From: Joel Dear Rabbi, Since so many years elapsed between when G‑d gave the Torah at Sinai and when the Oral Torah was later written down, how do we know that the Talmud is an accurate account of what G‑d originally taught Moses? Dear Joel, You are right that a lot of time elapsed between[…]
From: Misha Dear Rabbi, It’s my understanding that according to Judaism, everything has a potential good side and bad side. Could you elaborate on what might be both the good and bad sides of both memory and forgetfulness? Dear Misha, This is a very unique and interesting question. I don’t remember ever being asked this[…]
Step-Relations From: Steven Dear Rabbi, I have several questions about step-relations. Is one halachically allowed to attend the marriage between a parent and step-parent to be? I’ve heard it’s forbidden for the children to attend the wedding. Is there any basis for this? May a bar mitzva be called to the Torah as the son[…]
From: Melissa Dear Rabbi, I know it’s a mitzvah to build the succah, which in our home the men and boys usually do, but it’s usually the women and girls who do the decorating. Is the decorating of the succah also a mitzva? Dear Melissa, Decorating the succah is definitely a very important part of[…]
From: Leon Dear Rabbi, The shofar is blown on Rosh Hashana in order to recall our merits before G‑d on the Day of Judgment. In fact, I think it’s blown something like 100 times. But why is the shofar blown on Yom Kippur? Or more accurately, why is it blown after the “Neila” service, once[…]
From: Paul Dear Rabbi, The shemita year is approaching and I was wondering whether that affects those who live outside of the Land of Israel in any way? Dear Paul, The shemita year, which is the 7th year of the agricultural cycle, or Sabbatical year, in which Jewishly owned fields and orchards in the Land[…]
From: Liana Dear Rabbi, I see the astrological sign for Tishrei is Libra. Would you please explain the significance of this and if it has anything to do with the month itself? Thanks. Dear Liana, You are correct, and Libra in Hebrew is “moznayim” which mean balancing scales and it has everything to do with[…]
From: Frederick Dear Rabbi, I have heard a claim that the Palestinians are descendants of original inhabitants of Israel that pre-dated even the Israelites. Is there any truth to that or any indication one way or the other according to Jewish sources? Dear Frederick, This is a common misconception and worth clarifying. The Philistines were[…]