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Orthodox Judaism/Questions Answered by Expert Marc Lipshitz
| Subject | Date Asked |
| women prayer times | 11/9/2010 |
| Q: For women, until what time can we daven Shacharit? A: Shalom Women are not obligated to the entire Shacharis service but only to saying the Shema. It is ... | |
| Isaiah 53 | 10/23/2010 |
| Q: To whom or what does Isaiah 53 refer? A: Isaiah 53 refers to the entirety of Bnei Yisrael, the whole nation. Don't forget that when the ... | |
| solomon (id like to know what you think) | 9/15/2010 |
| Q: “If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a miraculous ... A: My apologies for the delay- I have been offline for a while. Did King Solomon sin with his many ... | |
| conatmination | 8/16/2010 |
| Q: i've touched a dead ladybug. according to the old written law, have i become contaminated?? (i ... A: To start with- your *understandiung* that we follow an updated law and not the original law is ... | |
| Oaths and vows... | 8/13/2010 |
| Q: according to the torah's definitions of the terms, is there a difference between an oath and a vow? ... A: The Torah does distinguish between the two- but you are wrong as to what differentiates them. The ... | |
| symbolism | 8/1/2010 |
| Q: Shalom! Why do some jews wear black clothiing and a black hat? what does it symbolise? A: Shalom Let me ask you aYou are invited to go and visit the king in his palace, how would you dress? ... | |
| tree of knowledge | 6/26/2010 |
| Q: i was watching a debate and a person said that in Hebrew,the tree in the garden is only referred as ... A: I don't know why the person would say it was only referred to as the Tree of Knowledge, in the Torah ... | |
| satan | 5/28/2010 |
| Q: are Satan,samael and the angel of death the same person? What is the Jewish view of what/who is the ... A: Shalom David Let me state some basic principals applicable to this question before answering the ... | |
| afterlife | 5/1/2010 |
| Q: what is the jewish concept of the afterlife? A: What we believe in is euphemistically called "The World to Come". Not much is taught on it (at least ... | |
| Sin, forgiveness, & disease | 4/9/2010 |
| Q: Indeed, it was from the Christian scriptures. I do apologize. What about in general? Imagine ... A: Illness was NOT seen as being spiritual in natre or a punishment. The only illness which is seen as ... | |
| questions concerning hospital practices | 4/7/2010 |
| Q: I am doing a paper for my medical class and wondered how hospital procedures could upset someone who ... A: Shalom Kristina It all depends on the state of the patient. When the persons life is in danger, ... | |
| Leavened and Unleavened bread | 3/25/2010 |
| Q: I once read something from a Rabbi (I can't remember who) concerning the difference in spelling of ... A: Shalom The relating of Chametz to pride is a common one and frequently used (including by me in the ... | |
| sabbath... | 2/26/2010 |
| Q: what happens if israel is attacked on the sabbath? A: Then the army fights... There is a concept known as "Pikuach Nefesh". Essentially, when it comes ... | |
| peyot... | 2/24/2010 |
| Q: i asked one of the allexperts experts what the law about the "hair on the sides of you head" meant ... A: Strictly speaking the peyot only ave to be up to the joint where the jaw connects to the skull. As ... | |
| idolatry... | 2/23/2010 |
| Q: are you absolutely sure the 2D arts do not count as idolatry? because in english (and not hebrew) ... A: Can 2d images count as idolatry? Sure- if they are intended as such. People can bow down to any ... | |
| the image of G-d.... | 2/22/2010 |
| Q: what does it mean that we are in the image of God? ANSWER: Shalom Peter Rambam addresses this ... A: When G-d is being described as having a particular emotion, it is to convey a concept to us in a ... | |
| the image of G-d.... | 2/21/2010 |
| Q: what does it mean that we are in the image of God? A: Shalom Peter Rambam addresses this topic on the first chapter of Moreh Nevuchim. The question he ... | |
| shaving and wigs again | 1/14/2010 |
| Q: I heard from a friend that there used to be an evil decree in Europe and Russia that every Jewish ... A: Before that time wigs were uncommon- but the hair was fully covered by a scarf or hood. We see this ... | |
| shaving and wigs | 1/11/2010 |
| Q: I heard from a friend that there used to be an evil decree in Europe and Russia that every Jewish ... A: Shalom Yakov This is not a story I have heard before- I have no idea as to its validity or ... | |
| Helel | 1/7/2010 |
