From: Melissa Dear Rabbi, According to the Torah, the rainbow symbolizes G‑d’s promise that He will no longer destroy the world with a flood. So that after heavy rains, the appearance of the rainbow is G‑d’s way of letting us know of G‑d’s recalling His promise. It follows, then, that the rainbow conveys our would-be[…]
From: Mendy Dear Rabbi, I never understood why, since G‑d promised and gave the Land of Israel to Abraham, that he had to ask the local inhabitants to sell him the field of Efron for a burial plot for Sara. I mean, it was really Abraham’s anyway, right? Dear Mendy, This is a very good[…]
From: Mr. Anon in England Dear Rabbi, How would you explain the dynamics of “da’at Torah” to a secular audience, many of them being total beginners as far as Jewish learning is concerned? By da’at Torah I mean the special insight that sincere and intense Torah study imparts to the leaders of the Torah community.[…]
From: Raphael Dear Rabbi, Would you please explain the concept of great rabbis being able to manipulate nature. For example, how was Moshe able to command the Sea to open before the Israelites? Or how were other great rabbis able to do such miraculous things, even if on a lesser scale than the parting of[…]
From: Reuben Rosenberg Dear Rabbi, Based on my limited knowledge of Torah, it appears that an improperly done mitzva receives no merit. For example: From what I understand, there are no degrees of kosher and treif food; either the food is kosher or it isn’t. If the food is kosher and you’ve said a proper[…]
From: Hank Dear Rabbi, Since an important part of fulfilling the mitzvot is having the right intention while doing so, how come we do brit milah on boys when they are infants when they have no say in the matter (in fact, if we asked them, they’d probably refuse)? Wouldn’t it be better for men[…]
From: Benny Dear Rabbi, If Moses received the Torah at Mount Sinai seven weeks after the Jews left Egypt, how does the Torah describe events that took place long after that during the forty years that the Jews wandered in the wilderness? Dear Benny, This is a very good question and one which the sages[…]
From: Benji Dear Rabbi, When things are going well for me, I feel happy and close to G‑d. When things aren’t going so well, I don’t feel as close to G‑d and that bothers me. I know that everything, good or bad comes from G‑d for our own good. But I’m having trouble internalizing or[…]
From: Guy Dear Rabbi, Hi. I am a university student researching the mezuza. Can you please send me information on its history, and its potential use as an amulet. Thanks. Dear Guy, When you ask about the history of the mezuza, you are probably asking about its origin. If so, the answer is that the[…]
From: Sandra Dear Rabbi, As a Jew, I find the beliefs, morals and customs of Judaism meaningful and generally relevant. However, what I find hard to accept are the many laws which are so hard to keep and intrusive. Why does it have to be this way? Dear Sandra, It is very nice that you[…]