Abortion - Yes Or No?- I never thought this would happen to me. I'm pregnant. And now I don't know what to do. I realize this is an important decision – not only for my own emotional well-being, but the heavy moral implications as well.… More »
Body Piercing- Everybody in my high school is getting their body parts pierced. I think some of the piercing is attractive – like multiple earrings or the navel. But some of them are gross – studs in the tongue or pierced eyebrows.… More »
Divorcee – Husband’s Customs- I am divorced now. Do I still have to follow the customs of my ex-husband – such as not eating out on Passover? More »
Feminism- I grew up in the era of feminism, and while I am thrilled at the vistas of opportunity it opened up for me and so many others, I have grown somewhat disenchanted after having seen so much negative fall-out: the… More »
Lillith- Someone recently showed me a copy of "Lillith," a Jewish feminist magazine. Is the name Lillith mentioned in the classical Jewish texts? More »
Marital Relations – Mitzvah- What is the Jewish view of intimacy? Is sex just for procreative purposes, or is it all right to have relations with one's spouse for recreation and intimacy? More »
Prenatal Testing- I am 19 weeks pregnant and just received results from an amniocentesis test that the fetus has Downs Syndrome and is mentally retarded. I would like to abort the fetus. What is the Jewish law on aborting in this case? More »
Repeating Havdalah for Others- We have several older neighbors in our building who ask me to make Havdalah for them. I try to have them come to us in time for Havdalah, but that doesn’t always work. If I’ve said Havdalah already, can I… More »
Selling One’s Daughter Into Slavery- I was studying Exodus and was very surprised to come across the section about a person selling his daughter into slavery (Exodus 21:7-11). Why does the Torah condone such a seemingly backwards practice of selling your own family member into… More »
What's A Balabostah?- I recently became married, and in setting up my first home, my elderly grandmother keeps referring to me as a "balabostah." Is that a compliment? Exactly what is a "balabostah"? More »
Women Making Havdalah- I am a single woman and I usually try to hear Havdalah on Saturday night at the synagogue. But sometimes I don’t feel like going out. So when I say Havdalah by myself, should I say all the blessings as… More »
Identifying as a Jew
