Dear Jew in the City- I am hesitant to say anything in opposition to a beautiful, courageous act and cause any sort of divisiveness at a time when Jews must come together but I do have a theological question. When the man who stopped the Monsey attacker from doing more harm got a medal for […]
Dear Jew in the City- I have a question about taking up arms to defend oneself. What if an attacker is shot, but later dies from the wounds; does that violate pikuach nefesh, and the Talmud telling us it’s better to give up our life than take a life or does that mean instantly taking […]
Dear Jew in the City- I find myself getting deeply distressed over the ever-rising incidents of antisemitism in the last few years. Is it my imagination? I hear some people saying it’s time to pick up and leave before it gets worse. Yes, we believe that there will be an eventual final redemption, which includes […]
Dear JITC- Someone close to me recently died and I never got to say goodbye. Does Judaism believe that the dead know what’s going on in this world? Thank you, Talia Dear Talia- Thanks for your question. I am not the final arbiter of what Judaism believes; I can only tell you things as I […]
Dear Jew in the City- Why don’t Jews believe in Jesus? Who was he according to Jewish texts? Sincerely, Katie Dear Katie- Thanks for your question, though it’s the kind of question I hate to answer. The reason I hate to answer is because I don’t like to be misconstrued as “picking a fight” with […]
Dear Jew in the City- At the end of his life, Yishmael did teshuva. According to Jewish sources, will there ever be peace between Jews and Arabs? Sincerely, Steve Dear Steve- There’s a lot to unpack here so let’s start with Yishmael. When Avraham and Sarah didn’t have children, Sarah suggested that Avraham conceive with […]
