Ask The Rabbi!!

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by ActionAndy

I know the Catholics have come to declare that extraterrestrial life would not interfere with the Catholic faith. That is, the Pope has said that he sees nothing wrong with the theory that life (intelligent as well) exists on other planets...How do jews feel about aliens?

Rad thread by the way.

Thanks brotha.

The discovery of ETs would pose no more of a threat to Judaism than would the discovery of a new species of rabbit.

It would be limiting G-d's power to say that He could not have placed life on other planets. In fact, there is a reference in the biblical Book of Judges (53) to an inhabited place called Maroz, which the Talmud identifies as a star.

But Jewish thought has always believed that the most weird and wonderful creatures are to be found right here on earth. We can explore the remotest extremities of space but still remain alien to our own humanity. The real secrets of the universe lie hidden in the depths of the human soul.

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by M1903A1

"Men make plans...G-d laughs."

True.

Not to be confused with "THAT" slope...right?

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by ade06

Thanks for the thread. You rock! Also, what is your position on ghosts?

Yes, I do.

There is/was a concept called a "dybbuk" in certain Jewish literature and mystical texts. This might or might not be the equivalent of what is commonly referred to as ghosts.

Do souls sometimes stick around? Yes. Is in the conventional way of a "ghost"? Kinda, Sorta, Maybe. Mystical Judaism is rife with even much more mind-blowing concepts than "ghosts". I guess, define "ghost"...

my x gf has asked me to pay for a boob job for her and its to make them smaller not bigger should i say no nicley to her or call her a insane wench and say there is no way i will pay for a boob job ?

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by ehdg

Rabbi,

TKs so much for doing this for us. I'm finding this some very interesting reading and very informative also. Here's my simple question.

My daughter is just over 2 now and for family reasons that I don't need to get into here we to this point haven't done a baby naming for her. Is this a problem or will it be a problem later when we enroll her in Hebrew school and look to have a Bat Mitzvah for her?

Tks so much.

My daughter is also just over 2, as well. Good stuff!!

A Jewish child can be named at any point in their life. In fact, my wife's grandmother was named in her 80's. For a girl, she should be named over the Torah in Shul, a very simple, meaningful prayer is said and BAM! she's got a Jewish name. This should be done at the most immediate Torah reading after her birth. The Torah is read in synogogue ever Mon, Thurs and Shabbos AM. One usually has a small kiddush in her honor on Shabbos. It is never to late, do it ASAP. If you need any further help with this let me know. If you need help with a name, place to go etc. or I could even do the prayer for you...

(side note: Boys are named at their Bris, hopefully on the eigth day after they are born)

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by adampc22

my x gf has asked me to pay for a boob job for her and its to make them smaller not bigger should i say no nicley to her or call her a insane wench and say there is no way i will pay for a boob job ?

Is it a health issue?

Originally Posted by TomHagen

Is it a health issue?

no she just thinks thay are 2 big and thay anoy her when she wants to play tennis and so on

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by adampc22

no she just thinks thay are 2 big and thay anoy her when she wants to play tennis and so on

Maybe she should play racketball, where the racket is smaller.

or squash, or badminton, or paddle ball with one of those weird solid wood rackets and the little hard plastic ball on the beach.

lol but shoud i say no niceley or say no way behatch

[TomHagen]

Always be nice.


adampc22's engaging questions have begun to put the Rabbi to sleep for the evening...

Gut Nacht! Lilah Tov! Gooood Night!

good night sir

[ehdg]

Originally Posted by TomHagen

My daughter is also just over 2, as well. Good stuff!!

A Jewish child can be named at any point in their life. In fact, my wife's grandmother was named in her 80's. For a girl, she should be named over the Torah in Shul, a very simple, meaningful prayer is said and BAM! she's got a Jewish name. This should be done at the most immediate Torah reading after her birth. The Torah is read in synogogue ever Mon, Thurs and Shabbos AM. One usually has a small kiddush in her honor on Shabbos. It is never to late, do it ASAP. If you need any further help with this let me know. If you need help with a name, place to go etc. or I could even do the prayer for you...

