The Land of Israel
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The Divine Presence Among the Jewish People
I heard that the Divine Presence completely lifted from the Jewish people after they crossed the Jordon. Did it leave gradually? Did Moshe Rabbeinu (Our teacher Moses) impact this? Answer: Hi! Thanks for your really interesting question. If you’re asking…
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Why the Temples were Destroyed
Why were the Temples destroyed? Answer: G-d caused both Temples to be destroyed because of our sins. The Talmud tells us that a particular reason for the destruction of the Second Temple was baseless hatred of Jews by their fellow-Jews.
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Visiting the Western Wall
I am Oleh Chadash (new immigrant to Israel) and am going to visit Jerusalem and the Kotel (the Western Wall). I have a standard Sephardic prayerbook and a Tehillim (Book of Psalms) – what are the prayers that should be…
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Borders of Israel
Why does the Torah provide two different accounts of the borders that are to define Israel; each border fairly different than the other? (Shemos 23:31 and Bamidbar 34:2) Answer: Thanks for asking this question. This question is a great one…
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Social Responsibility vs. Visiting Israel
My dilemma is choosing between a trip of a lifetime to Israel with my class which will help my growth with my education and my Judaism or staying home and attending my cheerleading practices so I do not let my team…
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Mass Murder in the Torah
The Torah is filled with stories of the early Jews making war on the various locals as they enter the “promised land”, and killing every man, woman, and child in a given village. In some cases they even killed the…
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The Blessing of the Kohain (Priest)
It is known that the kohanim (Priests) in the temple used to bless the people by holding their hands in a specific position. 1. Could you please explain more on the meaning of it? 2. Why was it not permitted…
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Current Obligation of Animal Sacrifice
Nowadays, are Jews supposed to bring animal sacrifices? Answer: It depends on how you look at it. God commanded the Jewish Nation to perform certain daily sacrifices in the Beis HaMikdash (Holy Temple in Jerusalem). However, God does not allow…
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War and Murder
Torah has valued human life above all and under every circumstances we should try to save human as it is said to save one human being is like to save entire entire mankind. On the other hand, the laws of…