Rabbi Boruch Clinton
169 answers
Rabbi Boruch Clinton teaches at the Ottawa Torah Institute Yeshiva High
School and Machon Sarah high school for girls. Some of his essays
can be seen here. He
is also the author of the Judaism Primer on Torah.org. You may reach him with comments
and questions at [email protected].
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A Woman’s Head Covering
What is the reasoning behind the act of Jewish married woman covering their heads in public? Answer: The source is an inference found in Numbers (5; 18): a married woman, suspected of having been involved in an adulterous relationship, would…
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Evolution
What is the Jewish explanation of evolution? I am studying Torah beliefs and do believe in G-d but I also understand science and there seems to be merit to humans evolving from millions of years ago. I’m confused knowing that…
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Bowing
Why do we bow, specifically during the “barchu” prayer? The Mishna Brura (in his Be’ur Halacha, 113 “”hakoraya.”) writes that the source is the verse in Divrei Hayamim (Chron.) 1, 29; 20 where it says “And (King) David said to…
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Legal Debate
If all of the Torah was given at Sinai, why is there so much legal debate? For example, opinions differ on when the Sabbath begins. If the Sabbath laws were given at Sinai, how would debate on this matter ever…
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Men and Women in the Synagogue
Why are men and women separated in Orthodox synagogues? Answer: According to many authorities, the source for separate seating in synagogues can be found in the design of the Temple in Jerusalem (destroyed in the year 68). The Talmud relates…
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Plague of darkness
why does the Ibn Ezra (A classic Torah commentator) tell us that he experienced a similar kind of darkness as described in the plage- darkness. What lesson does this reinforce? From the wording of the Ibn Ezra (and from the…
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TV-less home
I am a single parent and I pursue studies twice a week in the evenings during which time I have to leave my 15 and 10 year old at home alone. I am getting rid of the TV because it…
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The 8 days of Passover
Why is passover celebrated for 8 days? I’m sure you’ve noticed that the Torah itself mandates only seven days for Passover (perhaps allowing for a whole cycle of this-worldly affairs found in a week to be affected by the heightened…