Dear Jew in the City- What’s the difference between Hasidic vs. Orthodox Jews? What about the Jews on Shtisel vs. Hasidic Jews? Thanks, Michael Dear Michael- Thanks for your question. As I’ve mentioned in the past, I haven’t seen (and have no plans to see) Shtisel, so I can’t address that. But I can address […]
Dear Jew In the City, Are healing crystals considered avodah zarah? Thank you, Rikki __ Hi Rikki, Thanks for your question. When I read it, I already had an opinion on this particular matter, but I didn’t want to just share my understanding. So, I did my research and I came away with three positions. […]
Dear Jew in the City, Can we understand the fall of the Assad regime as the fall of Damascus described by Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai? Thanks, Alexis Dear Alexis Thanks for your question, which I didn’t understand at all. In asking for clarification, I was directed to a tweet in which some rabbi cites […]
Dear Jew in the City- Are there any Torah sources to counter anxiety? To live in the present and not worry about the future? The election outcome is making me nervous. Thank you, A.C. Dear A.C.- Thanks for your question. When I was 18, my life was profoundly changed by the book Gateway to Happiness […]
Hi JITC- On the first full shabbos I kept, I had a wonderful time, but as I was walking to shul, I asked my host, “Do you really believe that all of those animals were in that ark?”Because it seemed difficult to believe. I put it out of my mind for years, but now it’s […]
Dear JITC- Is there a problem with trick-or-treating according to Judaism? If so, why? Thanks, Jamie Dear Jamie- Thanks for your question. There are two types of holidays: religious and secular. Despite the commercialization decried by those who observe it, I think that most people would have no trouble recognizing Christmas as a religious holiday. […]
