December Dilemma– Every year I am challenged as a mother by the proximity of Chanukah to Christmas, especially in a year like this where the two actually coincide. How can our candles possible compete with their stunning display of colorful lights, gift-filled…More »
Defining the Moment of Death– It is my understanding that in order for someone to be a candidate to donate their organs, they need to be declared "brain dead" by two to three physicians, one of whom, I believe, must be a neurologist. Only after…More »
Does Isaiah 7:14 Refer to a Virgin Birth?– I work in a Christian hospital and have many Christian friends, many of whom feel strongly about their religious beliefs. They often quote to me Isaiah 7:14 – that a virgin woman will give birth to a boy – which…More »
Christian “Seder”– A good friend who is a Mormon invited my wife and me to a Passover Seder to be held at their church. I don't understand why a non-Jewish group would have a Seder, and I am uncomfortable about going. But…More »
Jeremiah 31 and the New Covenant– How do you understand the New Covenant of Jeremiah 31:31? Doesn’t that supersede God’s original covenant with the Jews? In fact, Jeremiah earlier speaks of Israel having broken its covenant with God (11:10). It seems to me that as a…More »
Jews-for-J– I've been repeatedly approached by Jews for Jesus guys near the campus of UCLA. The pamphlet that they hand out alleges that "Messianic Jews" are Jews who believe that Jesus was the Messiah. That didn't make sense to me. I…More »
All About Islam– I enjoyed Rabbi Blech’s excellent online series about the differences between Judaism and Christianity. But now that Islam is gaining more attention in the world, could you explain the differences between Judaism and Islam?More »
Halal Meat– I try to buy kosher meat, but it’s not so easily available in my area. There is, however, a Muslim population in my city. I know that they also have some form of religious supervision of meat. What is the…More »
Spin-off Religions– It was suggested to me the other day that all religions are a spin-off from Judaism. Is this true?More »
Evolution and the Bible– Darwin seems to be well-accepted scientific fact. But given the Creation account in the Bible, is it reasonable to assume that Moses missed evolution?More »
Hinduism and Judaism– My husband is Hindu and I am Jewish. I am trying to grow in my Judaism, but I need to be delicate so as not to do too much too fast or he may object. Do you know of any…More »
Religious Intolerance– I have come to the unfortunate conclusion that it is precisely because of the thinking expressed on Aish.com that we have terrorism in the world. The cause is religion. The cause is a belief in God. It is religious extremists…More »
Chosen People Racist?– What’s behind the whole concept of the Jews as the Chosen People? Isn’t this idea racist?More »
Eating a Limb from a Live Animal– I was recently discussing the Noahide Laws with a non-Jewish coworker. She was quite receptive to the notion of universal commandments, that God has mitzvot for all humanity and rewards them in kind. One of them, however, struck her as…More »
Mixed Identity– My father is Jewish and my mother is not. I live in a Jewish community and have Jewish friends. I attend Jewish lessons every Monday, and dinners with rabbis on the Jewish holidays. If I date a Jewish girl, will…More »
Entering a Church– I am a university student and have a perplexing problem. Our Hillel House is going to be torn down next year, and while it is being built the students will be using a Catholic church for Shabbat dinner and services.…More »
Hitler's Pope– I have heard many Jews blame the Holocaust partly on the silence of the Pope (and Catholics in general). Wasn't this silence just an effort to preserve their own lives in the face of the inevitable destruction by Hitler? Remember…More »
You Know More Hebrew Words Than You Think
