Dear Jew in the City, What is the difference between a pilegesh (concubine) and a wife in the Torah? S.D. Dear S.D.- For the answer to this, let us turn to tractate Kesubos in the Talmud Yerushalmi (5:2). There, the gemara asks your exact question. Rabbi Meir explains that a wife has a kesubah (marriage […]
Dear Jew in the City- Doesn’t being the “Chosen People” make it easier for Jews to be arrogant? Sincerely, Brock Dear Brock- Thanks for your question. We discussed the whole “chosen people” thing a few months ago, so let’s recap what that’s about. I have very dear friends and their kids are special to me. […]
Dear JITC- What is the Jewish perspective on dreams? Are we meant to take them as any form of prophecy or is it just an exercise of the subconscious? Thank you, Auri Dear Auri- Oh, boy. Here we go again. The reason I say that is because, as we have discussed before, there are shivim […]
Dear JITC- Does the animism of Marie Kondo’s popular KonMari method present any problems for observant Jews? Thanks, Ella Dear Ella- Thanks for your question. Let’s skip to the bottom line: you would be best served asking this of your own Orthodox rabbi, not a stranger on the Internet. Now let’s take the scenic route. […]
Dear Jew in the City- How can there be many “right” ways to live a Jewish life? There seems to be only one way, living within the parameters set by the Torah. And if there is variation in the levels of observance within those parameters why is it acceptable to choose anything other than the […]
Hi JITC- The idea that there’s a halacha that we don’t have to return lost money to a non-Jew has always bothered me. Maybe I could see it making sense if we are in a society where non-Jews are anti-Semitic. But does this also apply when non-Jews treat us nicely? Thank you, David Dear David- […]
