Halakhah
Jewish law — codes, responsa, and practical rulings for daily life.
185 questions answered
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 the significance of the 17th of Tammuz?
The 17th of Tammuz (Shiva Asar b'Tammuz — שבעה עשר בתמוז) is a fast day commemorating five tragic events that befell the Jewish people, most notably the br...
What is shavuot prayer?
Shavuot has several distinctive prayer elements that set it apart from regular holiday davening. The holiday's liturgy reflects its dual themes of matan To...
If tisha b'av was on Thursday can the break fast meal be chicken?
Yes, if Tisha B'Av falls on a Thursday, chicken may be eaten at the break-fast meal immediately after the fast ends. The restriction on meat and wine during the
What are the halachic considerations of drinking coffee
Coffee is permitted under Jewish law, though several important halachic considerations arise around its preparation and consumption. The core issues involve the
What is the minimum amount of kiddish I need to drink at night and by day
The minimum amount of wine required for Kiddush (sanctification over wine) is melo lugmav (מְלֹא לוּגְמָיו) — a cheekful — both at night and by day. This is typ
What does the events and the result of Sinai teach the world, not just Jews?
The Revelation at Sinai stands as one of the most consequential events in human history, carrying a universal message for all of humanity: that God speaks to hu
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...
What’s the deal with anal sex
The halachic status of anal sex within marriage has been a subject of significant rabbinic debate throughout Jewish history. The mainstream position, as ruled b
What is the Jewish evening prayer (Maariv)?
What is the Jewish Evening Prayer (Maariv)? Maariv (also called Arvit) is the Jewish evening prayer service, recited after nightfall each day. It consists...
Can one schedule a non-jew appliance repair mechanic to come on Shabbat to repair a refrigerator?
Scheduling a non-Jewish appliance repairman to come specifically on Shabbat to repair a refrigerator is generally forbidden according to halacha. The core prohi
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
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 is zman krias shema?
Zman Krias Shema (זְמַן קְרִיאַת שְׁמַע — the time for reciting Shema) refers to the halachically mandated time window within which one must recite the She...
Naarah meorasah laws
Naarah Me'orasah (Betrothed Young Woman) — Torah Laws The naarah me'orasah (נַעֲרָה מְאֹרָסָה) refers to a young woman (naarah — typically between the ages...
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
What is traditional tallit?
A tallit (טַלִּית) is a traditional Jewish prayer shawl worn during worship, designed with four corners upon which tzitzit (fringes) are attached in fulfil...
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...
What is the jewish kaddish prayer?
The Kaddish (Kaddish, קַדִּישׁ — literally "holy" or "sanctification") is one of Judaism's most recognized and emotionally resonant prayers, primarily know...
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
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
unusual technical innovation in the holy temple of Jerusalem
The Holy Temple of Jerusalem was not only a place of spiritual grandeur but also a marvel of ancient engineering and technical innovation. Many of its mechanica
What is night shema?
The night Shema (Kriat Shema shel Layla) is the obligation to recite the Shema prayer in the evening, derived from the Torah's command to say it "when you...
What is the summary of Parshat Vayishlach?
Parshat Vayishlach (Genesis 32:4–36:43) is one of the most dramatic and spiritually rich portions in the Torah, chronicling Jacob's return to Canaan, his t...
Shabbat chazon how to see vision of third temple
Shabbat Chazon and the Vision of the Third Temple Shabbat Chazon (שַׁבַּת חֲזוֹן, "Shabbat of Vision") is the Shabbat immediately before Tisha B'Av, named after
When did the Jewish community start fasting for tammuz
The fast of the 17th of Tammuz (Shiva Asar b'Tammuz) has its roots going back to the Biblical era, with formal rabbinic codification during or after the Se...
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
Can I put on makeup on the second day of Yom tov
Applying makeup on the second day of Yom Tov is subject to the same halachic debate as the first day, and the majority of contemporary poskim (halachic decisors
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
Can i braid a friendahip bracelet on tisha ba av
Making a friendship bracelet on Tisha B'Av is generally prohibited, both because it constitutes melachah (creative work/labor) and because it conflicts with the
Have a different question?
Ask AI Torah