Ask Hashem -Topics

Ask Hashem – Topics

ABUSE

In regard to the specific punishment for abuse, how does Hashem differ?
What occurs if (chas v’shalom) a husband is abusive?
Does a man pardon the inflicting of pain?
Yaakov was punished (Dinah was abused). Why?

ANIMALS

We know it’s forbidden to live with an animal. Why is the animal stoned?
Does an animal see more than man; if yes, why?
Is degrading an animal punishable?
Hashem made the dog in such a way that food remains for a while in its intestines. Why?
How was Chom afflicted?
How concerned is Hashem for animals?
What kal vachomer shows that Hashem does not cause an offence to be committed by the tzadik’s animal?

BEIS HAMIKDOSH

How horrific is the power of shaming someone?
What appalling ‘event’ occurred (involving a man who set his eyes on his master’s wife) leading to the destruction of the Beis HaMikdosh?
When is Hashem in His Holy Temple?

COMFORTING

Two of Aharon’s children are killed. They were tzadikim. How does Moshe console Aharon?
How does the Gadol Hador, his brother, Moshe Rabbeinu comfort him…what does he say?
Now how is this proven that they (Nadav and Avihu) are greater (than Moshe and Aharon)?
A tragedy can (chas v’shalom) happen. Why must a person allow himself to be consoled?

DEPARTING

What are the seven stages of judgment man experiences when departing from this world?
What occurs thirty days prior to one’s demise?
At the time when one goes to ‘that world’ what does he see?
What occurs during the first three days?
What happens after these three days?
What happens with the soul during the seven days?
What happens during the thirty days?
What happens during the twelve months?
Do the dead speak with each other?
What does our forefather Yaakov mean, “This time I will die?”
If a woman’s father and husband both say, “Bury her by me,” by who is she buried?

DEPRESSION

Did you ever meet someone and realize that no matter what you say, it will be rejected, even when it is obviously for his or her benefit?

DIN/ACCOUNTABILITY

What must render an account?
Who did Moshe say was the cause to not enter Israel?
In a murder that had no witnesses, how does Hashem bring about justice?
What is a benefit of one who admits his transgressions and abandons them?
How great is visiting someone ill?
What is one of the ways to be spared from the judgment of Gehinom?
What is granted for pronouncing the letters of Shema distinctly?
What is a benefit for shearing off from one’s property and giving tzedakah?
Is there a rule about someone getting hurt?
What informs us that one who is poor today may not be so tomorrow?
Sometimes something ‘really bad’ happens. Is it possible that (retrospectively) this is wonderful?
What stands for you on the day of the great judgment?
Do more die due to negligence or due to the hands of Heaven?
Concerning three transgressions, women die at childbirth, why?
Through which do more die the evil eye or natural causes?
How is Hashem strict with both the tzadikim and the wicked?
When Hashem brings an epidemic into the world, why are those of legitimate descent killed?
Dogs were lapping up a dead man’s blood. Why did a Rabbi decide to leave it this way?
What precedes a man in the world to come/on the Day of Judgment?
Why did this Arab’s teeth fall out?
Why was this woman so punished?
Why did Bar Haddaya mete such a punishment?
What would come to the person who controls his anger?

EMUNAH/BITACHON (BELIEF/TRUST)

What is the result of trusting in Hashem?
If someone sinned, what is the (in) correct response?
If we don’t understand and just believe, is there a benefit?

FEAR OF HEAVEN

One who is very learned and not God fearing, what does he have?
What does Hashem give to a man who is God fearing?
Whose words are heard?
What is man’s (true) treasure?
Which way is a person lead?
Is sin and fear related?
It is understandable; one who wants to be purified is assisted. Why though if someone wants to become defiled are the doors open?
Can a person be killed without a Heavenly decree upon him?

INCOME

Who is one’s income directly from?
If someone spends extra for Shabbos, is this amount deducted from what was fixed for him from Rosh Hashanah?
A Roman matron asked, what has God been doing since creation?
Besides one’s sustenance, what else is allocated to him from Rosh Hashanah?
What caused the rain to stop/to come down?
Have you ever seen a beast or a bird that has a trade?
What is the best attribute Hashem gave to Yisrael?
What may occur to a person, if not then to his son, and if not, then to his grandson, that requires him to pray for mercy?
Why did this Rabbi (R. Nehorai) discard every trade in the world and teach only Torah to his son?

