Burial & Graves

Burial in Israel – I see that many people fly a body to be buried in Israel. Is there a special merit to be buried there? I heard someone suggest that my deceased father, who is buried in the U.S., will suffer when the… More »
Burying a Limb – My elderly father is very sick. Gangrene has set into his leg, and it now needs to be amputated. My question is: What is the proper way of disposing of the leg afterwards? More »
Cremation – A friend of mine was buried by a landslide while his wife was just a few feet away. People pitched in to dig him out and had two-thirds of his body out, blue but probably alive, when the hillside shifted… More »
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Mourning & Kaddish

A Cappella – I know we don’t listen to music during the Three Weeks and Sefirah, as well as mourners. What about a cappella? Some groups even use their voices to mimic instrumentation, and I can hardly tell I’m not listening to the… More »
Comforting Mourners – How do I speak to my brother who just lost his 12-year-old son in an accident? He and his wife are devastated and I want to make sure I choose the right words. More »
Completion of Kaddish – My father passed away on June 14, which was 24 Sivan, but was not buried until the Sunday after, 27 Sivan. Until when should I recite the kaddish? More »
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Yahrtzeit & Yizkor

Attending Wedding on Yahrtzeit – I am invited to a wedding in a few weeks and I realized it falls out on my father’s yahrtzeit (the anniversary of his date of death). Am I allowed to attend? More »
Yahrtzeit – 2 Adars – My mother passed away on 10 Adar of a year with only a single Adar. I see this year is a leap year with two Adars. On which one do I observe the yahrtzeit? More »
Yahrtzeit Candle – First Wife – My husband and I married 6 years ago. My husband's first wife passed away from an illness 2 years before we married. Should he continue to lighting a yahrtzeit candle for his first wife even though he is remarried? More »
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Soul & Afterlife

Afterlife Video – I was interested to read your explanation on the afterlife. However, perhaps you could clarify one point. I heard that "time" is a concept unique to this world, not existing in the World to Come. How, then, is it possible… More »
Asking Forgiveness from the Deceased – In my past I wronged someone who is unfortunately no longer alive today. Is there any way I can make amends? More »
Dybbuk – I recently received tickets to a ballet called "The Dybbuk," with music by Leonard Bernstein. It sounds like something like the "Jewish Exorcist." Please tell me what this is all about. More »
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Suicide

Assisted Suicide – I am a university student in Alberta, Canada and I am doing a research paper on euthanasia from the Jewish perspective. Can you direct me to more information? Thank you. More »
Jumping from the Tower – In the terrible 9-11 terror attack on New York, some people jumped from the burning tower. On one side was a raging fire with no escape, and on the other side was a jump to near-certain death. What does Jewish… More »
Suicide – A guy who works at the same company just committed suicide. Some people are saying that this is a terrible crime, while others say it's okay because he didn't harm anyone. Can help put this into perspective for me? More »

Death - Misc.

120 Year Lifespan – I was curious about the blessing we give people to live till 120 years. What is the origin of the expression? Is that just a nice, very high number, or is that considered the upper limit? I wouldn’t think so… More »
Marijuana – I have always smoked marijuana. I find it to be less harmful then alcohol. I want to know if there is any Jewish law against doing this. I feel the civil laws against this are ridiculous. I know three cancer… More »
Martyrdom & Sanctifying God's Name – In the Yizkor memorial prayer which we say on the holidays, we commemorate the souls of the martyrs who were "killed, murdered, slaughtered, burned, drowned and strangled" for the sanctification of the Name. This raises two questions: Why is it… More »
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Inheritance (Yerusha)

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 »
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