Rochel Chein

According to the Talmud, Pharaoh's dreams and the release of Joseph from prison occurred on Rosh Hashanah, the first day of the year. On that day, G‑d determines the fate of the world...

After the flood, G‑d promised Noah that He would never again bring a flood that would destroy the world. A rainbow is a reminder of this covenant that G‑d made with Noah, his descendants, and all living creatures. Therefore, upon seeing a rainbow in the s...

Question: Why do some people open their hands during the Ashrei prayer? Answer: According to the Talmud Berachot 4b., this prayer is recited three times every day partly because it contains the verse “You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every liv...

Chanukah is not specifically mentioned, since the story happened after the Torah was written. Nevertheless, G‑d, who is above the limitations of time, included in the Torah allusions to Chanukah.

I do not know of a recommended age for weaning. There are many factors involved, so one size can't fit all. The American Academy of Pediatrics currently (2005) recommends: "Pediatricians and parents should be aware that exclusive breastfeeding is sufficie...

Hearing the shofar on Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) is a mitzvah (a commandment). Women are not obligated in time-bound positive mitzvot, because of their overriding family responsibilities. However, it is certainly meritorious for a woman to hear t...

The rabbis of the Talmud discuss this question.Bechorot 7b The Mishnah states "that which comes from something which is not kosher is not kosher, and that which comes from something which is kosher is kosher." So, for example, the milk of a camel or the e...

Yes, mushrooms are kosher. A mushroom is a fungus, and in general, natural fungi are kosher. Since bugs are not kosher, you should make sure that your mushrooms aren't infested with insects before eating them. Rinse the mushrooms and check a few samples t...

Originally, the firstborn sons were to have been the priests of the Jewish nation, who would serve in the Tabernacle and in the Temple and be the spiritual leaders. When G‑d spared the Jewish firstborn during the Plague of the Firstborn in Egypt, He “acqu...

Question: How was it that Naomi's two sons married non-Jewish Moabite women? From what I've read, it seems that Ruth only converted to Judaism after her husband died. Answer: The biblical commentaries discuss the question that you ask, and they suggest di...