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Q. How is the vanity room classified Halachicly?

A. The vanity rooms (with the sink, counter and mirror) leading to the bathrooms at Shabbos House does not have a Mezuzah, as bathrooms do not have a Mezuzah. But its not quite a bathroom either, which is why we … Read the rest

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Q. Why wasn’t Aharon blamed for the Golden Calf, he made it!

A. You are right that the simple literal reading of the texts seems as if Aharon went along with it and was a willing participant in the idolatrous affair soon after the Giving of the Torah at Sinai.

Midrashic sources … Read the rest

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Q. Does G-d get Angry? Isn’t anger very unhealthy?

A. You showed me this in the prayerbook “G-d do not rebuke me in Your anger, nor chastise me in Your rage.” That verse is from Psalms 6:1.

Yes, you are right that anger is a very unhealthy emotional response, … Read the rest

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Q. I have no whole Challah available? Can I make Hamotzee on sliced?

A. Yes, you certainly can.

Now, there is something special we do for Shabbos called “Lechem Mishneh” the two loaves of Shabbos, which are supposed to be whole and uncut before the blessing. But if that’s not possible due to … Read the rest

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Q. “A word to the wise..” don’t the wise read whole books?

A. It means that “a word to the wise SUFFICES.” They pick up clues, they get the idea, they catch on quick, they tend to discern and understand without a need for everything to be explicity said – so they … Read the rest

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Q. Is Rosh Hashanah one day or two days?

A. Biblically, its a one-day holiday, the first of Tishrei. Practically, its observed as a tw0-day holiday in nearly all Jewish communities.

Most two-day Jewish holidays (such as the first two and last two days of Passover and Sukkot) are … Read the rest

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Q. Why repeat Mourners Kaddish so often? Isn’t it hard on the mourners?

A. Not everyone realizes this, but Kaddish is not a memorial prayer. In fact, it doesn’t mentioned the departed at all. Instead, Kaddish is a bold declaration of faith, a glorification of G-d and G-dliness, and a prayer for redemption … Read the rest

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Q. My roommate was born to a Jewish mother, but raised Catholic. How does Jewish law see it?

A. As Jewish, 100%! Now, she and her family obviously may see it very differently, but from our perspective, once a Jew is always a Jew. The definition of being a Jew is not defined by practice or observance or … Read the rest

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Q. For now I can only afford one Mezuzah but have several doors. Which door takes precedence?

 A. Hopefully, you can slowly purchase more Mezuzot. (Remember, the cover is mostly for show, and makes the Mitzvah pretty, but the main thing is the handwritten scroll inside). For now, start with the main entrance door. This is providing … Read the rest

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Q. Which type of fruit do you have to wait until the tree’s third year?

 A. Only true tree fruit. Tomatoes, pineapples and bananas may be technically considered fruits, but they don’t really grow on woody trees and therefore this Halacha does not apply to them. But blueberries are considered a fruit, because they grow … Read the rest

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