Basic Values and Morality
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Reacting to Someone Who Wrongs You
A friend and I have been studying Proverbs on the weekends. We got up to chapter 25:21-22 where it says, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him bread; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. For coals…
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Religious Kapos?
How could a religious Jew have been a kapo, or a member of the Jewish police, during the Holocaust, ordering the death of other Jewish inmates or treating them harshly? If there were indeed religious Jews among the kapos in…
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Forgiveness & Fear of Being Hurt Again
I know the Torah says that Jewish people need to be forgiving, but how do you forgive? There is always a fear that this person may hurt you again, and by not forgiving you are creating a protective shield against…
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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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Ability to Persevere
How is perseverance connected with self-control or hard work (Mesirut Nefesh) or repentance (Teshuva)? How we can acquire it and develop it? How do you connect perseverance with all the Jewish history? How do you apply perseverance in Jewish life?…
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Time, Purpose and Life
I heard in synagogue that the greatest sin in Judaism is to waste time, to not live a life of purpose. The wisdom behind this statement is apparent, but I’d like some textual support of this point of view. What…
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Price Gouging
How does Jewish law approach the issue of price gouging? Thank you for your question. Jewish law has a concept called Ona’ah, which basically means taking financial advantage of your customer. If someone engages in a transaction with you, they…
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Marrying Into Wealth
I am engaged to a wealthy Jewish woman. I am not marrying her for her wealth. She has known only great wealth; whereas, I have always worked for my home, food, clothing, and so on. How will I raise my…