What’s the Truth about . . . Relocating a Sefer Torah?
Misconception: In order to temporarily relocate a sefer Torah, such as to a shivah house, halachah requires that it be read three times in its new location.
What’s the Truth about . . . Rashi Script?
Misconception:1 Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki [1040–1105 CE]) wrote his famed commentary using “Rashi script.” Fact: “Rashi script,” a script based on an earlier Sephardic cursive script, was used by the early printers (late fifteenth century) to distinguish Rashi’s commentary from the holier Biblical text. It has nothing to do with Rashi the person, who likely […]
What’s the Truth about . . . a Chatan and Kallah Not Seeing Each Other Before the Wedding?
Misconception: A bride and groom may not see each other during the week preceding their wedding. Fact: This is a widespread Ashkenazic practice with little basis in traditional sources. Background: In Ashkenazic1 circles, often a bride and groom do not see each other for a full week before their wedding, although they do speak by phone and […]