Episodes

  • Why Jews Don't Count People: Biblical Origins and Human Dignity

    Why Jews Don't Count People: Biblical Origins and Human Dignity
    Apr 16 2025
    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.


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    2 mins
  • Why Jews Don't Count People

    Why Jews Don't Count People
    Apr 9 2025
    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,
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    Tune in to Dear Rabbi and uncover the wisdom behind Jewish customs and laws. 🎙️🌟
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    2 mins
  • Why Do Jews Break a Glass at Weddings? The Profound Meaning Behind the Tradition

    Why Do Jews Break a Glass at Weddings? The Profound Meaning Behind the Tradition
    Mar 26 2025
    In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I explain the deep significance behind breaking a glass at the end of a Jewish wedding ceremony. While many might think it's just a festive moment signaling the end of the wedding, the tradition carries a profound spiritual meaning. I discuss how even in our most joyous moments, we remember the destruction of the Temple and the suffering of others. By breaking the glass, Jewish couples and their guests practice empathy, acknowledging that while they celebrate, there are others experiencing pain. This tradition reminds us to remain connected to our collective history and the broader human experience, even during personal milestones.

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    Tune in to Dear Rabbi and uncover the wisdom behind Jewish customs and laws. 🎙️🌟
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    2 mins
  • Can You Be Buried in a Jewish Cemetery with Tattoos?

    Can You Be Buried in a Jewish Cemetery with Tattoos?
    Mar 19 2025
    In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I address the frequently asked question about tattoos and Jewish burial. While Leviticus 19:28 clearly prohibits Jews from getting tattoos, I explain that there is no halachic (Jewish law) basis preventing someone with tattoos from being buried in a Jewish cemetery. I clarify that the prohibition applies only to getting tattoos, not having them. Though some communities historically may have refused burial to those with tattoos as a deterrent, this practice is essentially non-existent today. So despite what your Jewish grandmother might think, you can indeed be buried in a Jewish cemetery with tattoos.

    Keep the questions coming! If you have a burning question about Judaism,
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    Tune in to Dear Rabbi and uncover the wisdom behind Jewish customs and laws. 🎙️🌟
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    2 mins
  • Do all Jews Speak Hebrew?

    Do all Jews Speak Hebrew?
    Mar 12 2025
    In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I address the common question about whether all Jews speak Hebrew. While Hebrew has experienced a remarkable renaissance as Israel's national language, and most Jews today do live in Israel, not all Jews are Hebrew speakers. I explain how historically, Jews have primarily spoken the languages of their host countries while developing unique Jewish dialects that blend local languages with Hebrew and Aramaic elements. From Yiddish and Ladino to modern "Yeshivish" heard in Orthodox communities like Lakewood, New Jersey, Jewish linguistic traditions continue to evolve. Though Hebrew remains central to Jewish prayer and study regardless of fluency, the diversity of Jewish language practices reflects our global history and cultural adaptations.

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    2 mins
  • Halal vs. Kosher: Are They the Same?

    Halal vs. Kosher: Are They the Same?
    Mar 5 2025
    In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I break down the similarities and differences between halal and kosher dietary laws. While both are religious food guidelines for Muslims and Jews, respectively, they are not identical. I explain that Kosher foods are generally acceptable for halal diets, but not vice versa. Drawing on the nuanced distinctions between these dietary practices, I provide insights into each tradition's overlaps and unique aspects. Whether you're curious about religious food regulations or seeking practical guidance, this episode explains these important cultural dietary practices.

    Keep the questions coming! If you have a burning question about Judaism,
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    Tune in to Dear Rabbi and uncover the wisdom behind Jewish customs and laws. 🎙️🌟
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    2 mins
  • When to Observe Yahrzeits in a Leap Year: Adar I or Adar II?

    When to Observe Yahrzeits in a Leap Year: Adar I or Adar II?
    Feb 26 2025
    In this informative episode of Dear Rabbi, Rabbi Menachem Lehrfield answers a practical question about Jewish observance: when should one observe a yahrzeit (death anniversary) during a Jewish leap year with two months of Adar? After providing a concise explanation of the Jewish lunisolar calendar system and why leap months are necessary to keep holidays in their proper seasons, Rabbi Field discusses the differing customs between Sephardic and Ashkenazi traditions regarding yahrzeit observances. This episode offers clear guidance for those unsure about when to commemorate their loved ones' yahrzeits during Jewish leap years, with practical advice for respecting both major traditions.

    Keep the questions coming! If you have a burning question about Judaism,
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    Tune in to Dear Rabbi and uncover the wisdom behind Jewish customs and laws. 🎙️🌟
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    3 mins
  • Understanding Divine Judgment During the Days of Awe

    Understanding Divine Judgment During the Days of Awe
    Feb 19 2025
    In this thought-provoking episode of Dear Rabbi, we address a fascinating question about mortality during the Days of Awe - the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Rabbi Arkham explores how Judaism reconciles deaths that occur before the Book of Life is sealed, offering two traditional perspectives: that the previous year's judgment extends through these ten days, or that one's fate is determined on Rosh Hashanah but can be altered through repentance. This episode provides deep insight into Jewish concepts of divine judgment, free will, and the powerful opportunity for spiritual transformation during this sacred period.

    Keep the questions coming! If you have a burning question about Judaism,
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    Tune in to Dear Rabbi and uncover the wisdom behind Jewish customs and laws. 🎙️🌟
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    2 mins
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