From: Shira in Chicago Dear Rabbi, I was wondering if it’s OK to do Valentine’s Day or if there’s anything about the day which is against Judaism? Dear Shira, First of all, formally the day is called Saint Valentine’s Day, which clearly shows the Christian, non-Jewish character of the day. Furthermore, like other Christian holidays,[…]
From: David Rose in Calgary Dear Rabbi, I practice Chinese medicine which includes fasting as one of the many methods of healing. I am wondering what the Jewish perspective on fasting is. Thank you. Dear David, Judaism posits that spiritual forces are at the root of everything physical. On a cosmic scale, this means that[…]
From: Samara Dear Rabbi, I understand that seven is an important number in Judaism. I have heard that there is a lot of spiritual meaning to the number seven. However, since according to Jewish belief, Creation was completed in seven days, I’m wondering if the number seven is viewed by Judaism as having any relevance[…]
From: Nick in Toronto Dear Rabbi, I heard that according to Jewish teachings, the Torah preceded Creation and was actually used as a blueprint through which G‑d created everything. Is this true and how can it be that the Torah which seems to say very little about Creation could actually be the blueprint for all[…]
From: Anonymous Dear Rabbi, I own and run a kosher bakery in a small but growing religious Jewish community. I thought initially that the business would be a lot more lucrative than it has turned out to be. Sometimes it gets me down that I have to work such long, difficult hours to barely make[…]
From: Susan in Akron, OH Dear Rabbi, I will be moving into a new house in the near future. Is there any special dedication service for such an occasion? Dear Susan, Congratulations on your upcoming move. May you have a “yishuv tov” – meaning, may your dwelling be good. There is definitely an idea and[…]
From: Jeremy Reissman Dear Rabbi, When parents name a child, why is it permitted to give the child a non‑Hebrew name, such as Yiddish or Middle Eastern names? Thank you. Dear Jeremy, Allow me to address your question in the broader context of name giving. One category of names regards those in transliteration, by which[…]
From: Michael Hartman in NY Dear Rabbi, I am sometimes in a situation either socially or at work where I want/have to give/exchange food gifts with non-Jews. Now I realize that they don’t have to eat kosher, but am I allowed to give them non-kosher food as a gift. It would seem that I can,[…]
From: Alex in Toronto Dear Rabbi, I understand that Chanuka is in the winter months because that’s when the world is darkest and Chanuka is about bringing light into the darkness. Are there other, more text-based reasons for Chanuka occurring when it does? Dear Alex, Surely, the fact that Chanuka, called the Festival of Lights[…]
From: Dave in Detroit Dear Rabbi, I’m not Orthodox, and I’m not even religious. I am getting interested in finding out more about Judaism, though. Some things make sense to me, others I’m working through. Some practices seem meaningful to me, others I’m still searching for meaning. However, I recently had an experience which was[…]