Dear Jew in the City- What is the meaning of having a birthday for trees? Thanks, Stephanie Dear Stephanie- Thanks for your question. Aside from the fact that “birthday” is something of a mistranslation, the idea of Tu b’Shevat is actually kind of a technical legal thing and not a day celebrating nature or agriculture […]
Hi JITC- What does Judaism say about gun rights? Thanks, Emma Dear Emma- Thanks for your timely question. Before we get into it, I’d like to preface by saying that, whatever we determine the Torah’s position to be, it does not necessarily mandate a political position for us. For example, the Torah permits slavery and […]
Dear Jew in the City- I am hesitant to say anything in opposition to a beautiful, courageous act and cause any sort of divisiveness at a time when Jews must come together but I do have a theological question. When the man who stopped the Monsey attacker from doing more harm got a medal for […]
Dear Jew in the City- I have a question about taking up arms to defend oneself. What if an attacker is shot, but later dies from the wounds; does that violate pikuach nefesh, and the Talmud telling us it’s better to give up our life than take a life or does that mean instantly taking […]
Dear Jew in the City- I find myself getting deeply distressed over the ever-rising incidents of antisemitism in the last few years. Is it my imagination? I hear some people saying it’s time to pick up and leave before it gets worse. Yes, we believe that there will be an eventual final redemption, which includes […]
Dear JITC- Someone close to me recently died and I never got to say goodbye. Does Judaism believe that the dead know what’s going on in this world? Thank you, Talia Dear Talia- Thanks for your question. I am not the final arbiter of what Judaism believes; I can only tell you things as I […]
