If G-d Always Helps, Why Should I?
Question: I understand that while we want to be the ones doing good things for other people- G-d will take care of them regardless. If so, how can a person be motivated to do kindness for another...
View ArticleFirst Fruits
Question: How is the First Fruit offering practiced in today's society? Answer: Great question! For the First Fruits, one would go out to the fields when the fruit buds would begin to grow and...
View ArticleWhy Pray? Why Repent? Why not?
Question: What motivation is there to really repent and be worried on the high holy days, I mean I've survived for years without praying a word so why start now? I'm not looking for a drawn out idea of...
View ArticleNot Accepting an Apology
Question: If I attempt to apologize and explain to another person my sincere belief that I was wrong, and they do not wish to listen, or by inaction do not allow me to voice my feelings, have they...
View ArticleSecret of the Seven Rounds
Question: Why do we march with the Torah on the Simchas Torah holiday seven times and why does the bride walk around the groom seven times? Answer: Good question! In general, we find many patterns of...
View ArticleWhy not begin the Torah on Rosh Hashana?
Question: If Rosh Hashana is the beginning of the year and the time of Adam's birth why do we not start the cycle of reading the Torah until Simchat Torah? Shouldn't Simchat Torah and Rosh Hashana...
View ArticleWhy did Hevel (Abel) have to die?
Question: Cain had murdered his brother. But considering that nothing can come about without G'ds permission, what sin did Hevel do to deserves being killed by his brother? Answer: Hi! I am fascinated...
View ArticleSeven Noahide Laws
[A question was submitted asking for guidance in observing the Seven Noahide Laws. The following article provides a useful summary of the Laws.] Noahide Commandments by Rabbi Yoel Schwartz Translated...
View ArticleBeginning of Idolatry
Question: How and when did idolatry start? Answer: Since there are many ways to define idolatry, I could come up with a variety of answers. I could say that idolatry began the first time someone...
View ArticleAbraham Taking Lot with Him
Question: When Abraham left his father's house, was he allowed to take his nephew Lot with him? Answer: Abraham was told in Gen.12:1 to leave his land, his MOLEDES, and his father's house. It's...
View Article“Brothers” and “Sisters”
Question: Does the Bible ever use the word "brother" or "sister" for more distant relatives? Answer: Nieces and nephews were definitely sometimes called brothers and sisters. For example, Lot was...
View ArticleMarriage of Abraham and Hagar
Question: When Sarah gave Hagar to Abram in order to fulfill what she thought was the prophecy that she would have a child, was he committing adultery by taking Hagar or just custom? Answer: Abraham...
View ArticleIs the World Holy?
Question: Did G-d create a holy world and does He want us to keep it holy or make it a holy place by our deeds? Answer: Thanks for the great question. When Hashem created the world he created it with...
View ArticleIs Circumcision Child Mutilation?
Question: Do you have any explanation as to why God required males to have their foreskins cut off at 8 days old (Gen 17:12) as a sign of the covenant? I have tried to rationalize this in my own mind...
View ArticleDo Angels Talk to Women?
Question: My son would like to know why in the Torah Portion of Vayera (Genesis 18) when the guests, who the Commentaries say were really angels, bring news to Sarah that she would have a child, why...
View ArticleUnderstanding the Sacrifice of Isaac
Question: Can you direct me to any texts debating whether Abraham failed G-d's test when he was willing to proceed with the sacrifice of Isaac? Answer: You will not find any real source material...
View ArticleThe Concept of Angels
Question: Could you please help me to find out about the meaning of angels? Answer: Hi, Thanks for asking a fantastic question. The concept of angels in Judaism is very different than in other...
View ArticleLaughter
Question: When Hagar and Ishmael are kicked out, it says Sarah saw Ishmael doing something, and uses the verb 'zadi, chet, kuf', the same used for idolatry at the golden calf incident, murder in II...
View ArticleConfronting Antisemitism
Question: I wrote something on a gossip blog, but am having problems because I am a Jew. What can I do, and how can I communicate to people who have prejudice? Answer: Permit me to rephrase your...
View ArticleWho are the Sages and Chazal?
Question: Who and what are the Jewish sages? Answer: When we speak of our "Sages" we are referring to the great rabbis of previous generations. These rabbis were not like the rabbis of today. Today we...
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