From: Aharon in Monsey, NJ Dear Rabbi, Why is the name of G‑d written in the siddur as two yuds? In my siddur – “Tefillat Kol Peh” – it is written as two ‘yud’s everywhere that I looked, with the exception of shirat hayam (the song at the sea). Why is this so? I suspect[…]
From: Balint in Grinall, Iowa Dear Rabbi, I have the following question that no one could answer yet: Why is honey kosher? I thought that the product of non-kosher animals was not kosher as well. Bees are not kosher, so why is honey kosher? I appreciate your time and hope you know the answer. Thank[…]
From: Daniel Branower Dear Rabbi, Why do many Torah observant Jews who live in Israel dress in a European style, as opposed to a more Mediterranean or “native” style? If the idea is that Jews are returning from exile to Eretz Yisrael, their ancestral home, why the adherence to the traditions and customs of the[…]
From: Bradley in Milton, MA Dear Rabbi, Can one play a game like Scrabble, Monopoly or Chess on Shabbat? Dear Bradley, Let’s start with Scrabble. Does the forming of a word by placing letters next to each other on a Scrabble-board transgress the prohibition against “writing” on Shabbat? In addition, since people keep score when[…]
From: Michael Flisser in Atlanta Dear Rabbi, How can the idea that Moses received the entire Torah at Sinai seven weeks after the Exodus be reconciled with the fact that the Torah describes events that took place forty years later? Thank you. Dear Michael, You ask an excellent question. This is a fascinating subject that[…]
From: Ben in Baltimore Dear Rabbi, Is giraffe kosher – and if so, why don’t we eat it? Does it have anything to do with the long neck? Dear Ben, The Torah clearly delineates the physical criteria for determining whether an animal is kosher or not. These are that it be a ruminant and have[…]
From: Olga in Odessa Dear Rabbi, Global warming seems to be a hot issue on the international scene. What does Judaism say about the human role in the problem, and our responsibility for preventing or correcting it? Dear Olga, Allow me to clear the air for our readers regarding what global warming is and its[…]
From: Gary in Boston Dear Rabbi, Is there some connection between the covenant to circumcise and the Jewish People’s right to the Land of Israel? If so, since the Muslim Arabs also circumcise, do they also have a similar right to the land? Dear Gary, There is definitely a connection between the commandment of circumcision[…]
From: Nate in Norfolk Dear Rabbi, I have become more interested in Judaism as of late. I am very enthusiastic and eager to learn. However, at the same time, I am also concerned that I may lose this interest at any time because of all the distractions I have in my normal, non-religious daily life.[…]
From: David in Calgary Dear Rabbi, I don’t understand the Jewish way of setting up marriages. Why in today’s day and age should two adults submit themselves to being set up in an arranged marriage? How could they possibly rely on the judgment of a stranger rather than on their own feelings regarding something as[…]