From: Allen in Atlanta Dear Rabbi, In response to your weekly question/answer Angle on Angels, I was wondering why G‑d needs angels in the first place. Is their job solely to carry out G‑d’s orders? If so, why does G‑d need assistance when He’s capable of doing everything Himself? Also, how do angels become angels?[…]
From: Josh in NY Dear Rabbi, If a person does a mitzva in a dream, does he get the reward? Can the Gemorra about being excommunicated in a dream have anything to do with this? Are there any other sources you can recommend? Thank you for this great service. Dear Josh, The Talmud and Shulchan[…]
From: Jonathan in Johannesburg Dear Rabbi, Who is on a higher level, man or the angels? Dear Jonathan, It depends from what angle. Certainly angels are higher than man in respect to their level of comprehension of spiritual matters, their inherent greatness and their degree of holiness. Regarding their comprehension, the Zohar states, “The comprehension[…]
From: Erica Dear Rabbi, I was perusing Ohr Somayach’s website and came across a question entitled The Eyes Have It regarding the “evil eye”. At the very end, the rabbi cautions against using non-common remedies, as they may be witchcraft. My question is this, is the little clear marble-looking ball with the black dot in the[…]
From: Chad in MI Dear Rabbi, A friend of mine from college recently went to a talk by an Orthodox rabbi who made a reference to the Resurrection of the Dead in the context of the class. When he told me about it, I was shocked. I always thought Resurrection was a Christian belief. Does[…]
From: Helene in Louisville, KY Dear Rabbi, I read your article on reincarnation and I found it so interesting that I re-read it several times. However, an idea keeps returning to my mind. If a soul can come back many times in different bodies, can it come back into someone else’s body who is already[…]
From: Helene in Louisville, KY Dear Rabbi, I read your article on reincarnation and I found it so interesting that I re-read it several times. However, an idea keeps returning to my mind. If a soul can come back many times in different bodies, can it come back into someone else’s body who is already[…]
From: Debra Dear Rabbi, Is it true that according to Kabbala or possibly the Zohar that a person who wears a red string will be protected from the evil eye or evil forces? When did all of this begin? What is the meaning of wearing a red string? What kind of a red string are[…]
From: Jeppe M. Dear Rabbi, I’d like to ask about the Jewish view on ghosts because I have read in the Tanach that when a person dies all activity ceases. Thanks. Dear Jeppe M., Ghosts are departed souls that continue to sojourn in the physical world rather than entering higher spiritual domains. Our sources offer[…]
From: Dave in Denver Dear Rabbi, Is there any basis in Torah for going to rabbis for blessings for health, children, livelihood or any similar such thing? Does Judaism believe that these blessings actually help? Thank you. Dear Dave, The first thing to know and to remember about getting blessings from rabbis or anyone else,[…]