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I’m doing historical research and found many records of Jewish marriages from the region historically known as Bessarabia. Where there is a record of a dowry amount, it’s always either 48 roubles or 24 roubles if a woman was previously married. This is from what was a large and diverse region and the records mentioning this span from mid 1800s to early 1900s. So it’s unlikely to have been just a local custom. What is the significance or origin of this number and/or custom?

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I read of a custom to bless one’s children on Friday night. Would you please tell me a little more about this practice? Thank you!

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Dear Rabbi, My son is marrying, God willing, in November, and we have heard of a pre-marriage ceremony called "The Breaking of the Plate." Would you be so kind as to share the significance of this ceremony as well as the actual performance (ritual)? Thank you.

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Hello, thank you for taking the time and for the constant wisdom that pours forth from you. I am challenged by some pretty serious mental health matters that I am receiving treatment for. Much of the time, these matters tend to overlap with my service of Hashem and the destructive forces within me will take advantage of my attachment to Yiddishkeit by drawing me into obsession, compulsion, isolation and other spirals. Truly, however, we are to serve Hashem with joy! I am not asking you to give me some piece of wisdom that will replace my family, friends, local Jewish community and the incredible nurses, doctors, social workers, etc. who have diligently supported me through this process. I would, however, appreciate some insight on this from our tradition if you know of any. Anything from books, to teachers, to words of wisdom from Torah and Chassidus etc. etc. I feel these items would make a big difference and help to integrate my treatment in a way that is even more apparent. Even a kind word is appreciated. Thank you very much.

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Shalom Rabbi. In Exodus 15:25, Moshe cried unto Hashem and Hashem "showed" him a tree. Moshe cast a "tree" into "bitter waters" and the waters were made "sweet". Torah is a "Tree of Eternal Life". Torah is honeycomb sweet. Could the tree Moshe cast into bitter waters "symbolize" Torah? Life issues are murky bitter waters we're often unable to drink. Torah is quintessential purified water. Every eternal living soul should drink it daily. Amen

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Hello. Vayikra 3:17 חקת עולם לדרתיכם בכל מושבתיכם כל חלב וכל דם לא תאכלו׃ How long does this(Olam) mean? I want to know the temporal length of this word.

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Dalet~Resh Shin spells darash verb meaning inquire, require (of G-d), of heathen gods, seek deity in prayer and worship, frequent place,practice,study, follow, (blood required) Psalms 119:2 - "Blessed are they that keep His testimonies,and that seek (darash verb) Him with the whole heart." Psalms 119:45 - "And I will walk at liberty: for I seek (darash) Thy precepts." Psalm 119:155 - "Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek (darash) not Your statues." 1 Chronicles 28:9 - "And you, Solomon my son, know the G-d of thy father and serve Him with a " perfect" heart and a "willing" mind - For Hashem searches (darash) all hearts and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek (darash) Him, He will be found of thee; but if thou forsake Him, He will cast thee off "forever". Do those that darash have a uniquely close kinship,friendship with G-d? Are those that darash the righteous remnant of G-d? Is G-d forsaken by all who choose not to darash? The majority of people in this world desire not to know Hashem and His ways. So, are they "cast off " forever? Shin~Resh~Yud~Dalet spells "sarid" - meaning survivor, remnant left alive; darash is spelled Dalet~Resh~Shin and is knitted within sarid. Does this conclude that all who darash are survivors, left alive?