From: Stuart Dear Rabbi, Is it possible nowadays to gain understanding in Torah as the Jews did when they received the Torah at Sinai? Or is that something particular to that generation alone? Dear Stuart, It is nearly impossible for most people to attain the level of Torah understanding as those of the generation in[…]
From: Maribel Dear Rabbi, Presumably, when G–d told Adam and Eve not to partake of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, He meant it. So my question is, assuming it was His intention that they not sin, what did G‑d have in mind for them had they not sinned? Dear[…]
From: Shelly Dear Rabbi, I personally find your column to be very well-written, sensitive and insightful. It is quite uplifting for me, even though I am not the questioner. I imagine that those who you’re advising appreciate your responses even more. My question is, of course you’re helping a lot of people, but do you[…]
From: Anthony Dear Rabbi, I want you to know that I really enjoy your column and have come to appreciate it even more of late. I’ll tell you why. I am currently recovering from a serious fall and have been lying on my back in bed for six weeks. I have had a lot of[…]
From: Zach Dear Rabbi, Would you please clarify something for me about tefillin? Are there different pairs of tefillin? The reason I’m asking is that I see people take off tefillin in the middle of shacharit and then put on another pair. Or sometimes they put on another pair after shacharit. Sometimes I actually see[…]
From: Hernando Dear Rabbi, I have come to love the Torah so much and want to keep all the mitzvot that I can, but I feel that I need to go to a yeshiva with rabbis and people like myself in order to be totally immersed in the Torah and the religious life. The problem[…]
From: Fahim (Moshe) in Iran Dear Rabbi, Why do the people who are bad and do only a few mitzvot live well and without problems, but those who are good and do many mitzvot live bad and with difficulties and problems in their lives? Dear Fahim (Moshe), You are in good company when you ask[…]
From: Josh in PA Dear Rabbi, I have heard of the term “vatikin” used in Jewish contexts, I think in prayer, and I was wondering if there is any relationship between that word and the Vatican? Or is this just a coincidence. Dear Josh, Perhaps the most well known Jewish use of the term “vatikin”[…]
From: Mark in Rockville, MD Dear Rabbi, At the local JCC there was a note reminding people to say the “blessing on the sun”. I never heard of this before, so forgive me for saying this, but it sounds like idol worship to me. What is this? Thanks. Dear Mark, This is a brilliant question.[…]