Reviewing: “Ask the Rabbi Volume 2” by Rabbi Chaim Mintz. Mesorah Publications Ltd. 2024. Hardcover. 404 pages. ISBN-13: 978-1422640340.
In the introduction to the second volume of Ask the Rabbi, Rabbi Chaim Mintz, founder of the kiruv organization, Oorah, reflects on the success of the first volume with Jews of all backgrounds. Rabbi Mintz found that it wasn’t just people who were starting their quest on religious Judaism who had questions; people who were frum from birth also wanted to know best practices. As the host of a weekly Q&A on YouTube, Rabbi Mintz answers queries covering all facets of religious life from prayer to chinuch, hashkafa to mussar, birth to death.
Ask the Rabbi Volume 2 is divided into different sections; each section features questions asked of the Rav and his thought-out, well reasoned and richly sourced answers. This book is only intended as a guide; the same answers might not apply to every situation that arises. However, this book gives us something to think about. What are you going to ask your Rabbi? The issues that have arisen seem challenging, but Rabbi Mintz addresses them from all sides before presenting his response. At the end of each answer, Rabbi Mintz summarizes his response with a message to the reader.
As an example of a question presented, one person wanted to know if they should daven for someone who is on their deathbed. Rabbi Mintz responded that we don’t know how much time a person has in this world. Through tefilah, we can help the ill merit to have a longer life despite what the doctors say. Rabbi Mintz then offered a story as an example of this.
When asked if a person who is turning 60 can really grow in yiddishkeit, Rabbi Mintz said that Rabbi Akiva did so exponentially at 40. Additionally, one young person who Rabbi Mintz helped in their kiruv journey ended up inspiring their parent to do the same. It is really never too late; don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions, learn and grow.
Aside from dveykus to Hashem, Rabbi Mintz also addresses, amongst other things, relationships with our neighbors. When asked if someone should attend the wedding ceremony of a non-Jewish acquaintance at a church, Rabbi Mintz went over the rules prohibiting entering a church, the impression idolatry leaves on us, and offers a compromise for the questioner: perhaps there is a part of the ceremony the questioner could attend without entering the church proper.
When it comes to the various customs and traditions of Judaism, Rabbi Mintz responds to questions such as why we dress the way we do, leave stones on kevarim, or celebrate the Yomim Tovim the way we do. Whether newly religious or “frum from birth,” we all have questions on Jewish life. The Torah is a living tree: Ask the Rabbi 2 provides answers to our questions which are rooted in the Torah. Was Hashem selfish in creating the world? No, answers Rabbi Mintz. Hashem created the world for our benefit. As the Ramchal says in Derech Hashem, this world allows us to earn our ticket to Olam Habah.
Rabbi Mintz is not afraid to answer life’s questions. Thanks to Ask the Rabbi 2 the reader will hopefully have the courage to ask them. This book is recommended for everyone.
Chaim Yehuda Meyer is an attorney and writer living in Brooklyn. He has reviewed Jewish books covering all facets of Jewish life. He can be reached at [email protected]
