From: Stuart Dear Rabbi, Is it possible nowadays to gain understanding in Torah as the Jews did when they received the Torah at Sinai? Or is that something particular to that generation alone? Dear Stuart, It is nearly impossible for most people to attain the level of Torah understanding as those of the generation in[…]
From: Benny Dear Rabbi, There’s a person who has been coming to our shul of late who is a normal, nice guy. He is clearly not a beginner to yiddishkeit, however he has a peculiar way of pronouncing his blessings which mixes the different customs of pronunciation between Ashkenazi, Sefardi and Israeli. This is most[…]
From: C. Dear Rabbi, I am compelled to ask a question about my mother. She has been a person who during her lifetime has had periods of depression. As a child, I remember when her father had a heart attack and I was about 6 years old, she went through a severe depression that scared[…]
From: Regina Dear Rabbi, I am interested in learning about the Wailing or Western Wall. Can you explain to me how this sacred place began (history) and how it has evolved over the years? My teacher is teaching us this subject in my Jewish religion class. However, I want to learn more by asking you.[…]
From: Name Withheld Dear Rabbi, I would like to know how to be happy in marriage. What are the things that a wife should do to make her husband happy? I thought that cooking nice meals, having a nice Shabbat table, caring for the sleep/good rest of one another was a way to express love.[…]
From: Jerry Dear Rabbi, Does the concept of a halo or aura around a person appear in Judaism? Dear Jerry, The answer is yes. In Jewish mystical sources the Hebrew terms are “hila” (emanation of light) and “ohr hamakif” (surrounding/enveloping light). It’s very interesting, in fact, that the English terms for these concepts are nearly[…]
From: Matthew Dear Rabbi, Why do the traditional sources seem to downplay the military aspect of Chanuka and focus more on the theme of oil and light? Dear Matthew, Clearly, one of the main reasons for establishing Chanuka as a festival for all Jews in all generations was to commemorate the miraculous military victory of[…]
Based on a real-life correspondence published with permission from the questioner. From: Jonathan in MA Dear Rabbi, My mom suffers from diabetes and it has now destroyed her kidneys. The tests have been done and I am an excellent match to donate my kidney to her, but someone told me that it was against the[…]