A Convert's Soul- I have read that someone who becomes a Jew through conversion has a Jewish soul already – and the conversion is just correcting a mistaken birth. Can you give me some insight on this? More »
Adoption- We are looking to adopt a Jewish child, preferably a baby (as yet unborn). Can you help us find one in Israel, possibly an out-of-wedlock situation. It would be a real mitzvah for all concerned. We have excellent references within… 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 »
Chosen People Racist?- What’s behind the whole concept of the Jews as the Chosen People? Isn’t this idea racist? More »
Conversion in Biblical Times- If a person has a Jewish father and was raised Jewish, why are there such strict requirements for him to become Jewish? Abraham was the first Jew and he never converted! Likewise how did Moses marry Zipporah? The Torah does… More »
Convert Covering Hair- I converted to Judaism in my late 60’s. I was never married since I’ve become Jewish but many years back I was married to (and divorced from) a Gentile. Am I obligated to cover my hair today? More »
Convert – Mourning & Kaddish for Non-Jewish Parent- I am a convert but I still have a good relationship with my parents, who are very decent people and who were very supportive of my religious transformation. Unfortunately, my father is not doing well. In the event that matters… More »
Convert's Mother-in-Law- My husband is a convert and I'm studying for conversion, too. When I told my parents I was converting my mother's response was joyful – she feels that the one thing she regrets in her life was that she did… More »
Intermarriage Correspondence from a Non-Jew- First off, thank you so much for this wonderful service that you provide. I find comfort in just knowing that someone out there is willing to listen... I have been blessed with finding a wonderful friend and companion but we… More »
Jewish Proselytizing?- Please forgive my ignorance, but can you tell me why it appears that the Jewish people do not actively encourage the rest of society to convert to Judaism and thus spread the knowledge of God and wisdom of the Torah… More »
Opting Out of Judaism?- I have been told that somewhere in the Talmud it states that once you are Jewish you are always Jewish no matter what. I understand that God needed a special group of people to be His messengers, but why not… 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 »
Ruth's Conversion as Moabite?- I have a question about the Book of Ruth. As a Moabite, why was Ruth allowed to convert to Judaism, given the biblical injunction against accepting converts from the Moabite nation? More »
Ruth's Conversion for Marriage?- I have a question regarding the Book of Ruth. When Ruth's husband died, she had not yet converted. However, she still spoke about marrying Ploni Almoni. Why? Ruth wasn't even Jewish at the time! Another question has always baffled me.… 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 »
Status of Baptized Jew- Someone I know went through many stages in her life. At a point she converted to Christianity and was quite active in her Church. Today, however, she has been having doubts and is beginning to consider returning to Judaism. But… More »
The Ethics of Cloning- My experience is that scientific breakthroughs (e.g. man on the moon, invitro fertilization, etc.) are greeted by the general public with accolades and enthusiasm. The idea of human cloning, meanwhile, has been typically received with disdain and trepidation. Why? More »
What Happened to Abraham’s Converts?- I’ve always wondered what happened to the many people Abraham and Sarah taught about God? I understand that they spent years spreading the faith far and wide. But we never seem to hear of these people afterwards. Were there more… 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 »
Identifying as a Jew
