From: Anonymous Dear Rabbi, I understand that the Torah prohibits certain specific physical contact between two men, and that other forms of physical intimacy between men are also forbidden as a result of this. In my mind this is similar to prohibited unions between men and women where a specific act is explicitly forbidden, and[…]
From: Yehudah Silver Dear Rabbi, I’d like to know if there are any Jewish origins to the symbol of a single snake wrapped around a single staff being used as a medical symbol. Although this is usually attributed to Greek gods, I’m wondering if they just copied something from us. I’m thinking of the event[…]
From: Alan in MA Dear Rabbi, I go to a small college with relatively few Jewish resources. While I am not yet fully observant, I am interested in Orthodoxy and read and listen to material that is taught and studied in Orthodox circles. When I talk with other students about what I’m learning, I find[…]
From: Zev Schwartz Dear Rabbi, Many Jews heap praises on America as being “A country where Jews can live free from daily fear of persecution; A country where the constitution protects us with freedom of speech, press and religion; The safest country, except for Israel, for Jews to reside in; Without this country most of[…]
From: Gloria in Chicago, Illinois Dear Rabbi, I remember as a child sitting at my family’s Seder and not being able to understand a word of what was going on because the Haggada was read in what sounded like Hebrew or Yiddish or both. Now that I am in college I want to make a[…]
From: Ian in Tampa, FL Dear Rabbi, Is there any special clothing to be worn at the Seder? I seem to remember my grandfather wearing all white. Dear Ian, In general, as on all festivals, we wear our finest clothing. One should try to the best of one’s ability to buy new clothing for one’s[…]
From: Steve in Ann Arbor, Michigan Dear Rabbi, I saw in a calendar that the Shabbat before Passover is called “Shabbat HaGadol”. Does this mean “The Great Shabbat”? What is the significance of this? Dear Steve, The Jews in Egypt on the eve of the Exodus were given their first mitzva (the Torah had not[…]
From: Jonathan in Johannesburg Dear Rabbi, Who is on a higher level, man or the angels? Dear Jonathan, It depends from what angle. Certainly angels are higher than man in respect to their level of comprehension of spiritual matters, their inherent greatness and their degree of holiness. Regarding their comprehension, the Zohar states, “The comprehension[…]