Dear Rabbi

✨🎧 Listen to this and other episodes at www.joidenver.com/podcasts ✨In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I explore why food plays such a central role in Jewish life and religious experience. While many people notice that Jews have a strong affinity for food, there's actually a profound spiritual significance behind this focus. Judaism is unique among religions in that we don't view the physical world as something to overcome or avoid, but rather as something to elevate and make spiritual. Food represents one of the most basic, animalistic human activities - something we do multiple times every day. This makes it the perfect vehicle for spiritual elevation through blessings, mindful eating, and using the nourishment we receive to better ourselves and the world. I share a story about two people approaching the same apple tree with completely different intentions: one person sees the apple and makes a blessing to eat it, while a rabbi sees the apple and wants to make a blessing, so he eats it. Though they perform identical actions, their spiritual focus creates worlds of difference. When we make blessings before and after eating, and use the energy food provides to do good in the world, we transform the physical act of eating into something holy and spiritual. This approach reflects Judaism's core philosophy that we're here not to avoid the physical world, but to elevate it and make it divine.Keep the questions coming! If you have a burning question about Judaism,Please email us at Dearrabbi@Joidenver.com📧Tune in to Dear Rabbi and uncover the wisdom behind Jewish customs and laws. 🎙️🌟Follow us for more:Website - https://www.joidenver.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/joidenverFacebook - http://www.facebook.com/JOIdenverYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/JOIdenverPinterest - http://pinterest.com/jewishdiySubscribe to "JOI to the World" to access all our podcasts, including Yada Yada Yiddish, Kids Say the Deepest Things, Reconnect, and Dear Rabbi.Join us as we uncover the treasures in our backyard and explore what makes the Jewish people extraordinary! 🕎📚🎙️

✨🎧 Listen to this and other episodes at www.joidenver.com/podcasts ✨In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I explain why Jewish coworkers wish each other "Happy New Year" in September rather than January. The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, falls at the beginning of the Jewish calendar year, which differs from the secular calendar we use in America. I clarify a common misconception: while many people think Rosh Hashanah celebrates the creation of the world, we're actually celebrating the creation of the first human being, Adam - the first person imbued with a divine soul. This marks the beginning of human history and our relationship with the divine. I explore how this timing connects to our spiritual renewal, as our souls return to our bodies for another year of godly work in this world. The celebration occurs on the first of Tishrei, exactly when tradition teaches Adam was created. I also note how Jewish schools get to use the same corny jokes about "seeing you next year" - just in September instead of December. For those interested in learning more about how the Jewish calendar works compared to the secular calendar, I reference our earlier episode that provides a deep dive into this fascinating topic.Keep the questions coming! If you have a burning question about Judaism,Please email us at Dearrabbi@Joidenver.com📧Tune in to Dear Rabbi and uncover the wisdom behind Jewish customs and laws. 🎙️🌟Follow us for more:Website - https://www.joidenver.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/joidenverFacebook - http://www.facebook.com/JOIdenverYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/JOIdenverPinterest - http://pinterest.com/jewishdiySubscribe to "JOI to the World" to access all our podcasts, including Yada Yada Yiddish, Kids Say the Deepest Things, Reconnect, and Dear Rabbi.Join us as we uncover the treasures in our backyard and explore what makes the Jewish people extraordinary! 🕎📚🎙️

✨🎧 Listen to this and other episodes at www.joidenver.com/podcasts ✨In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I address whether Jews believe in the devil, and the short answer is no. The Christian concept of the devil is antithetical to Jewish thought. While Judaism does believe in Satan (which is where the English word "Satan" comes from), this is fundamentally different from the Christian devil. Satan is not a counter-force to God or a force of evil, but rather an angel - a messenger and spiritual celestial being that fulfills God's will. I explain how Satan functions like a sparring partner, working alongside our yetzer hara (evil inclination) to create the conditions necessary for free will. Just as we need challenges to grow stronger physically through exercise or sparring partners, we need spiritual challenges to become better, stronger people. Satan provides us with obstacles and temptations that, when overcome, help us develop our character and spiritual strength. This concept is fundamentally different from the devil as an independent evil force opposing God, instead viewing spiritual challenges as part of God's design for human growth and development.Keep the questions coming! If you have a burning question about Judaism,Please email us at Dearrabbi@Joidenver.com📧Tune in to Dear Rabbi and uncover the wisdom behind Jewish customs and laws. 🎙️🌟Follow us for more:Website - https://www.joidenver.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/joidenverFacebook - http://www.facebook.com/JOIdenverYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/JOIdenverPinterest - http://pinterest.com/jewishdiySubscribe to "JOI to the World" to access all our podcasts, including Yada Yada Yiddish, Kids Say the Deepest Things, Reconnect, and Dear Rabbi.Join us as we uncover the treasures in our backyard and explore what makes the Jewish people extraordinary! 🕎📚🎙️

