Q & A from- Yeshiva.org.il

candle lighting on Erev Shabbat

Rabbi David Sperling

Question:

In Jerusalem I understand that we have an extra 18 minutes on Friday’s before the "real" start of Shabbat as opposed to other locations where the Zemanim are calculated without these extra 18 minutes. What does it really mean as far as accepting the restrictions of Shabbat? Does it give 18 extra minutes and these are only a Chumra? Or is for example lighting 18 minutes after the announced Jerusalem Zeman Chilul Shabbat? This is a weekly argument discussion in our home and I would appreciate an explanation that makes sense and holds water. For example next week Shabbat here in Jerusalem is 18.52 - is it ok to light at 19.10 or even at 19.28 (Shkia I think is at 19.31). Thank you from "Confused in Jerusalem"

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Torah studies

Rabbi Yoel Lieberman

Question:

What was the size the ark of the testimony? What was the size the Holy of Holies? I once heard that the ark was bigger than the holy of holies. Is that true?

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Weddings on yartzeit for a parent

Rabbi David Sperling

Question:

I have been reading about going to a wedding on ones yartzeit. It is explicit in the SA but What is the bottom line please?

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Giur Lechumra

Rabbi David Sperling

Question:

Can a Kohein marry a Giur Lechumra if the only reason she went through it was because she didn’t have any birth certificates? Her grandmother knows she is Jewish and she will profess that to anyone who needs to know for her to practice Judaism it’s just there are not birth records. The Granmother does not practice Judaism neither did her parents thats why the question of if the Granddaughter was Jewish came up. She knows that she is but how does she help her prove it, because the Granddaughter wants to practice the faith.

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Age of Earth and Universe

Rabbi Ari Shvat

Question:

What is the age of the universe and earth from a Jewish standpoint?

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Standing up for certain sections

Rabbi David Sperling

Question:

As a follow up for "Respect for Torah Reading", as time goes by, we discover that some of our minhagim do not have real basis in halacha, and can be improved or even stopped if need be. Is standing up (and then sitting down) for the ten commandments and shirat hayam, in the middle of their aliyot a worthy ’mitzva’ to keep practicing? Would it be disrespectful if we stopped? The baal koreh nonetheless gives respect by changing to ’high’ taamim. The standing up and sitting down, including the gabai slapping his hand loudly on the bima for people to wake up, sorry, get up, could be avoided if perhaps we stood up for the whole aliyah like sons do for their fathers (the rabbi who an important person in the community usually gets the aliyah) I think that this would increase respect for the Torah reading.

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follow-up question of: "Marriage - nephew"

Rabbi David Sperling

Question:

Uncle niece marriage is allowed in the torah. What about nowadays?

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Eggs, Garlic Onions Unpeeled Overnight

Rabbi Ari Shvat

Question:

Regarding leaving peeled eggs, onions, or garlic overnight, i’ve heard that mixing another food with them will eliminate the danger of ru’ach ra’ah. Can you tell me what foods can be mixed with them, and how much must I put in to make the eggs, onions, or garlic OK?

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when are violent revolutions justified?

Rabbi Ari Shvat

Question:

Could you please elaborate some more about when violent revolutions are justified?

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limiting G-d to Israel or the entire universe

Rabbi Ari Shvat

Question:

It seems like religious-zionism narrows the kingdom of G-d down to one small plot of land, while in reality, He fills the universe!

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Matzeivah during 9 days

Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt

Question:

May one make a Matzeihvah ceremony during the 9 days e.g. this year on 2 Av?

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trumot ma’asrot on homegrown spices

Rabbi Ari Shvat

Question:

We grow parsley, oregano and other spices in our yard. Should we take off trumot and ma’asrot? Shlomo

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Chalav Yisroel

Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt

Question:

I heard of many poskim that disagree with reb moshe which ones agree? If you look in igros moshe he says that you should not realy on his heter only in extreme cases.and if you look on the OU website they write that todays problem is very diffrent and reb moshes heter doesnt even apply b.c of changed gov reg....i was shocked when i read it???

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Access to security complex ,with concierge on shabbat

Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt

Question:

Hi there, I am doing the conversion currently and moving to be closer to shul. The place I am moving to has electronic gate access only. The concierge monitors the gate via tv. If I stand at the gate and they let me in, I do not use the tag, will that be fine. There is no key access to my flat at all!

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Cutting hair after lag bomer

Rabbi David Sperling

Question:

Is it permissable for a woman to cut her hair after Lag Bomer?

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Use of the expression ’Todah L’Kail’

Rabbi Yoel Lieberman

Question:

It has become a fairly commomm expression among secular Israelis to say ’Todah L’Kail’, using G-d’s name. While their appreciation of Hakadosh Baruch Hu is extremely praiseworthy, I wonder if this is an improper use of His name. I sometimes hear religious Jews use the expression. Could you please respond to this and also discuss the use of Hashem’s names when trying to teach Torah, e.g. how to say a bracha, etc. Thank-you

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Candle Lighting

Rabbi David Sperling

Question:

Why do we light the cadels and what dose it mean?

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Bible- would G-d exchange His People

Rabbi Ari Shvat

Question:

Would G-d change up his covenant for another nation. G-d Bless

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Teffilin at Mincha with Bracha

Rabbi Yoel Lieberman

Question:

If i am too sick to put on Teffilin in the morning and decide to put them on for Mincha, do i make a Bracha of Le’Haniach and Al Mitzvas Teffilin? Thanks!

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Can you have any objects in your coffin at burial?

Rabbi Yoel Lieberman

Question:

Without discussing the exact thing, I have something intensely, intensely personal that emotionally I really need for my mental well being to have with me when I am buried. Would this be a big problem at an Orthodox burial?

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