From: Chaim Dear Rabbi, I have not had much interaction with rabbis. But recently I had an experience with one rabbi that was not so pleasant. I found him to be somewhat aloof and perhaps disinterested. Is there any religious reason why a rabbi might be this way, for example maybe to maintain a certain[…]
From: Brandon Dear Rabbi, In Judaism, are converts accepted as full-fledged Jews or do they have a status in any way different than Jews by birth? Dear Brandon, Sincere converts who convert to Judaism according to Jewish Law are full-fledged Jews. It is nevertheless worth mentioning that Judaism does not require a person to be[…]
From: Ya’akov Dear Rabbi, Given the situation now in Israel and Jerusalem, I find myself “fearing” for my life and I’m not quite sure how to cope with it. Do you have any ideas that might help me face this fear and get back to living life as normally as possible? Dear Ya’akov, Unfortunately, given[…]
From: Aaron Dear Rabbi, I can’t understand why Jews are going up to the Temple Mount. First of all, isn’t it strictly forbidden for a Jew to be anywhere on the Mount in our current state of impurity? Furthermore, don’t these people see they are stirring up the wrath of the Arabs and causing Jewish[…]
From: Paul Dear Rabbi, The shemita year is approaching and I was wondering whether that affects those who live outside of the Land of Israel in any way? Dear Paul, The shemita year, which is the 7th year of the agricultural cycle, or Sabbatical year, in which Jewishly owned fields and orchards in the Land[…]
From: Frederick Dear Rabbi, I have heard a claim that the Palestinians are descendants of original inhabitants of Israel that pre-dated even the Israelites. Is there any truth to that or any indication one way or the other according to Jewish sources? Dear Frederick, This is a common misconception and worth clarifying. The Philistines were[…]
From: Alex Dear Rabbi, I live in Israel where it seems to me that all the shuls face toward Jerusalem. Recently I was in England and the U.S. where it seems all the shuls face East, even though from there, East is not toward Jerusalem. I would have expected the shuls to face southeast in[…]
From: Marty Dear Rabbi, I have had a problem while traveling of what to do with my tefillin when needing the restroom. I can’t leave them outside of the bathroom unattended; but I can’t bring myself to taking them inside the bathroom either. What do people do about this, and what should be done? Dear[…]
From: Adam Dear Rabbi, Why is science so harmful and unharmonious with G‑d’s Creation? Would a Torah approach to science be better for the world? If so, shouldn’t Jews set an example by being a “Light unto the Nations” in this regard as well? Dear Adam, I don’t agree that science, per se, is harmful[…]
From: Amy Dear Rabbi, I work for an Orthodox health care professional. I was wondering if the laws of “yichud” [the prohibition of a man and woman being together in private] apply in the workplace. I am asking because all day long the front door to the office is open and patients come through; however,[…]