Recently, I received an inquiry from someone who was researching transgender issues in halacha. The first thing I told them, before suggesting some sources, was that this issue is far above my pay grade. I am not qualified to comment on the permissibility of any course of action, and I can make no recommendations. All […]

Dear Jew in the City, With the recent viral deepfake video of Jewish celebrities calling out Kanye, I got to wondering how Judaism views AI. There certainly seem to be ethical issues with it. What parts are kosher? What goes too far? Sincerely, Brian   Dear Brian, Thanks for your question. Please note that I […]

Succot is here, and there are lots of accompanying laws. This many walls. This many tefachim. This type of roof. Do all the walls need to be complete? What must the roof be made of? So many halachos. Why all these dictates? Is Jewish Law trying to make sure that we each build the exact same […]

A special time of mourning for the Beis HaMikdash interrupts our regularly scheduled summer fun each year, as we enter into the three weeks leading up to Tisha b’Av (the 9th of Av). The saddest day in the Jewish Calendar, Tisha b’Av marks the destruction of the Temples, as well as several other major tragedies […]

Today I’m going to answer a question that nobody asked. But first, some background. There’s something that people do whenever these articles are posted on social media. When Allison (or whoever handles social media on her behalf) posts the articles, the question that I’m answering is always part of the post. What some people invariably […]

Dear Jew in the City, According to verses in Vayikra, how do we understand men and women having a different value? Sincerely, MM   Dear MM, Thanks for your question. What you’re talking about is parshas Bechukosai, the last parsha in sefer Vayikra (the book of Leviticus). Most of the parsha is dedicated to the […]