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Ask JTF for Sunday March 7, 2010
WestCoastJTF:
Dear Chaim,
I know you are not a Biblical scholar, but you always seem so well-versed (no pun intended) on the Torah that I thought I would ask you a couple questions. This week I read Genesis 15, which contains the famous covenant that God made with Abram - "from the Nile to the Euphrates". I notice that before God made this promise, Abram fell into a deep sleep and a darkness fell upon him - some English translations say a "dreadful" darkness. What was the purpose of this darkness? Does it symbolize that before these magnificent gifts from God are given that there must be suffering and trial?
Also, I wonder if you could set me straight on the Jewish use of the names of God. I will try to be careful in asking my question so as not to break any holy laws.
(a) I know that "Hashem" is the name of God that Jews use in everyday conversation (though still with reverence). My understanding is that the Tetragrammaton is the true name of God, but may only be said by the High Priest in the Temple, which does not exist right now. I have heard some people say that Jews no longer know how this name should be pronounced. Others have said that the correct pronunciation is passed on from generation to generation but only among a very small number of Jews. What is the truth?
(b) There is another name for God that begins with the Hebrew letter aleph (I don't know if I should write it here). I believe this is only used in prayer.
So it seems to me that the Tetragrammaton is the highest name for God, followed by the name used in prayer, and finally "Hashem" in every day conversation. I see there are some other names for God used in Judaism - for example, the name given to Moses in Exodus. Do I understand things correctly?
Chai:
Shalom brother Chaim,
First of I want every one to know it was you that helped make me a bal'tshuva (one that has returned to Torah Judaism) and making proud to me a Jew, for that I want to thank you , no Rabbi I ever met can even hold a candle to your sincerity.
My question is do you believe Bal'tshuvas are on a higher level then other Jews spiritually, if this in theory is indeed true, is it also true in the real world?
Ps what do you think of B'nai Elim?
Thanks for all you time.
JTFenthusiast2:
Dear Chaim,
1) Can you give a brief history and/or guidelines to cursing someone's name in Hebrew? For example, How did this start? Famous curses placed on people? What makes someone eligible to receive a curse? What is inappropriate cursing?
2) What is the event that marks the year 0 in the Jewish Calendar?
3) I wanted to recommend Rabbi Berel Fein's 5000 years of Jewish history. I think it's a nice primer for those of us who need to review or lay the stepping stones for being able to study more intermediate topics in biblical Jewish history. What do you think? These are available on Yt for free and usually last between 3-6 minutes a piece.
Zionist Revolutionary:
Dear Chaim,
What is the Jewish view of the afterlife?
Sveta:
Did Rabbi Kahane listen to Kol Isha and would he approve of the JTF music videos that feature Kol Isha?
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