"Half-Jewish"– I attend a Bat Mitzvah program at our Temple where most of the kids have one Jewish parent. A bit of an argument broke out over who is the better Jew – someone who has a Jewish father, or someone… More »
Ashkenazi vs Sephardic Jews: Their Differences & Origins– What are the main differences between Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews? Can you explain to me something about the difference between Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jewry? What exactly do those terms mean and what are the general differences between the two groups? More »
Ashkenazi-Sephardic Marriage & Children– If my father is Sephardic and my mother is Ashkenazi, am I Sephardic? Also, if I am considered Sephardic and I marry an Ashkenazi man, am I still Sephardic? More »
Ba’al Teshuva, Convert – Which Customs to Follow?– My parents are Jewish but I grew up with almost no observance in my home. In fact, I would have to go back several generations to find religious ancestors. I began becoming religious as an adult and I have generally… More »
Davidic Line Today– Who are the descendants of King David today? I’m wondering what happened to the House of David. After the end of the Kingdom of Judah was there any memory what happened to King David’s descendants? Is there any family today… More »
Definition of a Jew– I am Jewish, but the other day someone asked me: “What is a Jew?” I was a bit shocked that I could not articulate a proper answer. So... what is a Jew? More »
Descent From King David Today– Is there any way to research if you’re a descendant of King David? I feel I really relate to him in so many ways! More »
Did Judaism Use to Practice Patrilineal Descent?– I just made a bet with a friend for a cup of coffee. He is asserting that Judaism used to be a patrilineal religion in the beginning, and then changed to being matrilineal. I never heard this and find it… More »
Firstborn (Bechor) Privileges– I’ve been studying Deuteronomy with my children and was at a loss to explain why the firstborn receives a double portion of the inheritance (21:17). What is the basis for this? More »
How Our Forefathers’ Merit Helps Us– I see we often ask in our prayers that God remember the righteousness of our ancestors and as a result treat us mercifully. I'd like to understand how this works. Just because Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were righteous we should… More »
Inferior Class of Jews?– My wife and I were married by a rabbi who also performed our son's Bris. Our son is now six years old – and I believe he meets all the criteria for Pidyon Ha’Ben. When I contacted our rabbi regarding… More »
Jewish DNA– I did DNA testing recently and was surprised to find that I am partially “Ashkenazi Jewish.” I have always felt an affinity for the Jewish people and this confirms it! Does this mean I am Jewish? Is there anything more… More »
King David Descended from Lot’s Daughters– Yesterday I was reading in Genesis the story of Lot’s daughters who bore children from him and begat the nations of Amon and Moab. It then struck me that since King David’s great-grandmother was Ruth the Moabite, it means that… More »
Kohen Higher Status– My mother is Jewish and my father is not. I have been told that I am 100% Jewish, yet at the same time I may not marry a Kohen. It bothers me that I am penalized for something I have… More »
Kohen Marriages– I am a Reform Jew and am now looking to get married. I went to a few Jewish dating sites, and I saw some profiles which say "permitted to a Kohen." I am a Kohen, and therefore this caught my… More »
Marrano Heritage– My mother's family comes from a long line of Marranos, the "secret converts" who fled Portugal in the 15th century and went to South America. A year ago I embarked on a search for who I really am. For me,… More »
Rice and Beans on Passover– I just got married and have an important question: Can we eat rice on Passover? My wife grew up eating it, and I did not. Is this just a matter of family tradition? More »
Second Class Converts?– I am 28 years old, born in Italy to a Catholic family with Jewish origins on my father's side. I decided to become Jewish, and after a long process, I converted in Israel three years ago. To this day, those… More »
Ten Lost Tribes– Do you have any idea where the Ten Lost Tribes of the northern kingdom of Israel are today? Is anyone trying to find the descendants of these people? More »
Tracing Jewish Roots– How does one, who has been raised Christian, begin searching to see if his ancestors were Jewish? My family comes from Germany. My great-great-grandfathers came alone to America when they were teenagers. That's all the history we know. My father… More »
Tribal Affiliation– I know that the Jewish people can be categorized as Kohen, Levi or Yisrael. Given that I am a Yisrael, I have always wondered which of the 12 tribes I come from. Is there a way to find out? More »
What Color Were the Original Israelites?– I have heard the claim the original Children of Israel were black and so the light-skinned Ashkenazi Jews of today are not really Jewish. What is your take on this? More »
Who is a Jew?– I have always been under the assumption that being Jewish meant being of the Jewish faith, and/or being of the Jewish race. Please let me know if this is correct. More »
Who is a Mamzer?– My mother has, unfortunately, been through a number of marriages and other living-together arrangements. This has produced a hodge-podge of children from different fathers. I actually was conceived through an affair that my mother had, and she has never revealed… More »
Those Shameful Thoughts and What They Really Say about You
