Morality, Ethics & Religion

We spend so much money, time and energy on synagogues, Jewish schools religious institutions. Wouldn't it be better if we applied all those resources to alleviating all the suffering in our world?

Is it better to keep Shabbat and eat only kosher but be unkind and dishonest, or to be a good person who is not as observant?

I think that G-d is for the weak and the needy. Don't you have the independence to get through life on your own?

Since all the wars of history were caused by religion, wouldn't the world be better off without it?

There are a number of ways of approaching the issue. Let us try a scientific approach

The murder of others, even if they are the oppressors, seemingly amounts to a glorification of war... Prayer, I am told, is an act of enlightenment. Am I to pray for the brutal demise of the enemy?

The Arab birth rate continues to outstrip the Jewish rate--and the government continues to discourage large families. How are we ever going to ensure that this place remains the Jewish homeland?

"Every single item in the general doctrine is denied, but the conclusions from the doctrine as a whole are retained. The result is a complete muddle in the scientific thought, in philosophic cosmology and in epistemology..."

How scrupulous is too scrupulous? At what point does religious observance start to become neurotic?

I am struggling with jealousy in many areas in my life and in my relationships. Any words of advice for me?

Have you ever done any carpentry or one of those Ikea do-it-yourself jobs? They always tell you not to tighten the bolts until the whole thing’s been put together.

I know that I can't reverse what I have done, but is there some way to alleviate my burden? Or must I resign myself to carrying the guilt with me all my life?

Should we combat it? Ignore it? Is it possible to do both?

Are good things G-dly or are G-dly things good? What would the Chassidic masters say of the Socrates- Euthyphro debate?

Should we clone people? Is there such a thing as a life not worth living? When is it correct to go to war? But the real question is: on what biases do we answer these ethical dilemmas?

Why do we have to "wipe out" Amalek and the Canaanites? Why administer capital punishment? Shouldn't G‑d's message be one of love?

Why does the Torah command us to annihilate the seven Canaanite nations? Why would G‑d put the everlasting guilt of wiping out entire communities upon any group of people, especially those he favors? If there were populations that were so evil, why wouldn't He take care of it Himself?

Isn't it un-Jewish to kill people? How would Judaism apply the law from the Ten Commandments, "You shall not kill" in modern Israel?

If Judaism requires us to be kind to animals, shouldn't we be vegetarians?

For better or for worse, meat is an undeniable favorite on the kosher menu. Is this good? Let's have a look...