Basics of Judaism
- Basic Values and Morality
- Chosen People
- G-d and Torah
- Heaven and Hell
- Other Denominations
- Reward and Punishment
- Science and Torah
- Sin and Repentance
- The Messiah
- Who is a Jew?
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Relating to G-d by Relating to Man
I have a question regarding the concept of unconditional love. For example, how can it be that Hashem (G-d) really loves the righteous and the wicked the same? Or is it that Hashem loves the righteous more and unconditional love…
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The Great Principle of “Love Your Neighbor”
I have read that “Treat your neighbor as yourself” is how one Rabbi summed up the Torah. Is that a common theme of the torah? Answer: The verse states. “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Rabbi Akiva expounded, “This is a…
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Understanding “Love Your Neighbor”
I have to write an essay on a few of the famous quotes in Leviticus. I am having a particularly troubling time on chapter 19, verse 18 and understanding the meaning of the different commentaries by Rashi and Rambam and…
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Humility vs. Responsibility
Two Jewish values are humility on the one hand, and taking responsibility on the other. While it may be important to shy away from honors and the limelight, it’s also important to take responsibility when duty calls. Moses is known…
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Condemned Souls?
What sin would someone have to commit for their soul to be condemned? Answer: Thank you for your question. In Judaism we don’t believe that a person’s soul is “condemned”. A soul is very pure, and is very much a…
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Judging Favorably
I’m having trouble understanding “judge everyone favorably”. If I turn a blind eye and I don’t use my mind and say “he’s a honorable, he’s correct he only does what’s right, he doesn’t have bad character”, then that means I…
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The Power of Music
What are the potential negative powers of music? Answer: It’s well known that the Vilna Gaon (a great 18th Century Rabbi) taught that one of the essential wisdoms required for understanding Kaballah in its depths is knowledge of the wisdom…
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Why don’t we visit Mount Sinai?
If Moses received the Torah on Mount Sinai by G-d himself why is this Mountain not visited by Jewish people or tourists around the world? Answer: We would not want people to worship the mountain or to even think that it had…