Question: Was Abraham a Jew? Answer: Hi! “Was Abraham a Jew” is an interesting question, and one that may be impossible to answer. It comes down to definitions. He wasn’t a party to the covenant made at Mount Sinai, and thus he wasn’t given the full set of 613 commandments ( Mitzvos ) that define Israel’s obligations. On the other hand, that covenant at Mount Sinai, and all those Mitzvos – they were themselves an outgrowth of the covenant G-d made with Abraham.... More »

Question: Why was it determined by the Rabbis that the 24 books of the Bible only include those books and not more?Why weren’t other holy books, written later in time, included in the Bible ? Answer: The Bible (Tanach) isn’t a collection of holy books. It is the collection of prophecies that were given to Israel for all generations. There were other, more local prophecies (such as when Saul went to ask the prophet where his father’s donkeys were). But the ones that were for the... More »

Question: Judaism believes that the Jewish calendar begins at the time Adam is created on the 6th day (because time is for people). Currently this time is 5770 years, the Jewish year. How does Judaism reconcile civilizations around the world that archaeologists scientifically determine to be thousands of years older than 5770 years old ? If man has only been on Earth for 5770 years how could there be groups of people older than Adam, the first person ? Answer: Well, I’m not sure I’m... More »

Question: How does God view me as a deaf person? Answer: God places every person in the world with a task to be accomplished. In Hebrew this accomplishment is called a Tikkun . It is a task which only the soul possessed by that individual can accomplish. Your accomplishment of that task brings your soul to completion and gives great satisfaction to God. Your task is one that you could not possibly accomplish if you had the ability to hear normally; as such, God made you deaf. I realize that may... More »

After a nail-biting finish in Myrtle Beach, S.C.’s regional spelling bee, Chabad Academy fifth-grader David Habibi will head to Washington, D.C., for this summer’s Scripps National Spelling Bee. See the original post:  Regional Spelling Bee Win Earns Kudos for Sole Jewish School  Read More →

Coming on the heels of celebrations surrounding the 50th anniversary of Chabad-Lubavitch activities in the Sunshine State, Jewish community members in South Florida are gearing up to toast almost three decades of Torah classes, holiday programs and youth clubs in the southern portion of Broward County. Continued here:  South Broward Jewish Center Celebrating Three Decades of Growth  Read More →

An estimated 900 people, including politicians, prominent business leaders and one professional football player, descended on the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in downtown Newark to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the state’s branch of the Friendship Circle. See more here:  Decennial Friendship Circle Dinner Lauds Teenage Volunteers  Read More →