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 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 […]
Dear Jew in the City- Why don’t Jews believe in Jesus? Who was he according to Jewish texts? Sincerely, Katie Dear Katie- Thanks for your question, though it’s the kind of question I hate to answer. The reason I hate to answer is because I don’t like to be misconstrued as “picking a fight” with […]
In November 1995, I was a sophomore at Johns Hopkins University. Secular-raised, jeans-wearing, I was trying to sort out my relationship with G-d. Though I was not “shomer shabbat” at the time, I took long walks on campus on Saturday afternoons, seeking my own personal connection with the divine. I hadn’t resolved what kind of […]
Hi JITC- What is the Torah view of Marijuana use? Is there a difference between medical and recreational use? Thanks, T.K. Dear T.K.- This past summer, my wife and I vacationed in Utah. One of the tourist destinations recommended online was the Brigham Young University Museum of Paleontology (which is really fun to say). My […]
Dear Jew in the City- There seems to be a discomfort about airing our dirty laundry in the Orthodox world. When are we allowed to publicize a problem? Thank you, P.T. Dear P.T.- Thanks for your question. You are no doubt aware that there is a very serious prohibition called lashon hara (evil speech). […]
