Kabbalah Versus Magic- If the Torah forbids witchcraft and magic, how come there were great Kabbalists who would change nature and perform miracles, such as creating the Golem? More »
Wearing Red Thread- On our recent trip to Israel we noticed at several sacred locations that there were ladies selling red threads, to be worn on one’s wrist. I believe it was claimed to ward off the “evil eye”. I tend to be… More »
The Nazirite Vow- The Torah (Numbers 6) talks about the nazir. A man who fears that his appetites dominate his judgment vows not to cut his hair and not to drink wine. Then at the end of thirty days, he shaves his hair… More »
Tai Chi- I recently took a class in Tai Chi, which focused a lot on an unseen force flowing in the universe and through the body they call "Chi," which can be focused for health and self-defense. Is this concept consistent with… More »
The Nose & Smells- I've always found something quite spiritual about my sense of smell. And having read that the highlight of the Yom Kippur service in the Holy Temple was bringing incense into the Holy of Holies, I can't help but wonder about… More »
Nipples - Men- This one has puzzled me for a long time, and I thought maybe you would have an answer: Why do men have nipples? More »
Hamsa- I received a gift from an Israeli friend. It is a beautiful mosaic Hamsa, or Miriam's Hand. I am interested in the Hebrew prayer that appears on the back of it. I am wondering if there is an English or… More »
Golem- I recently visited Israel and stayed at the home of distant cousins. We were playing basketball and one kid said to another: "Don't just stand there like a golem - do something!" I'd heard about the idea of a Golem… 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 »
Fingernails- I know that Judaism has something to say about every aspect of existence and our lives. But I never imagined there was something to know about fingernails, until my friend said there is a specific order to cut them. What’s… More »
Color Blind- I understand that every phenomenon in our physical world has a corresponding message in the metaphysical world. Could you please tell me why some people are color blind, and what this indicates in a spiritual sense? More »
Kabbalistic Masters- I have noticed that you often offer explanations to the Torah from the “Kabbalists” or Kabbalistic Masters.” Who are these people and how do they differ from the standard rabbinical scholars? More »
Evil Eye – Ayin Hara- Is there such a thing as “evil eye” in Judaism? My family is lately having a serious spate of bad luck, and I’m wondering if there is some kind of jinx on the family and anything I can do about… More »
What is Kabbalah?- What is the purpose of studying Kabbalah? What effects (both tangible and intangible) does this have on a person? With areas of Torah study like character development and Jewish law, the purpose and effects are obvious. With Kabbalah, this is… More »
Raise a Glass to Freedom
