The Details

I heard that G‑d does not want us to create hybrid fruit. So my question is, if G‑d is not happy with this fruit, should I make a blessing before eating it?

The rabbi in my synagogue tells me that my daughter should begin lighting Shabbat candles. My very traditional grandmother disagrees. Can you please enlighten me?

This is the only Jewish fast that is observed on Friday, which means that we fast all the way up until we make kiddush.

According to chassidic teachings, Yom Kippur falling on Shabbat doesn’t “deprive” us of the pleasures which Shabbat normally affords us. Rather the extremely holy nature of Yom Kippur accomplishes the same objective . . .

Why is there no mention of Isaac returning with his father?

Being that most clothing is not four-cornered these days, why do we purposely walk around in four-cornered garments, thus obligating ourselves to wear tzitzit?

It seems that G-d limits man's lifespan to 120 years, yet after this statement the Torah specifies life spans exceeding 120 years, including the life-spans of Noah, Abraham, Sarah, and Aaron.

Can I arrange to cut my son’s hair earlier than his third birthday so that my father can be involved?

At the synagogue, I see that many men remove their prayer shawls (tallit) outside the bathroom. Is that just for convenience or is there something more to it?

In a recent meeting of our temple sisterhood, the issue was raised that the giving of gifts at Purim, mishloach manot, is really only meant for the poor and that the modern way of giving doesn’t benefit anyone.

I was wondering, why can't Jews eat pork or shellfish?

Why is the hamantash pastry, eaten on the holiday of Purim, named after Haman, the wicked advisor in the story of Purim? Also, why is it triangular?

I’m going to sound like a nerd, but I’m not. Do I have to drink on Purim?

Some things to be aware of when the holiday of Purim begins immediately after Shabbat.

Some reasons behind the age-old custom to dress up on Purim.

I’m not a historian, I am not an architect, and I do not find myself interested in exactly how each fiber of linen was sewn. What am I supposed to learn from these teachings?

The common answer is that the questions are asked to involve the children. But why couldn’t this custom to involve the kids be done during another holiday?

When searching for leaven on the night before Passover we carry a candle, a spoon and a feather. Is there a good reason for the spoon and feather?

I know that in Israel the Seder is only celebrated on the first night. For the rest of us living outside of Israel, is the second Seder as important as the first, or is it just a custom?

Is there any type of pasta that may be eaten on the holiday of Passover?

The reason behind the Jewish custom of burying a person almost immediately after his or her passing.

It seems that there is a contradiction concerning when the Egyptian animals died during the plagues.

I believe we are instructed not to kneel when we worship. Is this correct? If so, what is this instruction about?

It seems that this year’s holiday of Passover was much later in the year than it was last year. What exactly happened to delay the holiday of Passover this year?

What does Jewish law say about where a person can be buried?

Why do you not follow the Bible?

Why do we play with a bow and arrow on the Jewish holiday of Lag BaOmer?

Why the detailed counts of the Israelites? Who cares?

Do we know anything about Moses’ descendants? Did they enter Israel with everyone else?

If part of Man’s purpose is to rectify the world from the effects of the sin of the forbidden fruit, what was Adam’s job before he sinned?

Why do we not try to make the synagogue candelabrums more like the one in the Temple? After all, isn’t the synagogue supposed to be a miniature Temple?

There is one person in my synagogue whom I feel the need to rebuke. Are there any sources in Jewish law that I can show him to convince him that his behavior is inappropriate?

There are many portions of land throughout the world owned by the Jewish people, would they be classified as Israel?

I was a little shocked that the weekly Torah portion read in the synagogue on the Sabbath was named after the wicked king, Balak, who schemed to curse the Jews in the desert. Couldn’t a more fitting name be found for this Torah portion?

I do not observe many of the Jewish traditions including the kosher dietary laws and the complete observance of the Sabbath. Can I still cover my head with a kippah (skullcap)?

I recently read of someone who does palm reading to figure out people’s character traits, as well as to see hints about their future. Am I permitted to consult with him and get my palm read?

From my understanding Abraham was not present at the time of his wife Sarah’s death. Where did Abraham come from, and why wasn’t he with Sarah in her final moments?

I noticed something interesting in the congregation I attend. Virtually everyone’s prayer shawl, the tallit, is made of wool. Is there any specific reason why I do not see any silk or cotton prayer shawls?

We are working on the menu for the festive meal at our daughter’s wedding. We all agree that dairy tastes much better than meat. Is it okay for the meal to be a dairy one?

Why is the city on the banks of the Kinneret in northern Israel called Tiberias?

I have always understood that the word aliyah refers to being called up to the Torah reading at the synagogue. But yesterday, a friend told me that he is making aliyah. He explained that “making aliyah” meant moving to Israel. Could you enlighten me on what the true meaning of the word is?

Jews greet each other with the blessing, “peace unto you,” with the other person responding, “unto you peace.”

I purchased three mezuzahs from a synagogue sale (without the parchment). I’ve heard they are very expensive; can I just place a copy inside?

In Judges the verse (3:15) says that Ehud was left handed. Why was that point brought out in the scriptures?

Upon hearing of a death, Jews say the blessing of "Baruch dayan ha'emet," “Blessed is the true judge."

Does Judaism have anything to say about hunting as a sport?