Searching For A Halachic Measurements Chart
In the process of learning Mishnayos, I have realized that it would be nice to have a chart converting halachic measurements to a unit of measure I am familiar with. Since I am an American who was horrible in math and science, I highly prefer not to use the metric system. Does anyone know where I can find a chart that has the halachic measurements according to Rabbi Avraham Chaim No'eh converted into English units of measure? I have started compiling a chart on my own, however, I would rather not reinvent the wheel.
UPDATE:
Here is an example from the chart I am putting together:
14 Comments:
Metric system is more straightforward than English one. Even in England they already switched to it! Until now I can't get used to inches, gallons and etc. I always use centimeters, liters and etc.
About what chasidim use for measurements - I'm not sure. Probably R' Chaim Noe is a popular shita, however there can be variations.
(I think even in Canada they use metric system already).
I saw a chart distributed freely with both systems used. I might scan it when I have time and put it on-line.
such a chart would be very usefull....but nowadays dont we just do everything accordnig to the chazon ish anyway because he was more machmir? :-)
A Yid: Thanks. I don't intend to debate the merits of the metric system over the English system since my mind just doesn't operate in the metric system.
As I mentioned in an e-mail correspondence with Dixie Yid, I don't know much at all about the different opinions on halachic measurements. All I know is that I have heard numerous people I respect say they go by Rav No'eh. So, this is good enough for me. Much of this measurement stuff is way over my head, and I am now attempting to make sense of it by putting it in a unit of measure that I know. (i.e. don't tell me how many amos it is, tell me how many feet it is…)
If I am not able to find such a chart, I will put one together and post the .pdf here on my site for others benefit as well.
Re. Rav Chaim Noeh's shiurim, I believe that his shittos are widely followed, not only in Chabad but in Eretz Yisrael (where he was a prominent Rov).
However different communities have different mesorahs etc. in this area. Most American Jews probably follow Reb Moshe Feinstein's views on various shiurim. Hungarian communities follow their rabbonim (esp. Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, whose influence extends far and wide -- although I don't know about the inyan of shiurim per se). From what I have seen, the shiurim of the Chazon Ish are regarded as chumros by most people. But I have not taken a survey!
Personally, I spent five of my formative years in Chabad, and feel a certain affinity with Rav Chaim Noeh.
Why not various digital measuring tools that we can calibrate to follow a particular shita by pushing a button?
Good idea, however, are they available?
I doubt it.
"And, if not now, when?"
There was at one time a halachic chart program for the Palm systems.
just in case you didn't know..
google freely converts between english and metric units.. if you have a chart w/ metric units, you can simply google "2.3 meters in feet" and it will convert it for you.
(that's how i translated my son's height/weight for my family in chutz la'aretz when he was born..)
Thanks
Dear Yid,
Your chart is great! One thing to consider is that precious metals are measured in Troy weights (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troy_weight), so for example, 400 Shekel would equal 10.3 troy pounds.
Given the fact that my mind doesn't work in troy pounds, I don't think I will. Thanks anyways for the suggestion and your kind words about the chart.
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