From: Bob Mogel in Omaha, Nebraska Dear Rabbi, In the Hebrew Bible it states that in Biblical times people lived to be hundreds of years old. How is this possible given the fact that people don’t live nearly as long today even with the advances in medical technology? Dear Bob Mogel, There are several reasons[…]
From: Sam in Portland Dear Rabbi, When Jews drink alcohol together, especially wine, they say l’chaim; What is the source of the custom to say l’chaim? Thank you. Dear Sam, Despite the spiritually elevating potential of wine (or perhaps because of its great potential), mankind hasn’t fared well with the vine. According to one opinion[…]
From: David in Ann Arbor Dear Rabbi, In a recent article entitled Water on the Temple Mount you wrote that the mosque of the Dome of the Rock is not necessarily built on the site of the Temple. Would you please explain. Because I have always heard that the rock under the golden dome is[…]
Noahide Laws From: Maggy Moens Dear Rabbi, I am a non-Jewish woman who loves to browse your website because there are pearls of wisdom in it. I have a problem. I read that the commands given to Noah must be obeyed by all of mankind. Jews are no missionaries. Who shall teach these commands, in[…]
From: Michael F. Dear Rabbi, I believe that the “Five Books of Moses” comprise the Torah. How and when do we believe we received the Torah? Was it given to us directly from G‑d? Was it dictated to Moses or someone else? Was it passed on orally for years and then committed to writing at[…]
From: Many Readers Dear Rabbi, What is the meaning and significance of the name of your fine yeshiva, “Ohr Somayach”? Dear Many Readers, Our yeshiva was named after one of the works of Rabbi Meir Simcha HaCohen of Dvinsk (1843-1926), one of the most unique Torah giants of this century. His renowned Ohr Somayach is[…]
From: Scott in Dallas, TX Dear Rabbi, I was told that according to Jewish Law a person must work for a living. If so, how do those people who only study Torah all day justify their lifestyles? Dear Scott, At first glance it would seem that what you were told is correct. Rambam (Talmud Torah,[…]
From: Mordechai in Jerusalem Dear Rabbi, Please give me a clue about how the patriarchs found out the details of the Torah before it was given at Sinai. Dear Mordechai, In G‑d’s promise to give the Land of Israel to Isaac and his offspring, G‑d explained the reason is “Because Abraham obeyed My voice, and[…]
From: E.M. Dear Rabbi, I am a young woman who has been religious all my life. When I was a teenager, I had several burning questions about Judaism, such as the age of the earth, free will, etc. Although I sought and received answers to some of these questions, as I got older and became[…]