Torah Q&A
3290 answered questions with cited sources from the Sefaria library.
What is chabad mourner's kaddish?
Chabad mourner's kaddish follows the same essential text as all Jewish mourning kaddish prayers but incorporates the unique Chabad-Lubavitch nusach (liturg...
What are the Brit Milah prayers and blessings?
Brit Milah: Prayers and Blessings The Brit Milah (בְּרִית מִילָה, Brit Milah — Covenant of Circumcision) ceremony contains a structured set of blessings an...
What are the rules of Shabbat?
The Rules of Shabbat Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest observed from Friday sunset to Saturday nightfall, is one of the most comprehensive and detailed areas...
Over how long of a distance do you need to say tefillas haderech
The minimum distance that obligates one to recite Tefillat HaDerech (the Traveler's Prayer) is traveling outside a settled area (yishuv) for a distance of at le
The Evolution of Jewish Prayer
The Evolution of Jewish Prayer: From Abraham's Spontaneous Cry to the Shemoneh Esreh You are touching on one of the most fascinating tensions in Jewish religiou
Maaser and terumah for garden veggies
Maaser and Terumah for Garden Vegetables Great question! This touches on agricultural laws (mitzvot hateluyot ba'aretz — commandments dependent on the Land...
What are the 613 commandments?
The 613 commandments (taryag mitzvot — תרי"ג מצוות) are the full body of biblical commandments given by God to Israel through the Torah. They consist of 248 pos
Can I put oil on my feet on shabbat
Applying oil to one's feet on Shabbat is generally permitted, as anointing the body for pleasure or comfort is allowed on Shabbat. However, there are impor...
Unidad de Dios, Panteismo, Israel, Dios para la creacion?
La Unidad de Dios en el Judaísmo: Monoteísmo vs. Panteísmo La Torah enseña que Dios es absolutamente Uno — no como una unidad numérica simple, sino como una uni
What does the Baal Shem Tov say about divine unity
The Baal Shem Tov on Divine Unity and "Everything is One" The Baal Shem Tov (Rav Yisrael ben Eliezer, founder of Chassidus, 1698–1760) taught that the fundament
What is the summary of Parshat Chukat?
Parshat Chukat: Summary and Overview Parshat Chukat (Numbers 19–21) is one of the most dramatic portions in the Torah, covering the enigmatic law of the Re...
What’s the reason for taking off ones tefillin before mussuf on Rosh Chodesh?
The custom of removing tefillin (phylacteries) before Mussaf (the additional prayer) on Rosh Chodesh (the New Month) is rooted in the concept that tefillin are
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...
Jeremiah and the Paradox of Faith Without Community
Jeremiah: The Solitary Prophet and the Paradox of Faith Without Community You have identified one of the most profound and painful paradoxes in all of Tanakh. J
What is the summary of Parshat Vayakhel?
Parshat Vayakhel (Exodus 35:1–38:20) describes Moses gathering the entire Israelite nation to transmit God's commands regarding Shabbat and the constructio...
Would meditation and verbalization of the beginning of parshat devarim, specifically “these are the words…” , per likkutei moharan 1, be efficacious in connecting to the divine/hidden wisdom and opening da’at
Meditation on "These Are the Words" — Devarim and Da'at Through Likutei Moharan 1 Opening with Eileh HaDevarim ("These are the words") as a meditative focus is
Explain how the idea of one hour of repentance and good works in this world being more precious than the whole of the World to Come should add urgency to our service of God. Provide a plan for implementing some of that urgency into your lives.
The famous teaching from Pirkei Avot — that a single hour of teshuva (repentance) and good deeds in this world surpasses all of Olam HaBa (the World to Come) —
Mamzerut: Disclosure Obligations and Safek Mamzer Status
Mamzerut: Disclosure Obligations and Safek Mamzer Status A mamzer (ממזר, a child born of a biblically prohibited union such as adultery or incest) faces se...
What is messianic prayer book?
A messianic prayer book is a siddur (Jewish prayer book) that has been adapted or created for use by "Messianic Jews" — those who identify culturally or et...
Who is Joaquin in the bible?
There is no figure named Joaquin in the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) or in Jewish scripture. However, this name is very likely a variant spelling or translation o...
What is the halacha for yiush shelo midaas
Ye'ush shelo mi-da'at (despair without knowledge) is one of the most important concepts in the laws of lost objects and stolen property. The accepted halacha fo
Analise de Isaías 53
Análise de Isaías 53 — O "Servo Sofredor" Isaías 53 é um dos capítulos mais debatidos da Bíblia Hebraica. Na tradição judaica, o capítulo descreve o sofrimento
Is there a day by day Kabbalistic practice in Elul
Kabbalistic Practice in Elul: Day by Day Elul is the most spiritually charged month of the Jewish year — the month of teshuvah (repentance) and preparation for
Puedo prender fuego en shabat
¿Se puede prender fuego en Shabat? No, está prohibido encender fuego en Shabat. Esta es una de las prohibiciones más explícitas de toda la Torah, mencionada dir
What is the summary of Parshat Chayei Sarah?
Parshat Chayei Sarah (Genesis 23:1–25:18) narrates the final chapters of Sarah's life and the transitional period of the Patriarchal era, covering Sarah's...
What is chabad selichot?
Chabad selichot (penitential prayers) refers to the specific liturgical tradition and custom practiced by Chabad Chassidim regarding the recitation of seli...
Is it OK to fly on an airplane during the 9 days
Flying on an airplane during the Nine Days is generally permitted, though certain aspects of the experience may require halachic consideration. The Nine Da...
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 hebrew prayer for good health?
The most well-known Hebrew prayer for good health is the Mi Shebeirach (מִי שֶׁבֵּרַךְ), a communal blessing invoking healing of body and soul (refuat hagu...
What is hamsa prayer hebrew?
The Hamsa (חַמְסָה, from Arabic meaning "five") is a hand-shaped amulet widely used in Jewish and Middle Eastern cultures, associated with protection and g...