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What Does the Torah Teach Us About Addressing Narcissism?

Dear Jew in the City, How do you inculcate the values of kindness, compassion and selflessness in a society that rewards narcissism, like we often see on social media for example? How should narcissists, especially those in positions of power and influence, be regarded and dealt with in the Jewish community? Sincerely, Chaviva Dear Chaviva, […]

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Do Sephardic Jews Have Their Own Language Like Yiddish?

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 […]

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Is God’s Love For Us Conditional?

Dear Jew in the City, The second paragraph of Shema seems to say that God’s love for us is conditional. That’s a troubling parent-child dynamic. Is there any other way to understand this? Sincerely, Moshe Dear Moshe, Thanks for your question, though I must admit that I don’t see in that paragraph what you see […]

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Why Do Orthodox Jews Cover Their Kitchens In Foil?

Dear Jew in the City, I saw in Unorthodox a kitchen covered in tin foil. Why do Orthodox Jews do this? Thanks, Brad Dear Brad, Thanks for your question. Whenever I receive a question that starts “Why do Orthodox Jews…,” my initial reaction is, “They don’t” because such questions usually represent gross generalizations. This was […]

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Do Jews Believe In Turning the Other Cheek or Strict Justice?

Dear JITC- I just saw Spider-Man, which seems to be about the Christian version of justice. Christians believe in turning the other cheek. Desmond Tutu, who just died, said Holocaust survivors should forgive Nazis! Jews believe in compassion but also in stopping and punishing evil. Why does Judaism believe in vengeance in addition to compassion? […]

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Does Drinking A “L’Chaim” Influence God To Bless Us?

Dear JITC- I read your post on Jews and alcohol. What are your thoughts on the fact that many Orthodox Jews have some liquor and say “l’chaim” at Shabbos meals? They often will then say something like “May we all have brachos in parnasa and health and besuros tovos.” Is there a source for the […]

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