Question
Is there ever an exception to the prohibition against hugging a member of the opposite sex when doing so is an act of chesed? Last week, I visited a not-orthodox woman who was sitting shiva for her husband who died suddenly and unexpectedly. She received few visitors and was feeling extremely broken and was desperately in need of a hug. There was no time to ask a rabbi. She needed it literally that very second. It just seemed like the right thing to do. I hugged her more than once over the course of my two-hour visit, once for several minutes, and these hugs brought her the comfort she so desperately needed at that moment. It maybe even saved her life, as one can die from a broken heart. Regardless, I couldn’t see myself saying no. Now I am feeling conflicted about what I did. Did I do the right thing?

Question
I was brought up in a conservative Jewish family, both parents were Jewish. I attended a Jewish parochial school for three years and had my bar-mitzvah. But at age 14 I stopped attending shul. I am now 66. Despite all this, I consider myself a Jew, although not a religious and observant one. My question is this. Am I correct in stating that I am a Jew?

Question
Hello, First off I want to state I am Christian researching and studying my bible, specifically Old Testament and the book of Exodus as of now. I apologise for any ignorance on my part and seeking advice from here where I deem it more appropriate for my questions. In my denomination (Roman Catholic), we date the exodus around 1446. Looking into this I ended up seeing correlation with research presented by 'Simcha Jacobovici' also known as the 'Naked Historian'. Did the Exodus Happen? | Simcha Jacobovici (Naked Archaeologist) https://youtu.be/QoQBRZYyDm4?si=VwrvICk00-MV3UbF&t=4038 I share an interview where he outlines his views around such dating but what stood out for me was his claim of the Talmud where he states; ' The Talmud states that only 20% of the people standing at mount Sinai were Israelites '. This is around the 01:07:18 point. My question is where are the sources for such a claim as upon google and self research I have not found anything which correlates. I also understand that the Talmud can be complex and a touchy subject online and want to reach out to my Jewish Brothers directly for the information instead. What is the consensus on what distinguished an Israelite at Mount Sinai, and further was this distinct from titles/labels such as 'Hebrew'. Additionally further I would like to bring attention to the following article: How Many Israelites Actually Left Egypt? | Mayim Achronim Here the claim is made that; ' the word אלף should not be read as elef, “thousand”, but as aluf, “chief”, or alef, “clan” '. Could this be a more sincere way of interpreting the Exodus. and the number involved, as well as the Mixed Multitude.   Best regards, E Potter

Question
Moses was punished that he could not enter the promised land, because he hit the rock, not spoke to it. I think the punishment was too severe. He anyway obeyed HaShem. He only missed trivial detail. What did the Jewish sages say about the matter? Why was Moses punished so harshly?