From: Ryan Dear Rabbi, Is it OK to use the non-Jewish system of counting years, or must we use specifically the Jewish year? Dear Ryan, The Jewish year is based on the Torah’s reckoning of the passage of years from Creation. Using this system of counting the years thus recognizes the existence of G‑d, the[…]
From: Chaim Dear Rabbi, We are told that the main miracle of Chanuka was that even though the one vial of pure oil that they found was enough only for one day, it miraculously lasted for eight days until they could produce new, pure oil for use in the Menora. The question is, why was[…]
From: Ruth Dear Rabbi, I am a recent convert to Judaism and I was wondering about my prospects for finding my zivug soulmate. I’m not asking from a social point of view, but rather based on the teaching that G‑d decrees matching souls at conception. According to this teaching, the soul of a non-Jew who[…]
From: Phil Dear Rabbi, If a button unexpectedly pops off a garment on Shabbat, is it permitted to pick it up in order to save it to sew it back on after Shabbat, or does it become “muktze” and thereby forbidden to handle on Shabbat? I don’t see why it would be forbidden, but a[…]
From: Melanie Dear Rabbi, There are two people I know who are not on good terms. In my opinion, one is the antagonist who makes up false accusations about the other. The antagonist, let’s call her A, was part of a group conversation where the other, let’s call her B, was mentioned. I took the[…]
From: Jarred Dear Rabbi, According to Judaism, are the deceased aware of what’s going on with the living and can there be any communication between the living and the dead? Dear Jarred, Yes, according to Judaism the dead are aware of what happens with the living. It is also possible for there to be interaction[…]
From: Edward Dear Rabbi, There are many situations where one is in the midst of fulfilling one mitzva, when another mitzva then presents itself. For example, in the middle of prayer, someone asks for charity. Does one have to fulfill the second mitzva, or is he exempt on account of being involved in the fulfillment[…]
From: Maria Dear Rabbi, Thank you for answering my question about who Miriam was and the meaning of her name. I found your answer to be fascinating, and if you don’t mind I’d like to know more. Could you please tell me about her life and her role in the Torah? This is a continuation[…]
From: Maria Dear Rabbi, Thank you for answering my question about who Miriam was and the meaning of her name. I found your answer to be fascinating, and if you don’t mind I’d like to know more. Could you please tell me about her life and her role in the Torah? This is a continuation[…]
From: Maria Dear Rabbi, I am wondering about Miriam. Who was she and what does the name Miriam mean? Dear Maria, Miriam was the daughter of Amram, the leader of the Israelites in ancient Egypt, and of Yocheved, who was so righteous she was exempt from the curse of Eve (Sota 12a). Both Amram and[…]