Exercise on Shabbat– How would you explain why my rabbi says not to exercise on Shabbat, although I find it fun and relaxing?More »
Havdalah – Spilled Wine– I was watching a video about Shabbat and the rabbi mentioned a custom to spill some wine out before drinking it. Can you tell me the basis for this?More »
Immutability of Torah Law– I was born with a neuromuscular disease known as Spinal Muscular Atrophy and have been confined to a wheelchair my entire life. Unfortunately my sister and I were raised without any religious instruction or guidance. My father wasn't Jewish and…More »
Number of Jews at Exodus– Thank you very much for all your wise and interesting writings. For the last two years, I've been teaching an adult seminar called "Discovering the Beauty of Judaism" at a Reform congregation, and I use Aish HaTorah material. Now my…More »
Children Punished for Sins of Parents– How do we understand verses such as Exodus 20:5 (in the Ten Commandments) that God punishes not only sinners, but their descendants till four generations? How is it possibly fair to punish children for that which they did not do?More »
Golden Calf– If the Jews had just witnessed God's awesome power in the 10 Plagues, the splitting of the Red Sea, and the revelation at Mount Sinai, how could these same people turn around and worship a Golden Calf?!More »
Cheating on Tests – Repentance– I cheated on a school test recently and I feel guilty about it. What should I do now? Should I confess to the teacher?More »
Court Punishments– I recently heard a rabbi speak about returning stolen funds. He said that rather than calling the police, the money could be returned anonymously. What is wrong with facing any criminal charges that you may deserve? Isn't that a part…More »
Great Teshuva– My friend and I are having a disagreement about degrees of righteousness in God's eyes. Who is greater: One who is virtuous by inclination, or one who is virtuous by choice - i.e. one who must struggle with his passions…More »
Why Do We Celebrate the Torah on Simchat Torah and Not Shavout?– Why do we complete the reading of the Torah and celebrate it on Simchat Torah and not on Shavuot when we received the Torah? Wouldn’t Shavuot make much more sense? What does Sukkot have to do with the Torah?More »
Ascent to Jerusalem for the Three Festivals– When the Temple stood, all males had to appear before the Lord for the three festivals (Exodus 23:14-17, 34:23-24, Deuteronomy 16:16). At what age did they have to come – at 13? 30? Also, did they have to come from…More »
Cooking and Using Fire on Yom Tov– I recently read that you are allowed to use fire on Yom Tov, unlike Shabbat. Can you explain if this is the case and what it means?More »
Israeli in Diaspora, Second Day Yom Tov– I live in Israel but will be in America for Shavuot this year. Would I be able to use my computer on the second day of Yom Tov – which for me is a regular day? It will be in…More »
Working on Chol HaMoed– Am I allowed to work on Chol HaMo’ed? Because of the High Holidays and Sukkot, I am almost entirely out of vacation time.More »
Carobs on Tu B’Shvat– Why is it that many people eat carobs on Tu B'Shvat? Even though it’s a native fruit to Israel, it is not one of the seven species. (Note: the Holy Land is specially praised for its “seven species” – wheat,…More »
Israeli Fruit on Tu B’Shvat– I know on Tu B'Shvat we have the custom of eating various fruits, especially the seven species Israel is famous for. I specifically try to purchase fruit grown in Israel for the occasion. Is there any kashrut issue with doing…More »
Calendar Discrepancy– I am fascinated by history, and in browsing your website's Western Wall Tunnel Tour (http://www.aish.com/sem/wtt/). I was surprised by the dates of various events in Jewish history. According to your timeline, King Solomon built the First Temple in 825 BCE.…More »
Calendar Software– Is there any way I can get hold of a Jewish calendar for the current year?More »
Historical Dating: Jewish versus Secular– In learning through your excellent “Crash Course in Jewish History” (www.aish.com/jl/h/cc/), I notice that in referencing some historical dates, the Jewish dating system and the Christian dating system vary by as much as 150 years - but by the time…More »
Halloween - Trick or Treat?– One of my fondest memories growing up was taking my little orange UNICEF box and collecting pennies - as well as yummy treats - on Halloween. It was also a great day for acting rowdy and causing a little trouble…More »
Seasons Greetings?– Do you wish someone "Happy Chanukah" in the same way you wish someone "Merry Xmas"? I have met some Jewish friends on my travels, and I wish to send them seasons greetings. But I'm unsure what to write. Thank you.More »
Sylvester Day– I understand that in Israel the secular New Year is referred to as "Yom Sylvester." Where does this name come from?More »
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