From: Moshe Dear Rabbi, Is it not enough to refrain from eating bread on Passover? Why do we make such an effort to remove bread products from our homes? Dear Moshe, Even if one fulfills all the mitzvot associated with Passover like eating matza and maror, telling the story of the Exodus in the Haggada,[…]
From: Carla Dear Rabbi, If G‑d told Abraham that his descendants would be enslaved in Egypt but would be redeemed, then why did He exile them there in the first place? Dear Carla, This question is related to the essence of the month of redemption itself, Nisan. One who experiences redemption has emerged from darkness[…]
From: Dennis Dear Rabbi, I will be moving into a home that is presently occupied by Jewish people. I know that a leaving resident cannot take down the mezuzot and leave the house without mezuzut when he knows that the new occupants are Jewish. The seller called me to ask me to bring 9 mezuzot[…]
From: Scott Dear Rabbi, I understand why we are to drink wine on Purim, but why is it important to eat a special meal? Dear Scott, One reason is that the decree of Achashverosh and Haman was directed against the “body” of the Jewish People. There was no interest or attempt to uproot the Jews[…]
From: Ira Dear Rabbi, I saw a website that sells mitzvot like feeding the poor, visiting the sick, providing the needs of a bride and groom, mezuza, bar mitzva, kollel study, etc. Is this kosher? Approved? A loophole? Is this what G‑d wants us to do? The idea that a wealthy person could just shell[…]
From: Sean Dear Rabbi, I will be making an international flight where I expect to be praying on the plane. While I’ve never actually done it, I’ve seen others doing it and I’m kind of intrigued by the idea of praying so high in the sky. However, I seem to remember wondering as I watched[…]
From: Donny Dear Rabbi, Growing up, I came from a very humble background. But I was always well-liked and seemed to get along with all different types of people. Because I became quite popular, I was able to overcome a lot of the barriers to success that people from my background suffer. Over the years,[…]
From: Vanessa Dear Rabbi, If G‑d wants us to serve Him properly, why does he bring sickness upon people which just hinders their ability to do His will? Dear Vanessa, According to Jewish belief, not only did Adam and Eve have all their needs taken care of in Eden before the sin, there was no[…]
From: Olivia Dear Rabbi, I want to educate my children properly, but I am having difficulty with the concept of the “yetzer hara” or evil inclination. On the one hand, attributing bad behavior to the “yetzer hara” avoids giving children the impression that they, in essence, are bad when they do something wrong. But on[…]
From: Name Withheld Dear Rabbi, I am a film director. I work in advertising. After much pressure and considerable preparatory work on my part, I reluctantly agreed to direct a TV advert. I felt very uncomfortable about my decision at the time but agreed nonetheless – partly because I had already invested much time, and[…]