בית דין אמת וצדק
This is the new webpage for the Dallas Beis Din. Our website offers information on the Beis Din’s activities, and especially on conversion to Judaism and the Beis Din’s conversion course. Announcements and updates will appear on this front page. Not all material on this website is available for public viewing; much of the material […]
By Rabbi Yerachmiel D. Fried, Av Beis Din Q: I have noticed that you often offer explanations to the Torah from the “Kabbalists” or “Kabbalistic Masters.” Who are these people and how do they differ from the standard rabbinical analyses and explanations? Are they Jewish mystics? A: Let’s begin by speaking about God’s giving of […]
by Rabbi Avraham Chaim Bloomenstiel Q: What is the correct bracho on a wrap or a pita sandwich? Is it mezunos or hamotzi? A: This is a very common question and the answer depends entirely on the wrapper. Is it bread or mezunos? In addition to the usual requirements for bread (five grains plus […]
By Rabbi Yerachmiel D. Fried, Av Beis Din Dear Rabbi Fried, After meeting several atheists who described themselves as “culturally Jewish,” reading an article about an atheist (describing himself as “formerly Jewish” and vehemently advising “Jewish atheists” to drop the “Jewish” part and just be atheists) and thinking back to a college class about Judaism […]
By Rabbi Avraham Chaim Bloomenstiel Q: We discussed in class the difficulty of “loving HaShem.” How then do we deal with the Torah mitzvah to love Hashem (Dev. 6:5)? A: You are asking about the mitzvah of ve-ahavta es Hashem Elokecha found in Devarim 6:5. There are two classic questions on this mitzvah: 1) how […]
by Rabbi Rabbi Yerachmiel D. Fried, Av Beis Din Question: I have read that Maimonides says that there is no place in the afterlife for an atheist. One Rabbi explained the idea that is not a punishment so much as a cause and effect. The Jewish view of the world to come is basking in […]
By Rabbi Avraham Chaim Bloomenstiel Q: Why is the order of the matriarchs in the Birkas HaBanos (the Blessing on the Daughters given to one’s daughters on Friday Night) Sarah, Rivka, Rachel and Leah? Didn’t Leah come before Rachel chronologically? A: The text we use in the blessing is based on the order of the matriarchs given […]
By Rabbi Avraham Chaim Bloomenstiel Q: Why do most Ashkenazi women not wash mayim acharonim? Does it have anything to do with tznius? A: The short answer is that it has nothing to do with tznius. Now for the long answer: There are two reasons for mayim acharonim (washing the fingers after the meal). The first is that it […]
by Rabbi Yerachmiel D. Fried, Av Beis Din Question: I have a tattoo on my back which I got as a teenager. Now that I am getting more involved in Judaism, I heard that one shouldn’t have tattoos. Is this true, and if so, could I or should I have it removed? If I don’t, […]
by Rabbi Yerachmiel D. Fried, Av Beis Din Question: Why are some people particular to light Chanukah lights with oil? If someone lights with oil, how long does it need to stay lit? Brenda L. Response: Dear Brenda, The reason many light with oil is twofold. Firstly, the Chanukah lights are kindled in order to […]
by Rabbi Yerachmiel D. Fried, Av Beis Din Question: I have never seen such stunning fall colors in Dallas as this year! It reminds me of the northeast where I grew up and have so much missed until now! Does the Torah speak about the colors of the changing seasons? Marilyn W. Response: Dear Marilyn, […]