Reward and Punishment
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Death of Animals and Children in the Flood
My daughter, who is in first grade, has a difficult time understanding why all the animals died in the flood during the time of Noah., as well as the children. Can you give me an answer for her? Answer: The…
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Animals, Spirit, and Reincarnation
I recently had to put my service dog to sleep. What is Judaism’s position on the souls of our animals and how we dispose of their bodies after death? Answer: The Kabbalah recognizes two separate issues which shed light on…
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Punishment for Neglect of the Sabbatical Year
At any time in Biblical history did the Jewish people neglect the sabbatical years and have judgment laid on them for this? If so, could you cite the verses where this can be found? Answer: When Rashi (Leviticus 26:35) points…
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Meaning Behind Injuries
Is there significance to repeated injuries to a particular limb of the body? My right arm has had 4 serious injuries. Answer: I’m afraid I’m not nearly insightful enough to provide a definitive response to your question. We do, of…
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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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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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Free Choice and Religion
If we say that God gives us free choice to choose good and bad, then why did God not give us the choice of being Jewish, much less being religious? Even if God considers it best for us to keep…
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Reasons for Punishment
How do we know for which sin G-d is punishing us for? Someone I met asked me this question. I said to him that we’re punished “measure for measure” but that did not satisfy him. Anyone in our time who…
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Some Basic Questions About Life and Faith
How do we know that G-d is real? There is significant and even compelling evidence that there is a G-d and that He is the G-d of the Torah. Perhaps the best, most intelligent approach to this question on the…