Q & A: Making Up For What We Missed (Part VIII)
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: Replacing A Monument (Part II)
Question: Is there anything in Jewish law that prohibits replacing an old, existing matzeivah (tombstone) with a new, better one? I would greatly appreciate your response to this question.
A Reader
Tucson, AZ
Q & A: Making Up For What We Missed (Part XIX)
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: What Doubt?
Question: Why do we celebrate two days of Yom Tov if we have a fixed calendar today and know when Yom Tov truly is?
Aryeh Roth
May Two Siblings Share A Name? (Part II)
Question: Is it possible to give two of one's children the same name? I’ve seen this more than once where a later born child was given the same Hebrew name as an older sibling; however, their English names are different.
A Reader
Los Angeles, CA
Q & A: L’David Hashem Ori (Part II)
Question: In “L’David Hashem Ori” – which we recite from the beginning of Elul until Shemini Atzeret – we read the following: “Bikrov alay me’reim le’echol et besarai – When evildoers approach me to devour my flesh.” Why does the verse use the word “me’reim”? Why not use “resha’im” or “anashim ra’im” instead?
Tzila Kleinbart
Brooklyn, NY
Q & A: Tzedakah (Part XVI)
Question: When a stranger approaches a congregant in shul asking for tzedakah, should the congregant verify that the person’s need is genuine? Furthermore, what constitutes tzedakah? Is a donation to a synagogue, yeshiva, or hospital considered tzedakah?
Zvi Kirschner
(Via E-Mail)
Q & A: Why Don’t We Proselytize?
Question: Lately, various missionary groups have been very active in my neighborhood, anxious to convert our brethren. Why don’t we, in turn, seek to convert them?
Moshe Jakobovitz
Brooklyn, NY
Q & A: How Are We Permitted To Dance On Simchat Torah?
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 e-mail
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: Sharing A Name
QUESTION: I am about to get married and it appears that my name is the same as my fianc?'s mother's name. I've been told that this is problematic. Please advise as I urgently need an answer.No Name, Please
Q & A: A Missed Torah Reading (Part XI)
Question: If a person was ill on Shabbos and unable to go to shul to hear Keri’at haTorah, must he have someone read it to him in shul upon his recovery?
Sincerely,
Isaac Greenberg
Q & A: Standing During Chazarat Hashatz (Part IV)
Question: Is one obligated to stand while the shliach tzibbur repeats the Shemoneh Esreh? I have observed that some people stand during the whole repetition of the Amida while others sit most of the time.
Menachem
Q & A: Amen (Part VI)
What is the exact meaning of amen and where does the word come from?
David H.
(Via E-Mail)
Q & A: A Mother’s Mitzvah (Part III)
Isn’t the father in serious violation of the Torah by neglecting his children and not making any effort to provide them an education?
Name Withheld
Via E-mail
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: Calling One’s Parent By Name (Part IV)
In a previous issue, reader Leonard Ziegler referred to a Daf Yomi Highlights column (January 15, 2021) that explained how Yitzchak was able to bless Yaakov by saying: “May Hashem grant you the blessings of Avraham” (even though one is forbidden from using a parent’s first name) because “Avraham” itself is a “respectful title.”
Q & A: Sefirat HaOmer: Which Day? (Part II)
Question: We celebrate two days of Passover in chutz la’aretz [the Diaspora – outside the land of Israel] because we are unsure which one is the first day of the holiday. If so, what is the basis for beginning the count of sefirat ha’omer in chutz la’aretz on the second night of Passover?
M. Goldman
Via email
Q & A: An Ongoing Work
Question: Is it possible to explain the verse “[All this is] because Abraham listened to My voice, minded My mandate, My commandments, My decrees and My teachings (Genesis 26:5)?” The latter three terms are in the plural. Rashi explains “teachings” as referring to both the Written Torah and the Oral Torah. However, if the commandments and decrees are manifold, is it possible that there are many Torahs?
Moshe Jakobowitz
Via e-mail
Q & A: Tzedakah (Part X)
Question: When a stranger approaches a congregant in shul asking for tzedakah, should the congregant verify that the person’s need is genuine? Furthermore, what constitutes tzedakah? Is a donation to a synagogue, yeshiva, or hospital considered tzedakah?
Zvi Kirschner
(Via E-Mail)
Q & A: Animal ‘Rights’ And Sacrifices Without Sin (Part I)
Question: I understand that in the time of Moshiach we will return to the offering of animal sacrifices. But on the other hand, if, as we are told, those will be times without sin, then what will we sacrifice? In this modern world, some also argue that animals have rights and thus animal sacrifice is wrong. How do we answer them as well?
Menachem
Via Email
Q & A: Proper Ritual At Netilat Yadayim (Part VIII)
Question: Should we wash our hands in the bathroom with soap and water, or by pouring water from a vessel with handles three times, alternating hands? I have heard it said that a vessel is used only in the morning upon awakening. What are the rules pertaining to 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: Arabs Circumcise At 13 (Part X)
Question: If Abraham was commanded to circumcise his descendants on the eighth day, why do Arabs – who claim to descend from Abraham through Yishmael – wait until their children are 13 to circumcise them? I am aware that this is a matter of little consequence to our people. Nevertheless, this inconsistency is one that piques my curiosity.
M. Goldman
(Via E-mail)
Q & A: Kaddish Elevates (Part V)
Question: When a son recites Kaddish for his parents, can they hear it? Also, are their souls elevated to a higher place as a result?
Ben Glassman
Q & A: Who Was Rabbi Meir Ba’al HaNes? (Part II)
Question: I’ve always been intrigued by the large assemblage that gathers at the gravesite of R. Meir Ba’al HaNes in Tiberias on his yahrzeit, the 14th of Iyar. Why is such attention directed to his gravesite, in particular?
F. Hager
Q & A: Simchas During Sefirah (Part III)
I’ve been invited to numerous simchas during Sefirah in the past few years that did not seem to conform to the halachic restrictions of this period. I’ve been told that you addressed this topic in the past. Can you address it again as I don’t want to offend anyone by staying at home?
Name Withheld By Request
Q & A: Sefirat HaOmer Questions (Part II)
Question: What if one counted the Omer but forgot to utter the blessing – has the obligation been fulfilled?
Why do we recite a blessing for this counting, when we find that for the zayin nekiyim, the seven clean days, there is no such blessing? Is the counting not similar?
M. Goldman
Miami Beach, FL
Q & A: Prayer And Its Origins (Part IV)
Question: The Gemara in Berachot states that the sages authored our prayers. Does that mean we didn’t pray beforehand?
Menachem
Via Email
Q & A: A Missed Torah Reading (Part I)
Question: If a person was ill on Shabbos and unable to go to shul to hear Keri’at haTorah, must he have someone read it to him in shul upon his recovery?
Sincerely,
Isaac Greenberg
Q & A: Where To Light Shabbat Candles? (Part I)
Question: My husband and I are frequent Shabbos guests at our children’s homes nearby. Where should I light Shabbos candles – in my home or theirs?
Name Withheld