Dear Jew in the City, I recently met my half-siblings online and I will be meeting them in person this summer. Most of my half-siblings are Jewish and some are Orthodox. I have not had many experiences with Jewish people. Could you give me a list of things not to do or say, and ways […]

Dear Jew in the City, Is there anything we can look to within Jewish sources to understand the blood libel accusations against Jews when Jews uniquely value life? Sincerely, Samuel   Dear Samuel, Thanks for your question. The short answer is no. The longer answer is also no. Jewish sources are great for explaining why […]

Dear Jew in the City, How is Tu b’Shevat connected to the land of Israel? Best, Jonah   Dear Jonah, Thanks for your question. We discussed Tu b’Shevat a few years ago, so let’s make a quick recap. The first mishna in tractate Rosh Hashana tells us that there are four “new years,” as follows: […]

Dear JITC- What prophecies are we supposed to be seeing during the times of Moshiach that we may be seeing right now? Thanks, MM Dear MM- Thanks for your question, though I don’t love it and you’re probably not going to love my answer. The reason I don’t love your question is because it presupposes […]

Dear Jew in the City, Recently, you referenced a relationship between Jews and Hindus. Can you please expand on that? Sincerely, Rebecca Dear Rebecca, Thanks for your question. That was in the article on Jewish-Muslim relations. What I wrote there was, “Avraham had other children, with his second wife, Keturah (who may or may not […]

Dear Jew in the City, Why does Hashem care so much about the intricate details of our practice, i.e. all the halachot of Shabbat, kashrut, etc.? Sincerely, Yuval Dear Yuval, Thanks for your question. You want to talk about an intricate detail? Let’s talk about commas. A comma is a tiny thing. Certainly, the inclusion […]