From: Anna Dear Rabbi, Would you please elaborate on the mitzva of rejoicing on Succot? Dear Anna, When the Temple stood, there was a special ceremony of rejoicing called “simchat beit hashoeva” which was associated with the drawing of water for the purpose of the special Succot water-libation and involved dancing by firelight throughout the[…]
From: Mattis Dear Rabbi, Nobody’s perfect, but as people get older they get better. Why repent when we’re young and we’re still likely to do wrong? Wouldn’t it be better to wait till we’re older and naturally stop transgressing? Dear Mattis, This reasoning may seem sound, but it’s totally wrong. Firstly, nobody knows when they’ll[…]
From: Phillip Dear Rabbi, There is clearly a lot of trepidation and enthusiasm surrounding the “U’netane Tokef” liturgy in the Rosh Hashana prayer service. I’m wondering what it means and why it seems to be treated with extra special reverence. Dear Phillip, Indeed the U’netane tokef prayer is considered to be one of the more[…]
From: Russell Dear Rabbi, I have an interesting history. I was raised as a non-Jew. For all I knew, my entire family, from as far back as anyone knew, was a non-Jewish family. At some point, through a series of events which were so strange I can’t even describe them, I found out that my[…]
From: Saul Dear Rabbi, Are children punished for the sins of their parents? If not, then why are we, the children of Adam and Eve, punished for the sin of the forbidden fruit. They were banished from Gan Eden – Adam was punished to toil to earn his bread and Eve was punished to bear[…]
From: Carrie Dear Rabbi, Thank G‑d we are witnessing in our days a great rebuilding of our People and Homeland. Yet, it seems that most of our Holy places are still in ruin or occupied by others. How are we to relate to this “ruin” and why is it continuing? Dear Carrie, Regarding one who[…]
From: Miriam Dear Rabbi, I am single, have never been married, and am searching for what I believe to be the man who is my soulmate. My question is, from a Jewish perspective, is there anything I can do to help make that happen and how would I know when he comes along? Dear Miriam,[…]
From: Megan Dear Rabbi, I don’t understand this concept of working on myself to make myself better, a different person than I am. I like who I am, what I am. As the song goes, “I was born this way!” Or in rabbi talk, “G‑d made me as I am”. If so, why should I[…]