✨🎧 Listen to this and other episodes at www.joidenver.com/podcasts ✨In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I address why Judaism traditionally encourages Jews to marry within the faith when choosing a life partner. I explain that when selecting someone to spend your entire life with, it's crucial to find someone who shares your fundamental values and worldview. Even if religion isn't important to someone today, it may become significant later in life, making shared religious identity important for long-term compatibility. I discuss how the Jewish people, despite being a small population, have maintained remarkable continuity throughout history, and marrying within the community helps preserve this continuity. I reference the Torah's warning against intermarriage, noting that one reason given is the concern that it may lead children away from Judaism. Given the tremendous losses the Jewish people have suffered through persecution and antisemitism throughout history, it's tough to see Jews lost to assimilation as well. Encouraging Jews to marry other Jews is one way to help prevent the loss of Jewish identity and ensure the continuation of Jewish traditions, values, and community for future generations.Keep the questions coming! If you have a burning question about Judaism,Please email us at Dearrabbi@Joidenver.com📧Tune in to Dear Rabbi and uncover the wisdom behind Jewish customs and laws. 🎙️🌟Follow us for more:Website - https://www.joidenver.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/joidenverFacebook - http://www.facebook.com/JOIdenverYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/JOIdenverPinterest - http://pinterest.com/jewishdiySubscribe to "JOI to the World" to access all our podcasts, including Yada Yada Yiddish, Kids Say the Deepest Things, Reconnect, and Dear Rabbi.Join us as we uncover the treasures in our backyard and explore what makes the Jewish people extraordinary! 🕎📚🎙️

In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I explore the apparent contradiction between Judaism's emphasis on peace and the argumentative nature of Jewish texts and culture. I explain that it's not just our texts that are argumentative, our people are too, as reflected in the saying "two Jews, three opinions" and the fact that Jews make excellent attorneys. I clarify that peace is not passivity but rather harmony of difference. You can argue vehemently with someone while still maintaining respect and peace between you. When people are genuinely searching for truth, disagreement isn't personal; it's an intellectual pursuit. I discuss how we need to disagree and see things from different perspectives to truly understand concepts and ideas. The problem arises when we confuse our identity with opinions we've simply absorbed from our environment, political ideologies, family teachings, or community beliefs that aren't our own. When we approach disagreement as a mutual search for understanding rather than a personal attack, we can maintain peace while disagreeing on almost everything. This Jewish approach to constructive argument serves the higher purpose of seeking truth together.Keep the questions coming! If you have a burning question about Judaism,Please email us at Dearrabbi@Joidenver.com📧Tune in to Dear Rabbi and uncover the wisdom behind Jewish customs and laws. 🎙️🌟Follow us for more:Website - https://www.joidenver.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/joidenverFacebook - http://www.facebook.com/JOIdenverYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/JOIdenverPinterest - http://pinterest.com/jewishdiySubscribe to "JOI to the World" to access all our podcasts, including Yada Yada Yiddish, Kids Say the Deepest Things, Reconnect, and Dear Rabbi.Join us as we uncover the treasures in our backyard and explore what makes the Jewish people extraordinary! 🕎📚🎙️

