Question
Hi Rabbi, I find the concept of “rest” on Shabbat confusing. Why is walking up eight flights of stairs in my high-rise building considered not “work,” but pushing an elevator button is yes considered work? Thanks for any insight.

Question
Dear Rabbi, every Friday I make Challah for Shabbat. But I have no idea why I braid the Challahs I make, other than that’s what everyone else does! Is there any significance to braiding Challah?
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Question
Shalom aleichem Rabbi Lauffer. Thank you for answering my last question. If a fly lands on one's piece of challah on Shabbos, would he be permitted to simply blow the fly off the challah, or otherwise shoo it away, or would this be prohibited as boreir. Thanks.

Question
Shalom. I named my daughter Isabella. In studying Hebrew, I have become concerned that her name does not mean what I had been told. I believed her name meant devoted to God. But I have since discovered that her name is the same as Jezebel איזבל I am getting several different interpretations of Jezebel, including island dwelling and the word dung -“zebul”. Is there another way to interpret her name, especially if I spell it in Hebrew differently using a shin? I have elementary Hebrew understanding at this point, but could not her name mean either “woman to God” or “salvation to God”? How would I spell it? אישהבעל או ישהבעל Also what alteration in meaning would occur to add ה to the end? One online translation interpreted Ishabela to mean “there is no God”! Which obviously I wish to avoid. Thank you!

Question
Hi, can you settle a debate I have been having with some of my friends? Is it permissible to 'light Shabbat candles' using electric bulbs? If so, would you be able to say the blessing? Thanks and Shabbat Shalom.