Eliezer’s Repeated Story
Question: In the Torah portion of Chayei Sarah the story of Eliezer and Rivkah (Rebecca) is written twice. What are the differences and why is Eliezer's name not mentioned? Answer: Hi! Thank you for...
View ArticleAge of Rebecca at Marriage
Question: Where is the Rashi that says that Rivka (Rebecca) was 3 years old when she married Yitzchak? This commentary does not sit very well with me. How can a girl of 3 years old have poured out all...
View Article“And Jacob Kissed Rachel”
Question: When Jacob met Rachel by the well, he kissed her and told her who he was (Genesis 29:11-12). I understand that our forefathers kept all of the commandments. How could Jacob be involved in an...
View ArticleAge of Rachel
Question: How old was Rachel when Jacob first met her? When they were married? When she died? Answer: Seder Olam Rabbah 74:4 says that Rachel was 22 when she married Yaakov (Jacob), and this seems to...
View ArticleAll About Reuben, Jacob’s Son
Question: Our grandson will be named Reuven at his Circumcision on Friday. Please give me some information about Jacob's son, Reuben. I do not believe there are any other Reubens in the Bible. Is this...
View ArticleMidrash and Laban Wanted to Destroy Us
Question: I once heard that many Midrashim were actually written down with political situations of the time in mind and are not just 'fairy tales' if you will. My question is what was the political or...
View ArticleJacob’s Fight with the Angel
Question: All of these questions bothered me for years. I tried looking in the commentaries with no great success... Answer: I think your questions are wonderful, and I have struggled with (some of)...
View ArticleThe Evolution of Jewish Law
Question: Can I have an introduction to the great works of Halachah (Jewish Law) and their authors. For example Mishneh Torah, Tur, Shulchan Aruch, and Mishnah Berurah? Answer: Moshe received the Torah...
View ArticleAsnas, Shimon and Dinah
Question: In the last part of Genesis we find that Asnas married Yosef HaTzadik and our Rabbai told us that she was a jewish and Dinah’s daughter. How did Asnas come to Egypt? Wasn't Dinah married to...
View ArticleThe Names of Yisro
Question: Why did Moses' father-in-law have three names? Answer: If "chosen" means "in-law", and not specifically "father-in-law", there's no need to assume that one person had three different names....
View ArticleIf G-d Only Revealed Himself to Me..
Question: Good afternoon. I have asked this question of many for years and still struggle to find an answer that really speaks to me: Why should I fulfill Mitzvot (commandments) if I cannot be...
View ArticleWhy don’t we visit Mount Sinai?
Question: If Moses received the Torah on Mount Sinai by G-d himself why is this Mountain not visited by Jewish people or tourists around the world? Answer: We would not want people to worship the...
View ArticleFetus vs. Newborn
Question: In Mishpatim, 21:22, we are shown that if a man injures a pregnant woman and she miscarries the crime is treated as bodily harm to the woman and not murder of the fetus. The guilty party is...
View ArticleBlessing for Pets
Question: I just got two new dogs and I want them to be blessed and in G-d's will. What prayers should I say over them? Answer: You are in luck. Your dogs come pre-blessed. The commentary of Mechilta...
View ArticleJewish View of Graffiti
Question: I would like to speak to a youth group about graffiti in the Jewish religion. Is it a frowned upon form of art in the Jewish religion? Answer: Thank you for your excellent question. There are...
View ArticleThe Power of Music
Question: What are the potential negative powers of music? Answer: It's well known that the Vilna Gaon (a great 18th Century Rabbi) taught that one of the essential wisdoms required for understanding...
View ArticleThe Golden Calf and the Tabernacle
Question: Can you please explain why the story of the sin of the Golden Calf is right in the middle of the description of the Mishkan (Tabernacle)? Answer: I'll tell you a few thoughts that I have, and...
View ArticleDimensions in the Tabernacle and Temple
Question: How big were the Tabernacle and the Temple? Answer: The size of the Tabernacle was 9 by 30 cubits (by 10 cubits high); see Ex.26:15-25. The size of Solomon's Temple was 20 by 60 cubits (by 30...
View ArticleMoses in the Tabernacle
Question: Genesis Chapter 40 beginning at verse 17 - Did Moses set up the tabernacle by himself? Of course G-d would have been advising along the way but no one else including Aaron would have been...
View ArticleWashing the Hands
Question: Where does the Torah speak about washing the hands? Answer: Washing the hands and feet is referred to many times in the Bible. There was a washing basin in the Tabernacle where the priests...
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