Rabbi Aaron Tendler
95 answers
Rabbi Aaron Tendler serves on the faculty of the Ner Israel Rabbinical College and is the Rabbi of the Etz Chaim Center of Valley Village, in Owings Mills, MD.
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Garment Torn in Mourning
The ribbon that is torn and pinned on apparel on the left for children and the right for spouse. What is the significance? Thank you for your question. According to Jewish tradition, a person is supposed to tear their outer…
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Conversion for Children
I’m married to a non-Jew. She is in the process of converting. We just had a baby about 2 months a go. How does a nonJewish baby convert to Judaism? Can the baby become Jewish in anyway before the mother…
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Torah Service Without a Torah Scroll
In my synagogue we do not have a Torah Scroll.Can we conduct Torah services with a book that has the Torah in it? Thank you for your question. This exact situation is discused in the Kitzur Shulchan Oruch/ Concise Code…
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Unveiling the Gravestone
Do you have any information you could e-mail me about a “do-it-yourself” unveiling? I am an unaffiliated Jew and am planning for the unveiling of my father’s. I did attend an unveiling a couple of years ago that was conducted…
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Cutting grapes
Is one permitted to cut grapes for children on a plate during shabbat? Thank you for your question. As long as you have no intention of using any juice that may squeeze out in the process of cutting, it is…
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Mamzer
If the child was conceived outside the framework of marriage and then the couple quickly married and the actual birth of the child took place several months into the marriage, is he considered a mamzer (bastard, illegitamate child)? Thank you…
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Sterilizing Pets
Are you allowed to have an animal fixed so it can’t have children? Thank you for your question. The prohibition to have an animal sterilized through removal of reproductive organs is stated in the Shulchan Oruch, Even HaEzer 5:11. Although…
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Placing Stones on the Tombstone
I am curious about the practice of placing stones on the gravestone of a deceased person. Would you please explain the origin and significance of this practice? Hi, and thank you for your question. I assume that you are referring…
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Pesach and Chag HaMatzot
When did Pesach and Chag Matzoht become seperate? Did the Sanhindrin ordain it. When I read the Tanahk I only see Passover as the Sacrifice being slaughtered on the 14th between the evenings (bane haereveem) or in the afternoon just…