Ask the Rabbi-Q/A #676 Seasons greetings or happy holidays and praising professional athletes
# Jewish Law, Holiday Greetings, and Idolatry: Navigating Non-Jewish Culture Through Torah Values **How does Jewish law guide interactions with non-Jewish holidays and greetings?** Jewish law (halachah) is deeply concerned with how Jews engage the surrounding culture while remaining faithful to Torah values. One common modern question is how to respond when a non-Jew offers […]
Ask the Rabbi-Q/A #675 Why is lending with interest so bad and reincarnation
# Jewish Law on Loans, Interest, and Moral Responsibility: Understanding Torah Values in Everyday Life **What does the Torah teach about lending money with interest between Jews?** One of the clearest financial prohibitions in the Torah is the ban on lending money to another Jew with interest, a concept known as *ribit* (interest). In Jewish […]
Pirke Avos (Ethics of our fathers) Chapter 2 Mishna 16 Part 56 Living in the real world
# Pirkei Avot Chapter 2, Mishnah 16: Finding Purpose, Overcoming the Evil Inclination, and Living a Meaningful Jewish Life **What does Pirkei Avot teach about the evil inclination and spiritual growth?** Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) frequently addresses the inner struggle at the heart of Jewish spiritual life, and this teaching highlights the role […]
Ask the Rabbi – Q/A #674 Is gambling permitted and child education questions
# Jewish Perspectives on Gambling, Parenting, and Moral Responsibility: Navigating Complex Life Questions Through Torah Values **What does Judaism teach about gambling, and why is it considered so serious?** Jewish tradition takes a firm stance against gambling, viewing it as fundamentally problematic because it relies on uncertain outcomes rather than productive effort. Betting on elections, […]
Ask the Rabbi – Q/A #673 The role of men and women in a Jewish marriage
# Jewish Marriage Obligations and Spiritual Foundations: What Jewish Law Teaches About Marriage, Divorce, and Growth **What does Jewish law say about the obligation to get married?** Jewish tradition places strong emphasis on marriage as a central framework for living a purposeful, observant Jewish life. In the discussion, marriage is presented as a *mitzvah* (commandment), […]
The Book of Leviticus Chapter 18:4 Part 4 Why do we serve G-d and conversion issues
# Mitzvot, Conversion, and Jewish Responsibility: Understanding Jewish Law and Spiritual Growth **Why does Judaism emphasize keeping mitzvot even when they don’t seem logical?** A central theme of the discussion is that mitzvot (commandments) are not dependent on human logic or personal agreement. Jewish tradition teaches that some mitzvot align with human ideas of justice, […]
Pirke Avos (Ethics of our fathers) Chapter 2 Mishna 16 Part 55 The evil inclinations power
# Evil Inclination, Torah Study, and Conversion to Judaism: Understanding the Ongoing Spiritual Struggle **How does Jewish philosophy understand the evil inclination and its role in human behavior?** Jewish tradition teaches that every person lives with an internal tension between constructive and destructive impulses, commonly called the *yetzer hara* (evil inclination). In this discussion, the […]
Ask the rabbi – Q/A #672 Brain capacity at the end of a person’s life
# Torah Study and Brain Health: Jewish Perspectives on Cognitive Growth and Spiritual Development ## **Can Torah study actually affect brain health and cognitive function?** The discussion opens with a striking observation: sustained mental engagement appears to shape the brain in measurable ways. Chaim shared insights from a neurologist who studied the brain of a […]
Orthodox Beit Din Guide: What to Expect & How to Prepare
Quick Answer: An orthodox beit din is a Jewish court of three Orthodox rabbis who will meet with you for about 30-90 minutes to have a serious conversation about your knowledge, commitment, and readiness to live as an Orthodox Jew. If they approve you (and most well-prepared candidates are approved), you’ll immerse in the mikvah […]
How Long Does Orthodox Conversion Take? A Realistic Timeline
How Long Does Orthodox Conversion Take? A Realistic Timeline Orthodox conversion usually takes 12 to 24 months. The timeline depends on your starting knowledge, how quickly you learn, how well you build an Orthodox lifestyle, and when your sponsoring rabbi feels you are ready for the beit din. Some people finish sooner and others take […]