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In the parshah it refers to 430 years, not the 210 years that the Jews spent in slavery. What other historic event(s) does the longer time frame include?
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Posted by:
Franklin, North Port, FL, United States
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Note that when G-d told Abraham about the exile He says that "You shall surely know that your seed will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and they will enslave them and oppress them, for four hundred years", He does not say that they will be in Egypt for 400 years; but that they would be in a land that is not theirs – outside the Holy Land.
The commentators explain that the 400 year countdown began at the birth of Abraham's son Isaac, the reason is that the second Abraham had a child began the process of the possibility of his offspring's exile.
That takes care of 400, and what about the other thirty mentioned in Exodus? Rashi explains that that refers to the thirty years between the covenant between G-d and Abraham to the birth of Isaac. |
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My adopted parents are Jewish, although I was raised as Jewish would I need to go through a total conversion to practice?
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Posted by:
Rebbeca, San Diego, CA, USA
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For the sake of clarity, I will present the facts according to Torah, though at times they seem inconvenient and maybe even painful; in truth however they come from a loving G-d, and by following them we get what is really best for us.
1. First of all, for someone to be considered Jewish he/she must be born to a Jewish mother, or, if they were not born Jewish they can be converted by a court of three Rabbis according to Halachah (traditional Jewish law).
2. In the case of adoption or in the case of a minor who's parents wish to convert him/her, the law is that the parents can arrange a conversion for the child. (When the child reaches the age of Bar/Bas Mitzvah, there are some instances in which they are given the choice to retract their conversion, but we won't discuss it due to its irrelevance to the subject matter).
3. Now, from the little information you supplied it seems that you never went through a conversion process, so based on the above mentioned laws we would have to say that in order for you to be a Jew you would have to go through the conversion.
4. I would suggest that you talk to an orthodox Rabbi in your area to clarify and to discuss this highly sensitive issue.
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| Daily Life |
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I see a distinct line between rational mitzvot (i.e. Tzedakah) and more irrational mitzvot (Tefillin). Does Chabad as a movement believe all the mizvot are equal and is Halachic law binding?
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Posted by:
Justin, New York, NY, USA
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This may sound strange, but I cannot answer your question. And that is because your question is not a valid question.
What is the definition of a valid question, you ask. A valid question starts when there is a valid and factual point that is questioned. For example someone may ask why does two plus two equal four, and that is a valid question. However one cannot ask - why two plus two equals five, because they don't, and therefore is it not a valid question.
Back to your question. Chabad has no right to prioritize or pick and choose their Jewish observance, for they are but a movement within (Orthodox) Judaism, and only G-d tells us what and how He wants to follow His will.
To explain: Of the many catastrophes caused by Moses Mendelson and the reform movement, was that it 'delegated' power to the individual to pick and choose his style and framework in Judaism. Which is not so by Orthodox Judaism, that dictates that we all must follow all the laws of the Torah, no choices. (obviously we must take step by step, and we go up one Mitzvah at a time, but that is not to say that we are disregarding the rest).
The differences between the different sects within the Orthodox community are but differences in custom, for example: how to make the knot in the Teffilin, which was not clearly said by G-d and left for interpretation. Or the dress code, where each sect picked within the laws of modesty and respect what they felt comfortable with, from black hat to no hat and from suit to spodek.
Having said all that, it seems obvious that as as a Jew I cannot answer your question, I hope you understand.
I might have misinterpreted your question, and if that's the case I'm sorry. Feel free to continue the dialogue on laws and customs and all else. |
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I am a female Jewish artist who paints abstract mixed media art. I would like to use Hebrew text from newspapers, articles, prayer books, etc. in my art. May I do so? Or is it improper to use prayer books this way?
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Posted by:
Ruth, Long Beach, CA, USA
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Although there are many sacred and holy verses and words that would be problematic; nevertheless there is much material that would be fine, and even positive to use in your line of work.
Due the many details involved, it would be best for you to talk to a Rabbi in your area, which you can find on almost every corner in Long Beach. Please check out our list for Chabad Houses to find the most convenient for you.
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| Holidays |
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Why is the Monday after Passover (this year) part of the holiday? What events should take place in the home?
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Posted by:
Tiffany , flushing, ny, usa
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While the Monday after Pesach is connected to the holiday, nevertheless it's not 'part' of the holiday, but more of an extension.
