Ask the Rabbi

Upshern

3-year-old Haircut - I send my 2-year-old daughter to day care at the local JCC. One of the boys there has never had a haircut. I am very curious about this, but I don’t have the nerve to ask the boy’s mother. I... More »

Birthdays

Birthdays - In my social circle, everyone makes a really big deal about birthdays. I’ve got a birthday coming up and I was wondering: Is there any Jewish source that gives insight into the significance of... More »

Seventieth Birthday, Significance of 70 - I am about to celebrate my 70th birthday God willing. Does Jewish law prescribe any practices or customs for such an event? More »

Aging & Retirement

Aging and Youth - I've seen and heard lots of talk recently about attempts of the increasingly aging population to "stay young." To me, as a baby boomer, some of it seems enticing but some of it feels inappropriate. Does... More »

Elderly - Back in my day, society accorded honor to the elderly. But it seems that today, with all the 25-year-old billionaires running the show, the elderly have been thrown to the back of the bus. As a Jew and a... More »

Grandpa's Bar Mitzvah - Many years ago, my grandfather turned 83 and decided to have a second Bar Mitzvah. This was held in conjunction with our oldest son's Bar Mitzvah. My grandfather said that when you turn 83, it is like 13,... More »

Due to limited resources, the Ask the Rabbi service is intended for Jews of little background with nowhere else to turn. People with questions in Jewish law should consult their local rabbi. Note that this is not a homework service!

Ask the Aish Rabbi a Question

Calendar Discrepancy

According to your timeline, King Solomon built the Temple in 825 BCE. Secular dating differs. »

Why Not Milk & Meat?

I love cheeseburgers, but I always feel guilty that it’s not a “good Jewish food.” What is behind this whole idea of not mixing... »

Race or Religion?

I will be giving a speech on the topic of "Jews: Race or Religion?" My mother always taught me that it is a race. I want to get expert... »

What to Use for Besamim (Spices)?

Whenever I go to a religious home for havdalah, I notice that they use whole cloves for the blessing on the spices (besamim). Is there some special... »

The Number 40

In my Torah studies I keep running across the number 40 - for example, Moses on Mount Sinai for 40 days. Is there an underlying message of the... »

Meat After the Flood

Why was man permitted to eat meat after the Flood (Genesis 9:2-3)? Does the fact that at his creation man was not allowed to eat meat indicate that... »

Seasons Greetings?

Do you wish "Happy Chanukah" in the same way you wish "Merry Xmas"? »

An Ode to Jewish Delis

Girls' Names

Selma Engel, Witness to Sobibor

Boys' Names

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