advice **will** likely (I wouldn't say "definitely" on anything a month away these days) include **covering the wide end of the Shofar**. (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Comment | Post #277273 |
It is ethical teaching. First of all, there are the debt-forgiveness and other things that aren't about farming at all. Second, saying everyone has rights to the produce during Shemittah is a major change from the norm (both 6 years out of 7 and everywhere else) of "what's mine is mine". And finally,... (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Comment | Post #277118 |
I doubt that you have to be close enough to hear the calls for each group of blasts or the various prayers, simply because those are all skipped (at least in my experience) if the Shofar is being blown any time except during the Davening. The only exception is the actual Brachos at the beginning. I h... (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Comment | Post #277049 |
sensitive topics - which can cause a cascade of problems for a variety of reasons - then more serious attempts to take out the trash are arguably necessary *if we want to allow those same topics from serious real people*. I don't want to throw the baby out with the bathwater. But I still want throw o... (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Comment | Post #277049 |
@IsaacMoses Not a filter. That really would do nobody any good. What I am really getting at is some serious moderation. It is one thing (and we've already seen some of this) if someone posts vague and/or controversial and/or just problematic for whatever reason questions *deliberately to cause troubl... (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Comment | Post #277049 |
The key is the often-used phrase "good intent". Someone can ask *using the same basic (even euphemistic) language* a question in the nature of trying to actually understand history, Halacha, etc. or someone can ask a similar question (which is why keyword filters are nearly useless here, as in spam f... (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Comment | Post #277049 |
While codidact is (like Mi Yodeya) not a substitute for a personal Rabbi, the reality is that these are often topics that people are often uncomfortable discussing with their Rabbi. Providing at least a research tool so that people only have to ask specific questions to their rabbi instead of having ... (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Comment | Post #276988 |
bad back doesn't have to sit on the floor, someone who can't see well can use regular light. In any case, this year it was Maariv in Shul and Eicha on Zoom, so not an issue. (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Comment | Post #276988 |
I used to do that in my Shul in the Social Hall for Eicha, but always a balance trying to make it much darker than normal but bright enough for people to read. But in the main Sanctuary none of the lights are on dimmers and only a few large groups of lights so no easy way to "dim" and we just left al... (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Comment | Post #276987 |
studying it always applies for everyone at all times (except as defined in terms of a certain age/knowledge level/etc. and even then always private and limited)? Or is that "old" and not applicable in this day and age? Ironically, it becomes a *religious* question *about* studying religion! In compar... (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Comment | Post #276987 |
My understanding is that *Kabbalah* is considered almost a different world. Not just an increment step (like most topics) and the "self-*pasken* comparison doesn't quite hold either - we *all* self-pasken to some degree, it is just a question of "at what point do we decide that we really should ask" ... (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Comment | Post #276985 |
The complication is that the "simple search result" may provide **an** answer, but not a complete, comprehensive, authoritative answer, particularly if it comes to a complex Halachic question. (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Comment | Post #276948 |
@AA Interesting points. I don't think of Korban Pesach as personal, in the sense that everyone has to do it and it has a specific time, and it is shared by groups. But it **is** personal in comparison to true **communal** Korbanos. Kohen Gadol daily is "personal" but a specific requirement & YK Par i... (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Comment | Post #276960 |
@DonielF On the other hand, many of those same ones that are *not* Pekuach Nefesh - e.g., dental - would have such a minimal risk of death to be insignificant. On the other hand, there are other factors too - e.g., a modern large hospital is a place where even if you are simply visiting people you ha... (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Comment | Post #276960 |
Arguably, most surgery would be Pekuach Nefesh and therefore the risk acceptable since if the surgery works well there would not be Tumah *and* would save a life. A bigger problem may be (I have heard various things over the years) that modern medical training normally includes significant work with ... (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Comment | Post #276948 |
FYI, all based on recollection of learning these things in the past (more than just "read the Parasha" but far less than "studied relevant Gemara in-depth"): 1 - Just keeps going until Korban/etc.; 2 - Generally speaking, *personal* sacrifices can't be brought on Shabbos; 3 - Interesting question. Mi... (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Comment | Post #276948 |
My understanding (but no sources at the moment, so just a comment) is that the status and prohibitions of Nezirus extend beyond any specifically stated end-time or default 30-days until the proper Korban, etc. is completed. As a result (and this is the context where I learned it, many years ago), any... (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Comment | Post #276945 |
The Gemarah anticipated many things relating to the modern world, but they never expected that the Saints would win the Superbowl! (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Comment | Post #276945 |
@robev In all seriousness, I think animal crackers would be fine. The prohibition is specifically "writing". That being said, anecdote time: When the New Orleans Saints won the Superbowl, a member sponsored a Kiddush in their honor and had a special cake made. Everyone knew letters were a problem, bu... (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Comment | Post #276944 |
To take the opposing viewpoint, in my Shul (well, until COVID-19 changed everything so that now we don't have singing *any* week), singing Lecha Dodi, etc. is permitted during Shabbos davening in the 3 weeks, though not a "Ruach Minyan" (aka Carlebach). (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Comment | Post #276943 |
a) I understand the different opinions regarding a Siyum, but I have most certainly had meat & wine at a Siyum - shortly before shutdown my Shiur (I didn't start it, but I took over when the original leader of many years left town, though he was able to return and speak at the Siyum, which was awesom... (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Comment | Post #276943 |
@AA That is really **not** the same. I have heard this particular topic discussed **many** times before. (My LOR even noted in the Shiur that for many years when he discussed it, I would use the example of whichever one of my kids was the "right" age; now mine are older but the Rabbi has kids in that... (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Comment | Post #276921 |
I think an improved source reference would be helpful. Some may not know that "Rambam Tefilla 5" is the same as: Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Prayer and the Priestly Blessing 5 (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Comment | Post #276924 |
@AA I presume the intent (though the question could use more context) is that the Ketubah is supposed to be available in order for husband & wife to have relations. That (hopefully) doesn't apply in the grocery. (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Suggested Edit | Post #276921 |
Suggested edit: Change Rambam reference to (hopefully) hit the Sefaria linker (more) |
helpful | over 4 years ago |
| Edit | Post #276922 | Initial revision | — | over 4 years ago |
| Answer | — |
A: Avinu Malkeinu as part of Tachanun Looking from the practical Halacha, Avinu Malkenu is clearly linked to, if not an actual part of, Tachanun. On Taanis Esther, which usually takes place on the day before Purim, Avinu Malkenu is not said at Mincha, matching the skipping of Tachanun as on most afternoons prior to a no-Tachanun day. ... (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Edit | Post #276893 |
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— | over 4 years ago |
| Comment | Post #276893 |
@AA The change was fine. When I added the translation I realized the Pesukim included Shlishi for both oil & wine, which makes it a double win. But I like having the translation in there, so I added that. FYI, in case you didn't figure out, for a Baal Koreh the Rosh Chodesh comes to mind more readily... (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |
| Edit | Post #276893 | Initial revision | — | over 4 years ago |
| Answer | — |
A: What is our policy regarding using non-English languages in a post? My opinion: > 1. Should we allow users to write questions in non-English languages? No. The primary language of the site should be English, so each question should be substantially English for the functional question. It may depend upon Hebrew (Aramaic, etc.) text for part of the question, but ... (more) |
— | over 4 years ago |