MIDOS/ATTRIBUTES

What is the connection between having (and not having) compassion for God’s creatures?
What effect can compassion have?
What does humility lead to?
What does Hashem say concerning one who is haughty?
Who is not accepted, even by his own family?
What is the haughty person’s end?
What happens if a Torah scholar behaves haughtily?
Can a source be cited showing what happened to a wise person who was haughty?
If someone stole a perutah, what is this akin to?
How many people does the person who speaks with an evil tongue kill?
Who does Hashem not desire?
What removes a person from the world?
Which ‘lie’ is not forbidden?
The brothers of Yoseph told him that their father (Yaakov) said something. Yaakov never said that! How did they make up such a story?
How obligated is it to refrain from publicly embarrassing someone?
If someone can ask for mercy on behalf of another, and does not, what is he called?
If someone raises his hand to hit someone, but he didn’t hit him, what is he called?
Who is a pious fool?
If someone says, he is cursed and therefore wants to curse someone else, what source shows that he is wrong?
What kal vachomer from a stone teaches not to shame your fellow man?
What’s good advice for someone who wants to cling to the love of his friend?
Should a man offer him many gifts when he knows that his friend will not accept them?
How important is it to restrain oneself during an argument?
What does uncouth speech cause?
How did this Rav cope with his tormenting wife?
What does inflicting excessive fear upon one’s household lead to?
Must a person be beyond reproach with his fellow man?
What factor must be present for an object to have a blessing?
Even if the Torah had not been given, what would we have learned from the cat, the ant, the dove and the rooster?
Why did Hashem say, I swear, you (Moshe) shall be the shepherd of My sheep, Yisrael.”
Which midah (attribute) deters to covet?
I can understand loving one that rebukes you, but why hate the one who honors you?
What is a positive way to give rebuke?
Should one rejoice if he victors over another?
How should you view how you and your friend treat each other?
Why is it so important to be humble?
Is it a ‘natural phenomenon’ that we find consolation in our misfortune, when the same misfortune or a greater one has befallen another person?

MIRACLES

Why did this Rabbi prefer not to have a Purim seudah again with the same Rabbi?
If a miracle happens to someone, can anything be negative about this?
Even after He did miracles for them, did Yisrael anger Hashem?

MITZVOS VS. AVEIROS (TRANSGRESSIONS)

If two people perform the same apparent act, can just one be described negatively?
In what respect could a transgression be greater than a mitzvah?
What is the correct attitude one should have when performing a mitzvah?
Which iniquity caused the famine in Israel?
Hashem swore to Avraham that because he did something, He will save Yisrael from thejudgment of Gehinom. What was Avraham’s meritorious deed?
How severe is committing a transgression four times?
What is the purpose of the mitzvos?
Regarding pig, should one say I loathe it…what then?
What happens with the mitzvah/transgression that one did in this world?
What is performing a mitzvah nearing one’s end comparable to?
What does doing a mitzvah/transgression lead to?
What are the different results of accepting mitzvos with joy versus contentiousness?
There are mitzvos Jews gave their lives for and for which they did not give their lives. What are the different results?
How did Tzitzis save this person from a great transgression?
Shabbos is one-sixtieth of what?
Which mitzvah ‘stands out’ against all the rest of the mitzvos?
If someone repeats his transgression, does it become permitted?
Which transgression was more severe (concerning how many were killed), lewdness or the (golden) calf?
If a person sees that his evil inclination is overtaking him, what should he do?
Which is the worse of the two, to transgress in secret or to desecrate the name of Heaven in public?
The evil inclination seeks to kill the man. How does he survive?
When shouldn’t a person discard the good/bad from his mind?
What partitions did Hashem place to distance man from transgression?
In which respect is a fast greater than tzedakah?
Moshe did so many mitzvos. Why did Hashem seek to kill him?
Sometimes a person can ‘feel detached’ from Hashem. What may cause this?
What illustrates why it is sinful to cause oneself pain?
Why does Hashem first say: “You shall surely smite the inhabitants of that city” and afterwards,“And show you mercy and have compassion upon you and multiply you?”
If one is so intent to commit a transgression, is it possible he will gullibly have a conversation with an animal?
Does Yisrael lose their name if they sinned?

PEOPLE

What is hidden from people?
How great is human dignity?
May it be known from a eulogy if the future world is his?
How should one see his fellow man’s money?
What occurs if someone passes a case against another to Hashem?
Why should one always cleave to good people?
Who do most sons resemble?

