Career: Stuck in a Rut– I'm stuck in a rut: 45 years old, working as an accountant. My job pays well, but it is not personally satisfying. The bottom line is that I'm not happy. Any suggestions for getting out of this rut?More »
Centrality of the Land of Israel– What is so special about Israel? Why couldn't God make everything happen in America or some other country? If you say the answer is that "the history of the Jews happens there," then why couldn't it all have happened in…More »
Four Quarters– I visited Israel in 1987 and it was the experience of a lifetime. In Jerusalem, I noticed that the walled Old City is divided into four quarters: Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Armenian. My question is: When were these divisions made,…More »
Animal Offerings Today– I was reading the Book of Leviticus and this got me wondering: Why don't Jews bring animal offerings today? I know there is no Holy Temple in Jerusalem, but does that prevent any offerings from being done?More »
Atonement Today– I am a bit shocked by the Bible's emphasis on animal offerings. It seems quite violent and inhumane. Is that really what Judaism teaches?More »
Dan Family of Canada– I enjoy watching photos of the Western Wall from your camera mounted atop Aish HaTorah's Dan Family Building. I'm just curious about what happens in the Dan building. I assume Dan is one of the 12 tribes (Jacob's sons).More »
Walkway to the Mount– From your Western Wall camera (http://www.aish.com/w/) I notice what appears to be a large covered walkway leading up the Temple Mount. Can you explain what that is?More »
Wall Camera on Shabbat– Right now it is not quite Shabbat in Los Angeles. I've have been visiting your Western Wall Camera site daily and find it very informative and "spiritually relaxing." I have actually copied one of the daily pictures and placed it…More »
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 »
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 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 »
Fruit Trees for the First Three Years (Orlah)– We just planted a few fruit trees in our back yard (we recently moved to California). Are there any issues with the fruit of the trees for the first three years? They were delivered as saplings (with the roots in…More »
Is Gaza Jewish?– I had mixed feelings upon seeing the Jewish communities of Gaza and their 9,000 residents being uprooted in 2005. There was the hope of an improved security situation, but on the other hand it seems wrong to declare a region…More »
Ancient versus Modern Hebrew Script– It’s known that the ancient Israelites wrote in a totally different script of Hebrew than the one used today. Wouldn’t the earlier one have been the original script of Hebrew – the one the Torah was given in? If so,…More »
Archaeology and the Exodus– I am in touch with someone who is interested in Judaism, but wants to understand its validity from a historic and archeological perspective. He is very bright, a Ph.D. in mathematics. He made me a challenge that he would take…More »
Blue Tallit Stripes– Why is a particular blue color associated with Judaism? For example the Israeli flag, and the stripes on the tallit.More »
Medical Volunteer– I found some information about Aish.com at our Hillel at the University of Arizona in Tucson and thought that you might be able to advise me. I am a pre-med student and am looking to volunteer in an overseas medical…More »
Jewish Leadership– In biblical times, there always was a prophet of God who was guiding and advising Israel's kings. At the present time there is no such prophet. How does Israel's prime minister know he is doing the right thing, according to…More »
History of Palestine– I'm a bit confused about the term "Palestine." Today everyone uses it to refer to Arabs, but my grandfather played in Palestine Symphony Orchestra which changed its name to the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra when the Jewish state came into being…More »
Land for Peace?– Is it permitted to disengage from areas of the West Bank, which constitutes the biblical heartland of Israel? Through news reports, I am able to keep up with what seem to be very frightening developments that world powers are trying…More »
Safe to Visit Israel?– I'm a college student and have always wanted to visit Israel. I have the opportunity this summer to come for a free Birthright trip. But my parents are afraid of the security situation. Is it safe to come visit Israel…More »
Identifying as a Jew
