From: Brian N. Frye in Fort Worth, Texas Dear Rabbi, What does being a rabbi mean? What training is required to become ordained/certified? What does being a rabbi entail? Dear Brian, Thanks for your interest. The word rabbi comes from the Aramaic word rabi, and is related to the Hebrew word for “great”. Rabi was[…]
From: Sean in Sidney Dear Rabbi, What is the soul? Dear Sean, The Torah states that “G‑d formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into him the breath of life, and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7). This soul was extremely lofty. The Midrash says Adam’s soul was so elevated that[…]
From: Dr. M.W. in Slingerlands, NY Dear Rabbi, In the Book of Esther, why are certain letters in the names of Haman’s sons written smaller than the others and why are some letters in the text larger than the others? Dear Dr. M.W., In Megillat Esther, and elsewhere in the Torah, you find several places[…]
From: Jill in Long Island, NY Dear Rabbi, Why do we eat “hamantaschen” on Purim? Dear Jill, I’ve heard that the word is Yiddish and comes from the two words “mon” (poppy seed) and “tash” (pocket). Thus it would mean “a pocket of [dough filled with] poppy seed.” Perhaps the letter ‘heh’ at the beginning[…]
From: Roger H. in Walsall, UK Dear Rabbi, When and why did the tradition of reclining at the Passover meal begin? In the book of Exodus it seems that the people were instructed for all time to eat the Passover meal with sandals on their feet and staffs in hand as if ready to move[…]
From: Saul “The Maven” Caplan from Florida Dear Rabbi, I deliver pizzas 2-3 evenings a week. Do I have to take the entire week of Passover off? Dear Saul “The Maven” Caplan, On Pesach, it’s forbidden to eat, own or derive any benefit from chametz – leavened bread. A renowned halachic authority here in Jerusalem[…]
From: Bonnie H. Dear Rabbi, I am a vegetarian and it is abhorrent to me to have an animal leg on my table at Passover. I have been told that somewhere in the Talmud it says that a roasted beet can take the place of a roasted shank bone. Can you help me find the[…]