Questions and Answers

Dear Rabbi, Ever since the death of my brother seven years ago, I have been grappling with the concept of the soul. I wish I could believe in it. I am the type that needs rational arguments to convince me, and it seems the soul is too abstract for my ...

Recently I used a prayer book that did not have the Thirteen Fundamental Principles of Faith in it. Isn’t this an integral part of the prayer book?

My husband had asked me a few weeks before my birthday what I wanted. Not really needing anything in particular, I smiled and said "nothing" telling him that being married to him was all I wanted. I was trying to be sweet...

Every year on the holiday of Lag BaOmer, we go to the park, have bonfires and live music and many celebrations. I never understood this. Are we supposed to have celebrations on the anniversary of someone’s passing?

There seem to be several different kaddish prayers that are recited daily. Could you explain their differences?

Our retelling of the Exodus on Passover ends when we close the Haggadah text. But when did the story really end?

I have this great new pair of binoculars, and it’s extremely tempting to have a good look into my neighbors’ houses...

Dear Rabbi, Why did the Israelites have to pass through the Red Sea? On my map of the Middle East, the route from Egypt to Israel is directly through the desert. The sea is totally out of the way. G‑d led them on a detour, trapping them between the sea ...

We know that G‑d is the most perfect Being, and that everything exists solely because of Him. So could He make any mistakes?

I know that it is important to help others, but I cannot seem to find time. How can I help people when I’m so busy?!