Question
Is there a belief in predestination in Judaism, i.e. was Joseph predestined to go Egypt? A related question would then be did God arrange all the events of Joseph’s life or did God just take advantage of events that took place?

Question
Is there a belief in predestination (not Calvinism) in Judaism? For example, was Joseph predestined to go Egypt? A related question is: Did God arrange all the events of Joseph life or did God just take advantage of the events that took place?

Question
I have a question. There´s this claim of prophecy by the a certain person I read about who lived in the 1900s in India. What is Judaism's stance on prophecy during this period, and also about prophecy nowadays for that matter?

Question
I heard someone advise a student at my university that they can say, "I will study five Torah verses this week if You, God, give me an "A" on an exam." Is someone allowed to say this? If it is allowed, why is it not considered testing G-d? Thanks a lot!  

Question
If we believe that God runs the world and that He knows everything, then how is it possible that I have the bechira (free will) to choose "good" or "bad", "right" or "wrong"? He already knows what I will choose, and that seems like it's predetermined - right? Thanks.

Question
My father is not Jewish. He believes in afterlife, creation, and existence of God. But he doesn't believe the control of God of this world. He thinks that God doesn't intervene this worldly matter. And I know that this is very similar to the philosophy of Amalek. Even though he has no single intention to destroy the Jewish People, his worldview is similar to that of Amalek. I also know that we have obligation to destroy Amalek. Do I have to consider my father to be an enemy of Hashem?

Question
A relative was a farmer. I'm a city boy and never really got what he did except for enjoying the great food that he produced! I was wondering what significance Judaism places on agriculture - besides the food. By the way, my relative lived simply by my standards, but was certainly very happy and righteous. Thank you.

Question
Why doesn’t God perform “open miracles” for us today the way He did in the days of Moses? I’ve heard that He indirectly performs miracles (saving us from the destruction of our nation in the Spanish inquisition and the Holocaust, the establishment of the State of Israel, the Six-Day War...) but if He really wants us to follow His commandments why doesn’t He simply come and tell us that He’s still around?

Question
Dear Rabbi, when was the first rain? Did rain begin falling only during Noah's time? Was the mist mentioned in Gen. 2:6 “And a mist ascended from the earth and watered the entire surface of the ground” (Gen. 2:6) the only watering agent until the flood in Noah's days? Thanks.