Dear Jew In the City, How do we handle Simchas Torah this year? Thanks, Arielle _ Hi Arielle, Thanks for your very interesting question. Before I address it, I’d like to contextualize things for those who may need the dots connected, as well as for people who may read this in the future and need […]
Dear Jew in the City, Why is Sukkot the holiday of happiness over other holidays? Best, Raphael Dear Raphael, Thanks for your question. Let’s assume you were jaded and cynical. I know that doesn’t apply to anyone here, but if you were jaded and cynical, you might think, “Well, when the Rabbis composed the […]
Dear Jew In the City, This year Yom Kippur falls on Shabbat. What are the halachot concerning this? Thanks, Eliza _ Hi Eliza, Thanks for your question. When Yom Kippur falls on Shabbos, what’s different? Quite a bit when it comes to Shabbos, but surprisingly little when it comes to Yom Kippur. Shabbos is different […]
Dear Jew In the City, Israel seems to have hit Hezbollah hard this week with blowing up their technology. How do we balance celebrating defeating our enemies with not taking too much joy in the death and destruction of human beings? Sincerely, Jonathan _ Hi Jonathan, Thanks for your question. We have addressed questions about […]
Dear Jew in the City, I was angered to read the updated Wikipedia definition of Zionism. They write that it “is an ethno-cultural nationalist movement that emerged in Europe in the late 19th century and aimed for the establishment of a Jewish state through the colonization of a land outside of Europe.” Surely Zionism is […]
Dear Jew in the City- Elul is supposed to be a time of introspection, but so many of us have already been introspective during this giant time out. What does that mean practically to search one’s heart and come close to God right now? -Chana Dear Chana, I have to be honest that, when I […]