In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I address a question that highlights the difference between Jewish and Christian concepts of human nature and forgiveness. I explain that while Christianity teaches original sin - the idea that humanity is inherently flawed due to Adam's sin and needs salvation - Judaism teaches the opposite: every human being is a spark of the divine and is essentially good. I clarify why Jews still need the process of teshuvah (often translated as atonement or repentance) despite not believing in original sin. When we make mistakes, we create spiritual decay within ourselves and the world, requiring us to undergo teshuvah, which means "returning" - returning to our essential, good self. I explain that Judaism doesn't use the concept of "sin" but rather "chet," an archery term meaning "to miss the mark" - when we don't act in our best interest or in ways that make the world more holy. Like teaching children that a proper apology requires more than just saying sorry, teshuvah involves acknowledging wrongdoing, feeling genuine remorse, and taking action to repair whatever damage was caused.Keep the questions coming! If you have a burning question about Judaism,Please email us at Dearrabbi@Joidenver.com📧Tune in to Dear Rabbi and uncover the wisdom behind Jewish customs and laws. 🎙️🌟Follow us for more:Website - https://www.joidenver.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/joidenverFacebook - http://www.facebook.com/JOIdenverYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/JOIdenverPinterest - http://pinterest.com/jewishdiySubscribe to "JOI to the World" to access all our podcasts, including Yada Yada Yiddish, Kids Say the Deepest Things, Reconnect, and Dear Rabbi.Join us as we uncover the treasures in our backyard and explore what makes the Jewish people extraordinary! 🕎📚🎙️

In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I address why Judaism doesn't require a blessing before giving charity, despite the general rule that we make blessings before performing mitzvot to thank God for the opportunity to partner with Him in making the world a more spiritual place. I explain that there's an important exception to this blessing rule: we don't make blessings before performing mitzvot that involve other people, because doing so would make the recipient feel inferior. I explore how creating a blessing right before giving charity would essentially announce to the person that they are a "charity case" who needs help, which could be deeply humiliating. This principle extends to other interpersonal mitzvot like visiting the sick or any commandment involving another person. I emphasize how Judaism teaches us to be sensitive to the dignity and feelings of others, ensuring that those in the position of giving never act superior to those receiving. This thoughtful approach to religious practice demonstrates how Jewish law balances spiritual obligations with human compassion and respect for every person's dignity.Keep the questions coming! If you have a burning question about Judaism,Email us at Dearrabbi@Joidenver.com📧Tune in to Dear Rabbi and uncover the wisdom behind Jewish customs and laws. 🎙️🌟Follow us for more:Website - https://www.joidenver.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/joidenverFacebook - http://www.facebook.com/JOIdenverYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/JOIdenverPinterest - http://pinterest.com/jewishdiySubscribe to "JOI to the World" to access all our podcasts, including Yada Yada Yiddish, Kids Say the Deepest Things, Reconnect, and Dear Rabbi.Join us as we uncover the treasures in our backyard and explore what makes the Jewish people extraordinary! 🕎📚🎙️

In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I explore how Jewish religious leaders achieve the prestigious title of "Gadol Hador" (greatest of the generation) and explain why this process is fundamentally different from American political campaigns. I discuss how authentic Jewish leadership operates on the principle that the best leaders are often those who don't seek leadership positions but have leadership thrust upon them. Unlike political systems, where candidates campaign for office, Jewish religious authority develops organically when a knowledgeable sage attracts followers who respect and appreciate their wisdom. I explain how this process unfolds naturally: people seek advice from these learned individuals, keep returning for more guidance, and eventually those who recognize true greatness begin to acknowledge this person's exceptional status. The community gradually turns to them for halachic decisions and spiritual guidance until they become the de facto leader of the generation. This approach to leadership selection reflects Jewish values that prioritize reluctant but qualified leadership over ambitious self-promotion, ensuring that those who assume these roles do so out of responsibility rather than personal ambition.Keep the questions coming! If you have a burning question about Judaism,Email us at Dearrabbi@Joidenver.com📧Tune in to Dear Rabbi and uncover the wisdom behind Jewish customs and laws. 🎙️🌟Follow us for more:Website - https://www.joidenver.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/joidenverFacebook - http://www.facebook.com/JOIdenverYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/JOIdenverPinterest - http://pinterest.com/jewishdiySubscribe to "JOI to the World" to access all our podcasts, including Yada Yada Yiddish, Kids Say the Deepest Things, Reconnect, and Dear Rabbi.Join us as we uncover the treasures in our backyard and explore what makes the Jewish people extraordinary! 🕎📚🎙️

