From: Dov Dear Rabbi, Assuming the Torah’s account of the Garden of Eden is literal, I’m wondering where the Garden was located, whether it exists anywhere in the world today, and if Mankind will ever return to the Garden. Dear Dov, While the Torah’s account of Creation, the Garden of Eden, and the story of[…]
From: Rachel Dear Rabbi, My question regards mistakenly continuing to pray for someone when that prayer is no longer relevant for that person. And I have two specific cases in mind: One involves continuing to daven for sick people after they have already passed. This can happen when people don’t update a list of cholim[…]
From: Elaine Dear Rabbi, Since from before I became observant about a year ago, I have been dating a really great guy. He’s intelligent, sensitive, considerate, attractive, and really everything I could ask for in a husband, except that he’s not religious. When we met, that was not a problem for me, but now it[…]
From: Pam Dear Rabbi, Why is the Hasmonean uprising against the Greeks viewed as a spiritual uprising rather than a military and political revolt of the oppressed against a foreign intruder? Dear Pam, The revolt of the Hasmoneans against the Greeks was not a typical revolt of the oppressed against their oppressor. This is because[…]
From: Rachel Dear Rabbi, Like many people, I am very troubled by the modern world’s extreme, exploitative consumption of the environment. And my concern is not just for the ideal of preserving nature, but practically, for the well-being of humanity. Because our rape and abuse of the environment clearly is boomeranging back to harm us,[…]
From: Julian Dear Rabbi, Was there any special reason why those specific individuals known as the Forefathers became the founders of the Jewish People? Was it something in their lineage or heritage? If so, why them and at that time, and not others at a different time? Or perhaps it was something in their specific[…]
From: Robin Dear Rabbi, What is the Oral Torah? Is it a part of the Torah, a commentary, a rabbinical addition, or something else? Dear Robin, In order to properly understand what the Oral Torah is and its relation to the Written Torah, it’s important to first say a few words about the Written Torah.[…]
From: Robin Dear Rabbi, I read with great interest your response to my question about the Oral Torah. Thank you very much for your clear explanation. Based on what you wrote, I have some follow-up questions, if I may. You wrote that G‑d taught the entire Torah to Moses orally during the forty days he[…]