Dear Jew in the City- I’m wondering if there is more information about the lost 12 tribes? Which tribe would Ashkenazi Jews come from? Sincerely, Crystal   Dear Crystal- Thanks for your question. First off, there are 10 “lost” Tribes, not 12. There were 12 Tribes in total (kind of), not all of which were […]

Hi JITC- Do Jews Believe in Hell? Sincerely, Hayley Dear Hayley- I don’t know where the idea that Jews don’t believe in Hell got started but we most certainly do believe in one. I’ve heard umpteen times on television that Jews don’t believe in Hell – including on the venerable Simpsons. And people figure that […]

Dear JITC- We hear a lot of pop culture references to “I Love You Just the Way You Are,” “Born This Way,” etc. The Greeks also thought we were perfect as we are. So why would God create man needing a bris? What is Judaism trying to tell us about why we need circumcision? Shouldn’t […]

Dear Jew in the City- Since I became religious, I’ve been scared about the seemingly loose attitude about fire safety in the frum world (leaving Shabbos and Chanukah candles burning, hot plates on for 3-day Yom Tov stretches). What’s the right approach here? Sincerely, Morgan Dear Morgan- Thanks for your question. I’m with you on […]

Dear JITC- One thing I struggle with is davening. Why do we normally only daven for Jewish people? I like variety and new things, why do we have to say the same words over and over again? Also, in the past, I really davened for important things that then didn’t come about, where does that […]

Dear Jew in the City- Does Judaism have any opinions on politics or government? Are there Jewish Sources on how to deal with it and what our role should be? Thank you, Al Dear Al – Thanks for your question. Let’s first deal with our own form of government. Some people mistakenly think that the […]