My company is installing marble countertops in a new kosher kitchern. Since marble can easliy stain we typically use a chemical sealer. I was asked if the sealer compromises the integrity of the kosher kithen. Would you know the answer to this? Thank you.

My mother is in the last stages of cancer and though she was brough up in a conservatve/kosher household she only wants to be cremated. I do not wsh to go aginst her wishes,,but am not sure where to turn. My father on the other hand wants me to contact a rabbi for a private service. My brother was br mitzvah and I was confirmed, but we haven't belonged formally to a synagogue (reform)in years. Where do I turn? I feel she should be buried, but she insists no. Please gve me some guidance, it wll be most appreciated B'shalom, Lindsay Heiden.

I understand there is an order to cutting fingernails? What is this order and does this order stand for toenails as well?

should mentally retarted people be in a home?

I would like to ask you about the meaning of "Bereshit bara elohim et hashamaim v'et aharetz." In this verse what is the meaning of Hashamaim. it is Heaven or Sky or something else in this context. In English bible it is translated as heaven and in our language(Telugu) it is translated as Sky. Thaning you very much, Raja Samuel