Fish Heads and Black Cats – Superstition and the Jewish Tradition
$75.00
Men have forever clung to non-rational practices to ensure their safety and success. But the Torah requires faith in G-d and avoidance of divination and the like. Where is the line between prohibited and permissible divinations or superstitions? Does a Torah-true lifestyle include its own Omens, good signs and practices which are permitted and even encouraged? What is the background of many of our more well-known Segulos?
Related: It’s Written in the Stars: The Jewish Approach to Astrology, Zodiac and the Horoscopes
and Bones and Broomsticks: Sorcery in the Torah
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עם הנבחר מתייחד בתכונותיו של רחמנות וגמילות חסד. אלא שלפעמים מתווצר גם מצב הנותן משום לשאלה: האם אפשר לכוף את העשיר לנדב מהונו לצדקה? או שמא אינו תלוי אלא בנדיבות לב של כל אחד ואחד? על מצות הצדקה ותנאיה.
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In 1903 professor Simon Newcomb argued that human flight was a “mathematical impossibility,” but that same year, the Wright Brothers successfully launched the first powered airplane.
Having your travel route shortened and arriving at your destination almost momentarily is known in Biblical terms as Kefitzas Ha-derech. It may be “naturally impossible,” but miracles do happen! From Avraham to the Baal Shem Tov, some of our greatest heroes experienced this firsthand.
Read this paper to explore this fantastic feat, its history and halachic ramifications. Have a safe trip!
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Submitted by a Shliach in Florida
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מקדמת דנא מסורת ההלכה היהודית לקבות את המת בקרקע דוקא. אלא שחדשים מקרוב באו למצוא סמך והיתר למנהג הגויים לשרוף את המת. מאמר תגובה ומסכם על חומרת איסור שריפת גוף המת. כי קבור תקברנו.
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May non-Jews participate in personal and communal performance of mitzvos? What must we be aware of when working with intermarried families? A look at how the people of the book share their birthright with the people of the world.
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Are there any scientific parallels to the Chassidic doctrine of Continuous Creation? Did either theory inspire the other? A deeper look at one of Chassidus’ defining beliefs.
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חקר אחר תקנות חז״ל מגלה כי בין היתר תיקנו גדולי ישראל לדורותיהם גם תקנות שונות לשיפור מצב הכלכלי של עם ישראל. על ׳תקנת השוק׳ במקורות חז״ל ודברי ימי ישראל.
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Where should a mezuzah go? An analysis of the Chabad approach, where the mezuzah is placed on the doorpost opposite the hinges.
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In recent decades, thousands of Jews have gravitated to the East in pursuit of spiritual enlightenment. More recently, several Eastern Practices have been secularized, popularized, and repackaged as physical and meditative exercises. Does this make them kosher? Which practices are problematic and should be avoided? And what was the Rebbe’s response to the popularization of Yoga and Transcendental Meditation back in the '70s?
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Submitted by a Shliach in New York
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עיון על רמת האחריות החלה על ישראל לפרנס גם את שאר עניי אומות העולם. דרכיה דרכי נועם.
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Many natural substances have psychoactive (mind-altering) properties that can significantly impact one’s mental state and affect one’s mood.
May an observant Jew avail himself of such stimulants? Is such recreation acceptable from a halachic standpoint, or does it contravene one’s Torah obligations? How would we judge actions taken while under the influence of drugs and alcohol?
See also: “The Drugs Debate” on the appropriate legislative attitude towards controlling the proliferation of potentially harmful substances.
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