Halakhah
Jewish law — codes, responsa, and practical rulings for daily life.
185 questions answered
What are the rules of passover food?
The Rules of Passover Food The central Passover food laws revolve around the complete prohibition of chametz (leavened grain products) during the seven day...
What is rosh chodesh prayer?
Rosh Chodesh Prayer Rosh Chodesh (ראש חודש, "the New Month") is marked by a special set of prayers and liturgical additions that sanctify the beginning of...
What is daily rambam study?
Daily Rambam study (Rambam Yomi) is a structured program of learning the works of Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon (Maimonides, 1138–1204) on a daily cycle, most fam...
Where does custom of walking back 3 steps in the beginning of shemoneh esrei and waving your hand to people to left and the right come from
The custom of taking three steps forward before the Amidah comes from early rabbinic and halachic tradition, rooted in the idea of approaching a king with...
If mitzvos tzrichos kavana, why are onsin also mekayim yibum
This is a beautifully sharp question that cuts to the heart of a fundamental tension in halachic theory. The question is: if mitzvos (commandments) require kava
Is gambling and raffles permitted
Gambling and raffles occupy a complex place in Jewish law. While certain limited forms may be technically permitted, mainstream halachic opinion discourage...
Can I swim in a lake on shabbat
Swimming in a lake on Shabbat is not permitted according to mainstream halachic practice, for several overlapping reasons. While bathing in water is genera...
What is jewish psalm?
The Book of Psalms, known in Hebrew as Tehillim (תְּהִלִּים, meaning "praises"), is one of the most beloved and central books of the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh)....
In Israel, can fruit that is less than 3 years old be used for essential oils, not for eating. does orlah apply
The prohibition of orlah (ערלה) — the ban on fruit from a tree's first three years — applies not only to eating but also to any form of benefit (hana'ah) derive
What is hebrew morning prayer in english?
The Hebrew morning prayer, known as Shacharit (שַׁחֲרִית), is the first of three daily Jewish prayer services, recited each morning from sunrise until midd...
What is chabad rebbe?
The Chabad Rebbe refers to the dynastic leader (nasi) of the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement, one of the largest and most influential Hasidic dynasties i...
What is ketubot?
A Ketubot (כְּתוּבוֹת, "marriage documents") is both a tractate of the Talmud and the name of the Jewish marriage contract itself. The ketubah (singular) i...
What is kippah and tallit?
The kippah (כִּיפָּה, head covering) and tallit (טַלִּית, prayer shawl) are two of the most recognizable Jewish ritual garments. The kippah is a small head...
What is the meaning of shehecheyanu?
The Shehecheyanu (שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ) is a Jewish blessing of gratitude recited upon experiencing something new, joyful, or seasonally recurring. It expresses th...
What is the meaning of aleinu?
The Meaning of Aleinu Aleinu (עָלֵינוּ לְשַׁבֵּחַ — "It is upon us to praise") is one of the most profound prayers in the Jewish liturgy, recited at the co...
What is orthodox jew praying?
Orthodox Jews pray to the one God of Israel — the same God who created the world, revealed Himself at Sinai, and entered into a covenant with the Jewish pe...
What is hafrashat challah prayer?
Hafrashat challah (separation of challah) is a Torah commandment requiring that a portion of dough be separated and given to a kohen (priest), based on Num...
What is hebrew meal prayer?
The Hebrew meal prayer is called Birkat HaMazon (ברכת המזון — "Grace After Meals"), a series of blessings recited after eating a meal that included bread....
What is the Tashlich prayer?
Tashlich (תַּשְׁלִיךְ, literally "you shall cast") is a Rosh Hashanah custom in which Jews go to a body of water after the Mincha (afternoon) prayer and re...
Do you know the name of any of רבי עקיבא's original 24000 תלמידים
What a fascinating question! The Talmud does preserve the names of several of Rabbi Akiva's students, though the famous 24,000 who died during the Sefirat HaOme
Why do we say the pasuk ואברהם זקן on Rosh chodesh?
The verse וְאַבְרָהָם זָקֵן בָּא בַּיָּמִים ("And Abraham was old, advanced in days") [Genesis 24:1] is recited on Rosh Chodesh (the New Month) because the...
What is torah blessings in hebrew?
The blessings over the Torah (Birkhot HaTorah) are a set of Hebrew blessings recited each morning before engaging in Torah study. They are among the most f...
What is the Aleinu prayer?
The Aleinu (עָלֵינוּ) prayer is one of the most important and ancient prayers in Jewish liturgy, recited at the conclusion of every prayer service — Shacha...
What is jewish bedtime shema?
The bedtime Shema (Kriat Shema al HaMita — the recitation of Shema upon one's bed) is a Jewish nighttime prayer practice performed just before going to sle...
What are the Jewish blessings over food?
Jewish blessings over food (berakhot, ברכות) are short, formulaic prayers recited before and after eating or drinking, expressing gratitude to God as the u...
What is the meaning of krias shema?
Krias Shema (קריאת שמע, "the reading/recitation of Shema") is one of the most fundamental mitzvot in Judaism — a twice-daily declaration of God's absolute...
What is the summary of Parshat Behaalotecha?
Parshat Behaalotecha — Summary and Overview Parshat Behaalotecha (Numbers 8–12) is one of the richest and most varied portions in the Torah, covering a wid...
Drinking alcohol during 9 days
Drinking wine and other alcoholic beverages is restricted during the Nine Days (the first nine days of Av) as part of the mourning practices observed before Tis
What is prayer for tzitzit?
The blessing (bracha) recited over tzitzit (fringes) is "Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments a...
A Torah scroll with missing letters. What are the halachic implications of this?
A Torah scroll (Sefer Torah) with missing words is considered pasul (invalid/disqualified) for public reading, and this has been the case since the defect origi
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