Rabbi Yerachmiel Fried Archives - Page 9 of 15 - Dallas Area Torah Association

Cremation and The Holocaust

July 21, 2023 No Comments

In your column of Dec 31st, you explained the importance of burial vs cremation, with respect to the Jewish belief in the Revival of the Dead, the final reward when the body is reunited with the soul, something which may be lost on one who forfeits the body to cremation.
Unfortunately, there are so many of us eternally mourning all the victims of the Nazis, whose bodies were cremated en mass by no choice of their own. How does Judaism deal with those martyrs who never had a choice with respect to the final reward you discussed?

Cremation or Burial

July 21, 2023 No Comments

My mother was recently put into hospice and for the first time she’s facing death as a reality. We’ve been discussing burial and her desire, and she has been leaning towards cremation so not to put any financial burden on our family. Something feels wrong to me about that; to me it’s worth a financial stretch to have her buried the traditional way, but I wanted to know if Jewish law is ok with cremation or is there a real reason to prefer burial?

Cremation

July 21, 2023 No Comments

As my mother has gotten older she has expressed a desire to be cremated. I have spoken to her about this and reminded her that she couldn’t be interred in a ‘Jewish’ cemetery (And asked her if 6 million Jews being burned wasn’t enough). She has resisted my arguments. I fear that if she dies, I won’t be able to attend her funeral. I could use some help here.

Conversos (Marranos)

July 21, 2023 No Comments

I am from Mexico and my ancestors trace back to the Conversos. (We don’t use the common term “Morranos” because of its negative connotation in Spanish, which means swine). We trace our ancestry all the way back to the Spanish inquisition. Although for many generations my family has attended church and lived in Christian communities, they always have lit candles Friday night (in a secretive way) and some other Jewish customs. I recently have become more involved in traditional Judaism, and it has been suggested to me that I undergo a conversion to Judaism. I find this very offensive, as I am very proud of my family history and roots as a Jew. What is the correct thing to do?

Conversion and Support of Israel

July 21, 2023 No Comments

I’m incensed over the Rotem bill currently on the floor of the Knesset. I fully endorse the statement of the United Jewish Federations that this bill, which would give full control over conversions in Israel to the rabbinate, could drive a deep wedge between Israel and Diaspora Jews. What right do the Orthodox rabbis have to control such a global and sensitive issue in a country that belongs to all streams of Judaism?

Conversion: Bill of Rights

July 21, 2023 No Comments

A convert in Washington drew up a “bill of rights for Jewish converts”. In this piece, she outlines ten issues which face conversion candidates or those in the process, claiming they are afraid of the rabbis, feel victimized, threatened and judged. I personally think she’s right on and have heard similar claims from women in the process. Are you involved in conversion and what is your opinion on what she claims?

Conversion: Children

July 21, 2023 No Comments

We are somewhat confused and flustered. We adopted our two beautiful sons from Russia when each one was under a year old, and have raised them as Jews ever since. We were under the impression that if a child is adopted and raised by Jews then the children are considered Jewish. However, during a recent visit to Israel, our cousins told us that the children aren’t considered technically Jewish until they convert. This was difficult for us to swallow and want to find out if it’s true. Also, how is it possible to convert small children if they don’t have the maturity and understanding to accept upon themselves whatever being Jewish entails?

Conversion: Personality Change?

July 21, 2023 No Comments

I underwent an Orthodox conversion just under a year ago and have a couple of questions which my rabbi there wasn’t sure what to answer. First of all, I was taught that a convert receives a new, Jewish soul. If so, what happens to the “old” gentile soul I had before? On one hand, it’s invigorating to know I’m receiving something new, which makes me into a “new person”, but it’s also somewhat disconcerting to think that there’s nothing left of my old self. After all, it was my “old self” that was first inspired to take the steps to convert; is that “original me” who made that decision gone forever? It doesn’t seem to be fair!
Secondly, a practical question: Every morning should I be reciting the blessing “shelo asani goy”, …who has not created me a gentile? On one hand, I was “created” a gentile, on the other hand, if I have a new Jewish soul perhaps it’s like I’m “newly created” and could recite the blessing? Thanks for your input.

Conversion: Why?

July 21, 2023 No Comments

Recently a non-Jewish friend asked me why someone would want to convert to Judaism. Although I could think of a lot of reasons, I’m not sure which one was the best. What would your answer be?

Conscience

July 21, 2023 No Comments

As part of my psychology studies in college I recently heard a lecture on the relationship between the conscience and the ego. Is there a Jewish view of these topics? Are the two concepts contradictory or one in the same?