From: Andrew in Paris Dear Rabbi, I am studying abroad this year and will be observing Passover for the first time without my family. I seem to remember something about first-borns fasting on the day before the holiday. Do I have to do this if I’m not in my parents’ home? Thanks. Dear Andrew, It[…]
From: Alicia in New Haven Dear Rabbi, If we clean the house of chametz before Passover, and then particularly the day before the holiday, why do we then hide pieces of chametz around the house before checking that night. Doesn’t that seem to defeat the purpose? Dear Alicia, On a strictly practical level, once we’ve[…]
From: Uriel Dear Rabbi, I seem to remember something in the Torah about Jews not being allowed to return to Egypt. It occurred to me that if this is true, how were Jewish communities living there for so many years, including great rabbis? Wasn’t Rambam also from Egypt? Thanks for explaining this. Dear Uriel, Your[…]
From: Pamela in Orlando, FL Dear Rabbi, Why is it necessary to read the whole Megilla year after year? Dear Pamela, Every year we read the whole Megilla, twice – Purim night and then again by day. Year after year, it’s the same old story, right? Well, almost right. According to the Jewish mystical tradition[…]
From: Confidential Dear Rabbi, What does Judaism have to say about recreational drug usage? I know that Judaism prohibits putting anything harmful into the body, but what about certain drugs that do not hurt the body? Is altering one’s state of consciousness OK or not OK from a Jewish standpoint? Dear Confidential, Your question was[…]
From: Alli Allen in Atlanta, Georgia Dear Rabbi, I very much enjoy your weekly emails and would appreciate getting your opinion on an idea that my family is considering. For some background information: My mother was born in Germany and escaped when she was 9 years old with her parents one week before Kristallnacht. Unfortunately,[…]
From: Ariel in NY Dear Rabbi, Tu b’shevat is coming and it has always had a special place in my heart, thanking G‑d for fruits and trees. But I realize that I don’t know much about the spiritual side of the day. I know that it is the “Rosh Hashana” for trees, but this seems[…]
From: S. in Israel Dear Rabbi, I volunteer in a used clothing center (“gemach”) open in the mornings. There is one woman who comes in every week with a very strong smell of garlic. Since we are in a basement and don’t have adequate ventilation, it is very disturbing to all present. We sometimes spray[…]