David Sedley
48 answers
I live in Jerusalem with my wife and children. I was formerly the Rabbi of BHH Shul in Leeds (England), and before that of EHC in Edinburgh (Scotland). I currently teach Halacha and Gemara at both Midreshet Rachel and Darche Noam Yeshiva. You can look at some of my other shiurim on my website www.rabbisedley.blogspot.com or my parsha blog www.parshatshavua.blogspot.com
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Laws of Money and Clothing
In what way are money and clothes kosher? what are the laws concerning money and clothes? Answer: You are asking a very good question, about a topic that many people don’t know. The Torah forbids us to wear clothes made…
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The Evolution of Jewish Law
Can I have an introduction to the great works of Halachah (Jewish Law) and their authors. For example Mishneh Torah, Tur, Shulchan Aruch, and Mishnah Berurah? Answer: Moshe received the Torah at Sinai, both the Written Law and the Oral…
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Why did Lot go to Sodom?
If Abraham knew that Sodom was such a bad place why did he allow his nephew Lot to go there? Also why is it that the Torah uses such a phrase as “separate from me” instead of just go that…
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Visiting the Western Wall
I am Oleh Chadash (new immigrant to Israel) and am going to visit Jerusalem and the Kotel (the Western Wall). I have a standard Sephardic prayerbook and a Tehillim (Book of Psalms) – what are the prayers that should be…
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Influencing the World
I was speaking to someone who knows Matisyahu, a Hasidic performer. One thing he remembers Matisyahu showing him is somewhere in the Torah where it says “do not let the world influence you, but let the world be influenced by…
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Shavuot, Simchat Torah & the Torah Reading Cycle
Since Shavuout celebrates the giving of the Law, why isn’t the cycle of Torah celebrated at Shavuot, rather than at Simchat Torah (the special holiday at the culmination of the Succot holiday)? Answer:Â Thank you for your question. It is an…
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Pronouncing the Name of G-d
Why do we say “Ado-noi” instead of pronouncing the name of G-d as it is spelled – Yud- Hey-Vav and Hey. Is it written anywhere that we should not say G d’s actual name? Answer: Thank you for a great…
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Cheating on Exams
According to Jewish laws can somebody cheat on exams or not? Answer: According to Jewish law it is completely forbidden to cheat on exams. In Exodus 23:7 the verse states “Keep away from anything false.” It is also never sensible…
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Funeral in Synagogue
Is it permissible to conduct a funeral with a casket in an Orthodox synagogue? Answer: You would have to ask your local, Orthodox Rabbi about this question, because without his approval it would certainly not be possible. In general, only…