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Dear Rabbi

Dear Rabbi

By: Menachem Lehrfield
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 Concise weekly answers to your questions about Judaism. If you are a wondering Jew, visit www.joidenver.com/dearrabbi to submit your own questions.Copyright Rabbi Menachem Lehrfield Judaism Spirituality
Episodes
  • What's the Point of Prayer If God Already Knows What I Need?

    What's the Point of Prayer If God Already Knows What I Need?
    Dec 10 2025
    🎧 Listen to this and other episodes at www.joidenver.com/podcasts

    In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I tackle a fundamental question about prayer: What's the point if God already knows what I need? Are we trying to change God's mind? The answer reveals that prayer is far more sophisticated than simply presenting God with an Amazon wish list.

    I explain that God already knows what we need, and if He's determined something isn't good for us, no amount of asking will change that - just like a parent won't give a three-year-old a knife no matter how much they beg, because it's dangerous. However, prayer works differently with a ten-year-old asking for a knife - the answer becomes "it depends" based on their intention and maturity.

    Through a humorous example about asking for a Lamborghini "to help old ladies," I demonstrate how prayer forces us to clarify what we truly want and why we want it. When we have to justify our requests, we often realize our real motivations - ego, status, or selfish desires - versus genuine needs. This self-examination is one of prayer's primary purposes.

    Additionally, prayer reminds us that God is the only one who can truly provide what we need. Using a rabbi joke about asking for a burger at a library, I illustrate that asking someone for something implies believing they can give it to you. Prayer accomplishes two crucial things: clarifying what we want and why, and reminding ourselves that God is the ultimate source of everything we need.

    Keep the questions coming! If you have a burning question about Judaism,
    Please email us at Dearrabbi@Joidenver.com📧

    Tune in to Dear Rabbi and uncover the wisdom behind Jewish customs and laws. 🎙️🌟
    Follow us for more:
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    Subscribe to "JOI to the World" to access all our podcasts, including Yada Yada Yiddish, Kids Say the Deepest Things, Reconnect, and Dear Rabbi.

    Join us as we uncover the treasures in our backyard and explore what makes the Jewish people extraordinary! 🕎📚🎙️
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    4 mins
  • Do Jews Believe in Soulmates?

    Do Jews Believe in Soulmates?
    Nov 26 2025
    🎧 Listen to this and other episodes at www.joidenver.com/podcasts

    In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I explore whether Judaism believes in the concept of soulmates and explain the fascinating Jewish teaching of "bashert", the idea of a predestined partner. If you've ever wondered whether there's one perfect person out there for you, or how Jewish tradition views romantic destiny, this episode will provide profound insights that challenge modern assumptions about finding "the one."

    I explain that in Judaism, there is indeed a concept known as bashert, which means "predestined" or "meant to be." According to Jewish tradition, we're taught that before a child is even born - right after conception - a heavenly voice announces that this person is meant to be with that person. This suggests a divine plan for partnership that exists from the very beginning of our existence.

    But here's where Jewish wisdom adds a crucial twist to the popular soulmate narrative: Does the existence of a bashert mean you'll automatically find that soulmate? Not necessarily. And more importantly, Judaism places far more emphasis not on finding the soulmate, but on being the soulmate. This is a profound shift in perspective that transforms the entire approach to relationships and marriage.

    What does it mean to "be the soulmate" rather than just "find the soulmate"? It means we spend more effort on becoming the right partner and becoming the right person, instead of passively searching for the right person. This isn't a passive act of waiting for destiny to deliver your perfect match. It requires active self-improvement, character development, and preparation for partnership.

    Keep the questions coming! If you have a burning question about Judaism,
    Please email us at Dearrabbi@Joidenver.com📧

    Tune in to Dear Rabbi and uncover the wisdom behind Jewish customs and laws. 🎙️🌟
    Follow us for more:
    Website - https://www.joidenver.com
    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/joidenver
    Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/JOIdenver
    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/JOIdenver
    Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/jewishdiy

    Subscribe to "JOI to the World" to access all our podcasts, including Yada Yada Yiddish, Kids Say the Deepest Things, Reconnect, and Dear Rabbi.

    Join us as we uncover the treasures in our backyard and explore what makes the Jewish people extraordinary! 🕎📚🎙️
    Show More Show Less
    2 mins
  • If God Knows Everything, Do I Really Have Free Will? The Rambam's Question Part 2

    If God Knows Everything, Do I Really Have Free Will? The Rambam's Question Part 2
    Nov 19 2025
    🎧 Listen to this and other episodes at www.joidenver.com/podcasts.

    In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I continue from last week's discussion about free will and divine knowledge. Last week, I explained that just because God knows what you're going to choose doesn't stop you from making that choice - similar to how knowing someone's past actions doesn't negate that they made those choices freely. But this week, I tackle the Rambam's (Maimonides') question, which sounds identical but is actually profoundly different and much deeper.

    The Rambam's answer is both humble and profound: "Know that the answer to this question is longer than the earth and broader than the sea." In other words, we cannot fully comprehend the answer to this question. But to understand why this question is so much deeper than last week's, I explain a critical point the Rambam makes elsewhere in the same chapter.

    This episode covers the Rambam's formulation of the free will paradox, the fundamental difference between divine and human knowledge, why God's knowledge becoming part of His essence creates a deeper problem, the concept of divine unity and simplicity, why this question is "longer than the earth and broader than the sea," and what it means to hold seemingly contradictory truths in Judaism.

    Keep the questions coming! If you have a burning question about Judaism,
    Please email us at Dearrabbi@Joidenver.com📧

    Tune in to Dear Rabbi and uncover the wisdom behind Jewish customs and laws. 🎙️🌟
    Follow us for more:
    Website - https://www.joidenver.com
    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/joidenver
    Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/JOIdenver
    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/JOIdenver
    Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/jewishdiy

    Subscribe to "JOI to the World" to access all our podcasts, including Yada Yada Yiddish, Kids Say the Deepest Things, Reconnect, and Dear Rabbi.

    Join us as we uncover the treasures in our backyard and explore what makes the Jewish people extraordinary! 🕎📚🎙️
    Show More Show Less
    3 mins
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