In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I address a fascinating question about Moses and humility: if Moses was truly humble, how could he write about himself that he was the most humble person who ever lived? I explain that this question is based on a common misconception about what humility means in Jewish thought. True humility doesn't mean thinking less of yourself or diminishing your abilities - it means thinking of yourself less and focusing outward rather than inward. I explore how Judaism teaches that God gives each person tremendous skills and talents specifically to fulfill their unique mission in this world. Recognizing and using these God-given gifts doesn't contradict humility; rather, genuine humility means acknowledging that all our abilities come from God and using them as tools to make ourselves and the world better.The key is understanding that having specific talents doesn't make anyone a better person than others - what matters is how we use our gifts to serve a higher purpose and contribute positively to the world.Keep the questions coming! If you have a burning question about Judaism,Email us at Dearrabbi@Joidenver.com📧Tune in to Dear Rabbi and uncover the wisdom behind Jewish customs and laws. 🎙️🌟Follow us for more:Website - https://www.joidenver.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/joidenverFacebook - http://www.facebook.com/JOIdenverYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/JOIdenverPinterest - http://pinterest.com/jewishdiySubscribe to "JOI to the World" to access all our podcasts, including Yada Yada Yiddish, Kids Say the Deepest Things, Reconnect, and Dear Rabbi.Join us as we uncover the treasures in our backyard and explore what makes the Jewish people extraordinary! 🕎📚🎙️

In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I conclude the analysis of Ellen Gilad's interpretation of the meat and milk prohibition by demonstrating how clear biblical verses help us understand ambiguous ones. While acknowledging that the verses in Exodus might be unclear about whether they refer to cooking or ripening, I explain how the crystal-clear verse in Deuteronomy, which appears among dietary laws, definitively establishes that "bashel" means "to cook" rather than "to ripen." I use the principle that when faced with both clear and ambiguous biblical passages on the same topic, we should interpret the ambiguous ones through the lens of the clear ones. Even if we were to accept the alternative interpretation of the Exodus verses, the Deuteronomy verse alone would still prohibit mixing meat and milk. I conclude with a practical analogy about choosing the safer path when in doubt, emphasizing that those who genuinely care about following divine instruction would avoid questionable practices. This episode reinforces that the prohibition against mixing meat and milk is biblical law transmitted through an unbroken oral tradition, not merely rabbinic interpretation.Keep the questions coming! If you have a burning question about Judaism,Email us at Dearrabbi@Joidenver.com📧Tune in to Dear Rabbi and uncover the wisdom behind Jewish customs and laws. 🎙️🌟Follow us for more:Website - https://www.joidenver.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/joidenverFacebook - http://www.facebook.com/JOIdenverYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/JOIdenverPinterest - http://pinterest.com/jewishdiySubscribe to "JOI to the World" to access all our podcasts, including Yada Yada Yiddish, Kids Say the Deepest Things, Reconnect, and Dear Rabbi.Join us as we uncover the treasures in our backyard and explore what makes the Jewish people extraordinary! 🕎📚🎙️

In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I examine Ellen Gilad's argument that the Hebrew word "bashel" (translated as "seethe") might mean "ripen" or "mature" rather than "cook," potentially changing our understanding of the biblical prohibition against mixing meat and milk. I acknowledge that this interpretation has precedent with fruits maturing and was even considered by the classical commentator Bechor Shor as an intellectual exercise. However, I explain why this alternative translation doesn't change Jewish law or practice. I delve into why the Torah repeats this commandment three times - "do not seethe a kid in its mother's milk" - showing how traditional Jewish interpretation understands this repetition as establishing three distinct prohibitions: cooking meat and milk together, eating them together, and benefiting from their mixture. I emphasize the crucial role of the Oral Torah in understanding the written text, explaining how the Jewish people received both the written and oral traditions simultaneously at Mount Sinai, making the prohibition against mixing meat and milk a divinely transmitted law rather than a rabbinic interpretation.Keep the questions coming! If you have a burning question about Judaism,Email us at Dearrabbi@Joidenver.com📧Tune in to Dear Rabbi and uncover the wisdom behind Jewish customs and laws. 🎙️🌟Follow us for more:Website - https://www.joidenver.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/joidenverFacebook - http://www.facebook.com/JOIdenverYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/JOIdenverPinterest - http://pinterest.com/jewishdiySubscribe to "JOI to the World" to access all our podcasts, including Yada Yada Yiddish, Kids Say the Deepest Things, Reconnect, and Dear Rabbi.Join us as we uncover the treasures in our backyard and explore what makes the Jewish people extraordinary! 🕎📚🎙️

