A. What a question! The Talmud (Pesachim) has a 9-way debate on it. All agree that we make a Havdalah (farewell to Shabbat) and Kiddush (welcoming YomTov) combination, but there are 9 varying opinions on the
A. Yes. The restriction is only against leather shoes. This dates back before Payless and Famous Footwear. A good pair of shoes lasted a long time. And people walked around a whole lot more, and stood on the
A. Here’s a reason from Rashi, the great Biblical commentator. Being that Ezekiel was privy to the most spiritual and esoteric of visions, this title was a subtle reminder that helped him keep perspect
A. (1) Most famous is the “Maakeh” roof-top fence in Deut 22:8. This law represents all laws regarding safety and accident prevention. (2) Ethics of our Fathers encourages us to “make a fen
A. It is called the “Luz” bone. According to the Medrash (Kohelet Rabba 12:5) this bone will be used for the resurrection of the dead. One source has the Luz at the base of the spine, and the oth
A. Torah columns are justified on right and left, and it’s all done by hand – no computer. The Sofer (Torah Scribe) has a certain amount of leeway to stretch (or squeeze) some letters to make it
A. It’s Shul-ese for Congratulations, literally: All the more power to you. Or as in Star Wars, May the force be with you. Sephardic Jews have a different expression.…
A. Jewish tradition considers it a (reluctant) honor and obligation to participate in a burial personally, instead of letting the hired help with the backhoe do it. As much as we would rather never have to d
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Q. I can’t believe the family is supposed to shovel dirt on the deceased at the funeral!
A. It is, and you’re right, we’re allowed to carry in private property on Shabbat. But in a Jewish legal sense, open, unfenced area, while not considered public area, is still not private for the
A. Not being there, I can’t be sure, but it probably was an issue of tearing on Shabbos. If the tissues were connected, there may be an issue of tearing them apart on Shabbos. Some Rabbinic authorities