From: Alan Dear Rabbi, I have had some introductory exposure to learning Torah. Some has been more in-depth, other learning focused more on breadth. I was wondering, which approach is preferable? Dear Alan, This is a very important question, and one which is discussed in many sources. There are several advantages to learning in-depth. It[…]
From: Michael Dear Rabbi, I recently got a blessing from a Chassidic Rabbi. This blessing was quite astonishing (in a good way). What is the significance of a blessing from a Chassidic Rabbi? Dear Michael, I am inspired that you had such a moving experience! The blessings of the holy and pious are very powerful,[…]
From: Coby Dear Rabbi, The Torah tells us that G‑d accepted the sacrifice of Hevel, but not that of Cain. There doesn’t seem to be any reason given as to why, just that G‑d admonishes Cain and warns him to mend his ways. The only obvious difference between what they brought was that Cain brought[…]
From: Ya’akov Dear Rabbi, Given the situation now in Israel and Jerusalem, I find myself “fearing” for my life and I’m not quite sure how to cope with it. Do you have any ideas that might help me face this fear and get back to living life as normally as possible? Dear Ya’akov, Unfortunately, given[…]
From: Bracha Dear Rabbi, The holiday of Chanuka has a lot to do with the re-dedication of the Temple and re-assertion of Jewish independence from the Greeks. But although we’re told why the first and second Temples were destroyed, I am not aware of what happened after the Hasmonean liberation such that the Romans ended[…]
From: Misha Dear Rabbi, Is it permissible to be dishonest with a non-Jew? Might there be a difference between outright lying as opposed to withholding the truth? Is there any difference between a non-Jewish monotheist as opposed to an idolater? Dear Misha, It is forbidden to be dishonest with anybody, directly or indirectly, Jew or[…]
From: Michal Dear Rabbi, On Chanuka we recite the blessing which praises G‑d for “performing miracles for our ancestors in those days at this time.” Please remind me what’s particular about reciting “at this time”. Also, as far as I remember, the Sages didn’t actually decree observance at the time of the miracle, but rather[…]
From: Aaron Dear Rabbi, I can’t understand why Jews are going up to the Temple Mount. First of all, isn’t it strictly forbidden for a Jew to be anywhere on the Mount in our current state of impurity? Furthermore, don’t these people see they are stirring up the wrath of the Arabs and causing Jewish[…]
From: Ben Dear Rabbi, I find that often when I daven, rather than having an uplifting experience of holy thoughts, I actually get a flood of distracting mundane thoughts. It’s like all of a sudden I remember something I was supposed to do, or somewhere I am supposed to go, or some solution to a[…]
From: Jennifer Dear Rabbi, Someone I know recently died in a way that some described as “before her time”. I’m puzzled by this. Since life and death are in G‑d’s hands, is there such a thing in Judaism as “dying before one’s time”? If so, how can this be? What would happen to the soul[…]