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As Jews, we take for granted we are monotheists. But are there other things we do that violate the biblical prohibition against idolatry without us realizing? For example, is an obsession or an obsessive interest in something or someone considered idolatry? That being we enjoy something or someone so much that the subject occupies our thoughts most of the time to the point that we can’t get it out of our heads, and we are thinking about it throughout the day, even at times when we are supposed to be concentrating on something else.

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Must I atone for the sin of idol worship if I did it in my dream? I had a dream last night that I physically bowed down and prayed to some statues of deities and enjoyed doing so. I have no idea what triggered such a dream because it never crossed my mind to do this in real life. Did I sin by having this dream?

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Why is the name of God in plural ? אֱלֹהִ֑ים Genesis 1:1 בְּרֵאשִׁ֖ית בָּרָ֣א אֱלֹהִ֑ים אֵ֥ת הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וְאֵ֥ת הָאָֽרֶץ׃

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How do you explain to non jews what G-D is, if he´s not a person?

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Hebrew names: Please may I have a list of the names of the prophets in the Tanach, written in Hebrew, with vowels for easy pronunciation.

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Are we ever (under any given circumstances) allowed to communicate either in writing or by verbal speech --the term OMG? (Just to be sure and clarify-- OMG = "Oh My G-d." )  

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We are designing a Mikvah. Can it have a drain at the bottom of the pool? If so where does the water go to? ( Can't go into sewer system.) If not; how do we get the water out to clean the pool. I surely do not want to be the 14th person who bathes in the same water!! Is there an on line guide available?   Thanks, [name withheld]

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Shalom aleichem Rabbi Lauffer. Thank you for answering my last question. If one's bedsheets are filthy with old zerah stains, and they are dry but they smell a little, would it be permitted to learn Torah silently, and/or daven in the presence of these sheets? If not, are there any lenient opinions who say it is permitted? Thanks a lot.

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  GatewaysOnLine.com Rabbi Mordechai Becher   JBSTV (ch 138)   Gateways login: I heard R. Becher's presentation on the peculiarities of the Sanhedrin's minimum-of-23-judge court, on "Dimensions of the Daf", on JBS ch 138. I wrote to him just to say "hello", and to perhaps-pointlessly offer him a copy of "Whoever...".   Dear Rabbi Becher, I have only recently been watching JBS tv (ch 138) for a few minutes each day. I am not fond of Reform Judaism, but I like to see what others are thinking. This morning I saw your presentation on the peculiarities of Sanhedrin trials for capital crimes (e.g., automatic acquittal for a unanimous 23-judge conviction). I have not read the Talmud formally, and I wouldn't do that. But I keep it close, as a reference source, to which I have had to turn many times. The teachings of your presentation today, however, were thoroughly unfamiliar to me. I found your presentation to be gripping and, in that respect, effective, because I could not turn it off after 5-10 minutes, as I usually do with ch 138 programming. I would welcome your opinions of the brief sections, in my own book, which touch on the Covenant (i.e., with whom was it actually made?) and on B'reishis 16:1-12, especially 8-10, which deals with the 'wild ass' theory of the origin of Islam. My views on these passages, which are unpopular views, are succinctly stated in the 2 Appendices of my book 'Whoever You Thought You Were...You're A Jew!'; a book which shows the manner in which ancient Judaism gave rise to all the durable religions of the world today, whether such is obvious (as in the cases of Christianity or Islam) or hidden (as in cases such as Buddhism or Hinduism). I doubt you'll have the time or the willingness to do this, although I also know that you have the knowledge and the energy to do it, if the ruoch moves you to do so. If you would even consider reviewing my brief presentations on these two subjects, and showing me where I'm wrong (which opinion, on your part, I'd greatly respect), please send me a mailing address and I'll send you a book. Please do not feel pressured in any way; I am not popular, and there will be no benefit to you, other than the benefit of knowing that you have brought the weight of your knowledge to bear on behalf of a man who was headed in the wrong direction, and that you have changed that direction to a better one. Unless, of course, you opine that I'm not wrong. That would be very interesting.