Dear Jew in the City- Are there any Torah sources to counter anxiety? To live in the present and not worry about the future? The election outcome is making me nervous. Thank you, A.C. Dear A.C.- Thanks for your question. When I was 18, my life was profoundly changed by the book Gateway to Happiness […]

Dear JITC- Is there a problem with trick-or-treating according to Judaism? If so, why? Thanks, Jamie Dear Jamie- Thanks for your question. There are two types of holidays: religious and secular. Despite the commercialization decried by those who observe it, I think that most people would have no trouble recognizing Christmas as a religious holiday. […]

Dear Jew in the City, Do Sephardic Jews have their own language like Yiddish? Sincerely, Sara They sure do. It’s commonly called Ladino. (It’s also known by a few other names, but we’ll come to that.) Ladino started among Jews who lived in the Iberian Peninsula in the 15th century. Originally a dialect of Old […]

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- What’s the difference between Hasidic vs. Orthodox Jews? What about the Jews on Shtisel vs. Hasidic Jews? Thanks, Michael Dear Michael- Thanks for your question. As I’ve mentioned in the past, I haven’t seen (and have no plans to see) Shtisel, so I can’t address that. But I can address […]

Dear Jew in the City, Are there any laws that tell people not to talk about their intimate lives? What are the exceptions? Sincerely, Hannah   Dear Hannah, There are indeed such laws, and you’ve probably heard of them. Collectively, such laws are referred to as “tzniyus.” “Hey!” I hear you say. “Tzniyus refers to the […]