Question: Why do we name our children after deceased people? Answer: To perpetuate their memory. If a man dies without children, his widow should (in Biblical times) marry the deceased’s brother so that the child born to them would continue the name of the deceased. Our naming our children after dead relatives is similar. Read More »
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Ask the Rabbi JewishAnswers.org 
G-d’s Anger
Question: “The Wrath of G-d came out and brought forth a plague” Korach 17: 11 What does it mean that “G-d has wrath”? Does Hashem have human emotions? Why does the torah write it this way? Answer: That’s a good question. Read More »
Moses and His Uncircumcised Son
Question: Why was G-d trying to kill Moses (Exodus 4: 24-26) on his return to Egypt with his wife and son? Was it due to him not circumcising his son yet? Answer: Moses was in a bit of a quandary – his new born son was due to have his circumcision on Read More »
Origin of the Name Moses/Moshe
Question: Was Moshe (Moses) originally an Egyptian name or a Jewish name? I have heard that it is both. I would appreciate a clarification. Thank you. Answer: Thank you for sending us your question. Read More »
G-d in the Burning Bush
Question: How did Moses know that God Is God at the burning bush? G-d is beyond description, has no form and defies human classification. Why didn’t Moses ask for some identification? Answer: I suspect that the answer is that the experience of direct contact with God is so unique that it does not require special proof. Read More »
Origin of the Jewish Star
Question: What is the origin of the Jewish Star? Answer: The hexagram (six-pointed star) has been used as an ornament, and possibly as a magical sign, in many cultures since ancient times. It was used by Jews as well, but was not especially a Jewish symbol. Read More »
Rebuke
Question: What is the Torah viewpoint on rebuking someone else? Answer: First of all, one of the 613 commandments is to give rebuke to our fellow Jews. That being said, we have to qualify this with two points. When the Torah gives us this commandment in Leviticus 19: 17, it states immediately afterwards that you should not do a sin. Read More »
Why do Yeshiva students wear black and white?
Question: I attend a Yeshiva in Jerusalem and I have been wearing black and white as most of the students do. I’ve never had a problem with this, but now I feel I need to know a solid reason why I dress this way as I think about it all the time. Answer: There is no requirement to wear black and white. Read More »
Influencing the World
Question: I was speaking to someone who knows Matisyahu, a Hasidic performer. One thing he remembers Matisyahu showing him is somewhere in the Torah where it says “do not let the world influence you, but let the world be influenced by you.” Can you please reference where in the Torah this can be found? Answer: Thank you for your question. Read More »
Laughter
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 Samuel and adultery when Potiphar’s wife accuses Read More »
Jewish lack of missionary work
Question: Please explain why Jews do not practice missionary works like the Christians and Mormons and many other religions. It seems to me that while some religions actively seek to find people in need of spiritual guidance and spread the Word, Jewish practitioners don’t. Read More »
Establishing Chanukah as a Holiday
Question: Why do Rabbis insist that there was a”miracle”. Judah declared an 8 day celebration to begin on 25th of Kislev and to last 8 days. He decreed that it was to be celebrated annually in honor of the victory. Read More »
Inner Purity
Question: Please tell me in lay terms, even for a non-Jew (Christian) what it is to look at and practice Inner Purity. One reason this subject intrigued me is it is an important issue for the Desert Father’s in the Christian tradition and in the faith in general. Answer: You ask about inner purity. Read More »
Praying for the Impossible
Question: Having read the touching story of Abraham and Sarah’s, faith in G-d’s promise of a child, I must ask you: Can a woman above fifty years old, with a complete hysterectomy, who never gave birth, resign to renounce to pray for a child, and Read More »
Reuben, Son of Jacob
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 correct? I graduated from a day school and I do attend Shabbat services every week, so I am looking more for commentary than written text. Read More »
Age 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 be the primary opinion, although I have seen one source suggest that Rachel was 5 when they met making her 12 at the time of marriage. Read More »
What does G-d want from us?
