Hi Rabbi, I just spent the weekend at the Gateways President's Day retreat this weekend and met someone who asked two interesting questions which I do not know the answers to and, honestly, just didn't have time to ask at the retreat. So here it is... This person told me that he believed that G-d and Satan/Lucifer are one face...one thing. I obviously understand this is not the case...but it was phrased interestingly.. He said.. if g-d created each of us in his image..and each of us has potential for good or evil (altghough never complete since within every evil there is still potential for good (teshuvah) and vice versa) then that would mean that G-d is evil as well. We are in His image after all so if we have that potential then so does G-d. I tried to explain that G-d is not something...He is everything and all inclusive..but it's a hard concept to grasp and accept. So who is Lucifer? Who is Satan? How do you explian that G-d and Satan are not one 'face'- one and the same? I found this online...is this correct?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucifer#Lucifer_and_the_Hebrew_Bible The second question is when did conversion begin? When did Jews begin? Did Jews begin with Abraham? Was he the first Jew or the first Monotheist? All Abraham did was take people who believed what he believe into his collective..he didn't have a conversion process..etc. Did Jews begin when the Torah was given and that is when the conversion process began? If so, then why did King Solomon have so many wives that were not Jewish and did not go through conversion... The question actually began because we were talking about why someone whose father is a jew but mother is not, why this person should not be considered a Jew? Just because of the fact that it is a blood lineage by the mother? But that would be for religion sake. How about Judaism as a Nationality. If a person believe, and really is, part of the Jewish nation since his Father is Jewish then why can't he consider himself Jewish as a Nationality? Where in the Torah does it say that he has to convert? With all the rituals and mikveh, etc. Can a person be Jewish by Nationality but not by Religion? (By default isn't it a religion since it is bound to the bible? how could it be anationality without it being a religion? This must be a modern philosophy) So that is kind of it. Sorry to bother you but I would love to have in writing something to pass on to him to let him know what our side thinks :) He is pretty bright and will most definitely come back with more questions to counter the answers that will be given but at least the process begins :) THANK YOU!!! Luba Please don't publish my name! Thank you

I saw a very large purple banner on Delancey Street, which is what brings me to you. I understood the banner to mean ask ANYTHING or does it mean just religion-related questions. Actually, I am having a sort of identity crisis whereby I need Judaism (but I was raised by a musician and we were not at all religious). In my quest, what comes to mind at the moment are the people I work with.. Long story short, I want to get out of there, but am over (much over) 40 and know the job market isn't even good for 20-year olds. Maybe some spiritual guidance is what I need. Sincerely, Helene (Hensaw) Laist

I am doing a leeson on the book of Esther ,and I have been told that Hathach is the prophet Daniel. Do you have anything that can comfirm this.

What does Ariella mean and is it found in the Torah any where?

What does Ariella mean and is it found in the Torah any where?