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| 1 |
"How prevalent is the Jewish belief in reincarnation
today? How does it differ from the Asian belief? What do the Rabbis
think of it?" |
| 2 |
"I try to be open-minded spiritually. Why is it that religious Jews
are so closed to the wisdom of other religions?" |
| 3 |
"I was at an Orthodox engagement party. What was the significance
of the lifting of the handkerchief? Why didn't he give her a ring? Isn't
that a Jewish custom?" |
| 4 |
"I read in your calendar that you had a Thanksgiving event. Although
this get-together may be purely Jewish, please be informed that some rabbinic
authorities have forbidden any form of marking Thanksgiving because it originated
as a Christian religious festival. Did you ask a rabbi?" |
| 5 |
"How does G-d justify what happened during the holocaust?" |
| 6 |
"Could you set out a balance between the need to understand and
the obligation to fulfill mitzvot that would help someone like me from a
non-religious background?" |
| 7 |
"I heard a Rabbi speak about how good Jews are supposed to show
"bad" Jews the way of G-d." |
| 8 |
"Why are there so many different types of Orthodox shuls in Israel?
The shades of distinction between many of them seem so slight. Why don't
they join each other instead of competing? " |
| 9 |
"I sat in on a class at a women's Yeshiva. It was sort of interesting,
but I couldn't relate to it. I also tried a Shabbat with a family; they
were very nice and the food was great, but I was bored stiff. I want more
Judaism in my life, but I don't think this is it." |
| 10 |
"A group of psychotherapists stated that at the Akeida, Isaac
was sacrificed and then rose again, and that this represents mankind's move
from human to animal sacrifice. What do you think?" |
| 11 |
"Why do you stress Judaism as a religion? We see it primarily as
a culture." |
| 12 |
"Some rabbis that I met told me it is prohibited to study the "secret"
teachings until you are 40 years of age and expert in Talmud and Jewish
law. " |
| 13 |
"Is it not "idol-worship" to pray to a tzadik at his grave?"
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| 14 |
"Celibacy and Judaism" |
| 15 |
""I am interested to hear what you have to say about Yoga
as a physical exercise and mind-centering activity. Is it kosher
for Jews?" |
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| 1 |
"I have many fond memories of the family Passover Seder.
At this stage, however, my father's non-religious seder has become increasingly
uncomfortable for me and my family." |
| 2 |
"I have tried saying the prayers in the prayerbook, but I do not relate
to them. Why can't I pray in my own words and in my own language?" |
| 3 |
"Why is every seven years called the Sabbatical Year? Why is it
sometimes called "Shmitah?" |
| 4 |
"Why do very religious men wear long black garments
only, even in summertime?" |
| 5 |
'"Why do religious people always answer, 'Thank G-d,' no matter
what you ask them? It is so predictable and boring, it discourages talking
to them." |
| 6 |
"What is the Jewish Kaddish prayer? How how does it memorialize
the dead?" |
| 7 |
"Why do some orthodox jews wear knit skullcaps, while others wear
only dark suits and thirties-style gangster hats? And what about those who
wear fur hats, tights, and long coats, with really long earlocks? And the
ones who look like hippies, but with fringes dangling from their shirts?" |
| 8 |
"I've been asked to lend a large sum to a non-profit institution.
The problem is I don't want to lose the dividend income from my money, but
I know it is forbidden for a Jew to take interest on a loan to another Jew.
Is there a solution?" |
| 9 |
"Why do we dip the challah in salt on Shabbat? And why three
times?" |
| 10 |
"Why two loaves each Shabbat meal?" |
| 11 |
"There are so many restrictions, how can you enjoy Shabbat?" |
| 12 |
"Something is either kosher or not kosher. What is all this stuff
about "strictly kosher," "glatt kosher," "mehadrin," etc.? " |
| 13 |
"Why in the Evening Prayer after Yom Kippur ends do we already have
to ask G-d's forgiveness again?" |
| 14 |
"How can it be that Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are celebrated
together on one day in Israel?" |
| 15 |
"When praying for someone's health, we mention his or her Hebrew name
and that of the mother. What if the names are not Jewish?" |
| 16 |
"Is a "housewarming" party part of Jewish tradition?" |
| 17 |
"Why Wash? - My Hands are Clean!" |
| 18 |
"How is the Bar Mitzvah explained in Kabbalah ?" |
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| 1 |
"Can all the people asking for charity in the streets
of Jerusalem on Friday be genuine? Must I give to each one even if I don't
have a good feeling about him?" |
| 2 |
"Why are many Orthodox and Chassidic Jews not nice to other
people and/or dishonest in financial affairs?" |
| 3 |
"Isn't it better to not steal because you feel it to be wrong, rather
than because it is a mitzvah not to do so?" |
| 4 |
"Now that I've converted, my status is that of a new-born
person. Doesn't that mean I should cut off all contact with my non-Jewish
mother?" |
| 5 |
"How should I behave when confronted by the seemingly ubiquitous
gentile preachers and proselytizers?" |
| 6 |
"I, as a vegetarian, feel offended that sacrifice of innocent creatures
should be prescribed for sins committed by people." |
| 7 |
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| 8 |
"Why do observant Jews use pre-set "Shabbat timers" to
turn lights and other electrical appliances on and off on Shabbat? It seems
like using a loophole, against the spirit of Shabbat." |
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