To explain: the day after each of the three festivals of Sukot Pesach and Shavuot is called "isru chag" literally - bound to the holiday. The great commentator Rashi learns this from a verse in the Torah that says "isur chag baavosim...", deriving that there is an obligation to bridge the holiday with the rest of the year, by celebrating the 'day after' as a holiday by eating and drinking a bit more on this day.
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How do I explain to little children in a simple way the meaning of Pesach? They really don't know to much about our legacy.
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Posted by:
Juli , Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Over three thousand years ago, our great great... grandparents were slaves in Egypt for 210 years, at that time Egypt was known as a country that no slave ever managed to free themselves from there, but G-d who promised that he would redeem the Jews, and brought down ten plagues on the Egyptians, until they finally let the Jewish people go.
When they came to the red sea and had to cross over, G-d made a miracle and split the sea in half, so all the Jews walked through to safety, while the Egyptians who ran after them were drowned in the sea.
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| Jewish Identity |
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If one does not have a Jewish father, would that person's Hebrew name be labeled as XXX ben Avroham Avinu, or is there another father name that should be inserted?
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Posted by:
Joe, Cincinnati, Oh, USA
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| Yes, the general custom is that a convert is called up to the Torah as xxx ben Avrohom. If he/she insists otherwise they should consult a Rabbi. |
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My friend is a divorced women previously married to a non-Jew and now doing Tshuva. She is concerned about her status among the Jewish people as someone told her that when Moshiach comes she will not be considered of Jewish lineage. She also wants to know how the Rebbe viewed divorcees.
Thank You
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Posted by:
Sarah, Brooklyn, NY, USA
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Rumors have caused so much destruction through out history and continue to do so.
Why, she's as Jewish as Moses! And will merit together with us all the great days of Moshiach. She should wipe away the past and look ahead to a beautiful future. G-d is smiling at her.
About the Rebbe's view on divorcees, well that is kind of a wrong question, for the Rebbe never generalized people - 'he is religious', 'divorcee' etc. instead he looked at the person for what they are - a diamond; a child of G-d.
She obviously sacrificed a lot for Yiddishkeit, more than many of us will do in a lifetime that should cause her to feel proud and strong, for she has many merits in the eyes of Hashem.
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| Miscellaneous |
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The largeest Kosher meatpacking plant in the US was just raided for immigration violations. How can the owners can observant jews and ignore the laws of this country?
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Posted by:
Linda Landsberg, BUFFALO GROVE, IL, USA
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| I will not even try to justify what is wrong. Going against the law is wrong, no discussion.
But even more importantly, I feel that it is out of place to ask one orthodox Jew to explain the misdeeds of another. All I am responsible and accountable for are my actions. What I must ask myself every day is: am I doing my best to follow the laws of the Torah and of the land?
Someone else's wrong doesn't weaken my conviction in the truth in my way of life. All it does is strengthen my resolve to never allow myself to desecrate the name of G-d.
I apologize for the straight forwardness, but I felt that that would be the best way to present the point clearly.
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| Mitzvot |
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Why do we say Baruch ata adoshem? how dare WE bless him? what do we mean "Bless yourself"??
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Posted by:
shelley, mt, malta
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You ask a beautiful question, which branches off to many places. Piles and piles of books of Kabbalah and Chassidut are full with discussion, on the 'audacity' that we dare talk to G-d, let alone praise him.
Just a small tidbit: The word "Boruch" translates as blessing, and also as connection "Mavrich", so when we pray, what we are essentialy doing is asking G-d to bring down his greatness to this world and make this mundane universe a G-dly universe.
And one more thought. The idea of prayer was created of G-d, for how can we connect to the divine? so it is He who wishes the connection, and it is His will that we do so. The question is not "How dare we?", but - How dare we not? |
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| Moshiach |
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Can you please share your thoughts, when Moshiach is revealed and the Beis Hamikdosh is fully functioning, will it function like 2000 years ago, or would modern techlonagy be fully utilized, like electric conveyour belts etc.
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Posted by:
Moshe, Brooklyn, NY, USA
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Yes, technology will be used in the third temple. It was for this that they were created!
There are no specifics on what and how, but we could guess that the slaughtering section will have a modern shchita line. Lights will be used, Maybe even central air! Modern sewage etc. will all be there.
Sound exciting! This will be something to see.
How about conveyer belts instead of the Kohanim shlepping buckets...
Maybe. Let's pray real hard that we should merit all of this very soon.
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