Mitzvos (Commandments)
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Shrimp
Is shrimp Kosher or is it considered a shellfish? Shrimp are water creatures which do not have fins and scales, which means they are not kosher for Jews. Regards, Eliahu Levenson
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Tallit for Prayer
Why are we required to wear a Tallit (Prayer Shawl) at morning services but not in the evening? This is an excellent question. There is not really a “hard” halachic answer to this. The basic premise is that we are…
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The Slanted Mezuzah
Why is the Mezuzah (Scroll on the doorpost) always put on a door obliquely (slanting) and not straight? Your question is an excellent one and requires a bit of background: The Talmud discusses the proper positioning of the Mezuza on…
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Fish after Meat
Can fish be eaten after (but not with) meat? Fish can be eaten after meat. One should drink something in between to wash out their mouth. Thank you. Rabbi Avi Weinrib
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Bacon Cheeseburger
Can you give me two reasons why Jewish-Orthodox can’t eat a bacon cheeseburger? Sure: 1) Bacon is inherently not Kosher. The Torah prohibits the meat of a pig outright. 2) Eating meat and milk together is also prohibited by the…
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Dealing with Tattoos
As I passed each stage of my life i acted out in various ways. Some in rebellion. Now more mature and grateful for my life and I have started to see what my Jewishness and my Jewish beliefs mean. However…
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A practicing Jew
I love G-d and am clear that G-d is in my life. We were discussing being Jewish and my daughter said we weren’t practicing Jews. We thought we were. We do not belong to a temple for five years. The…
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Giving to those unwilling to accept
Does Jewish law say that we should attempt to give tzedaka and aid to those in need, even to those who reject our help because they reject us? Hi, Thanks for this question. Our idea of charity is that we…
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Side Curls
Could you please direct me to the root or origin of the sidecurls worn by jewish men? Hi, Thanks for asking this question. The answer is that the Torah tells us in Leviticus 19:27, “You shall not round off the…