Question
I’ve heard baking Shabbat challah is a mitzvah reserved for women. Can a man fulfill the mitzvah instead? I know how to do it better than my wife does, and I enjoy it much better and have more spare time. My wife prefers when I do it.

Question
Dear Rabbi, Why does Shabbat begin on Friday evening instead of at midnight? Thank you

Question
I am interested in becoming more religious as a Jew. I like almost everything about Orthodox Judaism. But there is one thing I can’t get myself to do. I know that orthodox women wear skirts all the time. Supposedly it is about modesty. But I can’t see myself wearing skirts daily or even occasionally. The irony is I feel immodest to the point of feeling naked whenever I wear a skirt or dress. I feel paranoid that men might be looking under my skirt, no matter how long it is. I just feel so unsafe. I don’t have these worries when I wear pants. I want to become orthodox and be accepted by the orthodox community. But I fear this might be a barrier. Can I still be orthodox even if I wear pants if I do everything else orthodox women do? Can I go to an orthodox synagogue? Can I take part in gatherings in the orthodox community?

Question
Dear Rabbi, I was watching news about Israel and some young men with long, thick sideburns were being interviewed. Is this a fashion statement or is there an authentic Jewish reason for it? Thanks

Question
Is it okay to pay my teenager’s salary anonymously in order to help her get hired for a job at a Jewish summer camp that can’t afford her salary? It would be good career experience, a boost in confidence, and provide a Jewish atmosphere she is otherwise lacking. The camp director promised to keep my sponsorship a secret. Thanks!

Question
What is the Jewish view of laziness? Does G-d abhor laziness? To be honest, I am a very lazy person myself. In my heart, I wish I could fulfill a lot more mitzvot than I really do. But I don’t because I find myself too lazy, simply lacking the physical and mental energy. I am too lazy to go to synagogue most of the time, too lazy to daven by the deadline or sometimes at all, too lazy to bensch after meals, too lazy to study as much Torah as I wish I could. I know many other religions consider laziness a serious sin. In their views, I would be a terrible sinner.

Question
Is it compulsory for every converted Jew to follow the ten commandments?

Question
There is a large mall where I live in which one of the store spaces is rented by and used as a church on Sunday. All the shops in the mall share the same roof as this church. Is it a problem entering this mall?