LifeCycle Events
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Aaron Between the Living and the Dead
In the Torah portion of Korach it says that Aaron went between the living and the dead in order to end the plague. Since Aaron was a Cohen, how could he be permitted to come close to the dead? Answer:…
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Is Circumcision Child Mutilation?
Do you have any explanation as to why God required males to have their foreskins cut off at 8 days old (Gen 17:12) as a sign of the covenant? I have tried to rationalize this in my own mind but…
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Is the World Holy?
Did G-d create a holy world and does He want us to keep it holy or make it a holy place by our deeds? Answer: Thanks for the great question. When Hashem created the world he created it with the…
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Shoveling Dirt on the Coffin
Why do family and close friends cover the coffin with a few handfuls of dirt at a funeral? Answer: A rabbi once told me of an experience he had in the greater NY area. He was called in to conduct…
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Abraham’s Circumcision – Why did he wait?
If Abraham kept all the laws of the Torah (as the sages say in the Talmud) and even the one that the Rabbis gave us later why wasn’t he circumcised until 100 years old? Answer: You’re asking a really interesting…
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Can a Woman Pursue a Man?
Does Judaism have anything to say about a woman pursuing a man? I dated a guy twice, he likes me but is undecided because of the long distance situation and I wonder if it’s a lack of respect for a…
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Breaking the Glass at a Jewish Wedding
My grandson will be getting married and living an Orthodox Jewish life. What is the meaning of the breaking of the glass at the end of the ceremony? Answer: Congratulations – may you see many great grandchildren from the new…
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Wholesome Premarital Values
I believe that before marriage we should have limitations in relationships with people. The way we talk and interact should be definitely different from the way we interact with fiance or husband. This limitation is a means for respect and dignity for ourselves. I am…
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Blessings of the Innocent Sotah
The Commentary of Rashi when talking about Sotah (unfaithful wife, Numbers 5:11) says that a woman who goes through the process and didn’t actually do anything wrong, will get a blessing for an easy childbirth. The second part of Rashi…