Ask the Rabbi

Counting the Omer

Missed Day of the Omer - I spaced out and missed counting one day of the Omer. Am I allowed to continue counting? More »

Lag B'Omer

Lag B’Omer on Sunday - I notice that Lag B’Omer falls out on Sunday this year. Is anything different on account of this? More »

Why Celebrate Lag B'Omer? - I have a question about Lag B'Omer. I've heard this is the day when all of Rabbi Akiva's students stopped dying. But why should we celebrate? This must be a sad day since there were no more students left.... More »

Mourning

A Cappella - I know we don’t listen to music during the Three Weeks and Sefirah, as well as mourners. What about a cappella? Some groups even use their voices to mimic instrumentation, and I can hardly tell I’m not... 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

Intentional Mistakes

I've been enjoying the philosophy articles on Aish.com. The approach to life resonates with me much more than the Western style of consumerism and... »

Disposing of the Four Species

The Sukkot holiday is finished. We've taken down the Sukkah and put away the boards, but we're not sure what to do with the lulav and esrog that we... »

Why First-borns Killed?

It has always bothered me why all of the first-borns in Egypt had to suffering in that final, devastating plague. There is no mention in the verses... »

Moses’s Cushite Wife

Who was the Ethiopian (Cushite) wife that Moses took (Numbers 12:1)? Is she the same wife as Jethro’s daughter Zipporah whom Moses earlier married... »

Torah versus Talmud?

I'm hoping that you can clarify a few terms that are not clear for me. What is the difference between Torah, Talmud, Mishnah, Gemara and Midrash. If... »

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... »