In this episode of my ongoing response to Elon Gilad's viral video, I explain why Judaism requires both written and oral Torah components. I address the fundamental question of why the Torah wasn't simply written down completely, exploring how the Oral Torah serves as an essential living tradition that cannot be contained in text alone. Drawing on analogies from medical training and modern communication, I illustrate why Torah study necessitates real-world experience, teacher-student relationships, and authentic transmission. I also examine how the Oral Torah protects against manipulation and provides crucial context that prevents misinterpretation. Unlike historical groups like the Sadducees, who consistently rejected oral tradition (even sitting in darkness on Shabbat), I show how selective rejection of the Oral Torah is intellectually dishonest. Through examples such as Shabbat practices and the tradition of eating hot cholent, I illustrate how our unbroken chain of transmission from Mount Sinai ensures an authentic understanding of Torah commandments across all Jewish communities worldwide.Keep the questions coming! If you have a burning question about Judaism,Email us at Dearrabbi@Joidenver.com📧Tune in to Dear Rabbi and uncover the wisdom behind Jewish customs and laws. 🎙️🌟Follow us for more:Website - https://www.joidenver.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/joidenverFacebook - http://www.facebook.com/JOIdenverYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/JOIdenverPinterest - http://pinterest.com/jewishdiySubscribe to "JOI to the World" to access all our podcasts, including Yada Yada Yiddish, Kids Say the Deepest Things, Reconnect, and Dear Rabbi.Join us as we uncover the treasures in our backyard and explore what makes the Jewish people extraordinary! 🕎📚🎙️

In this second episode of my series responding to Elan Gilad's viral video, I address his claim that Hebrew's lack of vowels creates uncertainty about the milk and meat prohibition. While acknowledging that Hebrew is indeed written without vowels, I explain how Judaism's Oral Torah tradition resolves this apparent ambiguity. I detail how the Oral Torah - distinct from rabbinic law - represents biblical teachings passed down in an unbroken chain from Moses at Mount Sinai. Using examples like tefillin, mezuzah, tzitzit, and ritual slaughter laws, I demonstrate how countless Torah commandments would be impossible to fulfill without this oral transmission. I explain how Jewish communities worldwide maintain identical Torah readings and practices precisely because of this preserved oral tradition, ensuring consistency across time and geography in understanding biblical texts.Keep the questions coming! If you have a burning question about Judaism,Email us at Dearrabbi@Joidenver.com📧Tune in to Dear Rabbi and uncover the wisdom behind Jewish customs and laws. 🎙️🌟Follow us for more:Website - https://www.joidenver.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/joidenverFacebook - http://www.facebook.com/JOIdenverYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/JOIdenverPinterest - http://pinterest.com/jewishdiySubscribe to "JOI to the World" to access all our podcasts, including Yada Yada Yiddish, Kids Say the Deepest Things, Reconnect, and Dear Rabbi.Join us as we uncover the treasures in our backyard and explore what makes the Jewish people extraordinary! 🕎📚🎙️

