"Yael and Schwab dig into one of the most fascinating artifacts of #Jewish antiquity: the #Babylonian incantation bowls. These 5th–6th century earthenware bowls, found primarily in modern-day #Iraq, were used by #Jews—and their neighbors—as #magical #amulets to ward off #demons, secure love, boost fertility, and protect homes. The conversation explores how these artifacts reflect the everyday concerns of Jews in late antiquity, how they blur the line between #halacha and #magic, and what they reveal about cultural exchange across ancient religions. Whether you’re into Jewish magic, #rabbinic #history, or just want to know how to trap a #demon in your cereal bowl, this episode has you covered."

https://unpacked.media/buried-secrets-jewish-magic-demons-and-the-babylonian-incantation-bowls/

By the way, do chareidi Jews who don't hold by Yom Hashoah but also not by the rabbanut with its Asara BeTeves for Kaddish for those whose yahrtzeyt is unknown and/or have no surviving children to say kaddish, do these have another way to have kaddish said for those whose died like this al kiddush hashem?

#halacha #chareidi

A #halacha question to ponder: Is the flower of the oat plant kosher for Passover, if, for example, brewed as a tisane and drunk?

(I have my own answer, but I'm very curious to hear other opinions!)

#Passover #Pesach #kosher #BoostsWelcome

The Stubborn Subversiveness of Judaism’s #Matrilineal Principle – @DrReutYaelPaz über die Gefahren, die Schönheit und die Zukunftsaussichten der mütterlichen Rechtspersönlichkeit: https://bit.ly/3CXyqdD #Judentum #Vaterjuden #Halacha #Religionsrecht (via @Verfassungsblog)

The Stubborn Subversiveness of...

It's lovely to find that Deracheha ~ an initiative of Yeshivat Har Etzion ~ is posting online their free 'Parent-Daughter #BatMitzvah Guide,' based on "the #halachic presumption (chazaka) that the young person has developed the appropriate signs of maturity..."

You can find the resources and download the guide here ~ https://www.deracheha.org/bat-mitzva/

#halacha #Halachah #modernorthodox

Bits of #halacha that might be less well known

- We can take on Shabbos (talking about taking on via candle lighting, in orthodox practice, for women) not before Plag Hamincha (a certain time depending on seasons, see "zmanim" for your place online or in apps or a zmanim calendar) until the time dubbed "candle lighting" (often 18 minutes before sunset).

Important halachic question: What about the bracha for counting the Omer if someone converts or becomes bnei mitzvah during the Sefira period?

#halacha #halakha

This is a really interesting piece about the Yom Tov Sheni Shel Galuyot (2nd day of a festival in the #diaspora), particularly if you’re interested in #Halacha.
#Judaism #Pesach #Jewish

https://jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com/the-extra-day-that-need-not-be/

Can someone tell me why body piercing and tattooing is against Halacha but pierced ears for women is not.#halacha #jewish

#Israel / Head of Israeli Yeshiva: according to the Halacha, all residents of Gaza should be killed, including elderly and babies; IDF standing orders take precedence

The head of a “Yeshivat Hesder” [a program which combines advanced #Talmudic studies with military service] in Jaffa, whose students serve in the #IDF after their studies there, said at a conference that took place yesterday (Thursday) that according to the Halachic principle, all residents of #Gaza should be killed. When asked specifically about elderly people and babies, he answered: "The same."

[Hebrew] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_VEKUNqIn4 or https://yewti.be/watch?v=g_VEKUNqIn4

@israel
@palestine
#Israel #WarCrimes
#JewishHalach
#Talmud
#Halacha
#Genocide

Dear Avigal,
We offended the husband of my wife's best friend by not allowing him to participate via Zoom in our Passover Seder last year. When I saw him recently I sympathized with his desire to be with his family who were visiting us and I assured him that it was nothing personal - others had asked for this in the past, and we said the same.

He is brogas. Never wants to speak to us again. Says we don't understand that family togetherness is the whole megila, the highest value, etc.

I apologized again for the hurt that this exclusion caused him, but said that this is our policy and it was nothing personal.

I can't apologize for what we did, because we'd do it again. I can only apologize for the fact that what we did caused him such pain and invite him to be with us in person in the future.

Now he's in town and pointedly not visiting us. On one hand, fine! Grow up!

But do I have an obligation to continue to apologize? And for what?

#jewish #tshuva #apology #halacha

Rambam at the end of Hilchos Talmud Torah rules that a talmid chacham is not allowed to forgo his honour when it is challenged in public - he must pronounce "nidui" (a harsh punishment) on the one who belittled him, because his honour is the honour of the Torah.

https://www.sefaria.org.il/Mishneh_Torah%2C_Torah_Study.7.13?lang=he&with=all&lang2=he

Now, what would Rambam rule in a case where the belittler - for whatever reason - was unable to control his speech, and involuntarily blurtted out an insult?

#torah #halacha #rambam

Me breaking kosher.chat 's #AI.

I'm sure that last error message wasn't supposed to be seen on production by many people.

After basically making a little mini-case for #samesexmarriage (which I was not expecting) and relationships, I decided to press it on the oral sex thing and, well, yeah.

I'm referring specifically to early 20th century responsa on Even ha'Ezer, the 3rd volume in the Code of #Jewish Law, but I'm CERTAIN that they're not including that.

#torah #judaism #lgbtjews #halacha

You might have thought it "got better" for #LGBTQ Orthodox Jews.

Actually...

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/18/opinion/conversion-therapy-queer-orthodox-jewish.html

#JewishEducation #jewish #halacha

The teshuvot for trans-inclusive Judaism are really interesting.

(Of course I immediately clicked on the circumcision and conversion one)

https://svara.org/twc/

#Mazeldon #JoiningTheTribe #Halacha

The #Trans #Halacha Project

https://svara.org/trans-halakha-project/

#Mazeldon #Judaism #Jewdiverse

The #Trans #Halacha Project

https://svara.org/trans-halakha-project/

#Mazeldon #Judaism #Jewdiverse

Neat #halacha question: can #Jewish Mastodon help?

There's debate, I know, on whether it's kosher to pray from a #siddur #app. For those who say yes (w/distractions turned off), what is the status of the phone while doing so? Is it #kodesh (holy), like an actual siddur is, meaning if you touch something that isn't you have to wash your hands before proceeding? Or is it just a phone, and only the app has special status? Got #sources? Answers here good, there even better!

https://judaism.codidact.com/posts/287967

This was quite interesting.

I’m too tired to look it all up now but I have two basic questions. Maybe someone can help me?:

1. Who decides/how are the rabbis who make #Halacha decisions in Conservative Judaism selected (elected?). How does this fit with the history of rabbinic #Judaism?

2. Reform Judaism’s Responsa are similarly given by a selected/elected body? What’s the process?

https://reformjudaism.org/rise-reform-rabbinate-rabbinic-road-out-wilderness

#ReformJudaism #ConservativeJudaism #Mazeldon