Was the Torah read in the Tabernacle, was it read in the Temple? What type of prayer service was actually held- seems to me the service back then was all based on sacrificinig animals and if so many people brought sacrifices all the time then the service was just all blood and guts? Can you describe what the service was like back then and how it evolved? Thanks Jay

if my birthday is July 8, 1994 then what is my Torah Parasha for my Batmitzvah?

Hi! I was wondering about the minhag many chasidic woman have, of cutting their hair after their wedding. I haven't heard of anyone else accepting this practice, and I'd like to know how it came about, what special significance it carries, and what it's based on. I mean, as far as I always knew, a married observant woman, has to keep her hair covered from all men, besides for her husband. Who started this tradition, when did it begin, and why? I've also heard of many chasidic women, how do not cut their hair anymore. Can you give me more info about all this, please? Thanks very much in advance!

I was baptized and confirmed Catholic, but finally decided to seek the truth on my own some years ago. Recently [over a year now] I began a new study of The Bible. Not just a ‘read’ - but an in depth study, including learning to work with the Hebrew and Greek languages. I expect I am a Hebrew at this point in my learning and understanding and moving toward being of similar beliefs as a messianic Jew or if you will... a ‘Jewish Christian’. Here is my 'problem’ or dilemma: As I have read and studied the Torah, and [I am up to Proverbs in my study] it seems over and over that God offers Man Earthly rewards - rewards of this world and of the flesh - I can't seem to shake this and I search more and more for a place where God CLEARLY promises eternal life with Him in heaven for love and repentance and obedience, etc. It seems to just not exist in the early Torah for all men…. Certainly, Moses and some others had this but... Was there no promise of eternal life until the coming of Christ? Why the dichotomy? Therefore - Do Jews believe in eternal life and WHY? Where in the torah is this [Eternal Life - Life with God in heaven] promised? Before Christ's coming and teaching? When does/where does God promise faithful, obedient, [repentant?] people a place in Heaven and everlasting life? I understand I am only part way through my study, but it just sort of nags at me that I'm going to not find it [these promises I refer to] before the coming of Christ... Thank you very much for your time and help and I’d appreciate any comments or thoughts.

Hi; When I do Hagbah in Shul on Shabbas... I always make sure to open the Torah so that at least three panels of scripture are visible. I was told that it is Halacha that three panels of scripture show, so that the Congregation can clearly see the text of the Torah. I looked in the Shulchan Aruch once, and remember seeing something about this... I mentioned this to someone in Shul.. who said that there is no "rule' about three panels of scripture showing.. its custom.. but not Halacha.... Is it just custom. or is it a "rule" that properly, thre panels should show. There is relevance ot the question. I have had the honor of doing Hagbah hunfreds of times.. and can d oit with no problem. Othere, who don't do it much, do have a problem. They have great difficulty when picking it up.. and out of fear of tearing the parchment, the gabbai tells them to just lift it, without spreading the torah apart to much.