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Can we get married between Yom Kippur and Sukkot?
By Eliezer Posner
A couple can get married on the three days in between Yom Kippur and Sukkot. Holding a wedding on the day immediately before Sukkot is technically permitted, however Rabbi Abraham Gombiner (17th century Poland) writes that since the meal can ...
Ask the Rabbi » Latest Questions » Can we get married between Yom Kippur and Sukkot?
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Do I have to sleep in the sukkah?
By Menachem Posner
The Talmud tells us that during sukkot a man is obligated to sleep in the sukkah.
Mishna, Sukkah 20b
However, it appears that that at least since the 13th century this has not been common practice. There are a number of different ...
Ask the Rabbi » Latest Questions » Do I have to sleep in the sukkah?
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Why all the rabbinic fences?
By Menachem Posner
Question:
I don't understand why the rabbis created so many laws to ensure that we do not transgress any of the Torah's laws; don't they trust us to do things right?
Answer:
Here is an analogy:
You insure your house, health, and the things which are ...
Ask the Rabbi » Latest Questions » Why all the rabbinic fences?
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Can I be called to the Torah if I am a skeptic?
By Tzvi Freeman
Question:
Years ago, I attended a seminar where we were presented with logical proofs that the Torah was delivered to us by Moses at Sinai. I was convinced and began a path towards complete Jewish observance. After many years and much thought, I (and ...
Ask the Rabbi » Latest Questions » Can I be called to the Torah if I am a skeptic?
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Is it true we don't eat nuts on Rosh Hashanah?
By Malkie Janowski
It is indeed customary not to eat nuts on Rosh Hashanah, although this seems to be mentioned only in Ashkenazi halachic literature.
A practical reason for this is given by the Maharil (Rabbi Yaakov HaLevi Moelin), a talmudist of the 15th century ...
Ask the Rabbi » Latest Questions » Is it true we don't eat nuts on Rosh Hashanah?
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Why can't I use a lemon instead of an etrog?
By Menachem Posner
Question:
How do we know that we must take an etrog as the fruit in the four kinds and that I cannot just use a lemon or an orange?
Answer:
The Torah
Leviticus 23:40 describes the fruit which we must take as פרי עץ הדר – pri etz hadar, which ...
Ask the Rabbi » Latest Questions » Why can't I use a lemon instead of an etrog?
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Why do we blow the shofar so many times on Rosh Hashanah?
By Eliezer Posner
Question:
Why do we blow the shofar so many times on Rosh Hashanah?
Answer:
There are different customs as to how many times the shofar is blown on Rosh Hashanah. In most communities the shofar is blown 100 times. Here's how we arrive at that ...
Ask the Rabbi » Latest Questions » Why do we blow the shofar so many times on Rosh Hashanah?
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Why do we cover the challah bread on the Shabbat table?
By Menachem Posner
There are a number of reasons for this tradition:
a) When our ancestors traveled in the desert for forty years, they subsisted on the manna that miraculously fell from heaven every day. The challah we eat on Shabbat is actually in place of that manna. ...
Daily Life & Practice » Shabbat » Handbook » Questions & Answers » Kiddush & Challah » Why do we cover the challah bread on the Shabbat table?
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Friend Owes Money
I loaned some money to an acquaintance who was in a really desperate situation. I didn't ask for it back until I knew the situation was better, and then I emailed. I never heard back. I know Judaism teaches that you shouldn't bear a grudge, but don't I ...
Women » Dear Rachel » Friendship » Friend Owes Money
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Can I collect debts after a Shemitah year?
By Eliezer Danzinger
Question:
I am owed money by Jews for goods and services provided over the past few months on credit. I expected all of the outstanding invoices to have been paid by Rosh Hashanah, but it's beginning to look like some will not be paid by then. I did ...
Ask the Rabbi » Latest Questions » Can I collect debts after a Shemitah year?
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