Question
Hi Rabbi, I hope you had a nice holiday! Ruth was certainly one of the most famous converts in Jewish history. She said, “Your people are my people.” But why did my Temple read the Book of Ruth a few days ago on Shavuot? What’s the connection? Thanks so much!

Question
Dear Rabbi, Supposedly, Shabbat is the most important holiday, more important than any Yom Tov. If that is the case, when Shabbat and Yom Tov coincide, why do we recite the liturgy of the Yom Tov Amidah with Shabbat additions and not the other way around? Why does the Torah reading for Yom Tov preempt the one that is read on a regular Shabbat?

Question
Why is Shavuot just a one-day holiday (two days Diaspora), whereas Passover and Sukkot are a full week? Besides the simple fact that the Torah says so, what is the actual reason only a single day is needed or designated for this celebration while the other Shalosh Regalim festivals get seven?

Question
Dear Rabbi, Is there any special mitzvah to be fulfilled on Shavuot like there are on other Jewish Festivals, such as eating matzah on Passover? Thank you and happy holiday!

Question
If one counts the omer by saying the count only in English (or another language) and not Hebrew, is the mitzvah still valid?

Question
If someone comes to me on Yom Kippur (or in general) and apologizes for any wrong they did, but I never held anything against them, do I still need to "forgive"? Would it be forgiveness if I never thought they offended/upset me? Someone apologized to me for venting to me/arguing with my points but I never once thought twice about it. Does a person need to apologize for such things if the other party isn't upset by it? On their behalf, is it right to always assume you need to apologize because "it's better to be safe that way"? I feel like that kind of thinking would eat away at them

Question
Dear Rabbi, When is Israel’s “Independence Day” this year? Also, what is it called in Hebrew and how is it celebrated? Thanks!