In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I continue to examine the biblical prohibition against mixing meat and milk by analyzing the placement of this commandment in various biblical contexts. I address why the verse "do not seethe a kid in its mother's milk" appears alongside temple sacrifice laws in Exodus, rather than with other dietary laws as in Deuteronomy. Through the lens of classical Jewish commentators like Rashi, Rabbi Moshe David Cassuto, and Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, I explore various interpretations: that the Torah reminds us about this prohibition when we consume large amounts of meat during festivals, that it contrasts Jewish practice with non-Jewish customs, and that it represents the spiritual separation between life-giving elements (milk) and physical matter (meat). I emphasize how traditional Jewish scholarship approaches these textual questions with intellectual honesty, seeking deeper understanding rather than justification for changing religious practice. This episode demonstrates how the Torah's precise placement of verses teaches multiple lessons simultaneously.Keep the questions coming! If you have a burning question about Judaism,Email us at Dearrabbi@Joidenver.com📧Tune in to Dear Rabbi and uncover the wisdom behind Jewish customs and laws. 🎙️🌟Follow us for more:Website - https://www.joidenver.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/joidenverFacebook - http://www.facebook.com/JOIdenverYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/JOIdenverPinterest - http://pinterest.com/jewishdiySubscribe to "JOI to the World" to access all our podcasts, including Yada Yada Yiddish, Kids Say the Deepest Things, Reconnect, and Dear Rabbi.Join us as we uncover the treasures in our backyard and explore what makes the Jewish people extraordinary! 🕎📚🎙️

In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I continue our discussion about why Jews don't mix meat and milk, focusing specifically on the biblical sources behind this kosher practice. I respond to claims made by Elon Gilad, examining each argument in detail while explaining how the Torah works with both written and oral components. I clarify how the three repetitions of "do not cook a kid in its mother's milk" in the Torah establish three distinct prohibitions: not cooking meat and milk together, not eating them together, and not benefiting from such mixtures. Beyond addressing alternative interpretations of the Hebrew word "bishul" (cooking), I illustrate the importance of the oral tradition that has preserved accurate Torah reading for thousands of years across Jewish communities worldwide. This episode provides insights into how Jewish dietary laws are anchored in biblical sources, the relationship between written and oral Torah, and why intellectual honesty matters when interpreting Jewish texts.Keep the questions coming! If you have a burning question about Judaism,Email us at Dearrabbi@Joidenver.com📧Tune in to Dear Rabbi and uncover the wisdom behind Jewish customs and laws. 🎙️🌟Follow us for more:Website - https://www.joidenver.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/joidenverFacebook - http://www.facebook.com/JOIdenverYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/JOIdenverPinterest - http://pinterest.com/jewishdiySubscribe to "JOI to the World" to access all our podcasts, including Yada Yada Yiddish, Kids Say the Deepest Things, Reconnect, and Dear Rabbi.Join us as we uncover the treasures in our backyard and explore what makes the Jewish people extraordinary! 🕎📚🎙️

In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I address a viral social media video by Elan Gilad claiming Jews can eat cheeseburgers due to a biblical "misunderstanding." I methodically debunk this claim, pointing out that Gilad incorrectly states the prohibition against cooking a kid in its mother's milk appears twice in Torah when it appears three times (Exodus 23:19, Exodus 34:26, and Deuteronomy 14:21). I explain how the Deuteronomy reference places this law among dietary restrictions, confirming its connection to kosher laws. Beyond factual corrections, I discuss the arrogance of dismissing thousands of years of rabbinic scholarship and interpretation. Using an analogy about Rashi, our classic Torah commentator, I emphasize the comprehensive knowledge traditional scholars brought to their interpretations. This episode is the first in a series where I'll continue analyzing Gilad's claims in depth, giving proper context to Jewish dietary laws.Keep the questions coming! If you have a burning question about Judaism,Email us at Dearrabbi@Joidenver.com📧Tune in to Dear Rabbi and uncover the wisdom behind Jewish customs and laws. 🎙️🌟Follow us for more:Website - https://www.joidenver.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/joidenverFacebook - http://www.facebook.com/JOIdenverYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/JOIdenverPinterest - http://pinterest.com/jewishdiySubscribe to "JOI to the World" to access all our podcasts, including Yada Yada Yiddish, Kids Say the Deepest Things, Reconnect, and Dear Rabbi.Join us as we uncover the treasures in our backyard and explore what makes the Jewish people extraordinary! 🕎📚🎙️