| Q: I would very much appreciate an explanation of Judeism's interpertation of Helel Ben-Shachar which ... A: The relevant verse here is אֵיךְ ... | |
| bribery | 1/6/2010 |
| Q: a woman asks me to get her a sandwich in exchange for a coupld of cigarettes. i get her the sandwich ... A: Shalom No. A bribe is a payment to someone to get them to do something illegal in order to corrupt ... | |
| a question about hell and another one too.. | 1/1/2010 |
| Q: is it true there is no eternal hell in judaism? that would be pretty kickass. also, what are the ... A: Shalom Sorry for taking a while to answer your question, but I have been away. There is no concept ... | |
| pedophilia | 12/25/2009 |
| Q: I've only heard anti-Semites claim Judaism approves of pedophilia. Is this true? A: Yes, this is something claimed by anti-Semites which is completely untrue. Judaism completely ... | |
| Mashiach | 12/1/2009 |
| Q: Is Isaiah 52 & 53 speaking about Israel or the Mashiach ? ANSWER: Yeshayahu is talking about the ... A: The entire chapter is an extended metaphor as I stated previously- starting in v13 of Chapter 12. ... | |
| segments of Torah scrolls | 11/28/2009 |
| Q: I read someone else's question about if it was offensive to own a portion of an old Torah scroll ... A: My apologies for the delay in answering. When it comes to Torah scrolls (including things like a ... | |
| Mashiach | 11/20/2009 |
| Q: Is Isaiah 52 & 53 speaking about Israel or the Mashiach ? ANSWER: Yeshayahu is talking about the ... A: All of Bnei Yisrael will be exalted at one time. we will all be seen as priests to the other ... | |
| Mashiach | 11/19/2009 |
| Q: Is Isaiah 52 & 53 speaking about Israel or the Mashiach ? A: Yeshayahu is talking about the entirety of Bnei Yosrael here, not the Mashah. When read in context ... | |
| Stories of the Bible | 11/12/2009 |
| Q: How do we know that the stories of the bible are true and not merely written to teach us a lesson? A: Its not easy- we don't have scientific evidence, in fact in many cases the Tanakh contradicts ... | |
| atheism | 11/3/2009 |
| Q: My son has been dating a Reformed girl for the last year. They were getting serious and discussed ... A: Shalom Dan The phenomenon of the "atheist Jew" is an outgrowth of the "haskalah" (enlightment) that ... | |
| Messiah | 10/7/2009 |
| Q: Don't all Orthodox Jews believe in the Messiah? If so, are messianic Jews closer to Orthodox than ... A: All Jews, orthodox, conservative and Reform believe in the future arrival of the Mashiach and the ... | |
| facial hair... | 8/24/2009 |
| Q: what is the permissable way for a jewish man to shorten his facial hair? A: Shalom Shaving with a straigh razor- i.e an edged single blade is the category that is forbidden. ... | |
| jewish belief in angels | 8/24/2009 |
| Q: does the jewish religion accept belief in angels? does the jewish religion belive in any kind of ... A: Lets handle the second part of the question first: What we believe in is euphemistically called ... | |
| nazirite obstinance numbers 6:1 | 8/9/2009 |
| Q: what is it that a nazirite has to obstain from? does coffee count because it is partly fermented, ... A: Shalom To start with: The vow of the nazirite is dealt with in detail in the Talmud in masechta ... | |
| on unclean pottery part 2 | 8/2/2009 |
| Q: ah! i didnt see the difference between UNCLEAN food and CONTAMINATED food. i assume we can risk ... A: That is what it boils down to (excuse the pun...) kashrut laws are not about physical health, but ... | |
| premarital sex.. | 6/30/2009 |
| Q: where in deuteronomy, leviticus, and exodus does it say that premarital sex with a girl who is ... A: The Hebrew for that verse is: ... | |
| premarital sex.. | 6/27/2009 |
| Q: where in deuteronomy, leviticus, and exodus does it say that premarital sex with a girl who is ... A: I assume by having a bath you mean going to the mikveh monthly? A bath itself is meaningless- it is ... | |
| idolatry.. | 6/12/2009 |
| Q: does taxidermy count as idolatry? A: Shalom Jake Taxidermy raises an interesting question. Strictly speaking, the answer is no. ... | |
| Noahide Laws | 5/19/2009 |
| Q: I am currently taking Judaism classes online with a Rabbi. I love Judaism, every aspect of it and I ... A: Shalom Sam Just a disclaimer before I answer: I do not have smichah and thus cannot claim the title ... | |
| the kabbaah bracelet in relation to idolatry and torah... | 5/1/2009 |
| Q: though i understand some parts of orthodox judaism may have problems with some aspects of kabbalah, ... A: The red string bracelet in Kabbalah is, unfortunately, nothing but a money making racket dreamed up ... | |
