Ask The Rabbi!!

[Bruins Fan]

Wow, the Rabbi is a Red Sox Fan in enemy territory
Youkilis is a hard working guy and a clutch player, he should get some consideration again as MVP

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by ade06

You mentioned earlier that Jews are expected to marry only other Jews, but is it true that Jews are encouraged to "practice" with non-Jews. I think there is even a Jewish term for such "practice." I'm hoping this is not too controversial of a topic?

G-d forbid. There is no such thing.

[Adriftpanda]

Rabi, I want to apologize for my comment I made a few days back, it wasn't made to offend anyone. So again, I am sorry. But here is my question...
Is there a difference from the Christian God and the Jewish Yahweh? Yahweh is just another name for God correct?

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by Tikihut27

Rabbi- thanks for the info and for being a good sport. I've learned a lot from reading your answers.

My question re this answer:

Do the Israeli Armed Forces adhere to this policy? What if it's an emergency? What if the Soldier doesn't want to stay home?

Might be outside your lane, I realize...

The Israeli Government does not, unfortunately, yet, abide by the Torah and Jewish Law. They are almost completely secular and have no inherent 'holiness' as a theocracy.

The law itself is applied differently depending on the type of war.

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by Adriftpanda

Rabi, I want to apologize for my comment I made a few days back, it wasn't made to offend anyone. So again, I am sorry. But here is my question...
Is there a difference from the Christian God and the Jewish Yahweh? Yahweh is just another name for God correct?

Firstly, no one should be apologizing to me. I have no issues. I'm just answering 'em as they come in, shining some light and havin' fun...

Secondly, you question is kinda moot. That is not a name used for G-d in any truly Jewish context.

[TomHagen]

It's been a pretty wild week, I hope everyone enjoyed and learned something...

I am off for Shabbos, have a good one!!

[Emjaysmash]

Originally Posted by TomHagen

It's been a pretty wild week, I hope everyone enjoyed and learned something...

I am off for Shabbos, have a good one!!

Have a Good Shabbos, Rav. See ya Saturday night.

[TomHagen]

Much respect to those who are defending our liberties and the freedoms of this great country at home and abroad, and to those who have served, on this Memorial Day. May G-d protect you. Thank you for all you do.

Rabs

[Steve]

Originally Posted by TomHagen

Much respect to those who are defending our liberties and the freedoms of this great country at home and abroad, and to those who have served, on this Memorial Day. May G-d protect you. Thank you for all you do.

Rabs

x2!

[ehdg]

Originally Posted by TomHagen

I am off for Shabbos, have a good one!!

Now this I find very interesting, I'd always considered it that only the Rabbi and Cantor work on Shabbos being as it is their job to lead the congregation and the Cantor's job to sing and pray in hebrew for those that can't in a way. Though I guess technically it's not work but a labor of love/calling.

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by ehdg

Now this I find very interesting, I'd always considered it that only the Rabbi and Cantor work on Shabbos being as it is their job to lead the congregation and the Cantor's job to sing and pray in hebrew for those that can't in a way. Though I guess technically it's not work but a labor of love/calling.

I still don't get paid for Shabbos, or any other day. I raise all of the funds through donation for my organization.

The definition of "work" on Shabbos is clearly defined in the Torah. There are 39 specific tasks (and those associated with them) that were forbidden to do in the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and later in the Beit Hamikdash (Holy Temple) on Shabbos. These laborious activities are what we, as Jews, are forbidden to do on Shabbos.

[Emjaysmash]

No one has anymore questions??!! C'mon Everyone!
Rememeber, if you want to ask a question anonymously, or if it deals with a sensitive subject, feel free to PM the Rabbi!!

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!

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!!

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

[MadAl]

I have a question, Rabbi. In Chaydar, I learned that the name of G-d is never to be spoken, not even in prayer. We learned to recognize the name of the Lord and substitue Adonai or HaShem. Yet it seems to have become commonplace, even vogue, to use that name we deem too holy to say.

Have the rules changed?

[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 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!

You can find this answer above. In short....

Mitzvot means Commandment, loosely used as an act of goodness and kindness, but specifically a Divine Command. Emptomologically related to the hebrew word Tzvtzah meaning connection - so by doing a Mitzvah you are connecting to G-d

[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.