Dear Jew in the City, Why do Orthodox Jews have to wait until certain times to pray? Sincerely, Mark Dear Mark, Thanks for your question – and I know exactly why you’re asking: because of the bill to make Daylight Savings Time permanent. As many have noted, this would make it difficult – if […]
Dear Jew in the City, How do Orthodox Jews pray? Sincerely, Kate Dear Kate, Thanks for your question. There are a lot of ways I could answer this. For example: How do we pray? In Hebrew (unless one is unable to do so). How do we pray? Standing. Many of us sway (called shuckeling). […]
Dear Jew in the City, On a recent flight after dealing with hours of a cancelation, a reschedule and then a delay, I finally boarded the plane with numerous other exhausted passengers. I noticed quite a few fellow Orthodox Jews on this flight, the one closest to me was a twenty-something guy with a […]
Dear Jew in the City, Why is Sukkot the holiday of happiness over other holidays? Best, Raphael Dear Raphael, Thanks for your question. Let’s assume you were jaded and cynical. I know that doesn’t apply to anyone here, but if you were jaded and cynical, you might think, “Well, when the Rabbis composed the […]
Everyday during the month of Elul, the month proceeding the days of Awe, we say the following chapter of psalms that begins with L’dovid Hashem Ori: Of David, The LORD is my light and my help; whom should I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life, whom should I dread? When evil men […]
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 […]