PRAYER

Regarding the prayer of tzadikim, what ‘change’ occurs?
How are (acts of) loving kindness and one’s prayer related?
Why were our forefathers infertile?
Where should a person pray?
Until what point should one not refrain from praying for mercy?
Through the merit of the Torah, Hashem hears one’s prayer, how will this vary in the future?
When praying, what is one of the things you need to know?
How much does prayer do?
Which prayer does not return empty?
What is the connection between praying and one’s enemies?
If someone’s prayers have gone unanswered, what should be done?
When is a prayer answered?
What tears up a heavenly decree?
What praise is given to Yisrael answering ‘amen?’
If someone has a bad dream, etc. what is one of the things he should do?
When the Beis HaMikdosh was destroyed, which gates closed, which were not?
Whose prayer is not answered?
What is said concerning one who prays for peace?
If someone has a sick person in his house (chas v’shalom), what action should he take?
The Rabbis prayed for mercy concerning Rabbi Yochanan, who then died. What lead up to this?
Concerning prayer, why must one’s heart be free of arrogance?
Why is one person’s prayer answered, the other not?
Has prayer helped infertility?
What was this Rabbi’s prayer that his wife should live?
Do we ever find that someone prayed for someone to die?
How did this Rabbi (Rava) conclude his prayer?
Why doesn’t Hashem tell us the reward for each mitzvah?

REWARD/RETRIBUTION

Should one want an immediate reward for performing a mitzvah?
What happens to one who was presented with a forbidden relation and was saved from it?
What kal vachomer illustrates the reward for abstaining from robbery and forbidden relations?
What is given for performing the very ‘lightest’ of the mitzvos?
Could the monetary cost of performing a mitzvah be indicative as to its reward?
What does Hashem do when one guards himself three times from a transgression?
When does Hashem reward the heathens for performing mitzvos?
What does a person receive for visiting the sick?
Regarding punishment, what connection is there between affliction and labor (forbidden work)?
What connection is there between Hashem bringing retribution upon an idolatrous nation and Israel?
Where (when) are punishments exacted and rewards received?
What causes one’s property to be given to the government?
What does pretending to be lame or blind bring about?
What causes the eclipse of the sun?
What (chas v’shalom) could happen if one starts with (the performance of) a mitzvah and does not complete it?
What may cause poverty to one’s children?
How is one punished for causing someone else to be punished on his account?
Why must the leper dwell alone; outside of the camp?
Why is the punishment for a scholar whose garment has a stain so severe?
A Torah scholar who belittles himself (in certain situations) may be severely punished. Why?
What is the punishment for transgressing the words of the Sages?
What difference is there between engaging in the work of Heaven, etc. for their own sake or not?
Why must one avoid not benefiting Torah scholars from his property?
The Rabbis commanded washing hands [before a meal]. If someone belittles this, what (chas v’shalom) can occur?
What is the retribution for a talmid chachom who abandons the Torah?
If someone is on a high level of Torah learning and good deeds, intentionally gazes upon a woman, is this taken into onsideration?
If someone sins and causes the masses to sin, what is his punishment?
If someone departs from Torah, what occurs?
If someone has an ‘unpalatable’ nickname, is it okay to call him this way?
What does Hashem do before bringing tribulation?
If something is not justifiable before men, would Hashem punish him anyways?
Which obtains more blessings, giving a perutah (small coin) to a poor person or addressing words of comfort to him?
By what virtue did the wealthy of Eretz Yisrael merit their wealth?
What does Hashem give to someone who delights in Shabbos?
Will Hashem pay a reward for learning Torah out of grief?
What happens if someone accepts/removes the yoke of Torah?
What occurs when one learns Torah out of poverty; doesn’t learn Torah out of wealth?
Where does rain never cease, why?
How quickly does retribution come to adulterers?
The iniquity of lewdness causes what punishment?
What happens from heaven to someone who is angry?
What types of punishment befall the angry person?
What occurs to the person who mocks?
What does Hashem say about one who speaks slander?
On whose merit does benefit come into the world?
Why did the nations deserve destruction, while we are remaining alive?”
Is yours yours?
What effect does causing the multitudes to be righteous have?
Is it okay when a family member is sinning not to do anything?
If (purely) for the sake of Heaven one rebukes his fellow man, what does he merit?
What is the end of someone who conducts himself in innocence?
What does one merit that sees a lewd matter and does not excite his eye from it?
What is the result for someone who forgoes an injustice committed against him?
What is the work of a man’s hands?
What punishments result due to baseless hatred?
What is the retribution for talking obscenely?
What are the results for someone who transmits himself to sin?
In consequence of what is the property of householders confiscated?
Which seven things cause plagues?
When will reward be received and punishment exacted?
Why did (some of) Yisro’s descendants merit to sit in the Sanhedrin?
Why did Hashem double Iyov’s reward?
Does accepting punishment with joy carry a reward?
How far (when needed) does speaking good about someone go?
It two people perform the same mitzvah, and for one it was more difficult to carry out, do they have the same reward?
Which is the way to the studying of Torah?
What is Hashem’s intention by saying, “When Yisrael sees that I have exiled the nations of the world…?
Which three wane one’s strength?
Since the reward for a mitzvah is so great that it is rewarded in the next world, how is it, if
someone is wicked and performs a mitzvah, he is rewarded in this world?
What curse is this that the serpent was cursed? “And earth you will eat all the days of your life”? This is a blessing that his sustenance exists for him everywhere!

