Relating to G-d by Relating to Man
Question: I have a question regarding the concept of unconditional love. For example, how can it be that Hashem (G-d) really loves the righteous and the wicked the same? Or is it that Hashem loves the...
View ArticleThe Extent of Honoring a Parent
Question: Rabbi, I need your help. I am 18 years of age and my parents are divorced. My father constantly abuses me verbally by telling me that I'm a bad son, I'll go to hell, and be unsuccessful in...
View ArticleDebts, Shemitah, and Jubilee
Question: What does it mean exactly that the debts and land are given back after 49 years ? Answer: Debts are actually canceled every seven years, at the end of the Sabbatical year ("shemitah") -- see...
View ArticleDairy Foods on Shavuos
Question: What is the reason for the custom of eating dairy foods on Shavuos? Answer: There are numerous explanations given for this interesting custom. Here are just a few. These undoubtedly contain...
View ArticleLessons from Samson
Question: What are the main lessons to be learnt from the story of Samson? Answer: Hi! Thanks for your question. To tell you the truth, I would never venture to make a suggestion on what is the main...
View ArticleInfanticide and Divine Justice
Question: Please forgive me if my question is impudent; I certainly do not mean to be disrespectful. My question is this: When Korach and his cohort got swallowed up by the earth (Numbers 16:31-33),...
View Article“The Sons of Korach Did Not Die”
Question: I have read that Samuel was a descendant of Korach. If Korach and his entire family fell into the earth (Numbers 16:31-33), how could Shmuel have been his descendant? Answer: In Numbers 26:11...
View ArticlePortions Named after Korach and Balak
Question: Why is a Parsha (Weekly Torah Portion) named after Korach and Balak? Wouldn't Abraham, Isaac, or Jacob be more appropriate? Answer: Unfortunately I do not know the particulars about the...
View ArticleAaron Between the Living and the Dead
Question: In the Torah portion of Korach it says that Aaron went between the living and the dead in order to end the plague. Since Aaron was a Cohen, how could he be permitted to come close to the...
View ArticleThe Laws of Impurity
Question: What is an impure person forbidden to do? Can such a person become pure again? Answer: An impure person is forbidden to enter the Temple or eat sacred foods, but currently those things don't...
View ArticleStudying the Laws of Taharah and Tumah
Question: What is the purpose of studying the laws of ritual purity (TAHARAH), such as the laws about the "red cow" (PARAH ADUMAH; Num. Ch. 19)? Do these laws have any relevance nowadays? Answer:...
View ArticleMiriam’s Well and Leaving the Supernatural
Question: How does the stopping of the well of Miriam relate to faith? Answer: You do mention that the episode describes a lack of faith on the the part of the Jewish people. That is certainly true....
View ArticleBilaam’s Prophecy
Question: I am studying the Torah portion of Balak and I am struck by the beautiful imagery that follows the familiar "Mah Tovu" (Numbers 24:5). But since these words were uttered by the false prophet,...
View ArticleIs Israel Palestine?
Question: I am Christian and have visited several different churches in the past few years. I often hear Israel referred to as Palestine. What's going on here? I don't find such reference in the Old...
View ArticleA Jew Who is British
Question: I live in the United Kingdom. Do I consider myself a British Jew or a Jew who is British. Answer: While loyalty to one's country is very important (see Jeremiah 29:7) one's primary job in...
View ArticlePersonal Health and Hygiene
Question: What are the specific needs that people who follow Judaism have in relation to personal care? Answer: I'll assume by "personal care" you're referring to the full complement of activities...
View ArticleBlack Hebrews and Racism
Question: What is the relationship and or difference between the Black Jews and the European Jews? I live in Virginia and I do not see many Black Jews that fellowship with White and European Jews. I...
View ArticleG-d’s Names
Question: What is the personal name of God? Answer: G-d does not have any Names. What we think of as Names are actually attributes, each expressing various aspects of G-d. We can never understand G-d...
View ArticleI Cheated on a Test
Question: I cheated on a school test and I feel guilty. What do I do? Answer: We all make mistakes in life. That is why Hashem created Teshuva, repentance, to correct our actions. In order to do a...
View ArticleRebuilding of Jericho
Question: I read the following" Joshua...declares that nobody shall ever rebuild Jericho, nor another city elsewhere called by that name nor one on the same site but with a new name .There is to be no...
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