Name: john rayburn Date: 2008-10-17 00:46:01
Subject:Children going away
Question:
Reb my son is 19 and has walked away from orginized religion he still believes in Hashem but has not walked with Him in a year now, The question is should i cut all ties with him or continue to encourage him back to Synagoge.
Answer:
A person sets an example to their children by showing them the higher quality of life through religious observance. You do this through the example you set and no child can totally ignore this as it eventually will talk to their soul. Pushing them is not the answer.

Name: synthia stern Date: 2008-08-03 20:55:57
Subject:Is it too late for my family
Question:
Shalom. I know so little about our Faith. I found out I'm Jewish when I was 14. At that time, I was 2 self-centered 2 care. Now I do... ALOT. I beg 2 b educated. Can u help? 1 question I have is; What is our stand on the military? My middle daughter is in boot camp (Marines), and my oldest will b in the Air Force. I home-school my 11 yr old. Im married 2 a (very supportive) non-Jew. I didn't know that was bad 20 yrs ago when we married. I cry because I feel that my ignorance is disrespectful 2 G-d.
Answer:
You are Jewish from your mother and her mothers side?
Does your husband have any interest in Judaism, that is without your encouraging it?
I think we have to focus on the 11 year old getting a Jewish education. His soul deserves this and he is still young enough to take it a full Jewish lifestyle.

I am not the biggest fan of joining the military as there are many other ways, ways which don't' have so many political interference to help others. If they feel a calling to this though, they should consider fighting for Israel and protecting Jews. A Jewish life in the US military is very difficult, even with the Jewish chaplain. My father in law was a major in the army, he would never advise anyone to join today seeing that you really can't follow Torah there and having a military life takes away from making a family. Raising the children with love and time. It is very stressful and the children don't grow up in a stable environment, they don't learn how to keep friends. In Israel family life is a bit more valued and one can still be Jewish in the military but honestly, if your religious... you aren't treated well.

So first, before anything, we need the 11 year old to have a jewish education. The older children, you can send them with birthright or on a tour trip of israel and that will get them more interested in serving here and Jewish life.

Name: Cynthia Sandoval Date: 2008-04-03 10:58:03
Subject:Bat Mitzvah
Question:
My mother was Jewish of course making me and my daughter Jewish...My daughter is 11..if we havent been "good"in keeping with the faith and going to temple...should I have a bat mitzvah for her???
Answer:
Everyone boy and girl should celebrate this great moment in their life. For a girl, I recommend you have a simply party with girls from her school or temple. In orthodoxy, we don't believe the Bat Mitzvah should be done at the synagoge the same as with boys. We simply make her a large birthday party, more then other birthdays.

Name: Brandi Ward Date: 2008-04-02 22:59:38
Subject:Birth control
Question:
Hey Reb Moshe!! I was just curious as to if Birth Control was ok to take or not. Me and my boyfriend were in a discussion about it and he feels that it is wrong and I feel that it isn't. The Scriptures don't really say much about it so I'm unsure about it. What do you think about it?
Answer:
This is a major debate amonst Rabbanim of our times. There are many halachic problems with birth control but there are situations where the Rabbi's have approved this for health reasons. Every person is urged to get an individual psach, to ask personally to a proper Rabbi about this. I would assume that since you mentioned boyfriend, you are not married yet and are seriously dating. If this is the case, there might be some common sence answer here.

Name: miriam leah . Date: 2007-11-23 06:08:34
Subject:wanting kids
Question:
We are having lots of trouble having children and it makes our lives very sad.
Answer:
You have to place your trust in him and know he is in charge. Maybe u cuold think of adopting one day or other alternatives. The torah also teaches us that one who teaches a child Torah is also considered like a parent. There were rabbi's who said, i have hundreds of childen, them being his students

Name: Hadasah . Date: 2007-11-19 09:22:48
Subject:light candles
Question:
I am having lots of problems with shalom bayis

and our children, what should we do?
Answer:
light shabbos candles specificly with olive

oil. it would benifit you a lot spritually.

Name: Andy . Date: 2007-11-18 00:23:31
Subject:going off derech
Question:
My child is going off the derech and isn't

interested in Judaism, what should I do?
Answer:
Buy her some carlebach story and music tapes.

Name: Siri & Fishel . Date: 2007-11-17 22:19:00
Subject:no children yet
Question:
We have been married 8yrs , yet, our prayers have yet to be answered.....
Answer:
This is a good year to have children

emunah is gematria banim, children, so be strong as you have and continue faith.

Name: parent . Date: 2007-11-15 18:07:23
Subject:In a Divorce
Question:
I am in the middle of a divorce which has been difficult on our 3 children. What do you recommend?
Answer:
You have to make it up to the kids. They need both your love very much right now. Be there for them!

Name: Concerned . Date: 2007-11-15 01:47:10
Subject:Need help in Flatbush
Question:
I have a relative living in Flatbush, a large family with many kids. They have many financial problems and depression. Is there any organization to help them in the area?
Answer:
45-10 16th avenue in boro park
718-851-6300
They have social workers and the works for you. I made some calls and this
was highly recommended.