From: Miriam Dear Rabbi, We have neighbors in our building who unfortunately have a seriously disabled child. While I empathize with the family and how hard it must be for them, the child litters the building considerably but they don’t clean up after her. Since this is communal space that we all pay to keep[…]
From: Anthony Dear Rabbi, I have found Torah study to be very interesting and challenging. I have told my parents that I would like to take a year off from college in order to study in a yeshiva. They are opposed. They say that as far as the Torah is concerned, I am required to[…]
From: Anonymous Dear Rabbi, I have a friend who seems to have everything go right for him. Whereas for me, it seems that everything that could go wrong does. Quite frankly, I’m envious of him and it’s affecting our friendship. What should I do? Dear Anonymous, I think everyone can relate to having these types[…]
From: Jonathan Dear Rabbi, About 10 years ago, before I became religious, I borrowed a significant amount of money with interest from a Jewish acquaintance not knowing at the time that interest is forbidden. Now that the loan will be due in the summer, I’m prepared to pay back the loan, but the person demands[…]
From: Manny Dear Rabbi, Rabbis collect money and donations for all types of causes and charities. How do we know that the money is used properly and for the purpose for which it’s collected? Dear Manny, Your concern is certainly valid. For the record, not every person collecting money who looks like a rabbi is[…]
From: Monte Dear Rabbi, What language did Adam and Eve speak? Was it Hebrew? Dear Monte, We see evidence that Adam spoke Hebrew because he referred to Eve using two words that make sense only in Hebrew. In the one instance (Gen. 2:23) he called her isha (woman) because she was taken from ish (man).[…]
From: Allen Dear Rabbi, I know someone who in the past had an average income, but was very generous in many ways. Over the last 5-10 years, the person has become pretty wealthy, but he’s not nearly as generous as he used to be. I don’t understand this. If the Torah teaches to give charity,[…]
From: Anonymous Dear Rabbi, A friend of mine from seminary is getting married, and I notice she’s “availing” herself of many of the free provisions offered for needy brides, which is a great thing for people who need it. It’s just that I get the impression that she is not so needy and I’m wondering[…]
From: Lena Dear Rabbi, My question is: Does a Jew have an obligation to vote in an election? Dear Lena, In countries where one is obligated by law to vote, such as Australia and Belgium, one would be obligated to vote based on the concept “dina d’malchuta dina” (the laws of the land are law)[…]
From: Manny Dear Rabbi, Does the decision of the Council of Europe denouncing circumcision have any bearing on religious performance of this mitzva? Would their recommendation of requiring consent at age 14 be taken into account to delay the brit milah? Dear Manny, Absolutely not! G‑d commanded the Jewish People to circumcise their male children[…]