How did Jewish Slaves have animals?
Question: The iconic image of the Exodus is of enslaved Jews, taskmasters, building pyramids, etc. When Pharoh finally tells Moses to leave with his people, he also tells Moses to take their flocks...
View ArticleBow and Arrow on Lag B’omer
Question:What is the significance of the bow and arrow on lag b'omer Answer: The bow and arrow were to commemorate a special victory of the Bar-Kochba revolt against Rome (132-135 BCE) that occurred...
View ArticleWhy isn’t Shavuos Always a Sunday?
Question: According to the Torah (Lev. 23:15), the Omer offering is brought on "the day after the Sabbath", and we then count seven weeks and celebrate Shavuos. Why doesn't Shavuos always fall on a...
View ArticleRabbi Akiva’s Students
[See this article for the background of this issue - Ed.] Question: How come Rabbi Akiva's students all died from not having respect for each other if they were the students of the man who exemplified...
View ArticleSefiras Haomer
Question: When are you allowed to start listening to music, and where can I find these laws? Answer: According to those who are following the "first days" (the first 33 days), that allowance began with...
View ArticleMen with Long Hair
Question: Are men allowed to grow their hair long for locks of love? Answer: Some Rabbinic authorities maintain that long hair for a man poses an issue of “chatsitsa” or separation between the scalp...
View ArticleWhy isn’t there Sotah for men?
Question: My questions are: “Is the article below suppose to relate to now-modern times? Or is it just the biblical background on adultery? And most importantly to me as a woman, why isn’t there...
View ArticleBlessings of the Innocent Sotah
Question: The Commentary of Rashi when talking about Sotah (unfaithful wife, Numbers 5:11) says that a woman who goes through the process and didn’t actually do anything wrong, will get a blessing for...
View ArticleThe Blessing of the Kohain (Priest)
Question: It is known that the kohanim (Priests) in the temple used to bless the people by holding their hands in a specific position. 1. Could you please explain more on the meaning of it? 2. Why was...
View ArticleThe Blessing of the Kohain (Priest)
Question: It is known that the kohanim (Priests) in the temple used to bless the people by holding their hands in a specific position. 1. Could you please explain more on the meaning of it? 2. Why was...
View ArticleWhat is Manna?
Question: What is manna? Is it spiritual food? A metaphor for HaShem (G-d), the provider? Is it physical sustenance? If so, were its characteristics the same for every man, woman, child, animal? In...
View ArticleHow Could the Generation of Moses Sin?
Question: In the book of Exodus great miracles were performed against Egypt, and when the nation of Israel was in the wilderness again God did great miracles, ie...manna...Why did the nation of Israel...
View ArticleMass Murder in the Torah
Question: The Torah is filled with stories of the early Jews making war on the various locals as they enter the "promised land", and killing every man, woman, and child in a given village. In some...
View ArticleLessons from the Manna
Question: What is the significance of story of the Manna? Answer: Many commentaries explain that the story of the Manna teaches us about the mechanics of earning a livelihood. Although we must put...
View ArticleSeven-Armed Menorah
Question: When is the seven-armed Menorah used? Answer: The Menorah that G-d commanded Moses to construct for the Tabernacle had 7 arms. This was used in Temple as well. The menorah that we use to...
View ArticleFive Levels of the Soul
Question: What are the five levels of the soul? Answer: Nefesh is the lowest level, call it the animal level, the level which animates and gives function to the body. Neshama is the third level, call...
View ArticleThe Blessing of the Kohain (Priest)
Question: It is known that the kohanim (Priests) in the temple used to bless the people by holding their hands in a specific position. 1. Could you please explain more on the meaning of it? 2. Why was...
View ArticleSeven-Armed Menorah
Question: When is the seven-armed Menorah used? Answer: The Menorah that G-d commanded Moses to construct for the Tabernacle had 7 arms. This was used in Temple as well. The menorah that we use to...
View ArticleThe Spies and Korach
Question: How much time lapsed between the story of the spies and that of Korach? Answer: Hi! Very good question. Though there are commentaries (such the Ibn Ezra) who place the story of Korach much...
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),...
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