Dear Jew in the City, The second paragraph of Shema seems to say that God’s love for us is conditional. That’s a troubling parent-child dynamic. Is there any other way to understand this? Sincerely, Moshe Dear Moshe, Thanks for your question, though I must admit that I don’t see in that paragraph what you see […]

Dear Jew in the City, My family’s Pesach traditions are so strict and burdensome that I don’t want to observe the holiday anymore. The work is too much and I’m starving the whole time. Is there room for me to be more lenient? -A.E.   Dear A.E, Thanks for your question. As I mentioned last […]

Dear Jew in the City, I saw in Unorthodox a kitchen covered in tin foil. Why do Orthodox Jews do this? Thanks, Brad Dear Brad, Thanks for your question. Whenever I receive a question that starts “Why do Orthodox Jews…,” my initial reaction is, “They don’t” because such questions usually represent gross generalizations. This was […]

Dear JITC- What is Modern Orthodoxy? Thanks, Meredith Dear Meredith, Thanks for your question. In order to explain what Modern Orthodoxy is, I think we first have to explain what Orthodoxy is. It begins with a history lesson. In the year 2448 from the Creation of the world, corresponding to 1312 BCE, the Jews who […]

Dear Jew in the City- Are two witnesses really required in order to report  physical or sexual abuse? Thanks, Sara Dear Sara, Thanks for your question, though I legit have no idea what you’re talking about. The Torah says, “Whoever kills any person, the murderer shall be executed based on the testimony of witnesses, but […]

Dear Jew in the City- Does the mitzvah of lo saamod al dam rei’echa mean we believe countries should stop Putin? Thanks, David Dear David, Thanks for your question. I think the first thing we need to do is define terms. “Lo saamod al dam rei’echa” means “You shall not stand idly by your fellow’s blood” […]