Definitions

Is there a "definitive" explanation about what does and doesn't need to be tested for Shatnez? I can't seem to get a consistent answer. Some I ask say that only certain suspect items need testing while others list a set of items that amounts to the majority of my wardrobe. What is the commonly followed halachic view of this matter? Does everything need to be tested when possible? Does a 100% cotton [etc.] tag matter? If I have multiple items from the same package, like socks or underwear, is it okay to test just one of them? Thank you and have a wonderful day and onward.

My female cousine who is gay and Jewish is in the process of removing her female body parts and get a male body part According to Jewish law after “remodeling” is she a man or a female and if a man can she/ he be called to the Torah in a Satie shul  

If the letter "Chet" means to separate and cut off, half, divide - and the meaning of the letter "Yud"| is worship, doesn’t their combination as the word "Chai" (which actually means "life") indicate “separate from worship”? I don’t see where they get "life" in this word. Please explain.

1 Chronicles 8:9: sons of Shacharayim with wife Chodesh Yud~Vav~Bet~Bet - Yowbab - "a desert" Tzaddi~Bet~Yud~Aleph Tsibya - "roe" Mem~Yud~Shin~Aleph Meysha - "freedom" Mem~Lamed~Kaf~Mem Malkam - "their great king" I see that the letters Vav~Aleph~Tav connect each of the names . What's significant about the Aleph~Tav ? Does Aleph~Tav clarify something? I've noticed in other passages of Scripture when naming descendants or persons, Aleph~Tav isn't used. Does Aleph~Tav denote a special relationship with G-d? Curious to know.

Hi Rabbi, I was wondering about how rabbis function in one regard.   A rabbi is allowed to "mater" (permit) things in matters of of Jewish law. Like once a rabbi told me I could eat fish at a non-kosher restaurant with my family (who are not observant). He said I should have the fish double wrapped when cooked. It was a pressing matter.   I was wondering, though, if a rabbi is allowed to "mater " and permit something for himself, or must he go to a different rabbi to get "matered" and permitted for him?

The letters Gimmel~Pei~Resh spell "gopher," which is the specified wood for Noah's ark. The letters Gimmel~Resh~Pei spell "garaph," which is a verb meaning to bear off violently or to sweep away. The letters Pei~Gimmel~Resh spell "peger," which is a dead body, a corpse It seems that "gopher" wood seems to signify peril and impending destruction. Rabbi: Are the "holy" letters that compose Hebrew words "Divine" harbingers? Thanks!

There are certain words that begin with Yud~Vav. When is Yud~Vav as YHVH? Yud~Vav~Aleph~Bet Yoav -- "YHVH is Father" Yud~Vav~Aleph~Chet as Yoach -- " YHVH is brother" Yud~Vav~Aleph~Lamed as Yoel -- " YHVH" is G-d " Yud~Vav~Aleph~Shin as Yoash -- " given by the Lord" (?) Yud~Vav~Bet as (I)Yov -- " persecuted " (?) When does letter Yud become "he"? Thanks for clarifying all this.

What does Judaism teach about where a Jew is before they are conceived?

Psalms 119:18: "Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold 'pala' (Pei~Lamed~Aleph) things in Thy law." Aleph declares His self in "pala." Indeed He is the "eye opener" so that we can see His "emeth" - Truth.