Basic Values and Morality
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Freewill
When G-d created the man.. he gave man freewill. Was giving man freewill the defining purpose in creation of man? The defining purpose in the creation of man was God’s desire to do good to others. For God to have…
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Law and revelation
How do differing concepts of revelation affect the process of decision-making in Jewish law? Until very recently, there was only one concept of revelation and that was as stated in the Torah–namely, that between two and three million people witnessed…
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Social Life of Orthodox Jews
Hi there. I am a born Jew searching for some answers to questions I have on the orthodox sect on the religion I’ve come to love. My question I have right now is more to do with the social aspects…
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Hell and Satan
Is Satan mentioned in the Torah? And do we as Jews believe in satan/hell? Answer: Satan is mentioned in the Bible, see the first few chapters of Job (and a few other places). However, it’s clear in the verses I…
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Drunk Driving
What is the halachic definition of driving drunk (at what point is a person obligated not to drive)? Is it after one sip of alcohol, one drink? Hi, The answer to the question has to parts: a. The Law: As…
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Bein Adam Le Chavero
As I was learning that Rivka’s act of chesed (kindness) to Eliezer was that she offered him water before herself, didn’t even ask for any help-and then invited him to her house to eat a dinner- that is an act…
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A Father's First Born
Why don’t the laws of the first born apply to a father’s first child? The laws of the first born apply to (some) animals as well as to people, and in the case of animals, fatherhood is usually not known.
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The Imperfection of the World
Why isn't the world perfect? G-d doesn't choose to make the world a perfect place; it contains much evil and suffering. One of the consequences of this is that we are able to improve ourselves (and the world) by doing…
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Jewish Education
Where are we commanded to give our children a Jewish education? The two primary sources are in the first two paragraphs of the Shema, especially Deut.6:7 and 11:19.