| orthodox jews and standard hospital procedures | 4/17/2009 |
| Q: The answer to this question is for a paper i am writing in class. How might standard hospital ... A: It all depends on the state of the patient. When the persons life is in danger, anything can be ... | |
| dear sir.... | 4/10/2009 |
| Q: a while ago i believe i asked one of your allexpert rabbis you about the difference between being a ... A: The idea of being tormented by spirits isn't really a Jewish one. Spirits don't torment people, all ... | |
| respect | 3/8/2009 |
| Q: i am not familar with judaism my friend keeps holy the high holy days kosher food eater and home by ... A: The information you give me isn't really enough to say for certain which sect of Judaism your friend ... | |
| in Israel... | 1/9/2009 |
| Q: in Jerusalem, can you see the entire constellation of stars at night? Can you even see the degree ... A: As with anywhere in the world, the night sky depends on ambient light and visibility conditions. In ... | |
| Biblical Interpretation | 11/29/2008 |
| Q: Rabbi Moss @ allexperts.com on 11/25/05 goes into why the Christian interpretation of Daniel 9:25-26 ... A: Shalom Pierce Lets look at each of the two verses in succession: 25. And you shall know and ... | |
| WHY? | 11/20/2008 |
| Q: why is that many people say that jewish people like fromaige frais.ive never really understood this ... A: Personally I have nevey tasted it- but since I love cheese, I will be looking out for it now ... | |
| Azazeel | 11/17/2008 |
| Q: What is the origin of the name Azazeel and how / where did it first appear? What are the main ... A: What we believe in is euphemistically called "The World to Come". Not much is taught on it (at least ... | |
| The Soul | 11/16/2008 |
| Q: you really must be fed up of me by now! But here goes with another! In answer to one of my previous ... A: Shalom Steve Think of it this way- everything living has some form of animating spirit that gives ... | |
| Azazeel | 11/16/2008 |
| Q: What is the origin of the name Azazeel and how / where did it first appear? What are the main ... A: Shalom Ley What is the origin of the name Azazel? Well, the only time it is used, is in reference ... | |
| Translation | 11/6/2008 |
| Q: Perhaps this one will be a little easier. I have started reading Guide to the Perplexed. It seems ... A: Shalom Steven You are right that in reading the translation you are missing a lot of nuance from ... | |
| Honesty | 10/28/2008 |
| Q: I have one on Jewish ethics. One of the ten statements given at Sinai was not to steal. In the ... A: Shalom Steven The idea of Divine Providence is a difficult one to reconcile and to live with. On ... | |
| Honesty | 10/26/2008 |
| Q: I have one on Jewish ethics. One of the ten statements given at Sinai was not to steal. In the ... A: The answer to this can be found when Bnei Yisrael asks Shmuel (the prophet Samuel) to appoint a ... | |
| Suicide and Judaism. | 10/17/2008 |
| Q: I was wondering if perhaps you had some knowledge on the amounts of suicides carried out by ... A: Shalom Unfortunately I cannot answer the question of how high the suicide rate is in the Jewish ... | |
| Judaism | 10/12/2008 |
| Q: you are helping me clear up some difficult issues which have been clouded by my previous religious ... A: Shalom Steve Your question is one that touches on the fundamental nature of why we exist in this ... | |
| Hannakah | 10/12/2008 |
| Q: In our home we have a tapestry for Hannakah that has a menorah in the form of a tree and with the ... A: There is a lot of symbolism in the banner- but I'm not sure if the picture you have is a Menorah- ... | |
| Yom Kippur | 10/10/2008 |
| Q: Unfortunately, I have many questions, I hope you do not mind me asking. On Yom Kippur, in the days ... A: The role of sacrifices varied by the type of sacrifice. Atonement sacrifices were actually probably ... | |
| Idolatry | 9/30/2008 |
| Q: When a serviceman salutes an officer, he is saluting the emblem on the officer's hat. Now depending ... A: Shalom Steven To answer this question you need to look at what idolatry is. Essentially, it is a ... | |
Orthodox Judaism
Answers by Expert:
Marc Lipshitz
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I can answer most questions on Orthodox Judaism but will avoid directly engaging with missionaries or in comparisons to other religions except where it can be done neutrally
Experience
I study Torah and Talmud daily, I am an observant Jew, and I am studying part time to be a Rabbi.
Education/Credentials
National Higer Diploma electrical Engineering, BCOM, MBA
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