Q & A: The Hereafter – Olam Haba (Part XIII)
Question: How do we know there is an olam haba – a world to come?
L. Papirmeister
Q & A: The Hereafter – Olam Haba (Part XII)
Question: How do we know that there is an olam haba – a world to come?
L. Papirmeister
Q & A: The Hereafter – Olam Haba (Part XI)
Question: How do we know that there is an olam haba – a world to come?
L. Papirmeister
Q & A: The Hereafter – Olam Haba (Part X)
Question: How do we know that there is an olam haba – a world to come?
L. Papirmeister
Q & A: The Hereafter – Olam Haba (Part IX)
Question: How do we know that there is an olam haba – a world to come?
L. Papirmeister
Q & A: The Hereafter – Olam Haba (Part VIII)
Question: How do we know that there is an olam haba – a world to come?
L. Papirmeister
Q & A: The Hereafter – Olam Haba (Part VII)
Question: How do we know that there is an olam haba – a world to come?
L. Papirmeister
Q & A: The Hereafter – Olam Haba (Part VI)
Question: How do we know that there is an olam haba – a world to come?
L. Papirmeister
Q & A: The Hereafter – Olam Haba (Part V)
Question: How do we know that there is an olam haba – a world to come?
L. Papirmeister
Q & A: The Hereafter – Olam Haba (Part IV)
Question: How do we know that there is an olam haba – a World to Come?
L. Papirmeister
Q & A: The Hereafter – Olam Haba (Part III)
Question: How do we know that there is an olam haba – a World to Come?
L. Papirmeister
Q & A: The Hereafter – Olam Haba (Part II)
Question: How do we know that there is an olam haba – a World to Come?
L. Papirmeister
Q & A: The Hereafter – Olam Haba (Part I)
Question: How do we know that there is an olam haba – a World to Come?
L. Papirmeister
Q & A: Was The Torah Ever Forgotten?
Question: The Gemara (Sukkah 20a) states that the Torah was forgotten for a period of time. This seems to be quite difficult to understand. Weren't the people of earlier generations greater than those of later generations?
Zvi Simon
(Via e-mail)
Q & A: Why No Shehecheyanu Before Counting The Omer? (Part II)
Question: I have long wondered why we don’t say Shehecheyanu when we start counting the Omer. Can you explain the reasoning behind this practice?
M. Schwartz
Q & A: Why No Shehecheyanu Before Counting The Omer? (Part I)
Question: I have long wondered why we don’t say Shehecheyanu when we start counting the Omer. Can you explain the reasoning behind this practice?
M. Schwartz
Q & A: Sefirat HaOmer In Shul (Part II)
QUESTION: I enjoy your weekly column. You not only give an answer, but also provide an in-depth discussion of the subject matter, including many different views. My question, which relates to the upcoming mitzvah of counting the Omer, is as follows: In my synagogue, and I assume in most others, we all stand at attention as the rabbi or chazzan recites the blessing of Sefirat HaOmer and then proceeds to count the Omer. How can we recite the blessing afterwards when we already clearly heard it before (and thus, presumably, were yotzei with it)?
M. Goldblum
Miami Beach, FL
Q & A: Sefirat HaOmer In Shul (Part I)
Question: I enjoy your weekly column. In addition to answering questions, you also discuss the subjects you are asked about in depth, covering many different views. My question is as follows: In my synagogue, and I assume in most others, everyone stands at attention as the rabbi or chazzan recites the blessing for Sefiras HaOmer and then counts the Omer. How can we recite the blessing afterwards ourselves when we already heard it (and thus, presumably, were yotzei with it)?
M. Goldblum
Miami Beach, FL
Q & A: Selling One’s Chametz
Question: Please explain why we sell our chametz. Wouldn’t it simpler to just discard it before Passover? Why do we go through this charade every year?
Malka Berg
Q & A: Tachanun During Nissan (Part II)
Question: Why do we say Tachanun on some days and not on others? What are the rules? When do we not say it?
M. Solow
Q & A: Tachanun During Nissan (Part I)
Question: Why do we say Tachanun on some days and not on others? What are the rules? When do we not say it?
M. Solow
Q & A: A Bar Mitzvah Boy And The Four Parshiyot (Part II)
Question: Is a bar mitzvah boy allowed to read the four parshiyot in shul on behalf of the congregation?
Elimelech Feldman
Q & A: A Bar Mitzvah Boy And The Four Parshiyot (Part I)
Question: Is a bar mitzvah boy allowed to read the four parshiyot in shul on behalf of the congregation?
Elimelech Feldman
Q & A: Batei Din (Part I)
Question: I anticipate soon dissolving a business partnership. How should I expect to be treated in a beit din?
No Name Please
Q & A: Matanot La’evyonim
To whom does one give on Purim? Must one give to someone who, one suspects, may not really be poor? Is there a minimal amount one must give? Also, what about boys collecting for yeshivot or other institutions – may one discharge one’s obligation by giving to them?
Menachem
Q & A: Who Was Achashverosh?
Question: We read in Megillat Esther that the name of the king of Persia who ruled a vast empire that extended from India to Ethiopia was Achashverosh. Who was he? Where did he come from?
Fran Hager
Brooklyn, NY
Q & A: Stepping Back At The Amidah’s Conclusion
Question: I’ve noticed in shul that at the conclusion of Shemoneh Esreh some people take three steps back but do not take three steps forward. Is this practice acceptable?
Zelig Aronson
Q & A: Tanach’s ‘Hidden Women’
Question: At work, people sometimes argue that the Torah doesn’t regard women highly, only mentioning them in passing, almost begrudgingly at times. They cite, for example, the Torah’s treatment of Serach bat Asher and Yocheved bat Levi. I would appreciate very much if you could provide me with “ammunition” to refute them.
Mrs. C. Grosz
Q & A: Covering The Challah
Question: Why do we cover the challah when we make Kiddush? Why don’t we cover any other foods on the table?
Zelig Aronson
Should The Chazzan Say ‘Ga’al Yisrael’ Out Loud? (Part IV)
Question: In the course of my travels, I have discovered that some chazzanim say “Ga’al Yisrael” right before Shemoneh Esreh aloud while others say it with their voices fading. Is one practice correct and the other incorrect?
M. Goldman