From: Marta Dear Rabbi, Who were the Marranos? What does that term mean? Are there Marranos anywhere in the world nowadays? Are they considered to be Jewish? Dear Marta, The previous installment of this fascinating and unfortunate episode in Jewish History explored who the Marranos were and possible sources and meanings of the term. This[…]
From: Marta Dear Rabbi, Who were the Marranos? What does that term mean? Are there Marranos anywhere in the world nowadays? Are they considered to be Jewish? Dear Marta, This is one of the most fascinating and unfortunate episodes in Jewish History. Due to the complexity of the subject, I’ll address your questions in two[…]
From: Helen Dear Rabbi, Are the words and the speech of the righteous different or more powerful than that of ordinary people? Why would this be? Dear Helen, The Talmudic Sages taught (Brachot 6b), “A G‑d fearing person’s words are heard and accepted, as it is written (Ecc. 12:13), ‘In the end, all having been[…]
From: Adam Dear Rabbi, Is there any spiritual benefit to living in Eretz Yisrael nowadays when there is no Temple and no prophecy? Or is it the same as living in any other country? Dear Adam, There are definitely spiritual benefits to living in the Land of Israel even after the Destruction and Exile, and[…]
From: Marcel Dear Rabbi, I have been involved in business for most of my life, and, thank G‑d, I have had blessing. I think people have considered me to be a good person, and a charitable Jew, as well as a good businessman. However, as I have gotten older, and am now retired, I feel[…]
From: Baruch Dear Rabbi, I have been thinking a lot about death lately. Thank G‑d, it’s not that I’m ill or anything. But one always hears about some tragedy or other and it’s hard not to take that to heart. And even more generally, I’m wondering if it’s correct to contemplate death, and maybe even[…]
From: Robert Dear Rabbi, Is there any significance in praying regularly in the same shul? What would be the criteria? And what about within the shul itself – is there anything special about davening in the same place? If so, how is this regulated in practice? Dear Robert, It is very important to try to[…]
From: Jacob Dear Rabbi, I am in my early 20’s, have graduated college from a school in a big city where I became interested in my Judaism, but have now returned to my small hometown where there is very little Jewishness. My question is how I can maintain a Jewish lifestyle when there aren’t any[…]