Torah Cafe

 The Kaddish prayer is one of the most important and well known Jewish prayers. However, Kaddish can be confusing, there are many different types of Kaddish said on different occasions and at different point during the prayer. Some Kaddish are said only by the cantor while others are said by mourners. 

A fascinating discussion about the Kaddish prayer, it's history, connection with death and clarity on where and when each kaddish is said.

When the Children of Israel left Egypt over 3,000 years ago, they were split into 12 tribes. When they entered the land of Israel, each tribe settled in a different are. While the tribal identity remained for hundreds of years, over time, most Jews lost their tribal identity.

What was the significance of the 12 tribes of Israel? How did their history and stories differ? How did we lose the tribal identity? Can we know today which tribe we are from?

Ruth was a Moabite princess who followed her poor mother-in-law Naomi to convert to Judaism in the only detailed conversion mentioned in scripture. Eventually she married Bo'az, a Jewish leader becoming the grandmother of King David.

The fascinating story of Ruth and how she converted to Judaism.

What is the Jewish belief about heaven and hell? Do they exist? If yes, what are they like? What happens to us after we die? Should we be afraid of going to hell when we die? Should we hope to go to heaven?

A fascinating discussion about the Jewish view on Heaven & Hell

The Jewish people have dominated finance wherever they lived for thousands of years building complex financial instruments long before most people could read or do basic arithmetic. The Jews dominated finance though the Torah forbade us from lending with interest, the most common form of finance. How did Jews succeed in finance while avoiding loans with interest? 

A fascinating discussion about the Jewish financial system. 

Many religious Jewish men have beards. In most Jewish communities throughout history, Jewish men generally had beards. Why have Jewish men grown beards? Does Jewish law allow shaving? Does it allow beard trimming? Why do many religious Jewish men and even rabbis not have beards? 

A fascinating discussion about the role of beards in Judaism.

 Do we believe that there is such a thing as Satan? If yes, what is Satan? Is G-d responsible for the bad things that happen to us? Do evil forces such as Satan exist? If they do, do they work for G-d or against G-d?

All about the Jewish belief in Satan and G-d's role in evil.

One of the best known poems from the haggdah that is read at the Seder on Passover is Dayeinu - It would have been enough. This is possibly one of the oldest known Jewish poems and one of the most powerful about the many miracles and favors G-d did to us over the Exodus.

All about the poem Dayeinu, where it came from and it's deeper hidden meanings. 

Before eating bread, Jewish law requires us to wash our hands in a special way using a large cup or container. What is the reason for this rule? Where did it come from? How is it done?

A fascinating discussion about the rule of washing our hands before we eat bread.

What happens to our soul when we die? Can a soul come back down to earth an inhabit a new body? Could we be souls that were on earth previously in another body? Does Judaism believe in reincarnation?

Learn about the Jewish understanding of where our soul comes from and where it goes when we die.