Rabbi Shlomo Soroka
20 answers
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Blessing for Pets
I just got two new dogs and I want them to be blessed and in G-d’s will. What prayers should I say over them? Answer: You are in luck. Your dogs come pre-blessed. The commentary of Mechilta in Medrash (Mishpatim…
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Men with Long Hair
Are men allowed to grow their hair long for locks of love? Answer: Some Rabbinic authorities maintain that long hair for a man poses an issue of “chatsitsa” or separation between the scalp and teffillin (phylactaries) that are worn during…
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Wigs, Makeup, and Modesty
My understanding is that the reason for women covering their hair is modesty. So why are wigs permitted? I know a religious woman who got married recently and now wears a wig that is exactly like her natural hair. I…
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A Purim Name
My name is Sharon. What is the spiritual meaning of the name “Sharon?” Answer: Dear Sharon, The Talmud tells of Rav Meir, who was able to derive and understand a person’s nature, abilities, and mission in life based on the deeper meaning…
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Pinkie Pointing and Splitting the Sea
Why does everyone hold up their pinkie and point it toward the Torah during the part of the service when the Torah scroll is held up for all to see? Answer: There is no law recorded in Shulchan Aruch (Jewish Code…
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High Holiday Opportunity
Regarding Yom Kippur, why is there a necessity in Judaism to designate a particular day for atonement when one could atone any minute of the day as he or she chooses? Isn’t G-d listening all the time? Why designate a…
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Hallel on Purim
I noticed that Hallel was not recited on Purim (or was I sleeping when it was recited?) Any particular reason for this? Thanks. Answer: Even if you were sleeping, you would not have missed Hallel. You can pat yourself on the back because you…
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Naming a Child for a Deceased Relative
My husband and I named our son for my grandfather, or so we thought, based on information given to us by a family member. After a recent visit to my grandfather’s grave, however, we learned that we got the middle…
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Divorce and Grieving
Has Judaism developed any rituals or guidelines for guiding people through the grieving process after they divorce their spouse? I am thinking of a process parallel to the traditional rituals for mourning the death of a loved one. Answer: Sometimes…