Shmuel Kogan

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Rabbi Shmuel Kogan of Brooklyn, NY, is a responder for Chabad.org's Ask the Rabbi feature.

How Do I Know What Is My Mission in Life? (I)
By Shmuel Kogan
I've been told that each one of us has a specific, individual mission in life. How do I know what mine is?
Ideas & Beliefs » Questions & Answers » Life & Death » How Do I Know What Is My Mission in Life? (I)

I was born Jewish but I was baptized. Am I still Jewish?
By Shmuel Kogan
Question: I was born Jewish; both my mother and father are Jewish. But when I was a teenager I rebelled and I went and was baptized in a Catholic Church. Am I still Jewish? And do I need to convert back to Judaism? Answer: Can one ever extinguish the ...
Ask the Rabbi » Latest Questions » The Big Picture » I was born Jewish but I was baptized. Am I still Jewish?

Can I wear pigskin shoes?
By Shmuel Kogan
Question: It says in the Torah that one should not touch the carcasses of swine. Does this mean that we should not wear Hush Puppy shoes (made of pigskin) or play football or rugby with a ball made of pig skin? Answer: In short, there is no prohibition ...
Ask the Rabbi » Latest Questions » The Details » Can I wear pigskin shoes?

Why learn about mitzvot that have no bearing on our life any more?
By Shmuel Kogan
Question: Why is it so important that we learn about mitzvot that have no bearing on our life any more; e.g. all the provisions for sacrificing animals—although we have not sacrificed animals since the destruction of the Temple? Answer: That is an ...
Ask the Rabbi » Latest Questions » The Big Picture » Why learn about mitzvot that have no bearing on our life any more?

How does one find atonement in the absence of sacrifices?
By Shmuel Kogan
Question: Please help me to understand. If the foundation for G‑d's forgiveness and atonement was initially the sacrifice on the altar in either the Tabernacle or later the Temple, how does one now find forgiveness and atonement since the Temple and ...
Ask the Rabbi » Latest Questions » The Big Picture » How does one find atonement in the absence of sacrifices?

What is the blessing recited before consummating a marriage?
By Shmuel Kogan
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding. May it be an everlasting edifice built on the foundations of Torah and mitzvot. The union between husband and wife is truly one of holiness inasmuch as it resembles the union between G‑d and His people. Thus, ...
Ask the Rabbi » Latest Questions » The Details » What is the blessing recited before consummating a marriage?

Lately I've been thinking that Life after Death is a fairy tale...
By Shmuel Kogan
Shmuel Question: Lately I've been thinking that Life after Death is a fairy tale created by man to give people hope that once we die, consciousness continues to exist (it's a frightening thought to think otherwise). My gut tells me that the brain and ...
Ask the Rabbi » Latest Questions » The Big Picture » Lately I've been thinking that Life after Death is a fairy tale...

What is your view on the "Chanukah Bush" phenomenon?
By Shmuel Kogan
Why should a Jew need to incorporate symbols and rituals from the outside to add beauty to his home and traditions? There is so much depth and meaning in the rich heritage of Judaism...
Jewish Holidays » Chanukah » Insights & Stories » Questions & Answers » What is your view on the "Chanukah Bush" phenomenon?

At what age does a child's Torah education begin?
By Shmuel Kogan
Shmuel You ask an excellent question. Let me preface my response with a couple of questions of my own. From what point are parent obligated to feed their child? At what age are parents required to begin providing clothes for their child? Just as a child ...
Ask the Rabbi » Latest Questions » The Big Picture » At what age does a child's Torah education begin?

To whom do rabbis report?
By Shmuel Kogan
Shmuel I assume that your question comes from the understanding that living in this world, most jobs or responsibilities require us to report to someone in one way or another. The banker reports to his bank manager, the mailman reports to the postmaster, ...
Ask the Rabbi » Latest Questions » The Big Picture » To whom do rabbis report?

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