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- In the new movie Guardians of the Galaxy, aliens from all over the universe team up to save the day. What does Judaism say about life on other planets? Sincerely, Spaced Out Dear Space- It may not surprise you that people think a lot about the afterlife. Is […]
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 […]
Dear Jew in the City- If there’s no Temple anymore, why are we still counting an Omer that’s not even being brought? Didn’t other Temple-related actives just cease after its destruction? Thanks, Losing Count Already Dear Count, That’s a pretty good question. Let’s first explain what “counting the omer” is. Leviticus chapter 23 […]
