Mishnah
The foundational code of Jewish oral law compiled by Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi.
95 questions answered
How much more is a Jew obligated to pay to support business in their community?
There is no fixed monetary percentage or multiplier that a Jew is obligated to pay extra to support local Jewish commerce. Rather, the Torah and halachic t...
What are the restrictions on the 17th of Tammuz?
The 17th of Tammuz (Shiva Asar b'Tammuz) is a communal fast day on which eating and drinking are forbidden from dawn (alot hashachar) until nightfall. It m...
Does 63 have a numerical equivalent and meaning in Hebrew?
The number 63 has deep significance in Jewish mystical tradition. In gematria (the system of assigning numerical values to Hebrew letters), 63 is most famo...
Can I work on Tisha b’av
Working on Tisha b'Av (the Ninth of Av) is governed by local custom (minhag), but universally, Torah scholars refrain from work the entire day, and anyone who d
Proves that god exists
The question of God's existence is one of the most profound in all of human thought. Jewish tradition does not rely on a single "proof" but offers a rich c...
Can I shave during the three weeks
Shaving during the Three Weeks (Shloshet HaShavuot — the mourning period from 17 Tammuz to Tisha B'Av) is subject to a significant dispute between Ashkenazic an
Kabbalah
Kabbalah: The Jewish Mystical Tradition Kabbalah (קַבָּלָה, literally "receiving" or "that which has been received") is the esoteric, mystical dimension of...
What is the Shehecheyanu blessing?
The Shehecheyanu (שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ) is one of Judaism's most beloved blessings, recited to express gratitude to God for enabling us to reach a significant or j...
Can you feed your kids hot dogs on Tisha B'Av?
The question of feeding children on Tisha B'Av touches on the halachic distinction between adults, who are obligated to fast, and minors, who are generally not.
A Hindu scholar claims that Brahman and the Kabbalistic Ein Sof are identical concepts. Present the strongest Jewish sources supporting this claim.
Is Ein Sof Identical to Brahman? The Strongest Jewish Sources for the Comparison The claim that the Kabbalistic Ein Sof (אֵין סוֹף, "Infinite/Without End")...
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
Can one water plants on Tisha baav
Watering plants on Tisha B'Av is generally permitted, as it does not fall under any of the five prohibited activities of the fast day. However, there are nuance
What is the Hamotzi (blessing over bread)?
The Hamotzi (HaMotzi, "Who brings forth") is the berakhah (blessing) recited before eating bread made from one of the five grains. The full text is: "Baruc...
What is Birkat HaMazon (Grace After Meals)?
Birkat HaMazon (Grace After Meals) is the set of blessings recited after eating a meal that included bread. It is a Torah-level commandment (mitzvah d'orai...
Everything about a bar mitzvah boy going up to the Torah for the first time
The Bar Mitzvah Boy's First Aliyah to the Torah When a boy turns 13 and becomes a bar mitzvah (son of the commandment), one of the most significant ritual momen
What are the rules of israelite sabbath?
The Sabbath (Shabbat) is the cornerstone of Jewish observance, commanded directly by God in the Torah and elaborated extensively by rabbinic tradition. At...
What is mi sheberach for healing?
The Mi Sheberach (מִי שֶׁבֵּרַךְ, "May the One who blessed") for healing is a traditional Jewish prayer recited on behalf of someone who is ill, asking God...
What does the Talmud say about honesty?
The Talmud presents honesty — particularly emet (truth) — as one of the most foundational values in Jewish life, so central that Hillel summarized the enti...
Explain Shabbat laws
Shabbat (Shabbat — the Jewish Sabbath) is one of the most foundational institutions in all of Torah, rooted in both Creation and the Sinai covenant. The To...
What is jewish psalm 121?
Psalm 121 is one of the fifteen Psalms of Ascent (Shir HaMa'alot), a collection of psalms (120–134) traditionally sung by pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem a...
What is the Jewish prayer for peace?
The Jewish Prayer for Peace The Jewish tradition contains several prayers for peace, but the most prominent is Sim Shalom ("Grant Peace"), recited as part...
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
What is the Hanukkah candle lighting prayer?
The Hanukkah candle lighting ceremony involves reciting two blessings every night of Hanukkah, and a third blessing (Shehecheyanu) on the first night only....
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 are the Jewish wedding blessings (Sheva Brachot)?
The Sheva Brachot (שֶׁבַע בְּרָכוֹת, "Seven Blessings") are the central blessings recited at a Jewish wedding ceremony and at festive meals during the week...
What is jewish healing prayer misheberach?
The Mi Sheberach (מִי שֶׁבֵּרַךְ, "May He who blessed") is a traditional Jewish prayer invoking divine blessing and healing, recited on behalf of someone w...
The idea that a person’s good deeds walk before them and escort them after death
Good Deeds as Escorts After Death The Torah tradition teaches that a person's good deeds — their mitzvot and ma'asim tovim (good deeds) — serve as both com...
What is psalm 130 in hebrew?
Psalm 130 in Hebrew is Shir HaMa'alot (שִׁיר הַמַּעֲלוֹת), "A Song of Ascents." It is one of the most beloved tehillim (psalms) in Jewish tradition, expres...
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
What is prayer for idf soldiers in hebrew?
The traditional Hebrew prayer for IDF soldiers is called תְּפִלַּת הַחַיָּל (Tefillat HaChayal — "Prayer of the Soldier") or more commonly known by its ope...
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