Q & A: Ayin Hara (Part I)
Question: I know there is a dispute in the Gemara regarding ayin hara, the evil eye. Can you discuss the origin of it?
Ben Glassman
(Via E-Mail)
Q & A: Pirkei Avot (Part I)
Question: I have two questions regarding Pirkei Avot. First, is there a specific reason that the last chapter is read on the Sabbath before Shavuot, or is this just a quirk of the calendar? Second, in that last chapter we find a list of qualities that enable one to acquire Torah knowledge, including anavah, humility. I find this difficult to believe in light of the Gemara in Gittin that chastises one of the scholars for his anavah, saying that it ultimately caused the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash.
Zvi Kirschner
(Via E-Mail)
Q & A: Proper Ritual For Netilat Yadayim (Part I)
Question: Should we wash our hands in the bathroom with soap and water, or by pouring water from a vessel with handles three times on each hand alternatingly? I have heard it said that a vessel is used only in the morning upon awakening. What are the rules pertaining young children? What is the protocol if no vessel is available? Additionally, may we dry our hands via an electric dryer?
Harry Koenigsberg
(Via E-Mail)
Q & A: Making Up For What We Missed (Part XIII)
Question: The Covid-19 pandemic has put an end to almost all public gatherings; hence, much of Jewish congregational ritual has come to a halt. Is there a way to make up for everything we missed?
M. Goldman
Q & A: The 15th Of Av (Part II)
Question: What is the significance of Tu B'Av, the 15th of Av?
David Bernstein
Via email
Q & A: Children’s Toys On Shabbat
Question: Are children’s toys or games considered muktzeh – prohibited for use on Shabbos?
M. Goldman
Via E-mail
Q & A: Sefirah Questions (Part III)
Question: Is there a requirement to recite “Hineni muchan u’mezuman” before Sefirat HaOmer, also if one arrives late for Maariv does one count sefirah first with the minyan or proceed immediately to Maariv?
Moshe Jakobowitz
Brooklyn, NY
Q & A: Forgetting To Mention Rain In The Amidah (Part I)
Question: Recently the chazzan in my shul created a stir when he didn’t include the proper mention of rain during chazaras hashatz. Our rabbi didn’t require him to repeat the Amidah, but many congregants felt the rabbi erred and murmured their discontent. Who was right and how can we, in a tactful way, prevent such a lapse from occurring again?
A Concerned Congregant
Q & A: Praying In Other Languages (Part IX)
Question: When reciting a berachah in English, does a person fulfill his obligation if he says “Hashem” instead of “L-rd” or “G-d”?
Yosef
Q & A: When The Nation Is In Need Of Prayers
Question: Is there a special prayer or specific role for prayer when the totality of the Jewish people is in danger?
Q & A: A Mother’s Mitzvah (Part III)
Question: I am a single mother of young children. Their father has shirked all his responsibilities to them. I do my best for my children, but it isn’t easy. Isn’t their father in serious violation of the Torah by neglecting his children and not making any effort to provide them an education?
No Name Please
(Via E-Mail)
Q & A: Reincarnation?
QUESTION: I am told that Eliahu was a reincarnation. Who was he?R. GoldBronx, NY
Q & A: World Reaction To October 7 Is No Surprise
Question: How has it been that in such a world where we are but a very small minority, and after so many generations though the world keeps changing, yet the Jew remains and is the same constant whipping boy? What is the miracle of our survival?
Gedalia Estra
Via Email
Q & A: The Leap Year At Adar (Part V)
Why does the Jewish leap year always consist of two Adars? Why specifically Adar?
Menachem
(Via E-Mail)
Q & A: Pet Therapy (Part II)
Question: My young daughter was recently diagnosed with autism. She does not function well socially and is extremely introverted, but we have noticed that she reacts very well to small animals. We reported this to her therapist who suggested that we get a dog or cat as a pet. We know that most religious people frown upon having pets, but we hate to see our daughter suffer and want to do anything that would make her happy. Would it be okay to own a pet in the circumstances we described?
