Basic Values and Morality

What attitude should we have toward people? The Rabbis tell us to judge everyone favorably (Avos 1:6) and to greet everyone with a smile (Avos 1:15). In effect, everyone should be presumed innocent until proved guilty, and everyone should be…

What is the significance of dreams? The Rabbinic view is that the overwhelming majority of dreams have no significance; as the Talmud says "A person is shown only what is on his mind" (Berachos 55b). In rare cases a dream…

Does Judaism value diversity? A blessing is recited on seeing a large group of people, because "their faces aren't alike and their minds aren't alike" (Talmud, Berachos 58a).

What does Tikkun Olam mean? The halachic concept of Tikkun Olam is first mentioned in the Mishnah (Gittin, Chs. 4-5) in relation to Takkanos (Rabbinic ordinances) that were made for the good of society. The phrase "le-takken olam" also occurs…

Are the Jews a race or a religion? Judaism is a religion which anyone can adopt by going through a process of conversion. In addition, anyone descended from Jacob, or from a convert, in the female line is regarded as…

Does the Torah mention black people? The Torah speaks about Ethiopians (Kushites), but doesn’t explicitly mention their skin color. Kush was a son of Ham, one of Noah’s sons.

Where does the Bible teach us about patience and self-discipline? On patience, see Ecclesiastes 7:8; on being slow to anger, see Ecclesiastes 7:9 and 11:10; on self-discipline see Ex. 6:9 and Ecclesiastes 10:4.