Question: What does God expect of a person? Answer: King Solomon answers this question in the book of Ecclesiastes (Khoeles) 12: 13, “The sum of the matter, when all has been considered; Fear God and keep His commandments, for that is man’s whole duty. For God will judge every deed – even everything – whether good or evil. Read More »
Names of the Torah Portions
Question: Who named the Torah Portions and when did this start? Answer: Hi! You’re asking an interesting and difficult question. I’m not sure that anyone named the portions. We don’t even really know where they came from; the Torah itself doesn’t have any specific portion divisions. Read More »
Praying With the Feet Together, Like Angels
Question: I was told that when we bow before G d we are to put our legs together as if having only one leg like the angels. Please explain to me the reason and source of this? Answer: The source that angels’ feet are different than humans is found in Ezekial 1: 7. Read More »
The Story of Eliezer and Rebecca
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 these interesting and important questions, which I struggle with as well; I can only offer suggestions. Read More »
Why Enslave Abraham’s Children?
Question: I’m struck by the quote,”Know well that your offspring shall be strangers in a land not theirs, and that they shall be enslaved and oppressed for four hundred years” especially after all the “amazing” promises G-d has made to Abram before that. Why would G-d do that to Abram and the Jewish people? Answer: It’s a good question. Read More »
What is a Sukkah?
Question: What is a sukkah? Answer: A sukkah is a booth roofed with tree branches, plant stems or leaves. The Torah requires us to live in a sukkah on the seven days (outside Israel: eight days) of the holiday of Sukkos, which begins on the 15th day of Tishrei (five days after Yom Kippur); see Lev. 23: 42-43. Read More »
A Prayer for the Sukka
Question: Is there a special prayer I must say when I build my Sukka? Answer: No. The first night of Sukkos (and, outside of Israel, the second night) you say the ‘Shehecheyanu’ blessing during Kiddush (follow the instructions in your Machzor, or Festival Prayer book) at the start of the evening meal. Read More »
Evil’s Appetite
Question: I once saw this thought tha I can’t find the source for: “If you do not stop evil, it will multiply”. Thanks Answer: That exact phraseology does not sound familiar. The Sages do teach with regards to our base nature ( Yetzer Hora ) that if you feed it, it is starving, and if you starve it, it is sated. That is a similar notion. Read More »
Age of Spiritual Accountability
Question: At what age does God consider a child to be responsible for his/her own soul and not the parents? Answer: That is an important question. A young boy begins his accountability at thirteen, while a young girl begins at twelve. Read More »
G-d Has Faith ..in Us!
Question: What does the “faithful” mean in the phrase said before the Shema prayer – “El melekh ne’eman” – “Mighty, King, Faithful” ? The word “faithful” is also at the end of the first prayer Jews say when they rise – the Modeh Ani prayer: “rabah emunatecha” – “Great is your faith. Read More »
Kosher and Compassionate
Question: Why is Judaism so serious when it comes to kosher meats? What is the rationale behind the stress on kosher meats in the 21st century? Answer: G’d created Israel to serve G’d and man as a people of priests, as a light to the nations – if you Read More »
Simple Method to Strengthen Trust in G-d
Question: How do I keep my trust in G-d strong and not think it’s my efforts that are doing everything? Answer: Thanks for sending this important question. Here’s a simple but powerful suggestion: Say “Please help me make this an honor to Your name and successful” before… 1. Turning on the computer each time 2. Clicking “send” on each email 3. Read More »
Kabbalah Study
Question: Do you guide students in the study of Kabbalah? I have spent many years reading books that were written by Non-Jews about the Kabbalah and would like to learn from our heritage. Answer: Your question was forwarded to me as I have done some teaching and writing on this topic. Read More »
Golden Calf Casualties
Question: At Mt Sinai what happened to those who built the Golden Calf. I understand they were all destroyed when the earth opened up. Read More »
Babylonian Exile
Question: I am a little confused as to when the Babylonian exile began and ended. Did the seventy years prophesised by Jeremiah begin whith the destruction of the Temple? What were the years of the exile (from when to when)? When Daniel refers to the Read More »
Jeremiah’s Sadness
