Malkie Janowski

By far the most difficult commandment for me to keep is Shabbat. I never seem to get everything done in time on Friday, and can't just leave it alone as I should. Can you help me?

Why do we count up to Shavuot during the Omer instead of counting down? Isn’t it a countdown from Passover to Shavuot?

Question: In our synagogue, we read the book of Kohelet on Sukkot. I believe it’s called “Ecclesiastes” in English. What is the reason for this custom? Response: A major theme of Kohelet is the futility of mundane pursuits and pleasures, and the search fo...

Is there any significance to the number of plagues? Why the need for all 10?

Hi, I am a non-Jewish caretaker for an elderly Jewish woman. I know there are lots of rules that apply in the kitchen. What do I need to know? Answer: The first and most important thing you need to know about kosher kitchens is: when in doubt, ask! Nobody...

I’ve been feeling hypocritical lately for doing things that are Jewish once in a while, when there are so many “all-the-time” traditions that I don’t keep. I feel like I would be “taking advantage” of the once-a-year traditions . . . Therefore, I just don...

I know we always mark the 9th day of the Jewish month of Av as the day the Holy Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed. But I read in Jeremiah 52:12 that the Temple was burnt on the 10th of Av.

As hard as I try, I am having trouble concentrating on the words in the prayerbook. What should I do?

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

I have an office staff member who celebrates Hannukah. Everyone in the office is giving gifts but her. Why doesn’t she celebrate Christmas?