From: Terry in London Dear Rabbi, There is a lot about Judaism that makes sense to me. However, there is one thing that I just don’t understand. Why don’t religious people serve in the Israeli Army? Isn’t it a mitzva to protect the Jewish people and maintain control over the Land of Israel? Dear Terry,[…]
From: Mordechai Housman Dear Rabbi, What is the source for the custom of putting notes into the Western Wall. I understand that it sort of “prays” for us while we are away, but if this is correct, what’s the source? Thank you. Dear Mordechai, Putting notes of prayer between the ancient stones of the Western[…]
The following are excerpts from correspondence between “Ask” and a young woman interested in converting to Judaism, published with her permission, which give an insight into some of the interesting, behind-the-scenes correspondence with various people with various interests in Judaism. From: Sarah in NE Dear Rabbi, My father’s side is either not religious or take[…]
From: Several Readers Several readers collectively raised many comments/objections regarding our recent article entitled Merry Wanna? I would like to present this canvass of opinion below, together with my responses. Dear Readers, Comment: Some commented that cigarette smoking is also addictive and should be prohibited for the reasons given regarding marijuana. Response: While cigarette smoking is[…]
From: Uriel Dear Rabbi, I seem to remember something in the Torah about Jews not being allowed to return to Egypt. It occurred to me that if this is true, how were Jewish communities living there for so many years, including great rabbis? Wasn’t Rambam also from Egypt? Thanks for explaining this. Dear Uriel, Your[…]
From: Confidential Dear Rabbi, What does Judaism have to say about recreational drug usage? I know that Judaism prohibits putting anything harmful into the body, but what about certain drugs that do not hurt the body? Is altering one’s state of consciousness OK or not OK from a Jewish standpoint? Dear Confidential, Your question was[…]
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: 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: Richard in London Dear Rabbi, I’ve decided to become further committed to Judaism, but I recently started a new job for a non-Jewish firm. I was wearing my yarmulke all the time, but my father requested me not to wear it to work. Although I’d prefer to wear it, do you think it may[…]
From: Jack Dear Rabbi, Hi. I have a question for the rabbi. My digital camera has a function that allows me to take 2 photos, and combine them into one. In other words, I can take 2 pictures, one of one person from the neck up, and a second photo of a second person from[…]