Ask The Rabbi!!

Originally Posted by Churchlady

I've forgotten my remedial hebrew... what does mitzvot mean?
Thanks for being so open - I'd be waay to afraid to do Ask the churchlady! You've got real Chutzpah!

I'm not the Rabbi, or the Churchlady for that matter, but I can answer this one...

From Wikipedia:
Mitzvah (Hebrew: מצווה, IPA: [ˈmɪtsvə], "commandment"; plural, mitzvos or mitzvot; from צוה, tzavah, "command") is a word used in Judaism to refer to the 613 commandments given in the Torah and the seven rabbinic commandments instituted later for a total of 620. The term can also refer to the fulfilment of a mitzvah.

The term mitzvah has also come to express an act of human kindness. According to the teachings of Judaism, all moral laws are, or are derived from, divine commandments.

Okay, another question: (and thanks again in advance!!)

If Judaism doesn't embrace an "afterlife", how is Samuel's appearance during the seance between King Saul and the witch at Endor explained? Samuel seemed really unhappy that he was "disturbed". If he was disturbed (and unhappy about it), wouldn't it indicate that he was *aware* that he was dead? Since awareness of death would seem to indicate more than just "ceasing to exist", I'm curious as to how this is resolved.

Thanks!!

[Starscream]

Originally Posted by BillyCigars

Okay, another question: (and thanks again in advance!!)

If Judaism doesn't embrace an "afterlife", how is Samuel's appearance during the seance between King Saul and the witch at Endor explained? Samuel seemed really unhappy that he was "disturbed". If he was disturbed (and unhappy about it), wouldn't it indicate that he was *aware* that he was dead? Since awareness of death would seem to indicate more than just "ceasing to exist", I'm curious as to how this is resolved.

Thanks!!

This question interests me.

Speaking of the witch of Endor, was she the reason for all those daggum Ewoks that ruined Return of the Jedi?

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by andysutherland

This question interests me.

Speaking of the witch of Endor, was she the reason for all those daggum Ewoks that ruined Return of the Jedi?

that was the MOON of endor... oy, those Ewoks, look like big Shittzus...

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by BillyCigars

Okay, another question: (and thanks again in advance!!)

If Judaism doesn't embrace an "afterlife", how is Samuel's appearance during the seance between King Saul and the witch at Endor explained? Samuel seemed really unhappy that he was "disturbed". If he was disturbed (and unhappy about it), wouldn't it indicate that he was *aware* that he was dead? Since awareness of death would seem to indicate more than just "ceasing to exist", I'm curious as to how this is resolved.

Thanks!!

We DO embrace an afterlife for the soul. Torah and especially mystical Judaism describes this at length and in detail.

Originally Posted by TomHagen

We DO embrace an afterlife for the soul. Torah and especially mystical Judaism describes this at length and in detail.

Ahh thanks for clarifying! I must have been confused - about 6 months back, I was having a casual (almost joking) discussion about the afterlife, heaven, etc. with my 2 Jewish friends and they both told me that they just "cease to exist". Odd.

Thanks again!

[ActionAndy]

Hello again Rabbi,

So this reincarnation thing has always had me curious. Do your texts give specifics on how this would work? I'm wondering if I die, my soul comes out and has a period of enlightenment (where it would remember all of its lives, not just this one) and then goes back to a body...or if I just die, have my memory wiped, and shoved into a new body. The second option seems pretty lame, considering I wouldn't even be aware of it (and then is it even me?)

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by ActionAndy

Hello again Rabbi,

So this reincarnation thing has always had me curious. Do your texts give specifics on how this would work? I'm wondering if I die, my soul comes out and has a period of enlightenment (where it would remember all of its lives, not just this one) and then goes back to a body...or if I just die, have my memory wiped, and shoved into a new body. The second option seems pretty lame, considering I wouldn't even be aware of it (and then is it even me?)

this topic deserves a tremndously long answer, some of which I will write up and post IY''H

[ActionAndy]

Originally Posted by TomHagen

this topic deserves a tremndously long answer, some of which I will write up and post IY''H

Thanks, take your time

My wife purchased a replacement wedding ring; I've lost two others, for my last birthday. It says "כִּי אֶל-אֲשֶׁר תֵּלְכִי אֵלֵךְ". My Hebrew is poor at best and I've forgotten how to read some of the letters and vowels. The ring lettering does not include the vowels, I found what I posted above using Google searches. I found that it comes from the book of Ruth, where Ruth replied: 'Entreat me not to leave thee, and to return from following after thee; for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy G-d my G-d".

Can you provide me with a transliteration to help me learn how to pronouce it correctly?


TIA,
Michael

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by nozero

My wife purchased a replacement wedding ring; I've lost two others, for my last birthday. It says "כִּי אֶל-אֲשֶׁר תֵּלְכִי אֵלֵךְ". My Hebrew is poor at best and I've forgotten how to read some of the letters and vowels. The ring lettering does not include the vowels, I found what I posted above using Google searches. I found that it comes from the book of Ruth, where Ruth replied: 'Entreat me not to leave thee, and to return from following after thee; for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy G-d my G-d".

Can you provide me with a transliteration to help me learn how to pronouce it correctly?


TIA,
Michael

sure. Ki al asher talachi alach (the 'ch' is not like chosen but like chanukah)

Originally Posted by TomHagen

sure. Ki al asher talachi alach (the 'ch' is not like chosen but like chanukah)

THANKS! I was very close, I thought the last word was alak. Live and learn!

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by nozero

THANKS! I was very close, I thought the last word was alak. Live and learn!

Great! Glad I could help!