Dear Jew in the City- I’m wondering if there is more information about the lost 12 tribes? Which tribe would Ashkenazi Jews come from? Sincerely, Crystal   Dear Crystal- Thanks for your question. First off, there are 10 “lost” Tribes, not 12. There were 12 Tribes in total (kind of), not all of which were […]

Hi JITC- Do Jews Believe in Hell? Sincerely, Hayley Dear Hayley- I don’t know where the idea that Jews don’t believe in Hell got started but we most certainly do believe in one. I’ve heard umpteen times on television that Jews don’t believe in Hell – including on the venerable Simpsons. And people figure that […]

Dear Jew in the City- In the wake of the #metoo movement, it got me thinking, how would Jewish Law handle a “he said/she said” situation? How much evidence is enough to implicate someone according to the Torah in a case with no witnesses? Sincerely, A Concerned Woman Dear Concerned- I was sent this question […]

Dear JITC- We hear a lot of pop culture references to “I Love You Just the Way You Are,” “Born This Way,” etc. The Greeks also thought we were perfect as we are. So why would God create man needing a bris? What is Judaism trying to tell us about why we need circumcision? Shouldn’t […]

Dear Jew in the City- Since I became religious, I’ve been scared about the seemingly loose attitude about fire safety in the frum world (leaving Shabbos and Chanukah candles burning, hot plates on for 3-day Yom Tov stretches). What’s the right approach here? Sincerely, Morgan Dear Morgan- Thanks for your question. I’m with you on […]

Dear JITC- One thing I struggle with is davening. Why do we normally only daven for Jewish people? I like variety and new things, why do we have to say the same words over and over again? Also, in the past, I really davened for important things that then didn’t come about, where does that […]