Question
Hi Rabbi, I’m often wondering, "What’s next in my life?" My friends tell me this it’s normal to think about one’s future. But, if I’m thinking about what will happen next, how can I really enjoy the present? Thanks!

Question
Shalom Rabbi, what is the Jewish perspective on birthdays and birthday celebrations? Thank you.

Question
Sometimes when my wife accidentally falls asleep too close to me in bed, I have so little room to sleep that it hurts my back. I’ve been suffering serious lower back pain these days for this reason to the point it’s debilitating. But if I wake her up to give me more room, there is the issue of gezel shayna ("stealing sleep"). I don’t like having my own sleep disturbed, and I don’t want to do to someone else something I don’t like being done to me (as the Torah can be summarized in one line). What is the appropriate way to deal with this situation?

Question
My question is about the police and military. While doing their job they might need to kill someone. Does God forgive them? I mean, in the Ten Commandments it says "Thou shalt not kill." Does the military get special forgiveness for breaking this commandment? Thank you.

Question
Rabbi, is it easy being Jewish? I saw your Gateways Ask the Rabbi project on exhibit at the Deutsches Hygiene-Museum in Dresden, Germany. I never really had a chance to ask a rabbi this question before: Is it harder for someone like me, who didn’t grow up observant, than for someone for you who grew up keeping everything? Thanks!

Question
Dear Rabbi, could you explain to me what a gemach is? I was reading something online and saw a reference to a gemach that helped people with a variety of things that they needed. Thanks a lot!