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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Collective or Individual Punishment
Hi, I was learning Pirkei Avos recently, and came across a statement, which talks about certain punishments G-d gives for certain sins that are done. The commentators speak about this being “Measure for a Measure.” For example, if only a…
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Smoking Marijuana
Does smoking weed [i.e. marijuana] make me a sinner? One of the commandments in the Torah is that we have a responsibility to keep our body healthy, and maintain our ability to do the right things. Since “weed” damages various…
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Business Values
What does the Torah tell us about honesty in business dealings? Are there any guiding principles for Jews in honest business dealings? The Jerusalem Talmud (Bava Metzia 2:5) states it powerfully (what follows is a free translation): Rabbi Shimon ben…
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Purpose of Planets in Outer Space
What’s the purpose of other planets? Some say that people get a certain kind of “energy” from other planets. I thought that everything came, and will always come, from G-d! Answer: I think that when dealing with the “purpose” of…
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Pro-Choice and Belief in G-d
Recently my granddaughter and wife were talking about the right to abortion and how they were afraid it would be overturned by a more conservative court. My wife yelled, “It’s my body and they have no right to tell me…
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The Chosen People and the Equality of Man
What’s up with the Jews being a “Chosen People”? Aren’t all men created equal? The “Chosen People” concept is one that many people find very difficult to accept. Let me give you an analogy that I hope will clarify things…
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Growth in Tragedy
In the past few weeks, I lost my job, my car was stolen, and my wife had a miscarriage. (I kid you not!) These events have actually brought me to the state of depression. I’m wondering if this is a…
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“If I Am Not For Myself…”
The Rabbi quoted the following in his sermon: “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?” Who said this and what do you…