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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Is the Torah for Real?
What really happened at Sinai? Did G-d actually speak? Did G-d really dictate every word of Torah verbatim? Please tell me what you think. Answer: It is certainly a primary element of my Torah faith that G-d actually was heard…
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Perspectives on Body Piercing and Tattoos
I want to teach my students about body piercings and tattoos from a Torah perspective in a way that they will be receptive. If you have any suggestions please let me know. Answers: Jewish law does prohibit the application of…
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Refugees from the Ten Tribes
I’ve been reading up on Jewish history and was wondering if any Israelites displaced by the Assyrians were welcomed into Judah as refugees as Judah seems to have remained unscathed for the next 150 years or so. Answer: I don’t…
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Dating and Physical Attraction
I’m dating, and I really like this guy. But I don’t think he finds me attractive, and I’m afraid that the relationship will soon end. What can I do? Answer: It’s actually not my practice to offer advice on such…
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No Longer Excited About Judaism
I find the Jewish holidays to be long, boring, expensive events, and Judaism, at least to me, to be lacking the enjoyment I see others having. I am tired of the constant expenses I am being hit with and do…
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Sabbath Restrictions …Why?
Observing Shabbat (Saturday, the Sabbath day) to me means spending time with the family. I do not think the amount of electricity I use on any day of the week will undermine my capabilities of providing good morals and creating…
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The Fate of a Suicide
Recently, a friend of mine committed suicide. Has he sealed his fate? What does Torah teach on this matter? Please be brutally honest. Answer: I’m afraid that I’m in no position to give you an complete description of the religious…
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Knowing and Trusting God
If God is essentially unknowable, then how do we know that He is a merciful God? Given the history of the 20th century, this belief is surely counter-intuitive. Is it based on “Trust” or “faith”? If so, what is the…
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The Rumor that Jews Have Horns
What is the story behind the rumor about why Jews have horns? How did that get started? Answer: To my knowledge, it began with a mistranslation of Exodus 34:29 — “…and Moses didn’t know that his face shone when He…