How Can We Recognize a True Prophet?– How do we know to trust the past prophets of Israel – or a future one if one comes along? I know that we consider the Revelation at Sinai historically credible because it occurred so publicly. But all the other…More »
Location of Prophecy– You wrote previously that Israel is the only land conducive to prophecy, the highest level of communion with God. All the prophets either received prophecies in Israel, or prophecies that related to the Land of Israel. Yet the prophet Ezekiel…More »
The Lying Spirit Which Deceived Ahab– I Kings 22 records a very strange incident. Ahab wanted to go to battle in Ramot Gilad and all his prophets predicted he would succeed. But then another prophet comes and says that God sent a “lying spirit” to the…More »
Jephthah Sacrificing Daughter– My Bible class is studying the Book of Judges and we recently covered the story of Jephthah (Judges 11). Jephthah promises to God that if the Amonites would be delivered into his hands, then on his return home he would…More »
Samson – Contact with Dead– I’m trying to understand something. Shimshon (Samson) was a nazir (Nazarite), which is why he didn’t cut his hair or drink wine. But isn’t one of the restrictions of a Nazarite not to come in contact with the dead (Numbers…More »
School Shooting– I have often thought about the tragedy in Columbine and other schoolyard shootings. My impression is that these boys want to create an awesome experience, to impress the world with their power, their genius. Maybe they had it backwards. They…More »
David and Bathsheba– I have been studying the Book of Samuel and I was really shocked when I read the story of David and Bathsheba (II Samuel 11). How could David, King of Israel, take another man's wife like that?! Wasn't he supposed…More »
King Saul Conjuring Samuel’s Soul– How was King Saul permitted to go to a witch and have her conjure up Prophet Samuel’s soul (I Samuel 28)? Aren’t such practices forbidden? That story altogether has some details which I couldn’t really understand, such as how the…More »
Nephilim – Giants in the Torah– The Torah talks about giants in Biblical times – in the times of Noah, Moses, and King David. What are their origins and what happened to them?More »
Ahaziah’s Age When He Became King– How old was Ahaziah when he became king? II Kings (8:26) states he was 22, while II Chronicles 22:2 writes 42. The latter seems to definitely be wrong since his father Jehoram was only 40 when he died (II Kings…More »
King David's Character– I always thought that King David was a consummate Jewish hero. But lately I've heard various people disparaging his character. What's the story?More »
King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba– I just watched a program that claims that King Solomon had a child with the Queen of Sheba who was named Menalik. This Menalik was entrusted with the Ark of the Covenant from the Temple which is now hidden in…More »
Book of Jonah– I always loved the story of Jonah and the whale. Why do we read it during the afternoon service of Yom Kippur?More »
Does Isaiah 7:14 Refer to a Virgin Birth?– I work in a Christian hospital and have many Christian friends, many of whom feel strongly about their religious beliefs. They often quote to me Isaiah 7:14 – that a virgin woman will give birth to a boy – which…More »
Haftorah – Source for the Custom– What is the source of the custom to read from the Prophets on Shabbat and other occasions after reading from the Torah? Is it a recent custom?More »
Ashrei - Nun– The verses in the prayer of Ashrei follow an alphabetical pattern, yet I see that the Nun is missing. Why?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 »
Psalm 110 – Two Lords– Please explain what this verse means: “The Lord said unto my Lord, "Sit Thou at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool” (Psalm 110:1). Doesn’t this verse imply there is another Lord besides God?More »
Esther & Achashverosh– In the Purim story, how do we understand that Mordechai handed over Esther to Achashverosh? I remember in the synagogue years ago, no one could agree on just what their relationship was. But I have read on a few occasions…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 »
Ruth and Shavuot– I attended synagogue services on the holiday of Shavuot morning, and we spent a half-hour reading the Book of Ruth. Is there any special connection between Ruth and Shavuot?More »
Raise a Glass to Freedom
