Rabbi Yoel Spotts
46 answers
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“Avinu Malkeinu” – “Our Father, Our King”
I’ve decided to speak on the topic of the “Avinu Malkeinu” (“Our Father, Our King) prayer. Can you tell me some things about it? Answer: I’ll try to give you a few of the highlights of the Avinu Malkeinu prayer.…
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Miriam’s Well and Leaving the Supernatural
How does the stopping of the well of Miriam relate to faith? Answer: You do mention that the episode describes a lack of faith on the the part of the Jewish people. That is certainly true. The Jewish people are…
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“And Jacob Kissed Rachel”
When Jacob met Rachel by the well, he kissed her and told her who he was (Genesis 29:11-12). I understand that our forefathers kept all of the commandments. How could Jacob be involved in an act that seems so immodest?…
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Abraham’s Plea for Sodom
Why did Abraham stop negotiating with God on the destruction of Sodom and Gemorrah at 10 righteous men? Answer: The sages say that Abraham extrapolated from Noah — in the time of Noah there were 8 righteous people: Noah, his…
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Did Abraham Make a Treaty While Sleeping?
It is said that God made a promise/covenant of the halves in a dream. Why is an agreement signed wherein one party is asleep and the other is awake? Answer: That is a very interesting question. I’d like to suggest Abraham was…
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Understanding the Tower of Babel Episode
I am confused by these following verses in Parasha Noah: G-d descended to see the city and the tower, which the children of men had built. G-d said: “Behold, they are a single people, all having one language, and this is…
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The Generation of the Flood: Why Water?
Why was the generation of Noah punished by water and not by fire or any other way? What is the idea or connection between God’s selection of flood as we all know God punishes us measure for measure, so what…
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Dates For Babylonian Captivity
Recently I read your response to a question involving the Jewish captivity in Babylon, and the seventy year prophecy of Jeremiah the prophet. The dates that you gave are important to me and I was wondering what resources you based…
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Noah on the Ark for a Year
The rain lasted for 40 days. Why then did Noah remain with the animals for nearly a year? Answer: Very interesting question! I’ll give you my thoughts. The purpose of the flood was to give mankind a fresh start, to…