LifeCycle Events
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Why do we mourn if we should be content with Gd’s judgment?
We practice a period of mourning after a death of someone close. How does that work with the approach of accepting Gd’sactions? One would think when we accept Gd’s actions we would be content with the way the world is,…
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Soul Talk & Dimentia
Someone in our family has had Dementia for quite a while and is not well. At this time she’s talking as if she is leaving us. Is there such a thing as Neshama (Soul) Talk? Answer: You have made a…
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Customs Upon Moving Into a New Home
Is there a Jewish tradition of placing these items into the home before you enter the first time: a roll of quarters – so you never need money; salt – for spice in your life; sugar – for a sweet…
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Miscarriage and Redemption of the 1st Born
I had miscarriage not too long ago. Now, it states that if it was to be a baby boy and the mother and father of the baby are not from the tribe of Levi, they were to have a Pidyon…
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Invasive Thoughts, Thoughts of Death
Recently I started to think a lot about death and I can’t stop thinking about it. It worries me a lot and I’m only 22 years old. I’m worried that G-d forbid I’ll get sick and die early. I don’t…
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Ancient Marriages
When were wedding ceremonies first recorded in the Torah and what was the process leading up to the ceremony? Answer: The Talmud (Tractate Eruvin 18b) says that God made a wedding processional, complete with wedding attendants (Shushvinin) for Adam and…
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Watchman (Shomer) for the Deceased
Why is a watchman (Shomer) required to remain with the deceased prior to burial? Answer: Thank you for your question. The Talmud instructs us to guard the body of a deceased person prior to burial as a protection against animals…
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Is one spiritually connected to their namesake?
My son is named for his paternal grandmother and maternal great-grandmother who predeceased him. Tragically, our son passed away at 18 due to illness this past Fall. I had a very vivid dream last night (it’s been a difficult week…
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The Ancient Jewish Wedding
What was the courting and betrothal procedure in time of the Roman empire, ca. 100 to 300 AD? What was the waiting time? Answer: The Jewish wedding has two parts: the Eirusin, or engagement, followed by the Nesuin, the actual…