Rabbi Dr. Raymond Apple

Free Will and the Kotzker Rebbe

Continuing the legacy of Rabbi Dr Raymond Apple AO RFD z"l.

The Cinderella of the Festivals is the time of Revelation

It has no special mitzvot nor does it have a tractate. But it has a special theme like no other holiday.

Ask the Rabbi:

Mystical Judaism

Every seemingly banal religious act is a precious moment of communion with God in the midst of our daily affairs.

What would Moses think of us today?

What would he say about the abysmal lack of knowledge about Judaism of so many Jews?

Rabbi Dr. Raymond Apple has passed away

Formerly the leading Jewish rabbinic spokesman in Australia, Rabbi and Mrs. Apple made aliya upon his retirement. His concise and well-chosen Divrei Torah were featured on Arutz Sheva for many years.

Jews and astrology

What is the Jewish view of astrology? And for the Torah readings, why were two leaders necessary to take us out of Egypt? And what was the divine promise?

Orthodoxy and Reform

A distinction made by Rabbi Soloveitchik helps answer this recurrent problem.

Jewish Xmas greetings?

What can we wish non-Jewish friends during their holiday season?

The silence of Abraham the "settler"

Abraham called himself a "settler" and knew that sometimes the best thing to do is keep quiet.

Vayera: The test of Isaac

The traditional view is that the story is a test of Abraham’s faith, which somehow involves Isaac.

Praying for rain in Australia

Shmini Atzeret is not the rainy season in the Southern Hemisphere. What to do?

Sukkot says a great deal about Judaism.

On Sukkot the agenda is not so much a credal theory of Providence but a pulsating feeling of joy.

Out of the woodwork

|Kol Nidre, Neilah, Yizkor, always bring crowds to the synagogue, even if this is the only time they come during the entire year.

The cantor's prayer

The moving cantor's prayer, the doubter's prayer. And the call to teshuva.

Television in the home

What is wrong with tv - and is gambling a sin?

Should there be a synagogue for he nonreligious?

Can a house of worship be anything other than religious?

Shoftim: Judges in Jerusalem

The late Menachem Begin is often quoted as saying there are judges in Jerusalem, but the phrase is taken out of context.

Keep it kosher

On kosher food, Mashiach, Free Will and the Jewish calendar.

Tisha B'Av - the fast that will become a feast

Can we posit the Problem of Good against the Problem of Evil, see the goodness in our universe, and accentuate the positive?

Preparing for the 'Shabbat of Vision'

Words of wisdom before the Fast of the 9th of Av.

The International Date Line and halakha

When you cross the date line in one direction you gain a day and the other way you lose a day. What happens to time-dependent mitzvas?

Pinchas: The rights of Jewish women

In this parasha, women affirm their rights by respectfully turning to Moshe Rabbenu, who carefully addresses the question halakhically.

Grumps and grumbles

Insights into the Torah readings Chukat (Diaspora) and Balak (Israel)

Organ music in the synagogue

It is forbidden to play a musical instrument on Shabbat. And on weekdays in the synagogue?

Is animal experimentation halakhically permissible?

In this case it is a question of measuring animal as against human rights.

Body piercing in halakha

Judaism's view of alternations to one's skin, marital loyalty and ascetics.

Shavuot features: The Godless Commandments

The people who least care about religion are the ones who claim to live by the Ten Commandments.

When bad things happen to good people

Since the days when the prophets asked it, that has been the ultimate question.

Kaddish by women

There are voices on both sides of the debate.

Insights into the parasha: Why does G-d let us suffer?

Ask the Rabbi about Jewish suffering, why we are called a kingdom of priests, the 8th day of the week, keeping kosher - all in the parasha.

Blood libels

What is behind the blood libels? Are there four sons? Does the afikoman have special powers? And more.

Starting to learn Torah with Vayikra

Why the custom of teaching young children about purity in Temple rituals is even more important than it used to be.

Celebrating a baby

Insights into aspects of Judaism and this coming Shabbat's Torah reading.

Mordechai the enigma

Interesting ideas about the Megillah and the Purim holiday.

Synagogues - a place for thinking

Congregants don’t always realise that the synagogue, especially in the Diaspora, has to be the centre of people’s Jewishness.

Codes and customs - and ghosts

The written laws are not, however, the only expression of Jewish law. There is much more.

Ten Commandments - or 613?

Most people say they keep the Ten Commandments but they don’t mention (or often don’t know of) the 613.

A Tu B'shvat Alphabet

What are some of the aspects of the holiday of trees?

Reconversion

Someone born to a Jewish mother who intermarried and who was raised a Christian would now like to live as a Jew. What is the halakha?

Can a Jew be an existentialist?

'Ask the Rabbi' questions and answers, including 'Where Were the Women?'

What is the Jewish view of transsexuality?

Transsexuality differs in crucial ways from the two words describing sexual anomalies appearing in the Talmud.

How Mordechai triumphs on Hanukkah

We don't know for sure who he was, but he penned the inspiring song about G-d as Israel's savior that is sung every night of Hanukkah.

Bill Gates and charity

What is the best way to give charity, who should it be given to and how much should be given?

Vengeance in Psalms

How is it that there are such vengeful verses in the Book of Psalms?

Your parents' sins

History and generations. When family history lays questionable baggage on your back.

Why does Hebrew go from right to left?

Why do other languages go from left to right?

Ask the Rabbi:What is Kabbalah? What are Yibbum and Chalitzah?

Jewish mysticism defined and a rarely evoked Torah law explained .

What did God really want at the Binding of Isaac?

God is saying"Offer up Isaac" and "Don’t offer up Isaac". Which is the real voice of God? And how do we deal with fear of the year ahead?

Nitzavim: All stand, please. And if necessary, stand alone

Often, the individual can hide behind the community. Sometimes it is essential for him to face personal scrutiny, to stand alone.

Rosh Hashanah insights - Is all well?

Ask yourfself: Is it well with you? with your family? with your community?

Circumcision - is it justified?

Jewish men and women have in all ages been ready to lay down their lives in its observance. Why?

Women's voices

Religious IDF soldiers have been vilified for refusing to attend performances in which women singers appear. What is the issue?

Where did Jewish surnames come from?

Ask the rabbi: Surnames, walking aftere G-d, .blessings and curses.

Changing the Ten Commandments

Why was the wording altered in Va'etchanan?

Was Yeshua a Christian?

What did Jews think of him? Most had never heard of him; but both his supporters and opponents were Jews.

Unchaining the Agunah

In Judaism, husband and wife must sever the relationsihp, hence a recalcitrant husband can mean a 'chained' wife.

What is "Jewish time?"

Insights into Judaism: Jewish time, flying fringes, where to pray and more.

What should be said in a eulogy?

Insights into a Jewish rite of passage and more..

Chaos is back

The deep meaning of the world "midbar" - translated "desert", but whose root is the same as that of speech - and more insights in Judaism.

How Judaism views pornography

Judaism isn’t prudish, nor does it think that sex is wicked or shameful.