In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I address the common question about why kosher restaurants typically have higher prices than non-kosher establishments. I explain that rather than simple price gouging, there are legitimate fixed costs that contribute to higher prices in kosher dining. These include specialized meat preparation requirements, meticulous inspection of fruits and vegetables for insects (as Jewish law prohibits consuming bugs), and the salary of a mashgiach (kosher supervisor) who ensures all kosher laws are properly observed. These additional expenses necessary for maintaining kosher certification ultimately get passed on to consumers, making kosher restaurants and kosher food in general more expensive. This episode provides insight into the economic realities behind kosher food production while acknowledging the genuine concerns of kosher-observant consumers about dining costs.Keep the questions coming! If you have a burning question about Judaism,Email us at Dearrabbi@Joidenver.com📧Tune in to Dear Rabbi and uncover the wisdom behind Jewish customs and laws. 🎙️🌟Follow us for more:Website - https://www.joidenver.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/joidenverFacebook - http://www.facebook.com/JOIdenverYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/JOIdenverPinterest - http://pinterest.com/jewishdiy

In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I unravel the mystery behind those fishing wire-like strings that hang across streets in Jewish neighborhoods. These strings, an eruv, serve as a ritual boundary that transforms public areas into a unified domain for Sabbath observance. I explain how Jewish law prohibits carrying objects between public and private domains on Shabbat, and how the eruv creates a symbolic enclosure that allows observant Jews to carry essential items (like house keys or push strollers) on the Sabbath. Beyond its practical function, I discuss how the eruv historically helped build strong Jewish communities by encouraging Jews to live near one another. This traditional practice represents both religious observance and community cohesion, though I note how changing observance patterns have affected this community-building aspect in modern times.Keep the questions coming! If you have a burning question about Judaism,Email us at Dearrabbi@Joidenver.com📧Tune in to Dear Rabbi and uncover the wisdom behind Jewish customs and laws. 🎙️🌟Follow us for more:Website - https://www.joidenver.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/joidenverFacebook - http://www.facebook.com/JOIdenverYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/JOIdenverPinterest - http://pinterest.com/jewishdiy

In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I continue our exploration of why Jewish tradition avoids directly counting people. Tracing this practice back to biblical times, I explain how even during desert censuses, Jews were counted indirectly through coin contributions. I share the cautionary tale from the Book of Samuel where King David's census led to calamity, and draw on commentaries from Rambam and Rashi about the "evil eye." More profoundly, I suggest that assigning numbers to people diminishes their infinite value and human dignity a principle tragically illustrated by the Nazi practice of tattooing numbers on Holocaust victims. Unlike modern censuses that reduce people to statistics, Jewish tradition recognizes that each person counts without being reduced to a mere number. Through creative counting methods like using verses or counting shoes, Judaism upholds human dignity while still gathering necessary information.Keep the questions coming! If you have a burning question about Judaism,Email us at Dearrabbi@Joidenver.com📧Tune in to Dear Rabbi and uncover the wisdom behind Jewish customs and laws. 🎙️🌟Follow us for more:Website - https://www.joidenver.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/joidenverFacebook - http://www.facebook.com/JOIdenverYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/JOIdenverPinterest - http://pinterest.com/jewishdiy

In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I explore the curious ritual a viewer observed when their rabbi was pointing at congregants while saying seemingly random Hebrew words before a Kaddish service. I explain that this was likely the rabbi counting to ensure there was a minyan (ten adults) present for prayer, but doing so indirectly. Since Jewish tradition discourages counting people directly, rabbis often use verses with exactly ten words, assigning one word per person rather than numbers. I share that some rabbis use specific Hebrew verses, while I prefer using "to be or not to be, that is the question," which conveniently has ten words. I hint at the deeper reason behind this counting prohibition, teasing that we might explore this fascinating topic in a future episode.Keep the questions coming! If you have a burning question about Judaism,Email us at Dearrabbi@Joidenver.com📧Tune in to Dear Rabbi and uncover the wisdom behind Jewish customs and laws. 🎙️🌟Follow us for more:Website - https://www.joidenver.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/joidenverFacebook - http://www.facebook.com/JOIdenverYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/JOIdenverPinterest - http://pinterest.com/jewishdiy