From: Guy Dear Rabbi, Hi. I am a university student researching the mezuza. Can you please send me information on its history, and its potential use as an amulet. Thanks. Dear Guy, When you ask about the history of the mezuza, you are probably asking about its origin. If so, the answer is that the[…]
From: Marsha Dear Rabbi, Would you please fill me in on the significance of the four cups at the Passover Seder? Dear Marsha, It is a mitzva to drink four cups of wine during the Seder at specific points in the Haggada: One for kiddush, one for the mitzva of haggada (the retelling of the[…]
From: Mark Dear Rabbi, I would say I’m from a religious family, probably modern Orthodox. There was a time that I strayed away from observance, but now I’m heading back. I’ve started going to classes at a baal teshuva yeshiva where I’ve had problems with a rabbi of one of the classes. I don’t find[…]
From: Jeremy Dear Rabbi, I had a distant, elderly relative from my father’s side who I met once as a child and then once again as a young adult. The last time I remember thinking about her was when my father told me she passed away which was many years ago. Recently, I had two[…]
From: Jake Dear Rabbi, I seem to recall that Purim is connected in some way to another holiday, maybe like Yom Kippur? Is that possible? If so, how? Sorry for the ignorance but I mentioned this to a friend of mine and he said that a holiday from the Torah like Yom Kippur can’t be[…]
From: Sandra Dear Rabbi, As a Jew, I find the beliefs, morals and customs of Judaism meaningful and generally relevant. However, what I find hard to accept are the many laws which are so hard to keep and intrusive. Why does it have to be this way? Dear Sandra, It is very nice that you[…]
From: Mike Dear Rabbi, I understand that we’re supposed to compliment the bride to the groom by telling him how pretty and pious she is. I have two questions regarding this. Should we be looking at her in the first place such that we know that she’s pretty (particularly if she is)? And what if[…]
From: Allison Dear Rabbi, I need to give my daughter a Hebrew name. Someone I know said not only must the name be Hebrew but it must be Jewish as well. So on all these baby name websites that show Hebrew names for girls, many of them I like, he said I cannot use because[…]