Mitzvos (Commandments)
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A Jewish Understanding of Charity
What is the Torah’s understanding of charity? The Hebrew term for charity, tzedakah, shares the same root meaning as the word tzadik (a righteous individual). In Jewish law, it is understood that Jews are required to help the poor, not…
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A Kosher Kitchen Sink
How does one maintain a kosher kitchen sink? The surface of the sink should not be used for both meat and dairy dishes. Ideally, a kosher kitchen should have two sinks: One to wash meat dishes, and the other for…
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Usury
It is clearly one of the commandments not to lend money at interest. If so, why are so many Jews in the money business? You are absolutely correct that it is forbidden by the Torah to lend money for interest.…
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Is Poultry Considered Meat?
Is the reason we don’t mix meat and milk because it is written in the Torah not to cook a mother in her milk? If so, why don’t we eat chicken with milk? Chickens do not produce milk! You are…
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Stealing – Why is it prohibited?
In the animal kingdom, what we call stealing is a way of life. For example, a pride of lions brings down a wildebeest, but before they can feast on their kill, a group of hyenas chase off the lions and…
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Caring for Those From Broken Homes
Why does the Bible often say that people should be careful towards orphans and widows – but never mentions those people who grew up in a family in which the parents were divorced? Is G-d unconcerned with those people who…
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Abraham Serves Milk and Meat
Abraham offers the three angels on their way to Sodom refreshment of milk and a “young calf without blemish”…. how would this have been done without compromising the kosher rules of not consuming meat and dairy at one sitting? First…
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Hassidim and Traditions
What is a tradition of Hasidic Jews? Here’s an example: A tradition of some Hassidic groups is for men to wear a “Streimel”, which is a particular type of fur hat, on festive occasions. It’s important to understand that all…