Recently, I've been struggled with the awful lows of depression and the uncomfortable highs of mania. I've sought comfort from the Jewish community. One of my favorite sections of the synagogue service is where the Mi Sheberach prayer is recited; it really resonates with me. I frequently say the prayer for family members and ill friends, but is there ever an appropriate way to ask a dear friend to say a Mi Sheberach for me? Does this act have any precedent in Jewish tradition, or is it better not to request this of someone who would otherwise do it for me?

1. Is it an indisputable canon of Halachic rabbinical law that a site of land that contains the remains of Jews (e.g. only minute remnants of bones and/or ashes) unlawfully killed should be classified as a "cemetery"? If not, what is such a site of land to be classified as? 2. Is it also an indisputable canon of Halachic rabbinical law that such minute remains, albeit so small as to be unidentifiable individually on such a site of land, must not be "disturbed" in any way and for any purpose whatsoever? 3. Is is therefore "permissible", or even "required" - or NOT as the case may be - that at such sites of land there should be erected or created forms of Jewish memorials? A detailed answer, with reference to relevant sources, would be much appreciated. Thankyou.

Rabbi Lauffer, Thank you for your quick reply. My husband (an oncologist/ hematologist) has a patient who has been on beef insulin for over 30 years, so she never changed over to the newer stuff because the old stuff worked well for her. She does keep strict kosher. When my husband was telling me about her case I asked if she was allowed to have the pork insulin and he didn't know. He didn't know if she ate dairy either. She apparently eats steak 4 times a day to help deal with an iron problem. She might not eat dairy at all. On a related issue...Would someone who kept kosher be able to receive an organ from a pig? On a non-related issue... What is the Jewish view on embryonic stem cell research? Thank you for your time! Sharon Damsker

is the morning after pill permitted in situations that the halacha would allow the use of standard birth control pills being that it works the same way many standard birth control pills work it does not allow the embreo to implant in the uterus. The morning after pill is actually 8-10 doses of the standard birth control pill

My question is: "Am I a Jew?" My mother's family is entirely Jewish. Her grandfather was a well-known rabbi in England. My father was not Jewish and I was raised as a Christian although I later left the church. Many years ago I was told by some Orthodox Jews that I am a Jew because my mother was Jewish. Later a Jewish friend of my family told me that this is not true because my mother became a Christian (joined the Anglican Church) before her marriage to my father. I have often wondered about what would be the official answer to this question from a rabbinical perspective. Many people have assumed that I am Jewish by my appearance and the fact that I live in a community with a significant Jewish population. In some ways I feel that I am between two worlds. Thank you in advance for any answer you can offer me.