Mitzvos (Commandments)
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Jewish Kings
Why are ancient Jewish Kings permitted to marry up to 18 wives and not more? Answer: Thank you for your excellent question! In the Torah (Deuteronomy 17:17), it says, “And he shall not take many wives for himself, in order…
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Keeping Kosher in the Army
I am an Jewish American soldier. I live in the barracks and want to start keeping kosher. I share a common kitchenette with a roommate including a stainless steal sink, microwave, refrigerator, toaster oven, and a single burner. Is there…
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The 1st Commandment
What is the first commandment of the Ten commandments given to us by Moses? I was told by a friend that the current translation of the bible doesn’t have the actual first command. Is this true and what is it?…
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Custom of Wearing Tzitzit
Why do Jewish men wear Tzitzit (fringes/strings on 4-cornered garments) if the commandment is based on affixing strings to a 4-cornered garmet? It would seem that not possessing a 4-cornered garment would exempt a Jew from this. Thoughts? Answer: That…
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Shin on the Mezuza Case
What does the letter Shin on the outside of the Mezuza signify? Answer: Great Question! The Shin represents the Hebrew Name for G-d, Sha-Dai, which means almighty-all powerful. The full name Sha-dai is written in Hebrew on the outside of…
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Sprinkling on the 3rd & 5th
What is the meaning in Chukat 19-12? Third day and Seventh day? Thank You Answer: A person who touched a dead body or was under the same roof as one, can only purify himself through having the ashes of the…
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Kosher Chicken Eats Pig
While we were away our neighbor gave our chickens some pig. Are we still allowed to eat the eggs? If not, for how long? Thank you for your time. Answer: You are allowed to eat the eggs right away. Anything…
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Understanding Tum’ah (Spiritual Uncleanliness)
My son is studying for his Bar Mitzvah and his Torah portion is Leviticus 14:1-15:33. He is having trouble understanding the meaning of being unclean as it relates to the men’s and women’s discharges and other bodily functions. How can…
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Spiritual Recovery From Birth
Why does the Torah say (See Leviticus 12:1-5) that for a mother to recover from the impurity of birth it takes twice as long for a girl than it does for a boy? Answer: Rabbi Avraham Ibn Ezra says that…