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Q. Can you recommend a good book on the virtues of personal modesty?

A. Here are my two of my favorites: (1) “Doesn’t Anyone Blush Anymore” by Rabbi Manis Friedman (2) “A Return to Modesty” by Wendy Shalit.  #1 is richer, deeper & more thou...

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Q. Does a Shadchan (traditional matchmaker) CHOOSE your spouse?

A.  A Shadchan comes up with a good suggestion of someone for you to meet, but the choice is all yours (aside for a few of the very ultra-religious communities). In our personal situation (Raizy and I are C...

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Q. Is “Shame” a good trait or a bad trait?

A. Depends what you are ashamed about. Being bashful is “a trait of the descendants of Abraham” (Avot 5:19) and “the shame-faced go to Paradise” (Avot 5:20) stemming from humility. It...

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Q. Is there a problem with being in a lit, heated room on the Sabbath?

A. Not at all! In fact this was one of the significant differences between Rabbinic Judaism or Pharisees (as it was known back then) vs. the Sadducees (who denied much of the Oral Tradition). Lighting Shabb...