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 Q. I need to be in Court as a witness. How do I deal with the Oath on a Bible?

A. You can choose to AFFIRM instead of the Oath, which has the legal ramifications but does not have the same religious implications. This is commonly done. Or, if the issue is the Bible. most Courts will allow you to … Read the rest

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Q. What is Borscht?

A. A traditional Russian beet soup. There are all kinds, some with vegetables and/or sour cream, others may have meat chunks or eggs. It can be served hot or cold. The commercial variety (you often see near Manishewitz boxes in … Read the rest

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Q. Honest Weights & Measures seems like an old rule, where do we see it today?

A. Gas Stations are one place. Look closely at the pump and you’ll find a sticker from some County Dept certifying that the pump is accurate. If not, how would you know that you indeed pumped 10 gallons? Maybe it … Read the rest

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Q. How do Israeli Banks operate if we can’t charge interest?

A. There’s a document formula known as ‘heter iska’ which converts loans into business type investments, which avoid the interest-loan prohibition. Israeli banks have this option on all types of loan documents. Also there are many hundreds of ‘free-loan-societies’ in … Read the rest

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Q. We want to name our daughter Sophia, what would be a Hebrew equivalent?

A. Phonetically Sarah (Abraham’s wife, meaning Princess) or Shifra (another name for Moses’ mother, known for soothing and nurturing the Jewish newborns in Egypt). In terms of meaning – Sophia means Wisdom, and Binah is a Hebrew name for Understanding.… Read the rest

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Q. Can I say Kaddish for my grandfather? My parents are both living.

A. Some Sefardic communities say that’s OK. Ashkenasic communities only OK it with your parents consent and express wishes, otherwise an elder family friend or charitable organization can be asked to say Kaddish. Many Jews feel uncomfortable saying Kaddish with … Read the rest

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Q. I noticed near the date you wrote B.H. Is that like B.C. or A.D.?

A. No, not at all. BH stands for Baruch Hashem – “praised be G-d” or “by the grace of G-d”. It is customary to begin all documents that way. It is a little way to increase G-d’s presence in our … Read the rest

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Q. Where does the name “Jew” come from?

A. Judah. That’s just one tribe you ask? First of all Judah was the dominant tribe of the Southern Kingdom which is where most Jews today descend from. We are also named Jew, based on a phrase from the Purim … Read the rest

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Q. Why are there so many Chabad Mikvahs?

A. (1) “Where there’s Coca-Cola, you’ll find Chabad Lubavitch”. The Rebbe encouraged and inspired his chassidim to take up posts, wherever Jews may be, even in difficult or faraway places. In many far-flung places or small Jewish communities, Chabad may … Read the rest

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Q. Why do some religious Jews refrain from hearing music after Passover?

A. This period known as the “Omer” is Biblically the countdown to the eagerly anticipated Revelation at Sinai. That’s joyous. But later, in the times of the Mishna, 24,000 students died in a mysterious plague, during an already difficult time … Read the rest

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