Question
Dear Rabbi, Am I a bad Jew if I eat bacon, don't go to temple very often, actually only on the major holidays? I do celebrate Passover. Religion just isn't a very big part of my American Jewish life. Let me know, thanks!!

Question
I know Hashem is very loving and He loves me. Therefore, I don't think He will mind that I am not keeping the commandments. He knows that I am spiritual and love Him in ways that make sense and are meaningful to me, and that I am a good person. Isn't this enough? Thanks!

Question
My father-in-law died. I was never close to him, and he was sick in a nursing home for many years. My husband is sitting shiva now. I have tickets to a concert. He says he is okay with me going. Is it permitted for me to go to the concert with a friend while my husband is sitting shiva?

Question
Dear Rabbi, I am on an airplane now as I write this. I just got up to use the facilities. When I returned, my elderly mother had fallen asleep in the aisle seat with her head on my seat. It is a full flight with nowhere else to sit. I felt I had no choice but to wake her up. She was startled but not angry. Since she did not grant me permission in advance to wake her up, did I do the right thing? Much appreciation!

Question
I am on an airplane now as I’m writing this. I got up to use the lavatory and spent a while there. When I returned, my elderly mother I am traveling with fell asleep with her head on my seat. It is a full flight and there is nowhere else to sit. I had no choice but to wake her up out of a deep sleep. She was startled but is not angry about it now. She didn’t grant me permission in advance to wake her up. Did I do the right thing?

Question
I made a new friend who has exactly the same given name as my father. Is there any problem with me calling my friend by his name?

Question
Dear Rabbi I wanted to know if women should wash mayim achronim before bentching? If women are excempt can youl Please explain the reason so I can better understand it. If there's no reason why a women shouldn't do it I would love to beautify my mitzvah with this! -bli neder. I usually only wash my hands like netails yadaim bli bracha before bentching because of crumbs or oils my hand might have gathered while eating but I was curious if I should wash more mayim achronim like my bentcher indicates. I have no family minhag as I am a giyores. Also curious regarding not leaving any utensils in the table after eating (I know the reason is more than hygiene) is there's any special reason why people are so careful about this ? I am the mother of a sweet toddler who one day will ask me this question trying to learn more so I am equipped for when that happens Iy"H I learned all this back in seminary but it's been awhile I can't remember. Thank you in advance!   Thank you in advance! ☺️