Passover
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Moses, Pharaoh and Egypt in the Hagada
Moses is mentioned only once, in passing, in the Hagadah. I have learned that the reason is that we want to emphasize that it was G-d who took us out of Egypt and not an emissary or an angel. However,…
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Lamb Blood on the Door Posts
Why is the blood of the lamb (and not the blood of any other animal) used to make the mark on the door posts of Jewish homes for the angel of death to pass over in the story of the…
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Talis for Women, Kitniyos, Diversity and Contradictions
I have become confused by what I see as contradictions in Jewish law. I’ve read some comments in the Talmud about women wearing a tallit (I do, personally as does my mother, though sometimes I wonder if I should). Some…
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When the 4 cups on Passover make you very ill
I have stomach problems which prevent me of drinking any grape products, either wine or juice even if diluted. This is especially true when it comes to such quantities as required on Pesach – 4 glasses and on 2 following…
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Historical Pharoah of the Exodus
Who was the historical Pharoah at the time of the Exodus? Was it possibly Tutankhamen? Answer: There are 2 schools of though regarding the Egyptian Pharaoh at the time. Some, based on the reference to the cities of Pithom and…
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The Binding of Isaac and the Seder
What is the connection (if any) between The Binding of Isaac (Akedat Yitzchak) and the Passover Seder? Answer: Thank you for your question. There are some connections between The Binding of Isaac and Passover, although not so directly. The Binding…
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Egyptian Neighbors
The Torah states that before departing from Egypt, God instructed that everyone borrow jewelry from their neighbor. How are the Egyptians referred to as ‘neighbors’? Were the Israelites by then mixed with Egyptians in their living arrangements? Answer: You ask…
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Joy on the Holiday
I heard that it is a custom for men to buy their wives and daughters cloths or jewelery and I’m wondering if there is an exact source for that? Answer: The Talmud says in the Tractate of Pesachim, page 109a,…
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Conflicting Customs Based on Locale
I am an Orthodox, Ashkenazi Jew. However, I find it hard to understand why, in certain cases, if an Ashkenazi is forbidden to act one way, it would be permitted for a Sefardi? For example, a Sefardi who consumes kitniyot…