Question
Shalom: My question involves the penalty for a serious false accusation made by a Jewish woman against a Jewish man. A woman spreads the accusation among Jews that a man, a. attempted to rape her, or b. attempted to sexually seduce her. Either accusation is a Lie, complete Sheker. What is the penalty or punishment to the woman for either of these Lies. Would the man bring this woman to a Beth Din? Yechiel B.

Question
Hello rabbi(s). It is me again. For the last two and a half years, I've been very very drawn to the nation of Israel and the Torah and God. I've even kind of tried to convert to become a Jew several times (but that never went through). As of yet I just keep the seven commandments for the descendants of Noach. I also know that my mother's mother is Italian, and both her father and mother's side (my grandmother's mother is from a town near Rome) have Jewish DNA, according to my grandmother's DNA test. (My father is definitely Jewish, however.) What is your tradition/advice regarding this (ascertaining one being Jewish or not)? Thank you and may God bless you.

Question
I come from Jewish and German heritage, and I've always found myself to be lost when it comes to talking about my family's culture. On my dad's side of the family, my great-great grandfather is descended from Jews. He was not a practicing Jew and neither were his children or grandchildren, but was descended from and was related to other Jewish people. I feel like I don't have the right to say that I'm Jewish, despite having that heritage. I have thought about converting as an adult but I don't know how to go about it. I would like advice as to what to do and how I should go about converting and celebrating my heritage.

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Hi, I wanted to hear the Rav's opinion on what should be the reason that a hashkafically solid person wants to get married. And how do we know if our motivation to do so is aligned with the Torah? Thank you

Question
I have just moved to a new city for a professional opportunity and joined a congregation that apparently hired its young rabbi very recently. I heard that he only got his ordination this past spring. I know for sure he is single. I have attended services several times and I have an extreme crush on him! So much that the very thought of him is interfering with me having kavana during my davening. But I feel I cannot approach him directly and talk about my attraction to him. I don’t know whether or not he is ‘in the market’ And I am too shy to dare initiate a conversation with him myself. He greets me briefly most of the time I see him, but not any differently than he greets other women here. The way he does, it seems like he’s doing it more like it’s a job to him than a social experience. Any suggestions on how I can approach this situation?

Question
I’m in an awkward unexpected position. I am scheduled to be the maid of honor at the wedding of my best friend since elementary school who is not Jewish. Even though we are different religions, we consider each other to be sisters. She made a point of scheduling the wedding on Saturday night after Shabbat ends so I can be there. It is going to be a civil ceremony. I am all ready for this wedding, having bought a dress and had my name printed on a program all at the nonrefundable cost of hundreds of dollars paid by her parents. She is looking forward so much to having me in that role. Just this past week, I learned to my surprise that the man she is marrying, who I have met infrequently because of his busy work schedule, is actually a Jew according to Jewish law, even though he doesn’t consider himself one. I found out by accident that his mother is a Jew who was brought up Jewish and converted to Catholicism when she married his father. His immediate family actually practices very little religion at all and he considers himself an atheist. In other words, this wedding is an intermarriage. I never would have guessed he was Jewish because he doesn’t have a Jewish name or looks. They way I found out is I attended a party held by his family and was surprised to see other Orthodox Jews there. One of them told me she is his cousin and explained how they are related. Not just that, but she says she will be at the wedding and doesn’t mind attending and they are getting kosher food for her too. What am I supposed to do here? Can I still go to this wedding? What should I tell my friend?