- Halacha
- General Questions
Torah Learning
Question
Shalom, I am in a bit of a dilema. I am S’fardi and I am looking to increase my Torah knowledge. There is no Torah teaching going on in my community so I have been searching for Torah teaching on the internet. All of the sites I have come across have been Ashkenazi. I have listened to some of the online shiurim and I am having problems understanding because of the different pronounciation. I know that we are all a part of Am Yisrael but I am concerned that I might loose some of my S’fardi minhagim. Is this a valid concern?
Answer
The most serious and pressing problem mentioned in your question is that you are living in a community with no Torah teaching. This probably means that there is no rabbi who can answer halachic questions on the spot. Often questions arise- as in the case of Shabbat observance or Family Purity- that cannot be put off. You should do what you can to rectify the situation.
You should be able to access Israeli sites with Spharadi pronunciations (it is not difficult to adjust to any pronunciation). If a situation arises where you suspect that the Spharadi custom differs from that of the Ashkenazim, this can usually be clarified by addressing a question to the rav giving the Shiur (why not check out the options on this site both in Hebrew and in English and see if any can be of help to you?).
Triming Beard
Rabbi Daniel Kirsch | Kislev 11, 5782

Bracha on Birth of Children
Various Rabbis | Tevet 26, 5773

The Passing-on of Gedolim HaDor
Rabbi Chaim Tabasky | 8 Kislev 5767

Weddings on yartzeit for a parent
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 22, 5772

Rabbi Jonathan Blass
Rabbi of Neve Tzuf and Rosh Kollel "Ratzon Yehuda".

Mikvah in Shidduchim
28 Tishrei 5763

Yizkor for a Ger
23 Tishrei 5763

MUST a Cohen Duchin?
28 Tishrei 5763

Calling In-Laws Name
16 Tishrei 5763
Jewelry for men
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | Adar 21, 5770

Vinegar and Davar Charif Soaking - Kavush
Rabbi David Sperling | Av 24, 5780

Bracha on water
Rabbi Elchanan Lewis | Cheshvan 16, 5769

Mezuzah for a Catholic Family?
Rabbi David Sperling | Nisan 15, 5779

Organization
Various Rabbis | Shevat 10, 5783
How to split expenses for a group event
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | Shevat 9, 5783
