Questions (27)

Sometimes a quick exchange communicates more effectively, and more personally, than an article. Sometimes, just seeing that others share our questions can make us feel more connected. Our posted questions and answers are an opportunity to learn from each other. Keep in mind that each questioner’s situation may be unique, in ways that affect the halachah. Even the tone of a question can affect the tone of an answer.
Question
Leaving out hair in a bun
Whats the halachic basis for leaving out the hair tied up into a bun at the back with a mitpachat (scarf)?
Zimmun Text
Would you have the text for the Zimun for women? Is this a subject to which you could turn your attention in the near future? Thank you very much for your great work!
Keriat Shema al Ha-mita
is a woman obligated? If so or not so, what should she actually say?
Women's minyan
I would like more detail regarding women's minyan. What are reasons behind attending? leading the tefillah What is the halachah connected, and authorities who are for and against?
Line in Birkat Ha-mazon Seems Strange for Women
Hi - I've always wondered how women can say the following line in benching: "al brischa shechasamta bevsarenu" - on the covenant that you circumcised on our flesh. Obviously this is not relevant for women, why is this included in our benching as well...
Tefilla Be-tzibbur for Women
What is your conceptual understanding of the significance of Tefilla B'tzibbur for women, where women aren't technically part of that tzibbur?
Passing Torah to women
Can the Torah be passed into the women's section at shul?
Girls and an'im zemirot
Can girls lead an'im zemorot?
Women speaking after tefilla
Is it ok for a woman to stand next to the Aron Kodesh in shul and give a dvar torah , after tefillah has finished?
Woman makri'a shofar?
Can a woman be the one who tells the shofar blower in shul what to blow?
Imahot in Shmoneh Esrai
I would find it meaningful to add the imahot into the first beracha of my shemoneh esrai. Is that permissible?
Kippah Fall
Is using a kippah fall to cover one's hair supported by the sources?
Kaddish at bat mitzva siyyum
My daughter and I will be completing a masechet of Gemara and are planning to make a siyum at her bat mitzva celebration. There will be at least 10 male guests. After she says the hadran, should the Kaddish be recited and by whom?
Is there a כלי גבר issue with women carrying guns for self-defense purposes?
In a Rav Moshe Feinstein tshuva (אורח חיים חלק ד, סימן עה), he permits women living in yishuvim to carry pistols for self-defense purposes and because pistols are generally not used as כלי זין. Can one derive from that that pistols are never an issue...
If you get up at night to deal with children, do you have to wash your hands first?
Can I eat before davening in the morning?
Is there a make up prayer?
What should someone do if she misses praying?
What prayers can I say while I'm nursing?
Timing of Shema and Ha-mapil
When should I recite Shema and Ha-mapil if we are planning to be intimate?
Can roles switch for the three mitzvot?
You say being around more at home is a rationale for women's priority in the three mitzvot according to Rav Hai and Rambam. If that's true, and my husband is a stay-at-home dad, does he get priority lighting candles or separating challa?
Should a husband set up the candles for his wife?
What is the source for group hafrashat challa events?
You talk about complementary roles, but you don't say what they are?
Why quote difficult sources?
I had trouble with two of the sources here, the mishna and the midrash. You definitely made an effort to discuss the issues, but why quote them at all?
Why the Babylonian Talmud?
You said in your first article on studying Torah: "Since the Babylonian Talmud incorporates both scriptural passages and Oral Torah, Talmud study plays a central role in fulfilling the mitzva of talmud Torah." I see the source in Sanhedrin (and the T...
Why do women say birchot ha-Torah?
If women are exempt from the mitzva of learning Torah, why do we say birchot ha-Torah?
How do shifts in how Torah is transmitted affect women?
In the introduction, you say there's been a change in the transmission of Torah. There's less reliance on custom and community and more on texts. What are some examples of how this affects women?