Dear Jew in the City- What are the halachic requirements of attraction in a prospective marriage? Sincerely, R.G. Dear R.G.- Thanks for your question. Let’s discuss two types of “attraction” – emotional attraction (which we’ll call “love”) and physical attraction (which, for the sake of literary balance, we’ll cynically refer to as “lust”). Let’s address […]
Dear JITC- When should forgiveness be granted? If someone did something really awful – how do we know the apology was sincere and not just lip service? When are we supposed to forgive if the iniquity wasn’t done to us but disgusts us? What does forgiveness look like? Is it tolerating the abuser? Allowing him […]
Dear Jew in the City- Are the mistakes of youth (teens) counted differently in Judaism? Thanks, AJ Dear AJ- Thanks for your question. In Judaism, the age of an offender is certainly taken into account, in a number of ways. The first and most obvious example is the concept of bar and bas mitzvah, that […]
Dear Jew in the City- What are the benefits of a kosher diet, strictly from a health perspective? Thanks, Shira Dear Shira- Thanks for your question. Not to be glib but, who says there are any? I’m not saying that a kosher diet doesn’t have health benefits, just that such is not necessarily the reason […]
Dear Jew in the City, What is the difference between a pilegesh (concubine) and a wife in the Torah? S.D. Dear S.D.- For the answer to this, let us turn to tractate Kesubos in the Talmud Yerushalmi (5:2). There, the gemara asks your exact question. Rabbi Meir explains that a wife has a kesubah (marriage […]
Dear Jew in the City- Doesn’t being the “Chosen People” make it easier for Jews to be arrogant? Sincerely, Brock Dear Brock- Thanks for your question. We discussed the whole “chosen people” thing a few months ago, so let’s recap what that’s about. I have very dear friends and their kids are special to me. […]
