From: Josh in PA Dear Rabbi, I have heard of the term “vatikin” used in Jewish contexts, I think in prayer, and I was wondering if there is any relationship between that word and the Vatican? Or is this just a coincidence. Dear Josh, Perhaps the most well known Jewish use of the term “vatikin”[…]
From: Manny in Denver Dear Rabbi, I have recently started saying kaddish for my father, of blessed memory, who passed away a short time ago. Since I have only a rudimentary Jewish background, I am finding it very difficult to recite the kaddish and pronounce it properly. Not only is this embarrassing, I feel awkward[…]
From: Helen in the U.K. Dear Rabbi, What is the significance of the statement of Raban Gamliel in the Haggada that one who has not said “Pesach, Matza and Maror” has not fulfilled his obligation? If this is referring to the requirement to tell the Passover story to one’s children, how does the mention of[…]
From: Stephanie in Tucson, AZ Dear Rabbi, This past Shabbat I was with my children in the shul playground and a boy came up to my son and started pushing him and wouldn’t let him down the slide. I asked him to stop and told him it wasn’t nice, but he wouldn’t listen. So I[…]
From: Mark in Rockville, MD Dear Rabbi, At the local JCC there was a note reminding people to say the “blessing on the sun”. I never heard of this before, so forgive me for saying this, but it sounds like idol worship to me. What is this? Thanks. Dear Mark, This is a brilliant question.[…]
From: Orna in Toronto Dear Rabbi, Before I became religious I used to love dance very much. As I spent several years trying to catch up on Jewish learning and then became involved in shidduchim and marriage, I didn’t find an opportunity to pursue dance within the religious community. Now that I’m married and with[…]
From: Pamela in Portland, OR Dear Rabbi, I seem to remember some story about school children saving the day for Mordechai against Haman. Could you refresh my memory and explain what that was all about. I teach at a Jewish school and think my kids could relate to the involvement of children in the Purim[…]
From: Ken Lipworth Dear Rabbi, I am puzzled as to how the Israelites produced the golden calf. These people were slaves. It seems totally incongruous that, as slaves, they would have owned any gold jewelry. In a similar vein, from where did the Jews get swords to fight the battle against Amalek? It would seem[…]
From: Rabih Sarieddine in Switzerland Dear Rabbi, It seems to me that universality is one of the main topics in Judaism. However, in Judaism, conversion is a long process that needs human validation. Now take someone who really wishes to become Jewish. It happens that he takes a voyage on the sea and the[…]