World Views

Dear Rabbi Simon All my life I was proud of being a firstborn son. Originally, the firstborn son was to represent each family in the Holy Temple (Beit Hamikdash), and his job was to be a priest to serve Hashem. Our Sages maintain that once the Third Temple is built (may it be soon in our days) the firstborn sons…

Dear Rabbi Simon Does G-d fulfil our desires in our lifetime, afterlife or next birth if we are righteous? Thank you. Dan Hi Dan Thank you for your question. G-d does not necessarily fulfil anyone’s “desires”, however, as per Maimonides’ Principles of Faith #12, He does reward a person according to his or her deeds, whether in this world or the…

Dear Rabbi Simon, Rashi sometimes refers to “the king messiah” and at other times just to “the messiah”. Why? Is there any significance in the distinction? Many thanks, Jesse Dear Jesse Thank you for your question. Rashi is exceedingly exacting in his language, so I would expect that there is indeed a “significance”. However it is likely that the explanation…

Dear Rabbi Simon Rashi sometimes refers to “the king messiah” and at other times just to “the messiah”. Why? Is there any significance in the distinction? Thank you David Dear Dave Thank you for your question. Rashi is exceedingly exacting in his language, so I would expect that there is indeed a “significance”. However, it is likely that the explanation lies…

Dear Rabbi Simon, The first of Noah’s Seven Laws is not to worship false gods.  As Christians worship Jesus (who is a false god according to Jewish law), would they have no place in the World to Come? Thanks, Peter Dear Peter, This rather fundamental question is subject to divergent conclusions in the rabbinic tradition. While the straightforward view would…