Her Loving Parents
(Via E-Mail)
Q & A: Where To Light The Sabbath Candles? (Part I)
Question: My husband and I are frequent Shabbos guests at our children’s homes nearby (we eat the meal with them and return to our home after the meal). Where should I light Shabbos candles – in my home or in theirs?
Q & A: Mano’ach’s Wife (Part II)
Question: Recently we read the haftara of Parashat Naso. I am puzzled by the fact that the wife of Mano’ach was given to see things her husband did not see, yet only his name is mentioned. What was the name of Mano’ach’s wife?
Yossy Guttman
Via email
Q & A: A Sabbath Desecrator Leading Services (Part I)
Question: May someone who desecrates the Sabbath lead the services if he has yahrzeit? If yes, can he replace someone else who has yahrzeit?
Hayim Grosz
(Via E-Mail)
Q & A: The Ten Sons Of Haman
QUESTION: 1) Why were the ten sons of Haman hung with their father on the same gallows?2) The listing of the ten names of the sons of Haman has three Hebrew letters printed in smaller size. What does that indicate? These two questions have been bothering me for some time.Yitzchak Green(via e-mail)
Q & A: The Sandak (Part IX)
Question: I was at a brit where the father and grandfather of the boy argued over who should be sandak. The grandfather had served as sandak once before, but he persisted and, as they say, “might makes right.” I am curious as to your view on this matter.
M. Renkin
(Via E-Mail)
Q & A: A Sabbath Desecrator Leading Services (Conclusion)
QUESTION: What are the requirements for a sheliach tzibbur? May someone who desecrates the Sabbath lead the services?
C.M. Siegel
Rockland, NY
Q & A: A Simchat Torah Query: ‘Custom Seems To Void Halacha
Question: I recently learned that one may not dance or clap hands on Shabbat or Yom Tov. If so, how do we dance on Simchat Torah?
Aryeh Josefsohn
Via Email
Q & A: Ayin Hara (Part II)
Question: I know there is a dispute in the Gemara regarding ayin hara, the evil eye. Can you discuss the origin of it?
Ben Glassman
(Via E-Mail)
Q & A: Selichot Restrictions (Part I)
Question: The Kitzur Shulchan Aruch states that an individual praying selichot without a minyan is not allowed to recite the Thirteen Midot or the Aramaic prayers. What is the rationale behind this halacha?
Moshe Jakobowitz
Brooklyn, NY
Q & A: When The Entire People Is In Need Of Prayers
Question: Is there a special prayer or specific role for prayer when the totality of the Jewish people is in danger?
Q & A: The Prayer Shema Koleinu (Part I)
Question: When Shema Koleinu is recited during the High Holiday season, the cantor skips several lines during the interactive repetition. What is the reason?
A Reader
Wilkes Barre, PA
Q & A: A Matter Of Custom? (Part I)
QUESTION: We are a happy newly married couple who have a few disagreements concerning the upcoming holidays. My wife insists that on Erev Yom Kippur there is no need to eat more than one meal - right before the fast. She also insists that there is no need for her to eat in the sukka on Sukkot, while my custom is for a woman to do so. Who is correct?Name withheld by request
Q & A: Saying ‘Amen’ Right Before Shema (Part IV)
Question: Should the congregation say “Amen” after the berachah of “habocher b’amo Yisrael b’ahavah” (right before Shema)? I have seen different shuls do different things.
M. Goldman
Q & A: Tractate Avot
QUESTION: Why is Avot prefaced with a mishna from another tractate? Also, why do we refer to this tractate as Avot, meaning "fathers"?Shlomo FeivelsonCoconut Creek, FL
Q & A: Sabbath Shuttle? (Part VIII)
Question: Is it permitted on the Sabbath or holidays to take a shuttle to synagogue? The neighborhood shuttle runs from 9-5 daily, is driven by a gentile, has a designated stop schedule, and is free of charge.