Dear Jew in the City- How do you balance Kibud Av v’Em when you’ve chosen a different path within Judaism than your family? Sincerely, B.T. Dear B.T.- No joke, this is literally the first “Ask Rabbi Jack” question I ever received, though I received it from the parent. Decades ago, on my very first day […]
Dear Rebbetzin Chaya- My husband and I really want a certain name for our baby, but the grandmas-to-be have each been pressuring us to use a name that’s special to them (especially that of my mother-in-law’s father, who unfortunately died last year). How do we handle this? Sincerely, Rikki Dear Rikki- B’Sha’a Tova!! What an […]
Dear Jew in the City- I know that “honoring your father and mother” is a major imperative in Judaism, and I take it seriously. But what about when parents are unreasonable or harmful to their children? In my case, my parents have distanced themselves from the rest of our extended family, for reasons of pride […]
Dear Jew in the City- It seems a little scary to fear God. How am I supposed to have a good relationship with a Being of Whom I’m terrified? Thanks, Maddy Dear Maddy- Thanks for your question, which is not an uncommon one. The problem here boils down to one of linguistics. I’ll illustrate. […]
A few weeks before Purim, my husband and I booked a flight from Chicago to California to visit my parents. I figured I would take off the day from work for Purim anyway, so it made for a good opportunity to take a long weekend and say ‘hi’ to them. All was proceeding according to […]
Dear Jew in the City, I know that the Torah tells us to honor our parents. But what is one to do when those parents are not good parents. When they hardly raise you, possibly resent you and are often distant? If a child is neglected or even hated by his mother- how is he to […]
