The Jewish Legal System
- Business Law
- Criminal Law
- Laws of Damages
- Marriage Laws
- The Jewish King
- The Sanhedrin and the Rabbis
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Marriage Ceremony
Can you please give me some background information, and an overview, of the Jewish marriage ceremony? According to Jewish Tradition, before the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai, once a man and woman decided to get married, moved into…
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Polygamy for Men, But Not for Women
Why is it that in the Jewish history, a man was allowed to marry a few wives (e.g. our Patriach Jacob), and the women were severely punished if they had committed adultery? I am not saying that adultery is right,…
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Usury
It is clearly one of the commandments not to lend money at interest. If so, why are so many Jews in the money business? You are absolutely correct that it is forbidden by the Torah to lend money for interest.…
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Misleading Conduct?
My congregation is engaged in a search for an Assistant Rabbi. The synagogue has lost a lot of money over the past year, and the President knows that it is most unlikely that we will, in fact, engage anyone to…
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The Rabin Assasination and Jewish Law
I have read that there are those who believe that the killing of the former Israeli Prime Minister (Mr. Yitzchak Rabin) was justified because he was in the category of a “Rodef” (i.e. a “pursuer” – someone whom it is…
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Hassidim and Traditions
What is a tradition of Hasidic Jews? Here’s an example: A tradition of some Hassidic groups is for men to wear a “Streimel”, which is a particular type of fur hat, on festive occasions. It’s important to understand that all…
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Overview of Jewish Practice
I am a Jew from Turkey who is very interested in the Jewish traditions and their place in our lives. Yet, all I know about is the Kiddush and lighting candles on the Sabbath. Due to living in diaspora I…
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Price Gouging
How does Jewish law approach the issue of price gouging? Thank you for your question. Jewish law has a concept called Ona’ah, which basically means taking financial advantage of your customer. If someone engages in a transaction with you, they…
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Virginity and Marriage
I was wondering what role does virginity play in Judaism, and why, if it does at all, it plays such an important role? The answer to your question depends on how you define “roleâ€?: does one’s lack of virginity automatically…