Could you please direct me to the reference of a story in the Talmud? The story is of the wayward son of a king. The king desires his son to return, yet the son says that he is too far away. The king replies that the son should go as far as he can and the father will meet him wherever he is. While watching the movie adaptation of C. Potok's book "The Chosen" this story was referenced. I liked the story and would like to read it for myself (if it is indeed included, movies unfortunately take many liberties) Judaism is not my faith tradition and I am unfamiliar with reading/studying the Talmud. I thank you for your kind assistance, Respectfully, Zachary Juniper

When frequenting public places such as restaurants, movies, concerts etc.., people are sometimes unaware that they are speaking in a loud voice that disturbs the privacy or decorum of the situation. How does one handle this situation without hurting the feelings of others?

I am a Christian and would like to start observing the Sabbath on the day it is (Saturday) instead of a pagan day on Sunday. What would a Gentile need to do to be in observance of the Sabbath. Would I need to follow the same rules as outlined for Jewish? One of our commandments is to keep the Sabbath holy and I just do not think going to church on Sunday (a pagan day) is somehow keeping the Sabbath holy. Thank you

An intermarried couple feel that they want to "say kaddish" for one another when the appropiate time comes...my question, can a Jewish person say kaddish for a non Jew, and conversely, can a non-Jew say kaddish for the jewish spouse?

I was born and baptized Lutheran, non-denominational Protestant in my 25 years in the Army, married and became a member of the Christian Church/Disciples of Christ, and for the past eight or nine years have been a Unitarian Universalist. I have a strong interest in learning about other religions and wondering why there is so much animosity toward people whose religion is different from one's own. My question is: Is there an accepted response among Jews to the evangelical Protestant Christians' interpretation of certain Old Testament (Jewish Bible) texts which are far removed from how Jews interpret these texts? It seems awfully arrogant to me for such Christians to say in effect that we know more about your religious texts than you do. I am thinking particularly of homosexuality, woman's place in marriage, etc.