Question: I was reading in class about Jeremiah and it says that he was always really sad. What was his burden? What was wrong? Answer: Jeremiah, of all the prophets, was the one who had to witness the actual destruction of the Temple and the Jewish kingdom. Read More »
Jewish Prayer and Freud’s Views on Women
Question: When I was in graduate school a profesor of mine told me that there was a prayer in orthodox Jewish churh that ends – Thank God I was not born a woman or a dog. He was trying to explain why Sigmund Freud might have seen woman as slighty less equal to man. Read More »
Heirarchy Among a King’s Wives
Question: II Samuel 3. Says that King David sent for his first wife, Michal years after she had been taken from him. Michal was returned to King David. At this time King David had 6 wives/concubines. My question is “when Michal returned did she resume her place as first wife, or did she go to the end of the line, so to speak”. Read More »
Modeh Ani When You’re Not Feeling Thankful
Question: Is it correct to say the Modeh Ani (the prayer of thanks traditionally said immediately upon rising in the morning) every morning even if you don’t mean it? In other words, is it right to say it if you really wish you were dead and G-d had kept your soul with H-m. Answer: Great question. Read More »
Buying a House that Used to be a Synagogue
Question: Is it permitted for a Jew to buy a house that used to be a synagogue? Answer: The laws regarding the purchase of and living in a structure that used to be a synagogue are somewhat complicated. A synagogue is considered a holy place, and one is not allowed to use it for mundane purposes. Read More »
Why is it called Judaism?
Question: Why is the Jewish religion called Judaism, instead of being called Israelism? Answer: You won’t find the word Judaism anywhere in G-d’s Hebrew Scriptures. It’s a term that was coined later, and it is anglicized. That is, Jewish royalty has been given over by G-d to the Tribe of Yehudah (Judah). Yehudah is anglicized as Judah. Read More »
Suicide and Burial in a Jewish Cemetery
Question: Kindly explain the religions attitude to suicide? can a suicide be buried in an orthodox way? thanks Answer: The Torah, which begins by relating to us how G-d first breathed life into the newly fashioned human body, stands quite opposed to suicide. Read More »
How Could Jacob Steal the Blessings?
Question: What is the rational for the means justifying the ends with regard to Jacob stealing Esau’s blessing from their father Isaac. Why does the conspiracy between Jacob and Rebekah toward Isaac, and Esau, succeed? Answer: Your question looks simple, but it is in reality quite complex, and could easily consume the pages of a large book. Read More »
Informing on Another Jew, Mesirah
Question: Can you explain to me why it is forbidden to inform on another Jew to the government when they have committed something wrong? If I have nothing to gain from the other person being punished, then why is that bad, especially if that is the only way to get these people to stop their behavior? Answer: Thank you for your interesting question. Read More »
G-d Wants You to Ask Him
Question: When will I have children? Answer: Thank you for contacting us. I’m struck by the simplicity and innocence of your question. The true One to ask this question of, especially in the absence of prophecy, is G-d, our Father in Heaven. It’s His decision who will be born. Read More »
Visiting the Western Wall
Question: I am Oleh Chadash (new immigrant to Israel) and am going to visit Jerusalem and the Kotel (the Western Wall). Read More »
Responsibility for Mistakes
Question: I firmly believe in personal integrity, which of course includes acceptance and acknowledgment of responsibility for one’s actions. But what about the so called “unconscious” acts? Can anyone be accountable for actions or omissions strictly involuntary? Answer: There are different types of unconscious acts. Read More »
“Someone is Watching Me,” Worrisome Thoughts
Question: I have this feeling that whenever I am alone, especially in the dark, that someone is watching me. What should I do? I also keep having these dreams of something like a soul crying to me. I have asked G-d why He is sending them to me. Read More »
Doing It Just for G-d
Question: From what I understand G-d created the world and gave the Jewish people a tremendous gift- the Torah. We serve G-d, pray to Him, follow the commandments… It’s all one big great opportunity for us. G-d is infinite and doesn’t really need anything, He did it all for us. Read More »
Raising Non-Kosher Animals
Question: I have been interested in farming and I would like to raise animals for business purposes. Can I raise animals that I am restricted from eating according to the Torah? Answer: Jewish law allows the raising of non-kosher animals that will be used for non-food purposes (like horses). Read More »
What Happened to Orpah?
