Question: What is the Haggadah? AskTheRabbi.org answered: The Haggadah is a book that Jews read on the first night of Passover – and on the first two nights outside of Israel. It tells about our slavery in Egypt and the miracles God did for us when freeing us. The word haggadah means “telling,” which comes from…
Question: Hi Rabbi, I have a question for you. I recently went to a class about the “Portion of the Week”, and when the Rabbi concluded the lesson I felt that I should clap my hands to applaud in appreciation for the very interesting class. However, the other attendees didn’t clap, so I decided not…
Question: I have always wondered how from Adam and Eve came all the different races and colors of the people in the world. I appreciate your insights and appreciate your “Just Ask” service. Thanks. AskTheRabbi.org answered: Thank you for your kind words and you’ve posed a really great question! The Talmud deals with the diversity…
Question: I was reading my son Bible stories and he asked a simple, “child-like” question: “Why doesn’t God punish bad people the way he did in the Bible, such as what happened in Egypt in the Passover story? I was flustered for an answer as to why we don’t see God’s great powers the way…
Question: I recently started going to the Synagogue on Shabbat and noticed this past week that the congregation said a special prayer called “Blessing of the New Month”. Would you please tell me more about this blessing? Thanks. AskTheRabbi.org answered: Good question. On the Shabbat before the new Jewish month begins (except for the Shabbat…
Question: Why do many people sway back and forth while praying? I’ve seen others who do not and this seems more respectful to me. Is either way the correct way or the better way? AskTheRabbi.org answered: Both are correct and acceptable. The deciding factor is which way helps a person to have better concentration on…
Question: Hi Rabbi, a friend just had a baby and everyone keeps telling him “Mazel tov”. It sounds like they’re wishing the parents congratulations and good luck. But is that really what “Mazel tov” means? Thanks. AskTheRabbi.org answered: Although “Mazel tov” is used almost universally as a phrase of congratulations and a wish for good…
Question: I saw an ad on campus about a Tu B’Shevat celebration, called “New Year’s Day for the Trees”. Is it like a Jewish Arbor Day? Thank you. AskTheRabbi.org answered: “I think that I shall never see A poem lovely as a tree. Poems are made by fools like me, But only God can make…
Question: Hi Rabbi, we are expecting our first child – a boy. How do we decide who should be Sandak (the person who holds the baby at the circumcision)? Each of our fathers wants the honor. But it’s stressing my wife out! Any advice you have about how to decide whom to choose, while also…
Question: I was raised in a secular environment and want to “do teshuva”. Maybe not all at once, but I want to start changing my ways and start observing Judaism more. However, I’ve heard that to be forgiven for my past I need to regret what I’ve done. But I find it really hard to…