LifeCycle Events
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Yahrtzeit
My best friend’s mother passed away in June, 2007. I know there is some sort of tradition for the one year anniversary and I would like to honour my friend by doing something for her to let her know I…
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Mourning for Fallen Soldiers
When should the Goldwasser and Regev families sit shivah for their murdered son/brother/husband? It could be two years since their deaths, but it was only confirmed today… Answer: That is a good question, although it is tragic that it must…
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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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Funeral in Synagogue
Is it permissible to conduct a funeral with a casket in an Orthodox synagogue? Answer: You would have to ask your local, Orthodox Rabbi about this question, because without his approval it would certainly not be possible. In general, only…
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Conflicting Religious Standards in Divorced Family
My ex-husband gets the kids for 3 days out of every 10. He has become very promiscuous now that he is single, and the kids are seeing a full range of immoral behavior. Now, I am trying to raise my…
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Celebrating a Birthday
Is there a tradition that forbids observance of birthdays? Answer: I am not familiar with such a ban. It is true that Jews do not make a big deal about birthdays for adults (the only mention of a birthday in…
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References for Resurrection and Reincarnation
Where in the bible do you get indications that resurrection and reincarnation are possible? Answer: Thank you for your excellent question. Resurrection is one of the basic dogmas of Judaism. The concept is that, at the end of the end…
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Women Attending a Funeral
My father died last month. My daughter is pregnant with her first child and I would not allow her to attend the funeral. It was my understanding that Jewish lore forbade pregnant women in the cemetery. I am now being…