TZADIKIM/TALMIDEI CHACHOMIM (RIGHTEOUS/TORAH SCHOLARS)

Are tzadikim recognized between the nations?
The majority of tzadikim die of what?
What ‘happens’ when Hashem takes the souls of tzadikim?
Isn’t it ‘difficult’ for Hashem to decree death over the tzadikim?
Concerning who is this said: “prepare a place for so and so who will be coming here?”
What has no power over the scholars?
Why do scholars die untimely?
Who (is one that) has no healing from his wound?
Who is it fitting to bury alive?
What is the end of someone who chides Torah scholars?
What happens to a Torah scholar who does not stand before his Rabbi?
Why is it wrong for any Torah scholar to feast excessively?
What is someone who is occupied with Torah but does not observe loving kindness akin to?
How far should one be willing to go monetarily, to marry off his daughter to a Torah scholar?
The day when Ruth the Moabite came to Eretz Yisrael, the wife of Boaz died. What adage is said concerning this?

TECHIYAS HAMEISIM (RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD)

What will Tzadikim do at Techiyas HaMeisim?
Since Hashem resurrects, certainly He heals. What is this referring to?
If a person was physically impaired when he died, by Techiyas HaMeisim he returns the same way and is cured afterwards. Why?
Why did Yaakov refuse to be comforted?
Who merits Techiyas HaMeisim?
By which husband is a twice-married woman buried?
At the resurrection of the dead, if a woman had several husbands, with whom will she be?
What is the Zohar’s position, regarding a woman who was married to two men? Which one is she with by the resurrection of the dead?
Reuven marries and dies soon afterwards. He left a son who lived a long life. At the resurrection (of the dead) who stands up for the other?

TESHUVAH/REPENTANCE

If Jews were wicked at Rosh Hashanah and afterwards repented, could this bring about a change?
How far does Hashem go for the repentant?
What is an illustration of Hashem accepting the repentance of a wicked person?
Whose death (by name) atoned for many sins?
What occurs for mourning over an upright person?
What happens if a person is embarrassed over the transgression he did?
What atones for a person now?
For what is someone who keeps Shabbos with its halachos forgiven?
What type of ‘bribery’ does Hashem take?
What effect does responding, ‘Amen, May His great Name be blessed,’ have?
How great is repentance?
What nullifies a severe decree?
What brings healing to the world?
What proved that the men of Nineveh turned from their evil way?
If someone was completely righteous all his life and rebelled or the reverse, what happens?
Why does Hashem show forbearance with the wicked?
If someone (chas v’shalom) profanes Hashem’s Name, what four occur?
What constitutes profanation of the Name?
Someone who is executed at the hand of Heaven (not through court-administered execution), what atones for their sins?
Why did this Rav go to someone who sinned against him?
What is the difference between repenting through love or fear?
What effect does repentance have on one’s life?
We are told, “Repent one day before your death.” Does a person know the day on which he will die?
If one was wicked throughout his life and finally repented, what is said concerning him?
What are a person’s advocates?
Which (types of) atonement requires repentance as well?
If someone hurts you, how should you correctly view this?
What is the logic behind the following: If one submitted his son to “Molech,” the father is killed, but if he submitted all of his sons to Molech, he is exempt?!
How is it that the doors of repentance were locked before Pharaoh? The gates of repentance are usually not locked even for the greatest sinner?
In what situation does getting bruised atone like a burnt-offering?

