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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Thursday Haircut
Is it permitted to get a haircut on Thursdays? Answer: I believe that some of the commentaries on the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 260) say that one should not have a haircut on Thursday; rather, the haircut should only be…
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“Turning the Other Cheek”
What does Judaism teach about forgiving others for wrongs done to you? Is one expected to endure repeated hateful actions and to forgive endlessly? According to Jewish teachings, is it wrong to terminate a relationship with a sibling who repeatedly…
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Requirements to Lead Prayers
What are the requirements to be a proper baal tefila (leader of prayer services / cantor), and can you provide the sources for your answer? Thanks! Answer: The main requirement for someone to lead the services is that he should…
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Washing hands of the Kohen
Before duchaning (the priestly blessings in synagogue), the Levites pour water on the hands of the kohanim. Who should pour the water if there is no Levite present? Should the kohen do this by himself? If there is more than…
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A Jewish Perspective on Dealing with Infertility
I am trying to get pregnant. Do you have any advice or resources for me? Answer: I’m sorry that it has taken me so long to reply to your e-mail. I was very moved by your question, and wanted to…
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DNA Testing and Praying for Gender of Fetus
I know that you are allowed to pray for a baby to be either a boy or a girl up to 40 days from the moment of conception. It is true that the physical characteristics of the sex of the…
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Funeral on Purim
Can you do a funeral on Purim? Answer: According to the Talmud in tractate megilla, not only must one perform a funeral on Purim, but it even takes precedence over reading the Megillas Esther (or hearing it). However, eulogies are…
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Religious Marriage after Civil Ceremony
If we have already married with a standard civil ceremony, can we have a Jewish ceremony as well? Yes, absolutely. Provided you are both Jewish and free to marry each other according to Halacha, you may (and should!) also have…