Dear Jew in the City, Why do Orthodox Jews do circle dancing? Sincerely, Kayla Dear Kayla, Thanks for your very interesting question. It might surprise you to learn that circle dancing is not exclusively Jewish, let alone Orthodox. Circle dances can be found the world over, from Armenia to Sweden, from Greece to Germany, […]
Dear Jew in the City, How did Jewish law handle unjust governments in past eras and how does that apply to America in modern times? Sincerely, Sam Dear Sam, I’m going to be honest, I’ve sat on this question longer than I’d normally like. I kept kicking it down the road because I didn’t […]
Dear Jew in the City, Are there any Torah sources that address PTSD and how to deal with it? Sincerely, Hindy Dear Hindy, Thanks for your question. For sure, the Torah doesn’t mention PTSD by name because the term “posttraumatic stress disorder” didn’t appear until 1980, in the third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical […]
Dear Jew in the City, Are boys supposed to learn all day or get a job? Are Jewish men expected to be employed and provide for their families? I have read of some Orthodox men who shun work and study Torah all day while the wife is the breadwinner and raises the children. Sincerely, Stephanie […]
Dear Jew in the City, Were the Jews forced to accept the Torah? It was literally held over our heads and could seem to be given in such a way where we had no choice but to accept it. Sincerely, Simon Dear Simon, Thanks for your question. Let’s explain it. Exodus 19:17 says that at […]
Dear Jew in the City, Why is Jerusalem so special to the Jewish people? Sincerely, Michelle Dear Michelle, Thanks for your question. I could start the story of Jerusalem with the creation of the world (see, for example, Bereishis Rabbah 14:8, cited by Rashi on Genesis 2:7) or with Avraham (Jerusalem being where the akeidah […]
