Questions and Answers

Answers to many questions that people may have about Jewish names, their significance, and the naming ceremony.

Why do we read the Megillah twice every Purim, once at night and once during the day?

While I know that my husband loves me, I still feel the need to hear it and it hurts me that he can’t say it, even when it is so important to me. Am I making a big deal out of nothing?

I was so excited when my teenage daughter told me she wanted to attend a Purim party. Being that she does not seem so interested in Judaism, I thought this was such a positive step, until I saw what she plans on wearing for her costume . . .

Did you ever wonder what your Hebrew name means? Over the years, our Ask the Rabbi team has fielded hundreds of such questions. Here is a sampling of their responses.

Question: My siddur tells me to start saying the prayer for rain in the Amidah on the night preceding December 5th or 6th. Why does it use a secular date rather than a Jewish one? Answer: Good question! As a rule of thumb, Jewish holidays and customs...

I am having a very hard time, as the holidays approach, with teaching my children the beauty of Chanukah and not having them see it as a Jewish x‑mas. I know it has become somewhat of a tradition to give children gifts during Chanukah, but is this really...

I've been following the situation in Israel this week. I've heard Israel's operation called both "Pillar of Cloud" and "Pillar of Defense." Which one is it? And what is the significance of those terms?

The man I am thinking of marrying can be very sweet and kind. But just when we are getting along well, he suddenly changes...

I am married to a good and kind man, though I simply no longer feel the kind of love I should feel toward him. Is there anything you can do when you have fallen out of love?