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?
-
Evil Spirits
Does G-d make use of evil spirits to do bad things? Both good and evil are G-d’s creations; see Isaiah 45:7. He can certainly make use of evil spirits, for example to smite the Egyptian firstborn (Ex. 11:23). The “evil…
-
Counting People
Is counting people allowed? Counting people directly isn’t allowed; that’s why Moses was told to take a census by collecting a half-shekel from each person and then counting the money (Ex.30:11-12).
-
Contentment
How do we know that we should be satisfied with what we have? Since the world belongs to G-d (Psalm 24:1), all our possessions are gifts from Him, and we should be satisfied with what we were given.
-
Shunning Sinners
Should we shun a person who has sinned? It would make sense for people to shun a person who was guilty of a KARESS offense, so he is “cut off from his people”; but in practice we shun only someone…
-
Predestination
Do Jews believe in predestination? G-d knows what will happen; nevertheless, people have free will and can control their intentions and actions (Mishnah Avos 3:15). If people didn’t have free will, it would be unfair to reward them for being…
-
The Evil Inclination
Is there a good side to the evil inclination (YETZER HA-RA)? The Midrash (Gen.Rabbah 9) tells us that even the evil inclination is important, because if not for it, people wouldn’t build houses, marry and have children, or do business.
-
One who is Unable to Repent
What should we do if we are unable to repent? The Midrash Pesikta on Hosea 14:2 (Ch.45, Para.9) has a parable on this subject. A king’s son was 100 days’ travel from his father. His friends said to him “Return…
-
The Tabernacle of David
What is the “Tabernacle of David”? The Tabernacle (Sukkah) of David is referred to in Amos 9:11. The Targum translates it as referring to David’s dynasty, which will be restored when the Messiah comes.
-
Hell
What is hell? Who is punished there? Hell is a place of fire where sinners are punished after they die. Certain classes of people who deny religion receive eternal punishment there (Maimonides, Mishneh Torah, Teshuvah 3:5-6), but most sinners are…