http://www.jewishanswers.org The Ultimate Ask-the-Rabbi Service Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:25:41 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Question: Did the Israelites carry idols with them across the Red Sea? What's the source for that? Answer: Thank you for your excellent question. There is some disagreement. For sure there was only one idol crossing, if there was any at all. There are several issues involved. In Exodus 12, the commentary ... http://www.jewishanswers.org/ask-the-rabbi-3354/did-an-idol-cross-the-red-sea/ Question: Can you tell me what traditional Jewish opinion on women Rabbis is? I know that certain branches of Judaism do not allow it. How come? Could you give me any scripture references from the Torah? Answer: We must understand that although commonly we refer to Jewish clergy as Rabbis, ... http://www.jewishanswers.org/ask-the-rabbi-2469/women-rabbis-2/ Question: I'm 65 years old and I am now thinking about being Bat Mitzva'ed. What benifit would it have for me? It's truly inspiring to hear that you're thinking about rekindling your Judaism and starting from scratch, as it were. But I'll tell you - traditionally, Bar/Bat mitzvahs are only done ... http://www.jewishanswers.org/ask-the-rabbi-3579/bat-mitzva-at-65/ Question: I remember reading or hearing somewhere that you're supposed to go to the cemetery and invite the dead to family events, like weddings, but my mother doesn't remember this and now I can't find where I heard it! I know this isn't a law, but is it a ... http://www.jewishanswers.org/ask-the-rabbi-3575/visiting-a-relatives-grave/ Question: Who wrote the book of Psalms? Was it entirely written by King David? Answer: The Talmud (Oral Teachings of Torah that were eventually written down around 1800 years ago) teaches that King David composed and compiled the Psalms. Those Psalms explicitly attributed to him, and most of the anonymous ones ... http://www.jewishanswers.org/ask-the-rabbi-3571/who-wrote-psalms/ Question: Throughout the Torah Portion of Shemos, Pharaoh is referred to as "Pharaoh" and other times as "the king of Egypt". The contrast is most noticeable in ch.5: 1-5: 5:1 - Moses & Aaron said to Pharaoh... 5:2 - Pharaoh replied .... 5:3 - Moses & Aaron reply... 5:4 - The king of Egypt ... http://www.jewishanswers.org/ask-the-rabbi-3275/pharaoh-or-king-of-egypt/ Question: I was watching a movie today and I heard the mother of the Victim (Jewish girl), say: " There is a sentence in the Torah that says, "Even Satan wouldn't create a child murderer". I was disturbed at this statement, because I know that Satan creates nothing. Only ... http://www.jewishanswers.org/ask-the-rabbi-3479/satan-not-a-being-but-a-challenge/ Answer: I noticed that Moses did not take part in bringing forth the plagues of Blood and Lice by not striking the Nile river or the dust. What could be the reason for this? Question: You're making an excellent point about the Blood and Lice. The commentary of Rashi actually points ... http://www.jewishanswers.org/ask-the-rabbi-3567/blood-lice-and-gratitude/ Question: Why in the laws of Shabbat (the Sabbath day) are there so many complicated things we can't do it is supposed to be a day of rest? We have to be so careful to not break the Shabbat laws and it is not ideal if we really want to ... http://www.jewishanswers.org/ask-the-rabbi-3399/shabbat-a-day-of-rest-or-stress/ Question: I was having a discussion with a friend at a study get together and the comment was made, "G-d does not punish people with disease." To which I responded then what about Numbers 12? G-d clearly punishes Miriam with a disease. We came to no consensus but we are ... http://www.jewishanswers.org/ask-the-rabbi-3566/does-g-d-punish-with-disease/ Question: I keep meeting people in Israel with the name Aviatar. Who was Aviatar in Jewish history? everytime I search the internet I get information about the new movie Avatar. Answer: Evyatar (or Abiathar in English) was the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) in the time of King David. He was the ... http://www.jewishanswers.org/ask-the-rabbi-3568/who-was-aviatar/ Question: I once heard a Midrash that said that the plague of frogs in Egypt began with one huge frog. Can you tell me exactly how big this frog was according to the Midrash? Was it as big as a fully grown person? Answer: I looked up the sources about the ... http://www.jewishanswers.org/ask-the-rabbi-2912/one-huge-frog/