Mitzvos (Commandments)
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Mixtures of Crops
What are the laws about mixtures of crops? Different kinds of food crops must not be planted in such a way that they grow mixed together (Yoreh Deah Sec.291). Grain or vegetables must not be planted next to grape vines…
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Genetic Engineering of Plants
Is genetic engineering of plants forbidden? According to many Rabbinical authorities, gene transplantation performed on plants, and hybridization of seeds, do not violate the Biblical injunctions against “mixing” plants (kilayim). This view is attributed to the late Rabbi S.Z.Auerbach in…
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Cannibalism
Does the Torah forbid cannibalism? The prohibition of cannibalism is implied by Deut.14:4-5. We can conclude from Gen.9:3 (see Gen.7:21) that cannibalism is also forbidden to Noahides. The Talmud (Chulin 92b) says that non-Jews accepted on themselves not to sell…
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Pork
Does the Torah regard pork as unhealthy? The Torah says nothing about pork being unhealthy, but the Talmud regards pigs as unusually dirty and diseased. "A pig is like a moving latrine" and "A pig's mouth is like moving excrement"…
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The Sabbatical Year
When does the Sabbatical Year occur? It occurs every seventh year, counting from the creation. For example, 5761 = 7×823 is a Sabbatical Year.
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Animal Tithes
When and how were animal tithes given? A general principle about tithes is that each year’s “crops” must be tithed separately. This is true for the animal tithe, just as it is for agricultural tithes. Thus there must be a…
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Challah
What is Challah? The word “Challah” in the Torah means “loaf” (of bread). In the Talmud, the word specifically refers to the dough-offering (Num.15:17-21).
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Women and TZITZIS
>Why don’t women wear TZITZIS? According to the Shulchan Aruch (17:2), women are allowed to wear TZITZIS. But the accepted ruling is that TZITZIS are regarded as men’s ornaments, and it is therefore not proper for women to wear them,…
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TZITZIS and the Commandments
How do the TZITZIS remind us of the Commandments? Each of the TZITZIS is composed of eight threads which are tied with five double knots. The numerical value of TZITZIS is 600; adding 8 (threads) and 5 (knots) gives 613,…