Halakhah
Jewish law — codes, responsa, and practical rulings for daily life.
195 questions answered
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...
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
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...
If someone gets engaged and I have information that the other person has serious character and personality flaws am I obligated to tell that person
This is one of the most important and practically relevant questions in the laws of lashon hara (forbidden speech). Yes, you are not only permitted but obligate
Is chicken parve
Chicken is not pareve (neutral) — it is considered fleishig (meat) and may not be eaten together with dairy products. This is the accepted halacha as codified i
What is the summary of Parshat Haazinu?
Parshat Haazinu: Summary and Overview Parshat Haazinu is Moses' magnificent farewell poem to the Jewish people, delivered just before his death, serving as...
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 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
Is establishing Eruv hatzarot with bread sufficient when camping?
Eruv Chatzerot When Camping: Is Bread Sufficient? The Basic Rule The standard eruv chatzerot is established using bread (pas), collected from each househol...
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
At what point does interpreting Jewish texts as supporting multiple divine manifestations become non-representative of mainstream Jewish theology? Provide: mainstream position minority positions (if any) and clearly label speculation
Divine Unity in Jewish Theology: Where Interpretation Crosses the Line The Mainstream Position: Absolute, Indivisible Unity The mainstream Jewish theologic...
What are the jewish customs for the month of Elul?
The month of Elul (אלול) is the final month of the Jewish year and serves as a 40-day period of preparation and teshuva (repentance) leading up to Rosh Hashanah
What is the different minchag of either one hole or two holes in a Tallit Katan
The custom of one hole vs. two holes in a Tallit Katan (small four-cornered garment) is a fascinating dispute rooted in how we understand the construction of th
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...
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
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...
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...
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’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
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 meaning of hamotzi?
The brachah (blessing) known as Hamotzi is the blessing recited over bread before eating. Its full text is: "Baruch Atah Hashem, Eloheinu Melech ha'olam, h...
What is shabbat candle blessing chabad?
The Chabad (Ashkenazic nusach / liturgical tradition) blessing for Shabbat candle lighting is: "Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, asher kid'shan...
Is there any source that would encourage preparing a dish or food for shabbos that we should refrain from eating on weekdays?
Yes, there is a direct Talmudic and halachic basis for this practice. The principle of Shammai the Elder — saving the best food specifically for Shabbat — is we
Si je suis a tel aviv et quil manque un homme pour le quorum et que je trouve une personne dehors qui veuillent bien participer mais je nai pas la crtitude quil soit juif que faire ?
La question de savoir si un homme dont la judéité est incertaine peut compléter un minyan (quorum de dix hommes requis pour certaines prières) est une question
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...
Cain and Abel: How does the story of Cain and Abel address themes of sibling rivalry, jealousy, and the consequences of sin?
The story of Cain and Abel is one of the Torah's most profound explorations of the human capacity for jealousy, moral failure, and divine accountability. The na
What are common Jewish blessings?
Jewish blessings (brachot, singular: bracha) are formalized expressions of gratitude and acknowledgment of God's role in daily life. The standard formula f...
What is the Kiddush (blessing over wine)?
Kiddush (קידוש, literally "sanctification") is the formal declaration of the holiness of Shabbat or a Jewish holiday, recited over a cup of wine. It fulfil...
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...
Sleeping in a talis at night-- what are the opinions?
The question of sleeping in a tallit (prayer shawl) at night touches on several halachic issues — primarily whether tzitzit (fringes) are obligatory at night, a
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