From: Mark Dear Rabbi, I would say I’m from a religious family, probably modern Orthodox. There was a time that I strayed away from observance, but now I’m heading back. I’ve started going to classes at a baal teshuva yeshiva where I’ve had problems with a rabbi of one of the classes. I don’t find[…]
From: Jeremy Dear Rabbi, I had a distant, elderly relative from my father’s side who I met once as a child and then once again as a young adult. The last time I remember thinking about her was when my father told me she passed away which was many years ago. Recently, I had two[…]
From: Jake Dear Rabbi, I seem to recall that Purim is connected in some way to another holiday, maybe like Yom Kippur? Is that possible? If so, how? Sorry for the ignorance but I mentioned this to a friend of mine and he said that a holiday from the Torah like Yom Kippur can’t be[…]
From: Sandra Dear Rabbi, As a Jew, I find the beliefs, morals and customs of Judaism meaningful and generally relevant. However, what I find hard to accept are the many laws which are so hard to keep and intrusive. Why does it have to be this way? Dear Sandra, It is very nice that you[…]
From: Mike Dear Rabbi, I understand that we’re supposed to compliment the bride to the groom by telling him how pretty and pious she is. I have two questions regarding this. Should we be looking at her in the first place such that we know that she’s pretty (particularly if she is)? And what if[…]
From: Allison Dear Rabbi, I need to give my daughter a Hebrew name. Someone I know said not only must the name be Hebrew but it must be Jewish as well. So on all these baby name websites that show Hebrew names for girls, many of them I like, he said I cannot use because[…]
From: Stuart Dear Rabbi, Is it possible nowadays to gain understanding in Torah as the Jews did when they received the Torah at Sinai? Or is that something particular to that generation alone? Dear Stuart, It is nearly impossible for most people to attain the level of Torah understanding as those of the generation in[…]
From: Benny Dear Rabbi, There’s a person who has been coming to our shul of late who is a normal, nice guy. He is clearly not a beginner to yiddishkeit, however he has a peculiar way of pronouncing his blessings which mixes the different customs of pronunciation between Ashkenazi, Sefardi and Israeli. This is most[…]
From: C. Dear Rabbi, I am compelled to ask a question about my mother. She has been a person who during her lifetime has had periods of depression. As a child, I remember when her father had a heart attack and I was about 6 years old, she went through a severe depression that scared[…]
From: Regina Dear Rabbi, I am interested in learning about the Wailing or Western Wall. Can you explain to me how this sacred place began (history) and how it has evolved over the years? My teacher is teaching us this subject in my Jewish religion class. However, I want to learn more by asking you.[…]