From: Aharon in Monsey, NJ Dear Rabbi, Why is the name of G‑d written in the siddur as two yuds? In my siddur – “Tefillat Kol Peh” – it is written as two ‘yud’s everywhere that I looked, with the exception of shirat hayam (the song at the sea). Why is this so? I suspect[…]
From: Balint in Grinall, Iowa Dear Rabbi, I have the following question that no one could answer yet: Why is honey kosher? I thought that the product of non-kosher animals was not kosher as well. Bees are not kosher, so why is honey kosher? I appreciate your time and hope you know the answer. Thank[…]
From: Michael Flisser in Atlanta Dear Rabbi, How can the idea that Moses received the entire Torah at Sinai seven weeks after the Exodus be reconciled with the fact that the Torah describes events that took place forty years later? Thank you. Dear Michael, You ask an excellent question. This is a fascinating subject that[…]
From: Nate in Norfolk Dear Rabbi, I have become more interested in Judaism as of late. I am very enthusiastic and eager to learn. However, at the same time, I am also concerned that I may lose this interest at any time because of all the distractions I have in my normal, non-religious daily life.[…]
From: Sandra in San Diego Dear Rabbi, If G‑d knows everything that will be, then He knows what we’ll choose before we do it, which means it’s pre-determined what we’ll choose, which means we have no free will. But G‑d created us with free will didn’t He? Dear Sandra, It’s true that G‑d is omniscient[…]
From: Mali Dear Rabbi, I’m having trouble with the additional 19th “blessing” of the shemoneh esreh. First, it hardly seems a blessing, but rather a curse against heretics. I’m surprised the rabbis would ask for the destruction of other fellow Jews. Second, how could one rabbi add to a prayer that was instituted much earlier[…]
From: Lee Vyner Dear Rabbi, I heard that someone who gambles is viewed as being engaged in a type of theft that thereby disqualifies him from being accepted as a reliable witness in a Jewish court. If so, what about the stock market? People literally gamble as to the price of a particular commodity or[…]
From: Ashley Sevitz Dear Rabbi, A few years ago when I was studying in yeshiva, I adopted the custom of going to the mikva [spiritually purifying bath] every erev Shabbat [Friday afternoon]. This I have kept up all these years. A while ago I heard it mentioned that there are actually certain kavanot [holy thoughts][…]
From: Mike Flisser in Atlanta Dear Rabbi, As a beginner to observant Judaism, during my studies and my davening I have the feeling that what we do as Jews on a daily basis does not hold a candle to what Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, Isaac, Moses, and others did to be blessed by G‑d. I know[…]
From: Bruce Hammer in Manti, Utah Dear Rabbi, I noticed the divider at the Kotel through the Western Wall camera. What is the purpose of this division? Why is the wall divided into two sections? Thanks. From: David Salvadori in Italy Dear Rabbi, Please tell me, why can men and women not stay near each[…]