Torah Q&A
3290 answered questions with cited sources from the Sefaria library.
Halacha on settling the land
The mitzvah (commandment) of settling the Land of Israel — known as Yishuv Eretz Yisrael — is one of the most debated topics in halachic literature, touching on
What are the rules of keeping kosher?
The Rules of Keeping Kosher (Kashrut) Keeping kosher (kashrut) refers to the system of Jewish dietary laws derived from the Torah and elaborated by the Tal...
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
What is the Hanukkah prayer and what are the blessings?
The Hanukkah Prayers and Blessings Hanukkah features several prayers and blessings recited during the eight days of the holiday. The central ritual is the...
What are the Passover prayers and blessings?
Passover Prayers and Blessings Passover (Pesach) is rich with prayers, blessings, and liturgical recitations that span the entire eight days (seven in Isra...
Addiction in Jewish Thought and Halacha
Addiction in Jewish Thought and Halacha Addiction is a profound human struggle that Torah tradition addresses through multiple lenses — the nature of free will,
On clear food and unclean food
The Torah's dietary laws — kashrut (כַּשְׁרוּת, the system of permitted and forbidden foods) — form one of the most distinctive pillars of Jewish observance. Th
What is the Jewish prayer for deceased parents?
The primary Jewish prayers recited for deceased parents are Kaddish (Kaddish Yatom — the Mourner's Kaddish) and Yizkor (the memorial prayer). Kaddish is re...
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...
Herod
Herod was one of the most complex and morally paradoxical figures in late Second Temple Jewish history. Though remembered as a ruthless, illegitimate ruler who
Is fish considered meat in the 9s?
The prohibition of eating meat during the Nine Days (the first nine days of Av) does not apply to fish. Fish is permitted throughout the Nine Days, including du
Can you tell me all the interpretations of "Justice, justice shall you pursue."
"Justice, Justice Shall You Pursue" — Tzedek Tzedek Tirdof (צֶדֶק צֶדֶק תִּרְדֹּף) The verse Deuteronomy 16:20 — "Tzedek tzedek tirdof" — "Justice, justice shal
Can you give me a short shot based describing how a lasting spiritual realities is created when learning Torah or doing mitzvos something in this world, something that a sadly good sense beyond the actual time that were involved in the mitzvah
A lasting spiritual reality is created through Torah and mitzvot because these acts forge an eternal bond between the person and Hashem that transcends the...
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...
When does Rav ovadia Yosef prohibit laundry during three weeks - nine days period
The laws of laundry during the Three Weeks and Nine Days, according to Rav Ovadia Yosef, follow a more lenient Sephardic approach than Ashkenazic practice. Rav
Ezekiel is commanded to erect a virtual military assault on Jerusalem. How is this to be understood and did it be mentioned after it was commanded in terms of how it was enacted.
Brilliant question — this refers to one of the most striking and unusual prophetic acts in all of Tanakh. The passage is found in Ezekiel 4, which is directly p
A person that learnt Torah or did a mitzvah , it stays with him in a spiritual way
The idea that Torah learning and mitzvot (commandments) leave a lasting spiritual imprint on a person is a profound and well-established concept in Jewish...
What is torah box question au rav?
"Ask the Rabbi" (She'elat Rav) on TorahBox TorahBox ("Torah Box") is a popular French-language Jewish website and media platform that provides Torah conten...
What is aliyah hebrew prayer?
The term aliyah (עֲלִיָּה, literally "going up") in the context of prayer and synagogue practice refers to the honor of being called up to the Torah during...
If child born Adar 1, and when will be 13 years old, there are 2 Adars, will bar mitzvah be adar 1 OR 2?
A boy born in Adar I of a leap year who reaches his 13th year during another leap year celebrates his bar mitzvah in Adar I — the same month in which he was bor
What is the segnificance of טו באב
Tu B'Av (the 15th of Av) is one of the most joyous days in the Jewish calendar, described by the Mishnah as one of the two greatest days of celebration in all o
What similarity does the generation of the redemption share with the wilderness generation of Joshua?
The generation of the final redemption shares with the generation of Joshua a defining characteristic: both are described as generations that did not fully...
What is the Yahrzeit prayer and candle?
The Yahrzeit (yahr-tsayt, Yiddish: "year time") is the annual Jewish observance commemorating the anniversary of a loved one's death, observed on the Hebre...
If a couple is not able to have intimacy where dementia is deposited in the woman in the usually manner, what can a couple do that is within halachic guidelines
The question of marital intimacy when conventional relations are not possible due to medical conditions is a recognized area of halachic inquiry. The funda...
Mishkan
The Mishkan (מִשְׁכָּן, Tabernacle) was the portable sanctuary built by the Israelites in the wilderness, serving as the central dwelling place of God's presenc
What is jewish blessing bread?
The Jewish blessing over bread is called HaMotzi, short for the full blessing: "Baruch Atah Hashem Eloheinu Melech HaOlam, HaMotzi Lechem Min HaAretz" — "B...
Can you expain this based a source this prase -Krias Shema is emunah - and bring me this prhase
Krias Shema is Emunah — Sources and Explanation The phrase "Krias Shema is Emunah" (קְרִיאַת שְׁמַע הִיא בְּחִינַת אֱמוּנָה) appears explicitly in the Chassidic
What is the Hallel prayer?
Hallel is a collection of Psalms (113–118) recited as a liturgical prayer of praise and thanksgiving to God, sung on major Jewish holidays and occasions of...
If I didn’t hear a siyum but was in the building while it happened, can I eat meat in then9 days
Can You Eat Meat During the Nine Days if You Were Present at a Siyum But Didn't Hear It? Being physically present in the building where a siyum (completion of a
What is the earliest recorded sunset in the torah
The Earliest Recorded Sunset in the Torah What a fascinating question! Let me address this from two angles: (1) the concept of sunset as it first appears i...