Customs

Dear Rabbi, Every Friday night after at the Shabbat meal, we say the blessing on the challah and dip it in salt before taking a bite. I don't know how this tradition came to be. Please enlighten me. Thank you

When I came to synagogue on Shabbat, my makom hakavua was occupied by a visitor who was unfamiliar with the congregation. The only other seat in the vicinity that was vacant was the makom hakavua of man who is temporarily out sick. I sat there because the only other options were quite far from my makom hakavua. While I was sitting there, I felt bad about taking up a sick man’s place. He was hospitalized last week and is recuperating at home. He has already made a full recovery, but did not come in today as a precaution. Are there any issues with sitting in the makom hakavua of someone you know is absent due to illness?

Hi, I'm wondering if it is permitted to write one's name, last name or something similar on the inside cover of a religious book and if so is there a specific way one should do this? Thank you

Is it permitted to forgo wearing a yarmulke in public if one fears they could be a victim of antisemitism?

I have a stairway in my home, which has entrances on each side. One ascends a smaller, 3-stair set, passes into an entranceway (essentially a lintel perpendicular to the stair entrance.) then turns to ascend the stairs. Picture an arch with a stairway initiating from inside of it. Do both sides get a mezuzah? Thanks in advance!

are there traditional robes in the jewish tradition?

Was remez—citing part of a scripture and knowing the audience would understand the reference—used by teachers in the first-century Jewish community? If not, when did it come into use?