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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Daniel 9:27
What is the “shikutz (me)shomem” in Daniel 9:27, 11:31 and 12:11? “Shikutz” means a loathesome, detestable, or abominable thing. The root SH-M-M usually refers to desolation, and “shikutz meshomem” is often translated “abomination of desolation”; but in Daniel (9:16) “eshtomem”…
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The Most Important Commandments
What are the most important commandments? Belief in G-d is the fundamental principle on which all the commandments depend. Study of Torah is as important as all the observances combined (Mishnah Peah 1:1), because study leads to observance (Talmud Kiddushin…
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EMES and CHESED
How do “emes” and “chesed” differ? The word “emes” means “truth”; but when it is contrasted with “chesed”, the commentaries suggest that “chesed” is a voluntary thing, whereas “emes” is a responsibility. CHESED can mean grace, favor, charity, or righteousness.…
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Perseverance
What does the Bible teach us about perseverance? Two good quotes are Job 14:19 (water wears away stone) and Proverbs 24:16 (a righteous man falls seven times and gets up again).
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Violence
Where does the Bible say that violence is not a good thing? Answer: A Biblical verse that speaks against violence is Zechariah 4:6: “Not through arms, and not through force, but through My spirit”. All the Best, Rabbi Azriel SchreiberÂ
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Not spelling out “G-d”
Why do we write “G-d” instead of spelling it out? We’re concerned that a document containing G-d’s Name might not be treated respectfully, so we don’t spell out the Name in full. Using an abbreviation isn’t disrespectful; it’s like using…
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The Oral Law
What is the subject matter of the Oral Law? Was it ever written down? Moses was given an Oral Law together with the Written Law. The Oral Law included many things that were necessary for effective understanding of the Written…
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Adam's Life Span
Adam was told (Gen. 2:17) that on the day he ate from the tree, he would die; but he lived for over 900 years afterwards. Why didn't he die on the same day? The problem raised by Gen.2:17 has been…
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Earning a Reward in the World to Come
What must a Jew believe in order to go to Heaven? Belief in G-d is necessary for a Jew to merit a reward in the World to Come, but it isn’t sufficient; observance of G-d’s commandments is also essential. This…