From: Anat in Israel Dear Rabbi, In connection with Yom Kippur, I have seen the term “tefilla zaka”. It seems to mean “pure prayer”. Is this a general way in which we are to pray, or does it refer to a specific prayer in the service. If so, what is it, when do we say[…]
From: Arthur in Chicago Dear Rabbi, Since in addition to being the beginning of the New Year, Rosh Hashana is also the first day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei, why don’t we say “hallel” on Rosh Hashana as on other days of Rosh Chodesh? Dear Arthur, Good question. Since Rosh Hashana is the Day[…]
From: Susan in Norfolk, Virginia Dear Rabbi, As a newly religious, single person, I am often a guest at different people’s houses for Shabbat meals. Regarding the washing after the meal before bentching, I have noticed different customs which I don’t quite understand. Some families do it, others don’t. Why? And even harder to understand[…]
From: Monica in Israel Dear Rabbi, During this period of mourning over the destruction of the Temple, I was wondering if it permissible to go up to the Temple Mount in order to enhance our feeling of loss, and also to demonstrate our desire that the Temple be rebuilt. Thank you. Dear Monica, I cannot[…]
From: L. Froehlich in Gaithersburg, MD Dear Rabbi, Several years ago, I took a class in Aikido, one of the Eastern martial arts. Like its counterparts, Aikido is premised on the concept that a “force”, in this case known as “ki” or “chi”, flows through the universe and the body and can be focused by[…]
From: Martin in NJ Dear Rabbi, First, I enjoy reading your very logical responses to questions. I have been reading about Jewish life for many years trying to understand what it means to be a Jew. I think I am beginning to understand. One item that will help me fit the pieces together is a[…]
From: Devorah Hagar Dear Rabbi, My last name is Hagar. I am buying a bird and have named him Ishmael. Ishmael ben Hagar. Though I am Jewish, Sephardic, (my real father is an Arab-American), I figured the bird could be Muslim. Can a Jew own and care for a Muslim bird? I’m not joking. I[…]
From: Alan L. Dear Rabbi, I am a 49-year old Jewish man with a very large hole in his heart. I was raised a Jew and still think of myself as a Jew. But I really don’t know what it is to be a Jew. I was Bar Mitzva’d and confirmed. I went to Hebrew[…]
From: Dan Blum Dear Rabbi, Hi. I was hoping you could help me with a wedding question that I have. In a Jewish wedding, the groom gives the bride a ring. I was wondering if this has always been the case? Does this tradition go back as far as Abraham? If this is a more[…]
From: Earnest Allen in Arkansas Dear Rabbi, I own Stone Brook Fudge Company. We supply fudge for Candy Bouquet franchisees and many of them need kosher fudge and your blessing. My question is this…I live approximately 2 hours from Little Rock, Arkansas (Mt. View, Arkansas). How do I have a priest bless us and how[…]