Yashar Koach to the Rabbi for all his words of advice and encouragement. It means a lot to me. The reason I prefer asking questions like this is because you get to the point. No fluff or 16 different versions of opinions or variations. I need less choices and just the straight and narrow from a source that I trust is authentic (This at least applies to the questions I have asked so far). I had a Rav in Israel when I was there for a few years (it took a while to find him)but we are just not a part of each others' lives as much now, and unfortunately, believe it or not, it is very hard to find a Rav in the community I live in (I am not the only one who has says this). Either they are too frum and uptight, or they are desired by so many that I can't get any time with them. Sof sof, thank you for being there.

If on ta'anit bichorot (the first born fast on erev pesach) we can make a sium so that we don't have to fast Why don't we make a sium on yom kippur and shivah asar bitamuzz etc. so that we don't have to fast thanks

when Solomon built the Temple. were there not door(s) into each courtyard and a doorway into the Holy of Holies? Do these 'door's' have a given name, and if they do, what would the meanings of each be? can you help me with this unusal request. Todah Rabah, Shayna

Can a person who can not immerse for medical reasons (a semi permanent port for Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) that can NOT be removed for any reason) nor consume any solids undergo conversion? It's my understanding that a person has to be able to follow the laws, but the eating of matzo for seder as well as the mikveh would be problematic for this person. The person in question has no small intestine, so anything consumed has to be a clear liquid that is drained into a drainage device immediately. I am sure if she converted Reform, it wouldn't be an issue, but I'm not sure which movement she will decide she wants to go with. She also doesn't want to ask a rabbi if this is one of those 'No way on Earth' situations. Thanks.

These are pretty general questions: What are the challenges, if any, to practicing Judaism? What are your religious leaders called? How has your religion changed over the years? What are the differences between men and women in Judaism? What is the most common misperception of Judaism? What rituals are practiced? Are there different forms of your religion? If so what? What is the main principle of your religion? How has religion shaped your life?