From: Stefan in CA Dear Rabbi, I would like to know if there is anything wrong with drinking things like coffee or tea before praying the morning prayers. My question stems from the fact that I seem to recall that it’s forbidden to drink anything other than water, but when I look around, I see[…]
From: Gary Rushworth Dear Rabbi, My brother-in-law is studying Hebrew at his local college and he and a colleague have concluded that the tetragrammaton (the name comprised of four Hebrew letters) is misinterpreted. They say “Yahweh” is the correct spelling of the Name of G‑d, and “Jehovah” is a “trash” word, not worthy of discussion.[…]
From: Jill in Brookline, MA Dear Rabbi, If Moses was on such a tremendously high spiritual level while on Sinai in order to receive the Torah but didn’t actually write it down until after coming down from Sinai, thereby lowering his spiritual level, how did he understand while writing as he did on Sinai? Or[…]
A Pointed Question From: Binyamin Altman Dear Rabbi, There is a custom to remove knives from the table before Birkat Hamazon (Blessing after Meals). What is the reason for this and does it include plastic knives? Dear Binyamin, There are two main reasons for removing knives prior to Birkat Hamazon. A person was once reciting[…]
From: Abraham in L.A. Dear Rabbi, I remember that my grandfather, of blessed memory, used to mention Rabbi Meir when he gave tzadaka. I don’t know exactly what he was saying, but I think it had something to do with asking G‑d to help him give the charity in the name of Rabbi Meir of[…]
From: Anthony Dear Rabbi, What is the fast of Gedalyah and what does it have to do with the period between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur? Is it some type of practice fast in preparation for Yom Kippur? Is it mandatory? Why is it called “Gedalyah”? Please pardon my ignorance. Dear Anthony, Thanks for your[…]
From: Susan in Newport, RI Dear Rabbi, Is there a mitzva do to kiruv and bring Jews back to Judaism? Isn’t it each person’s personal business how to live his own life as he or she chooses? Dear Susan, Every person has a “right” to live his or her life as one chooses. This is[…]
From: Anonymous Dear Rabbi, I’d like to discuss a Jewish marriage with you. My husband and I were married this year in a non-traditional wedding ceremony. He is Jewish, I am not. However we would like to remarry in a traditional Jewish ceremony. I’ve been doing some research and have learned about the ketuba, chuppa,[…]