G‑d-like

From: Emily Dear Rabbi, I am having trouble with the concept that G‑d created Mankind in His image and likeness. Does G‑d have an image such that man’s could be compared to it? Can we truly understand G‑d in any way such that man could be considered like Him? What’s more, the Hebrew used in[…]

A Standing Question

From: David Walles Dear Rabbi, I have a question that recently had practical implications. We were sitting in a restaurant and some older people walked in as they had a booking. The restaurant management confused the booking and it turns out that there was no space for them to be seated. They were angry that[…]

Pushy Prayer

From: Reuven Dear Rabbi, If a man is desperate to marry a woman, even if she is married, is he is allowed to pray to marry her at some point in the future, since he cannot bear to live his life without her? Since he wouldn’t be physically or forcefully taking what is not his[…]

Old Friends

From: Andy Dear Rabbi, I have decided to become observant. But I also enjoy the friends I have and the things we do. Is there any problem with still being with them even if they are doing things that aren’t good as long as I don’t do them myself? Dear Andy, It’s great that you’ve[…]

Song of the Angels

From: Matt Dear Rabbi, On Yom Kippur, why do we have the custom of saying the phrase recited after the “Shema” out loud when we usually recite it in a whisper? Or why do we usually say it in a whisper if on Yom Kippur we say it out loud? Dear Matt, When reciting the[…]

Judgment

From: Melanie Dear Rabbi, Why is Rosh Hashana considered the Day of Judgment and what exactly is being judged and how? Dear Melanie, Rosh Hashana was ordained as a day of judgment for two reasons: The first is that on this day, the first day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei, the creation of the[…]

Circular Teshuva

From: Robert Dear Rabbi, If a person does something wrong then regrets it, accepting upon himself not to do it again, and then later does the same thing again, over and over, repenting then transgressing, does that help at all? Is there any purpose after a certain point of even repenting? Dear Robert, Our Sages[…]

Geniza

From: Alice Dear Rabbi, It is not clear to me why old prayer books and other such works cannot be thrown away once they’re no longer fit for use. I can understand why as long as they’re being used they should be treated with respect given their purpose, but once that’s no longer the case,[…]