Question: What happened to Orpah after she departed from Naomi and Ruth? Answer: The Talmud (Sotah 42b) says that she suffered such a spiritual let-down after leaving her mother-in-law that she was intimate with many men and from there became pregnant with Goliath, the mighty Philistine warrior who opposed David in the times of King Saul. Read More »
Wearing Tefillin All Day
Question: When one wears Tefillin (Phylacteries) one betroths themselves to G-d – it’s a wedding ring. Why then would someone take them after the morning prayers? Answer: You make a good point. Read More »
Gap Theory and Lucifer
Question: Does the 974 generations of man before creation (or remaking of earth) add any validity to the gap theory of creation? The theory that Lucifer was cast out of heaven onto the earth and G-d then destroyed the earth due to the corruption and Read More »
Beginning Prayer with Mah Tovu
Question: Why do we begin the prayers with “Mah Tovu”? Answer: “Mah Tovu” is said in praise of the synagogue (“ohalecha”, “mishkenosecha”, “beisecha”,…). In principle, it should be said when entering a synagogue; but the phrase “eis ratzon” applies to prayer (anywhere) at the proper time. Read More »
Jewish Men & Heavy Clothing in the Summer
Question: Why are Orthodox Jewish men required to wear heavy clothing, even in warm weather? Is this based on the Torah, & if so, where? Answer: Orthodox Jewish men are not strictly required to wear heavy clothing. Rather, it is a custom that some of them have. Read More »
Bilaam’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, Bilaam, I am curious as to why we begin our daily prayer with them. Answer: Hi! I’m a little surprised that you called Bilaam a false prophet. Read More »
Joshua’s Name “Change”
Question: Why is Joshua first called Joshua in Exodus 17: 9, but then later on in Numbers 13: 16, that is when Moses changes Hoshea’s name to Joshua. What am I missing? Isn’t this out of order? Answer: Sharp question. Read More »
Four-Cornered Garments Today
Question: We are commanded to wear Tzitzit on the four corner of our garmets. However today our garments mostly have no corners. I realize that we can find something to wear with four corners such as the tallit katan but the commandment seems to say that the Tzitzit should be on what we would normally wear. Read More »
Shavuot, Simchat Torah & the Torah Reading Cycle
Question: Since Shavuout celebrates the giving of the Law, why isn’t the cycle of Torah celebrated at Shavuot, rather than at Simchat Torah (the special holiday at the culmination of the Succot holiday)? Answer: Thank you for your question. It is an excellent question, which deserves a much longer answer. Read More »
King David’s Mother
Question: Where can I find out who King David’s mother was? Answer: The Talmud Bava Basra 91 records her name as Nitzevet the daughter of Adael. Read More »
Connection of Shavuot to Mt. Sinai
Question: How did the Rabbis of the Rabbinic period justified making a historical connection between the holiday of Shavu’ot and the giving of the 10 commandments at Mt Sinai/Horeb when ALL references in the Torah to Shavu’ot (Ex. 23: 16, 34: 22, Lev. 23: 15-22, Num. 28: 26-31, and Deut. Read More »
Numbers in Wilderness — all to the tenth?
Question: Why are there no odd numbers in the Torah’s counting ( 637….2349…. ) of the Jewish people in the Torah Portion of Bamidbar, only round numbers ? Answer: This question is very interesting. I’ve wondered about it for a long time. The numbers of the tribes are all even multiples of ten, both here and in the Torah Portion of Pinchas. Read More »
Talmudic Arguments About Historical Facts
Question: In the Talmud when two opinions of the Rabbis disagree the Talmud says that essentially both are right - “Eilu V’Eilu Divrei Elokim Chaim. Read More »
Rabbi Akiva’s Students
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 that? Answer: That could well have been the very Read More »
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