Dear Jew in the City, You recently wrote about prayer and I was wondering: Do our prayers actually accomplish anything? Can my prayers make a difference in the world, or even in my own life? Sincerely, Joseph   Dear Joseph, Thanks for your question. As we discussed in that previous article, the purpose of prayer […]

Dear Jew in the City, People often say that learning Torah “holds up the world.” What does that mean exactly? At this time when it’s being more stressed than ever, how is it actually helping? Sincerely, Erin   Dear Erin, Thanks for your questions. Before I answer them, I’d like to give you some important […]

Dear Jew in the City, Why does Hashem need our prayers, especially when He already knows what we want and need? Why is prayer so important? Sincerely, Rachel   Dear Rachel, Thanks for your question. Unfortunately, you’ve got things backwards. God is complete and perfect; we’ve got nothing to offer Him that He “needs.” Sure, […]

Dear Jew in the City, Did the Jewish people have any pre-battle prayer in biblical times? Best, Asher Dear Asher, Thanks for your question. Before I answer it, I’d like to address prayer more generally. I once heard a rabbi say that we shouldn’t take Israel’s battles against Muslim countries lightly. This is because we […]

Dear Jew in the City, Is this Hamas war the war of Gog and Magog? How will we recognize it? Sincerely, David   Thanks for your question, David. First, let’s address what the war of Gog and Magog is. Many people are under the misconception that “the war of Gog and Magog” refers to a […]

Hi JITC- What is the point of inviting these guests to our sukkah? Thanks, Max Dear Max- Thanks for your question. I see from the subject line of your message that “these guests” refers not to your corporeal yom tov guests but to the Ushpizin. “Ushpizin” is an Aramaic word that means guests. Aramaic is […]