Dear Jew in the City, Isn’t being honest and ethical part of a religious Jewish life? Sometimes I read about Orthodox Jews committing fraud. What does Judaism forbid, and why are people such hypocrites? Sincerely, Disillusioned and Disappointed Dear D & D- No doubt this question was motivated by last month’s news in which seven […]

I recently published an article on another site about Gal Gadot, which went far more viral than most of my opinion pieces. Of course, there is always dissent to opinion pieces (such being the nature of opinions). In this case, that included two or three readers who found the subject matter simply inappropriate for the […]

Dear Jew in the City- I heard a lot about the concept of “tikkun olam” growing up as a secular Jew, but Orthodox people don’t really eeention it. What does it really mean and is it a Torah value? Sincerely, Still Trying to Do Good Dear Do Gooder- It’s definitely a Torah value, but there’s […]

Dear Jew in the City- We see a fire and brimstone God throughout the Torah, and then a softer God elsewhere. But isn’t a relationship where the other person is sometimes abusive and sometimes nice still an abusive relationship? From, Trying to Connect Dear Trying- Thanks for your question. By “we see a fire and […]

  Dear Jew in the City- In reading the Exodus-related Torah portions, I just don’t understand the story of the golden calf. How could a people who had just seen open miracles so quickly turn to idolatry? All the best, Cowed   Dear Cowed- Thanks for your question. Actually, it makes perfect sense. I’ll explain. […]

  Dear Jew in the City- When should a rabbi be consulted? It seems that in some communities rabbis are asked about every mundane detail of life, things that aren’t even related to Jewish law. Other times, people talk about consulting rabbis on a halachic matters when really it’s just a matter of opinion. So […]