The Details

Can I use vinegar to clean non-food items during Passover?

How Do I Explain G-d to My Grandchildren?

I heard that G‑d does not want us to create hybrid fruit. So my question is, if G‑d is not happy with this fruit, should I make a blessing before eating it?

The rabbi in my synagogue tells me that my daughter should begin lighting Shabbat candles. My very traditional grandmother disagrees. Can you please enlighten me?

This is the only Jewish fast that is observed on Friday, which means that we fast all the way up until we make kiddush.

According to chassidic teachings, Yom Kippur falling on Shabbat doesn’t “deprive” us of the pleasures which Shabbat normally affords us. Rather the extremely holy nature of Yom Kippur accomplishes the same objective . . .

Why is there no mention of Isaac returning with his father?

Being that most clothing is not four-cornered these days, why do we purposely walk around in four-cornered garments, thus obligating ourselves to wear tzitzit?

It seems that G-d limits man's lifespan to 120 years, yet after this statement the Torah specifies life spans exceeding 120 years, including the life-spans of Noah, Abraham, Sarah, and Aaron.

Throughout the Bible, the L‑rd is instructing the people to “call His name.” Why don’t the Jewish people obey Him and “call and praise His name” instead of beating around the bush?

Can I arrange to cut my son’s hair earlier than his third birthday so that my father can be involved?

At the synagogue, I see that many men remove their prayer shawls (tallit) outside the bathroom. Is that just for convenience or is there something more to it?

In II Kings 24:8 it is written, “Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign.” But, in II Chronicles 36:9 we read, “Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign.” How old was he really? Was he eight or eighteen?

I noticed the kids washing their hands by the bed in the morning. This seems like a crazy ritual to be done right near the bed, could you enlighten me?

In a recent meeting of our temple sisterhood, the issue was raised that the giving of gifts at Purim, mishloach manot, is really only meant for the poor and that the modern way of giving doesn’t benefit anyone.

I was wondering, why can't Jews eat pork or shellfish?

Why is the hamantash pastry, eaten on the holiday of Purim, named after Haman, the wicked advisor in the story of Purim? Also, why is it triangular?

I’m going to sound like a nerd, but I’m not. Do I have to drink on Purim?

Some things to be aware of when the holiday of Purim begins immediately after Shabbat.

Some reasons behind the age-old custom to dress up on Purim.

I’m not a historian, I am not an architect, and I do not find myself interested in exactly how each fiber of linen was sewn. What am I supposed to learn from these teachings?

What is the family relationship of a convert to Judaism to his parents who are not Jewish?

Many psalms start with the phrase “For the Conductor.” Is that a reference to G‑d? If not, what does it refer to?

The common answer is that the questions are asked to involve the children. But why couldn’t this custom to involve the kids be done during another holiday?

When searching for leaven on the night before Passover we carry a candle, a spoon and a feather. Is there a good reason for the spoon and feather?

I know that in Israel the Seder is only celebrated on the first night. For the rest of us living outside of Israel, is the second Seder as important as the first, or is it just a custom?

Is there any type of pasta that may be eaten on the holiday of Passover?

The reason behind the Jewish custom of burying a person almost immediately after his or her passing.

It seems that there is a contradiction concerning when the Egyptian animals died during the plagues.

I believe we are instructed not to kneel when we worship. Is this correct? If so, what is this instruction about?

It seems that this year’s holiday of Passover was much later in the year than it was last year. What exactly happened to delay the holiday of Passover this year?

What does Jewish law say about where a person can be buried?