From: Sandra in Cape Town, SA Dear Rabbi, Would you please elaborate on what I’ve heard referred to as “The Kuzari Principle” insofar as it purports to be an historical proof for the Jewish belief in G‑d, and how is this proof any more valid for Judaism than for the other monotheistic religions of Christianity[…]
From: Marge in Louisville, KY Dear Rabbi, In anticipation of our son Sam’s bar mitzvah, I was wondering why he won’t be reading from the Torah, but rather from the haftara. In general, I guess I’m wondering what’s the source for the haftara reading as well. Thank you for your insights. Dear Marge, First, let[…]
From: Lisa in DE Dear Rabbi, What is the identity of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil? Dear Lisa, Soon I’ll discuss what, according to Jewish sources, it might have been. But first allow me to set the record straight about what it wasn’t: an apple. This is a common[…]
From: Gary in Atlanta Dear Rabbi, Does a person have to be concentrating and focusing on a mitzva all the time he’s involved in it. I would imagine that’s the case, but I personally find it hard to keep my mind focused for a long time. Do I fulfill the mitzva if I don’t have[…]
From: Binyomin Dear Rabbi, An 8th grade, 13-year-old boy asked me today why I accept what Rashi says in his commentary on Chumash. The 8th grader claims Rashi could be wrong. There were other commentators. He was not there, how does he know what really happened and why it happened. Here is my question: Why[…]
From: Mark in a Yeshiva Dear Rabbi, I am in a yeshiva trying to learn as much as I can to catch up on years of not having known much about Judaism. However, I’m finding it very difficult, and even frustrating, that I’m not making as much progress as I’d like to. This really upsets[…]
From: Samara Dear Rabbi, I understand that seven is an important number in Judaism. I have heard that there is a lot of spiritual meaning to the number seven. However, since according to Jewish belief, Creation was completed in seven days, I’m wondering if the number seven is viewed by Judaism as having any relevance[…]
From: Nick in Toronto Dear Rabbi, I heard that according to Jewish teachings, the Torah preceded Creation and was actually used as a blueprint through which G‑d created everything. Is this true and how can it be that the Torah which seems to say very little about Creation could actually be the blueprint for all[…]
From: Susan in Akron, OH Dear Rabbi, I will be moving into a new house in the near future. Is there any special dedication service for such an occasion? Dear Susan, Congratulations on your upcoming move. May you have a “yishuv tov” – meaning, may your dwelling be good. There is definitely an idea and[…]
From: Michael Hartman in NY Dear Rabbi, I am sometimes in a situation either socially or at work where I want/have to give/exchange food gifts with non-Jews. Now I realize that they don’t have to eat kosher, but am I allowed to give them non-kosher food as a gift. It would seem that I can,[…]