From: S. in Israel Dear Rabbi, I volunteer in a used clothing center (“gemach”) open in the mornings. There is one woman who comes in every week with a very strong smell of garlic. Since we are in a basement and don’t have adequate ventilation, it is very disturbing to all present. We sometimes spray[…]
From: Alberto in Israel Dear Rabbi, I’m Israeli but not Jewish. My parents are Brazilian. I’m religious and I keep mitzvot like every Jew. But I’m not Orthodox or Reform, I just keep the mitzvot in my life in my own way. I never wanted to become a “member” of a “community” in the way[…]
From: Martha in Pennsylvania Dear Rabbi, My question for you is very short and sweet. I have seen a lot of rabbis kissing young children on their foreheads. Is there a reason for that? I had a number of dreams where I was kissing someone’s forehead and received some interpretation, but I would like to[…]
From: Anonymous Dear Rabbi, I understand that the Torah prohibits certain specific physical contact between two men, and that other forms of physical intimacy between men are also forbidden as a result of this. In my mind this is similar to prohibited unions between men and women where a specific act is explicitly forbidden, and[…]
From: Alan in MA Dear Rabbi, I go to a small college with relatively few Jewish resources. While I am not yet fully observant, I am interested in Orthodoxy and read and listen to material that is taught and studied in Orthodox circles. When I talk with other students about what I’m learning, I find[…]
From: Zev Schwartz Dear Rabbi, Many Jews heap praises on America as being “A country where Jews can live free from daily fear of persecution; A country where the constitution protects us with freedom of speech, press and religion; The safest country, except for Israel, for Jews to reside in; Without this country most of[…]
From: Anonymous Dear Rabbi, I came across an article in which a fictitious reader of Dr. Laura asks ridiculous questions about Judaism that are obviously meant to ridicule and undermine Orthodoxy. For example, some of the questions are: 1] When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a[…]
From: Jon in Atlanta Dear Rabbi, Sometimes when people ask me for help with something, I’d rather not do it and I try to avoid them. Sometimes I feel it’s justified if I really have no time, or if I’m not feeling well. But other times I just don’t want to help because I’m lazy,[…]
From: I. in VIC Dear Rabbi, I have enjoyed your column for a number of years. I have a question. I recently organized a surprise party for my mother. We decided to make it a surprise, as we knew she would never agree to a party. To get her to our house nicely dressed I[…]
From: Barbara in England Dear Rabbi, The religious form of dating seems somewhat artificial and contrived. I mean, how can two people who are “set up” unnaturally, actually fall in love. The lack of romance and infatuation would seem to doom the couple to a marriage of boredom. Thank you for your answer. Dear Barbara,[…]