Ask The Rabbi

Facebook Youtube

Ask The Rabbi

Facebook Youtube

category:  Jewish Law

Counting Jews

The Rav Name: Rabbis of the Da’at Institute
  • Question

Is there a problem with counting Jews according to number, e.g., one, two, three, etc.?

  • Answer
The Magen Avraham states that it is forbidden to count Jews, even if you didn’t mean to count, but were casting lots, and even for a matter concerning a mitzvah. It became common practice to count Jews by the words of a verse from the Torah, e.g., “Hoshiah et Amecha …” and other verses from the Torah which provide protection against the evil eye.

Sources

פסקי תשובות ח”ב ע’ שכט


DAAT CENTER - JUDAISM IN THE LIGHT OF KABALA AND CHASSIDUS

DAAT coordinators offer assistance and guidance based on Torah and Chassidut in halachic, motivational and family matters to rabbis, leaders and to individuals. The rabbis at DAAT provide answers that appear on this site. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. Fill in the attached questionnaire and you will receive an answer by email as soon as possible.

שו"ת

Facebook Youtube

Our friends

CREATED BY JEWTECH