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Dear Teacher: Christian dude here; wanting to write a fiction novel where the main hero is Jewish, so want to be accurate as to religious beliefs. I am looking for 2 or 3 beliefs where Christians & Jews are at odds. My first thought is: on G-d's forgiveness. My terrible understanding of Judaism is, Yom Kippur. My understanding is, on that Holy Day, G-d finalizes His judgement on all Jews each year, and seals peoples' names into the Book of Life / Death. That this is the last day to repent & atone. As opposed to a Christian understanding of forgiveness: that G-d sent His son to be sacrificed to atone for the sins of all, who are saved by faith alone. As well as the sacrifices at the Temple during that time, and how that may have forgiven Jews? Might you share with me, about how you see "forgiveness" being different between Jews and Goyim like me? with kind repects, ~Chris  

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שלום עליכם לכולכם, My question is on parashat Bereshit chapter 1. Why did Elokim created Adam in His image while He said "Let us make man in our image?" What about their images, the image of Earth or Angels? Bereshit 1:27 tells us Elokim created Adam in his image, not in their image. If he said Let us make man in our image, then why not it is written, "Elokim created Adam in his image and in their image? thanks

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B"H Hi I had some questions on Beis rabeinu shebebavel sicha that I haven't been able to find an answer to anywhere, hopefully you know and can help 1) what exactly the chidush of sif aleph is, since the simple meaning is that ry and re are in fact arguing. If they are arguing then what's the basis of each of their opinions, and what specifically is the chidush that they're not arguing? Seemingly the reasoning of ry is from note 4 about "maon atah", referring to specifically synagogues (and I guess lesser levels of beis midrashim?) And by note 5 by re it just brings that beis rabeinu is the house of rav, wasn't sure if that was also meant to imply a reasoning of some kind, but in general the question is just what's the reasoning of each one and how do we know they're not arguing, and if they're not arguing then went are they still two different statements. 2) Also seemingly it would appear that part of the proof is when abaye said "don't say here AND here, rather here OR there", even though he should also agree that the Shechinah is also in other places, but why can't we say that abaye is just following the opinion of re (until he heard the drasha of "maon atah"). And is it significant that neither Rashi or metsudos to Yechezkiel mention beis rabeinu? 3) also if they are not plug, then what is the proof that even rabbi blazer would agree that even the other synagogues are mikdash miat? we explained acc. to ry the special advantage of Beis rabeinu, but still im not sure how we proved re agrees with ry. this also goes back to the essential question which is what's the initial understanding of each of their reasoning's both before and after we thought they're arguing. 4) what's the difference between the "Beis harnesses and Beis hamidrash" of rabeinu, and "Beis" rabeinu? is that difference part of the chiddush?

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Shalom Rav. Before eating say a salad, should I start with "fruit from tree" (avacado, olives) then continue with "Adamah" toms, cues etc. then "Bidvaro" for the cheese? Would really like to know the correct method. Is there a special order? Also having said the blessing for eating the avocado, do I need to say another for the olives, or is it covered with the first blessing. Thanks for any help that you can give me.

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Hi Rabbanim. Sorry for my ignorance but when making the blessing before drinking from a large water bottle, is it a "one and done" or do I then need to say the blessing again minutes/hours later taking another sip?  

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Is one permitted to pray directly to G-d in his own words for him/herself to have things s/he badly desires? Things like money, a luxurious lifestyle, a good spouse, healthy children, material possessions, etc. Is G-d likely to grant these wishes if one prays? Or is G-d more likely to deny these requests?