Question
Dear Rabbi, every Friday I make Challah for Shabbat. But I have no idea why I braid the Challahs I make, other than that’s what everyone else does! Is there any significance to braiding Challah?

Question
Shalom. I named my daughter Isabella. In studying Hebrew, I have become concerned that her name does not mean what I had been told. I believed her name meant devoted to God. But I have since discovered that her name is the same as Jezebel איזבל I am getting several different interpretations of Jezebel, including island dwelling and the word dung -“zebul”. Is there another way to interpret her name, especially if I spell it in Hebrew differently using a shin? I have elementary Hebrew understanding at this point, but could not her name mean either “woman to God” or “salvation to God”? How would I spell it? אישהבעל או ישהבעל Also what alteration in meaning would occur to add ה to the end? One online translation interpreted Ishabela to mean “there is no God”! Which obviously I wish to avoid. Thank you!

Question
"If you make an altar of stones for me, do not build it with dressed stones, for you will defile it if you use a tool on it." (Shemot 20:25) So, how was the altar made?

Question
Rabbi, when I prayer in front of the Shabbos lights on Friday evening, I pray for the welfare of all my children and parents, etc. Do I mention their names using their mother's name or do I mention their father's name? Thank you.

Question
Shalom aleichem Rabbi Lauffer. If one has a havdalah candle holder with the words "borei me'orei ha'eish" written on it in Hebrew, would it be proper or improper to use it as a havdalah candle holder, considering wax from the dripping candle covers the letters and also wine gets on it? Thanks lot.

Question
I noticed that often after the name of a great Rabbi, the word "Shlita" is written. What does this mean? Thank you.

Question
I was reading an article in The Yeshiva World, and the word 'przitus' was used, and I didn't know what it meant. Would it be possible to have the word defined, if that is done here? Thank you for your attention to this note, and to any help you may give me.