From: Elaine Dear Rabbi, Since from before I became observant about a year ago, I have been dating a really great guy. He’s intelligent, sensitive, considerate, attractive, and really everything I could ask for in a husband, except that he’s not religious. When we met, that was not a problem for me, but now it[…]
From: Pam Dear Rabbi, Why is the Hasmonean uprising against the Greeks viewed as a spiritual uprising rather than a military and political revolt of the oppressed against a foreign intruder? Dear Pam, The revolt of the Hasmoneans against the Greeks was not a typical revolt of the oppressed against their oppressor. This is because[…]
From: Rachel Dear Rabbi, Like many people, I am very troubled by the modern world’s extreme, exploitative consumption of the environment. And my concern is not just for the ideal of preserving nature, but practically, for the well-being of humanity. Because our rape and abuse of the environment clearly is boomeranging back to harm us,[…]
From: Julian Dear Rabbi, Was there any special reason why those specific individuals known as the Forefathers became the founders of the Jewish People? Was it something in their lineage or heritage? If so, why them and at that time, and not others at a different time? Or perhaps it was something in their specific[…]
From: Robin Dear Rabbi, What is the Oral Torah? Is it a part of the Torah, a commentary, a rabbinical addition, or something else? Dear Robin, In order to properly understand what the Oral Torah is and its relation to the Written Torah, it’s important to first say a few words about the Written Torah.[…]
From: Robin Dear Rabbi, I read with great interest your response to my question about the Oral Torah. Thank you very much for your clear explanation. Based on what you wrote, I have some follow-up questions, if I may. You wrote that G‑d taught the entire Torah to Moses orally during the forty days he[…]
From: Allen Dear Rabbi, Recently I heard of the musical role of the Levites in the Temple and it reminds me of the role of musicians and music in the aristocratic courts of Europe throughout the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. I was wondering what your thinking on this would be. Dear Allen, While I[…]
From: Raizy Dear Rabbi, Our prayers are verbal, linguistic and very expressive. This is especially true for the High Holiday liturgy. Still, the pinnacle and highlight of the Rosh Hashana prayers is the wordless, raw, and simple sound of the shofar. What is the explanation for this? Dear Raizy, You are right. While the shofar[…]
From: Jay Dear Rabbi, I was recently confronted with the idea that one’s departed parents continue to live in the form of a soul in Heaven, that they are aware of what their surviving children do for good or for bad, and that “Jewishly speaking”, the children’s actions have an effect on their parent’s status[…]
From: Sharon Dear Rabbi, I’m fascinated by the imagery of light in spirituality. Particularly regarding humans, and the description of “enlightened” people as reflecting light. Would you possibly elaborate on this? Dear Sharon, This is a scintillating question and I’d be happy to shed some light on the topic! Clearly, G‑d is viewed as the[…]