TESTS

Is one required to thank Hashem (even) for a difficult measure that was meted out?
How is it possible for someone whose sustenance is scanty or has other hardships to be happy?
What is a reason why a person is tested?

TORAH

Should a person be occupied with Torah even if it is not for its own sake?
What is granted to an unlearned person who (causes his) son to learn Torah and mishnah?
It was (certainly) known to Hashem that the nations will not accept the Torah. Why did Hashem offer the Torah to them?
From which paths does the study of Torah direct?
Why does the world exist?
Is there a remedy for the evil inclination?
What does Hashem do for one who grieves himself in this world and is occupied in (the study of) Torah at night?
How are matters of Torah maintained?
Is the day of death better than the day of one’s birth?
What is a difference between the protection of a mitzvah and of Torah?
Does everything in the Torah stem from Hashem?
What does Hashem seek when people are idle from the Torah?
By who is the Torah maintained?
Why are the words of Torah, concerning Hashem, more beloved than everything that has come into the world, and from everything that He created in the world?
Why was Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi crying when he was ill?
What is the purpose of (Torah) wisdom?
What is one of the reasons to be cautious concerning the children of the poor?
Were we to ask the most intelligent person in the world, “For what purpose was the sun created?”
What does Hashem mean, I sold My Torah to you; it is as if I was sold with it?
Out of all the (eight) creeping things that are unclean, the Torah did not want to make the serpent unclean in contact with it! Why?
Man is busy, what’s the proper attitude to adapt so he can learn?

TZADIKIM VS. RESHAIM (THE RIGHTEOUS VS. THE WICKED)

If a tzadik does Hashem’s will, what happens?
The soul of a tzadik equals to what?
How is he who leads a strictly righteous life [on earth] below judged above?
Who can nullify a decree from Hashem?
When a great person is dying and in pain, how does he relate to Hashem?
Why were these tzadikim killed?
Why were these Rabbis crying, yet Rabbi Akiva was joyful?
What are tzadikim/wicked people compared to in this world?
How are the wicked when they are in grief versus when they are ‘comfortable’?
Regarding the wicked, what ‘change’ occurs?
Who is an epikoros?
What type of person ‘asks’ and doesn’t want an answer?

TZEDAKAH/GEMILAS CHASODIM (CHARITY/ LOVING KINDNESS)

What ‘change’ occurs by giving to the poor?
What may cause someone to die?
If someone gives tzedakah in order to merit the world to come, how is this viewed?
Is it a merit if one who is wicked gives tzedakah?
What is attained by pursuing tzedakah?
In the next world, what opens the gates?
What saves from an unusual death?
What does one who is accustomed to tzedakah merit?
How great is tzedakah?
What saves a person from the way of death?
Which is greater, tzedakah or bringing sacrifices?
How severe is turning away from the obligation of giving tzedakah?
What corresponds equally to all the mitzvos of the Torah?
Turnusrufus the wicked asked Rabbi Akiva: If your God loves the poor, for what reason does He not support them Himself?
What saves from death?
If one sees his sustenance is limited, what should he do?
What’s the best method of giving tzedakah?
Why is the foot of the letter gimmel stretched toward the letter daled?
Which is greater, extending a loan or placing money into a partnership with someone needy?
Which pertains to more, tzedakah or acts of loving kindness (chesed)?
What saves from the angel of death?
What is one who discards (acts of) loving kindness akin to?
Can leaving this world ‘before one’s time’ be considered loving kindness?
A man came to eat by a Rabbi and said his meals consist of fat chicken and old wine. What did the Rabbi do?
Do we ever see that (in a certain respect), hospitality toward guests is as great as rising early to go to the beis midrash?
Generally, if a person is ill, is there any loving kindness in this?

WORLD TO COME

Who is destined for the world to come?
If a person has Torah and good deeds, is he always assured a share in the world to come?
Who has a portion in the world to come?
What is a merit for answering amen?
What is one way to be assured of the world to come?
What is assured for saying a Tehillah to Dovid (Tehillim 145) three times daily?
Can there be an advantage when one’s money is taken away?
What will happen the year in which the King Moshiach is revealed?
Who desires to leave this world?
How vitally important is it to observe the Torah in joy?