(side note: Boys are named at their Bris, hopefully on the eigth day after they are born)

Most of this I'm well aware of but thanks for your advise. One question though I always thought, but could be remembering wrong isn't the Torah also taken out and read from on Sunday's with typhillon (sp?)? I could have sworn when I was young they took the Torah out Sunday mornings when I used to go with my dad and then have breakfast afterwards there.

[smokin5]

I'm surprised noone has asked this yet, so I'll pose it:

Is there a brucha (blessing or "grace" for those who don't know) you say before lighting a cigar? What is it?

And do I really have to smoke 8 cigars on the last night of Hanukkah?

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by ehdg

Most of this I'm well aware of but thanks for your advise. One question though I always thought, but could be remembering wrong isn't the Torah also taken out and read from on Sunday's with typhillon (sp?)? I could have sworn when I was young they took the Torah out Sunday mornings when I used to go with my dad and then have breakfast afterwards there.

The Torah scroll is ONLY taken out and read on Monday, Thursday and Shabbos (and on Festivals, First Day of Jewish Month, and Fast Days). Tefillin are worn by men every morning, except Shabbos and Festivals.
a great Mitzvah indeed!!

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by smokin5

I'm surprised noone has asked this yet, so I'll pose it:

Is there a brucha (blessing or "grace" for those who don't know) you say before lighting a cigar? What is it?

And do I really have to smoke 8 cigars on the last night of Hanukkah?

Sorry, there is no Brocha - Blessing over smoking cigars. But utilizing them for good, as many of us do, in aiding relaxation, clarity of mind, forming social bonds etc. is all good.

No you don't have to smoke 8 cigars on the last night of Chanukah, but u can bomb someone with 8 cigars!

[kelmac07]

Keeping the Rabbi busy!!!!! Just checkin to see if you are doing okay today?

[ActionAndy]

Originally Posted by TomHagen

Thanks brotha.

The discovery of ETs would pose no more of a threat to Judaism than would the discovery of a new species of rabbit.

It would be limiting G-d's power to say that He could not have placed life on other planets. In fact, there is a reference in the biblical Book of Judges (53) to an inhabited place called Maroz, which the Talmud identifies as a star.

But Jewish thought has always believed that the most weird and wonderful creatures are to be found right here on earth. We can explore the remotest extremities of space but still remain alien to our own humanity. The real secrets of the universe lie hidden in the depths of the human soul.

I looked into this and not only is this Maroz place inhabited, but its people are cursed. That's pretty neat.

[ade06]

Originally Posted by TomHagen

Yes, I do.

There is/was a concept called a "dybbuk" in certain Jewish literature and mystical texts. This might or might not be the equivalent of what is commonly referred to as ghosts.

Do souls sometimes stick around? Yes. Is in the conventional way of a "ghost"? Kinda, Sorta, Maybe. Mystical Judaism is rife with even much more mind-blowing concepts than "ghosts". I guess, define "ghost"...

I think you did a good job answering the question, but I the ghost I was refering to can be defined as "The spirit of a dead person, especially one believed to appear in bodily likeness to living persons or to haunt former habitats."

[htown]

Is it kosher to eat Bacos?

[Tio Gato]

Hello Rabbi, I hope you are well.

When I was studying to be a chef I had many lessons in "Food Safety".
One of my chef instructors mentioned that many dietary laws from different religions are based on what is safe to eat and what is not. (Considering the days of little science and no refrigeration.)

My question is, when people ask you why something is or is not Kosher and how did these things get that way, is there a resource you direct them too? Perhaps a website or book that explains why. (Such as no shellfish, because we know shellfish from contaminated water can kill you.)

As a chef and a fat man that loves food, the Kosher dietary laws have always fascinated me. I hope you can point me in the right direction as to the why.

Thank you so much.