I will be posting the written outline to each discussion topic on a regular basis.
I have a nightly 45 min. slot for each topic-- which includes the time for questions, so the material is usually basic and to the point.
I distribute this list below to those who attend. The questions were culled from various sources. I do not address them in the numerical order listed here.
| Subject Next to each question: Indicate if you prefer text-based or open forum discussion | Don't Really Care | clueless but curious | Thunk about it once -twice | Been there done that | |
| Fundamental Questions: | | | | | |
| 1. What do we mean by G-d? | | | | | |
| 2. What is the Torah? | | | | | |
| 3. Why is the Torah so important? | | | | | |
| 4. How can we prove the existence of G-d? | | | | | |
| 5. How do we know that G-d created the world? | | | | | |
| 6. Does it make a difference if we believe in G-d? | | | | | |
| 7. Why do/don't we believe in the Theory of Evolution? | | | | | |
| 8. How do we know that G-d still runs the world? | | | | | |
| 9. What is a Jew and what is Judaism? | | | | | |
| 10. Why is there pain and suffering? | | | | | |
| 11. Why doesn't life/history seem to run more perfectly in line with Jewish beliefs? | | | | | |
| 12. How do we know the Tradition is authentic? | | | | | |
| 13. Why isn't there immediate reward and punishment? | | | | | |
| 14. What is the role of the Jewish woman, and are why are women different than men in Jewish life? | | | | | |
| 15. How do we know that the Torah is G-d given? | | | | | |
| 16. What is the Source of Jewish law? God or Man? | | | | | |
| 17. Are the Torah laws old-fashioned? | | | | | |
| 18. Why are there many separate branches of Judaism? | | | | | |
| 19. What is the rationale behind Shabbos and Yom Tov, | | | | | |
| 20. Why Tefillin, Tzitzis, Yarmulkah, and Mezuzah,....? | | | | | |
| 21. Why Kosher? | | | | | |
| 22. Are there rationales for the Mitzvos all together? | | | | | |
| 23. What is wrong with assimilation? | | | | | |
| 24. Why do Jews reject Jesus as a Messiah, Mohammad as the one true prophet, and L Ron Hubbard as the answer to getting our thetans to a higher level? | | | | | |
| Where is it written in the Torah… | | | | | |
| 1. That we have to get up in the morning to daven. | | | | | |
| 2. That we have to make brachos | | | | | |
| 3. That we have to learn Torah every day | | | | | |
| 4. That we can’t use curse words | | | | | |
| 5. That we can’t get drunk and use drugs | | | | | |
| 6. That we can’t have girlfriends | | | | | |
| 7. That we have to listen to Rabbis | | | | | |
| Specific Hashkafa Questions: | | | | | |
| 1. 1. How do we explain the bracha of שלא עשני אשה? | | | | | |
| 2. How does the concept of נשים דעתן קלות apply to the well-educated women of today? | | | | | |
| 3. Why do frum people seem to place more of an emphasis on mitzvos בין אדם למקום than בין אדם לחבירו? | | | | | |
| 4. Why do we care more about external appearances than sincerity? | | | | | |
| 5. How can we explain mitzvos like מחיית עמלק, קרבנות polygamy—which seem to defy our sense of morality? | | | | | |
| 6. If there is שבעים פנים לתורה where do we draw the line on legitimate Torah interpretation? | | | | | |
| 7. On what basis do you choose your Rav? Do you pick a rav based on your hashkafa or visa versa? Where does your upbringing fit in? | | | | | |
| 8. Why can't I just go after my feelings and not my intellect? | | | | | |
| 9. What's wrong with cremation? | | | | | |
| 10. Why do I feel that religion takes away my “private space”? | | | | | |
| 11. Why is Orthodox society so insular with its “ghetto mentality”? | | | | | |
| 12. Why is the goal to be a “Ben Torah” and not just a good observant Jew? | | | | | |
| 13. How do we relate to people who don't appreciate Torah learning for its own sake? | | | | | |
| 14. Why do chareidi people smoke? | | | | | |
| 15. Why does Judaism seem to deny normal pleasures and put up endless obstacles to enjoying everyday life? | | | | | |
| 16. Why are we obligated to do chesed to Jews and not non-Jews? | | | | | |
| 17. What should be encouraged more—learning or davening? | | | | | |
| 18. Addressing the college issue—is it so bad? | | | | | |
| 19. Why can't I listen to Goyish music? | | | | | |
| 20. Why is there such a strict dress code in the Yeshiva world? Where is there room for individualism? | | | | | |
| 21. Explain the difference between Gan Eden and Olam Habba. | | | | | |
| 22. How do I know whether to be a Yissachar or Zevuluun? | | | | | |
| 23. How can we change our attitude that Shabbos is too boring? | | | | | |
| 24. Why does there seem to be such a pull to not be observant? | | | | | |
| 25. How can I be expected to achieve total self-control of thoughts, speech, and action in light of being brought up in a free world open to “new experiences”? | | | | | |
| 26. What is the evidence for a Divine Oral Law? How can we explain the existence of rabbinic disputes? | | | | | |
| 27. Why is there free-will to do evil? | | | | | |
| 28. Why is there such an emphasis on intellect in Judaism? | | | | | |
| 29. What's a person with poor intellect supposed to do to avoid failure? | | | | | |
| 30. What will happen before, during and after Moshiach, resurrection, the war of Gog U'Magog? | | | | | |
| 31. What happens after we die regarding Gehinom, gilgulim and dibbukim? | | | | | |
| 32. Explain Malachim, the Satan, evil eye, and Sheidim | | | | | |
| 33. I try so hard to be good—why does Hashem punish me/make it so hard for me? | | | | | |
| 34. Explaining some of the Chukim: Pe'os, no razor shaving, shatnez | | | | | |
| 35. Why did Hashem create suffering/evil? Why couldn't He give us the same reward without making us suffer? | | | | | |
| 36. What can be said to someone who is dealing with a tragedy and questions God's goodness? | | | | | |
| 37. Why are we responsible for the mistakes made by our ancestors 2,000 years ago which brought about the exile? | | | | | |
| 38. What is our biggest guarantee for getting into Olam Habba? | | | | | |
Your Suggestions for this series—anything left out?
