From: Jason in PA Dear Rabbi, Is there some connection between G‑d’s name and the mitzvot? I ask because I have seen a prayer often said before doing a mitzva which talks about unifying G‑d’s name through performing the mitzva. Dear Jason, The prayer you have seen is referring to the idea of “unifying” G‑d’s[…]
From: Ryan in Philadelphia Dear Rabbi, When I first started becoming religious I became aware of the difference between Ashkenazi and Sefardi Jewry. At first, it seemed strange to me that there should be differences among Orthodox Jews, but I have come to understand it in terms of the great geographical distance separating the communities[…]
From: Marsha in Australia Dear Rabbi, Is the familiar six-pointed star called the Star of David indeed associated with King David, or for that matter is it an original Jewish symbol at all? Dear Marsha, There is no mention of this symbol in the Torah or any of the Talmudic literature. In addition, unlike the[…]
From: Barry in Seattle Dear Rabbi, Why do we read the complete hallel for only the first day of Passover but not the rest of the holiday? I think this is different than on Chanuka when we read the complete hallel for the entire holiday. Weren’t the miracles that occurred regarding Passover greater than Chanuka?[…]
From: Charles in Melbourne Dear Rabbi, What is the fast of firstborns and why is it done? Dear Charles, It is customary for Jewish firstborns to fast during the day of the Eve of Passover. It commemorates the miracle that saved the Jewish firstborns from the plague that slew all the firstborns in Egypt the[…]
From: Hilary in Austin, TX Dear Rabbi, On Purim there are two mitzvot of giving: 1) to the poor and 2) to friends and acquaintances. I understand the first: to enable the needy to participate in and enjoy the holiday. I don’t understand the second. Why give to people who already have? For one, it[…]
From: Jake in Denver Dear Rabbi, Why can’t men wear earrings according to the Torah since we find that the Jewish men gave their earrings for the golden calf, and also the Torah says a Jewish slave should have his ear pierced? Don’t these sources suggest that in Torah times men wore earrings? Dear Jake,[…]
From: Binyomin Dear Rabbi, An 8th grade, 13-year-old boy asked me today why I accept what Rashi says in his commentary on Chumash. The 8th grader claims Rashi could be wrong. There were other commentators. He was not there, how does he know what really happened and why it happened. Here is my question: Why[…]