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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Hiding the Afikomen
Why do whe hide part of the Matzah during the Seder? Thank you for your question. There are many answers given for this custom, ranging from the practical to the esoteric. The Artscroll Hagadah gives the following reasons: 1. We…
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Artificial Insemination
Is there a Talmudic reference to the topic of Artificial Insemination? Thank you very much for your question. Although I am not familiar with any explicit Talmudic reference to artificial insemination, there are a number of early Talmudic commentaries (11th…
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Risking Your Life
What does Jewish law have to say about risking one’s life? Thank you for your question. It isn’t clear whether you are referring to individuals taking risks privately, or to save the lives of others. Without a doubt, Jewish law…
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Salty Sabbath Soup
Are you allowed to add salt to your soup on Shabbat? If no, could you please explain why? Thank you for your question. It is permitted to add salt to your soup on Shabbat it it is in the bowl…
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Marriage at 16 Years
Can a man 31 years marry a girl who is just 16 years old? Yes, this is permitted as long as both parties freely consent to marriage and there is no secular law forbidding such a marriage. Rabbi Aaron Tendler
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Visitation of the Sick
It seems to me that visitation of the sick must not be as simple as I perceive it to be. Are there any guidelines in Jewish Law? Thank you for your question. There is actually an entire chapter in the…
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Position of the Bed
Someone told me that he’s been designing a house for a Jewish customer who specifically asked that his bed not be facing the bedroom’s front door. I never heard of such thing. Is there a law in regards to the…
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Mikvah (Ritual Immersion Pool)
Can a large outdoor swimming pool be considered a Kosher Mikvah? If not, why not? There are two types of Kosher Mikvahs, one is a standing pool of water (which is the actual literal translation of “Mikvah”), and the other…