http://www.jewishanswers.org The Ultimate Ask-the-Rabbi Service Thu, 15 May 2008 15:44:49 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Question: If a woman becomes a widow, remarries, and then dies many years later, is she buried next to the first husband, or second husband (i.e. the current husband)? Does it matter if the second husband is still alive? Answer: Thank you for your question. Jewish law maintains that we leave ... http://www.jewishanswers.org/ask-the-rabbi-2987/burial-beside-which-husband/ Question: I have recently encountered a few individuals who claim that modern Jews are not the true Israelites. There is one group calling itself the Black Hebrews that claims that Ashkenazi Jews are not of Israel because they descend from converts; and that they cannot prove otherwise because the Romans ... http://www.jewishanswers.org/ask-the-rabbi-2903/hijacking-jewish-genealogy/ Question: What do we know about the man Jabez (Chronicles I 4:9-10)? What can we learn from him? Christians are making a big deal about him, is there anything to their discussions? Answer: Jabez is simply a story of human triumph with the help of God. This inspirational story ... http://www.jewishanswers.org/ask-the-rabbi-2541/jabez-and-making-deals-with-god/ Question: Is it stated in the Torah (or Rabbinical writings) that saying that God is your father is equivalent to stating that you are "equal with God?" Answer: Thank you for the great question. Not only does the Torah and all of Rabbinical writings not say that God being our father ... http://www.jewishanswers.org/ask-the-rabbi-2908/equality-with-god/ Question: My father suffers from Alzheimers. When I visit him, he sometimes doesn't know who I am -- even though I'm his only daughter! When he doesn't recognize me, can I still kiss or hug him or should I only do so when he knows it's me? Answer: I'm so sorry ... http://www.jewishanswers.org/ask-the-rabbi-2983/alzheimers-and-jewish-law/ Question: Did King Solomon marry the Queen of Sheba and was she a black woman? Answer: Where Sheba was from is a matter of contention. Abarbanel maintains it was Yemen, while Meam Loez argues it was Ethiopia, which would support the legend that she was black. Most commentaries to Kings (see ... http://www.jewishanswers.org/ask-the-rabbi-2743/king-solomon-and-the-queen-of-sheba/ Question: I have long wondered how a person is a Jew. I have heard so many different things: That it is something that you are only born to; it is determined by certain personality traits; or it is a spiritual choice. What is ... http://www.jewishanswers.org/ask-the-rabbi-2547/being-a-jew/ Question: If the route which we traveled through the desert was barren, then how did the livestock feed? Where did so much wood come from for the sacrifices in the Tabernacle? Was there some sort of trading going on? Answer: Thank you for your inquiry. Tosefos (Early Commentator on ... http://www.jewishanswers.org/ask-the-rabbi-2550/did-the-jews-trade-goods-in-the-desert/ Question: Are women allowed to make havdalah if a man will be home in 5 minutes?  When is a woman allowed to make havdalah for herself and other women? Answer: There is a difference of opinion regarding a woman's obligation to hear havdalah. The question revolves around the relationship between havdalah ... http://www.jewishanswers.org/ask-the-rabbi-2920/women-and-havdalah/ Question:  I have silver utensils are normally used with Dairy products. They were subsequently exposed to meat. I have not used these utensils for the past 4 months. Can I now begin using them again for dairy foods? Answer: Assuming the utensil was used with hot ... http://www.jewishanswers.org/ask-the-rabbi-2952/dairy-untensils-used-for-meat/