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Ask the rabbi

Ask the Rabbi is a term used in Jewish newspapers and on Jewish websites for responsa, known as Shut (Hebrew: שו"ת, literally Q&A), the traditional term for correspondence with rabbis, usually on a Halachic basis. This phrase is often used in casual conversation in Hebrew pop culture.

Background and development[edit]

"Ask the Rabbi" is often used as an internet term for responsa: questions sent to rabbis and the answers received. The term became widespread on Jewish websites in the early 2000s.

Comments and criticism[edit]

There has been some opposition to this phenomenon. The main criticism being the replacement of face-to-face communication by a virtual medium and the "instant" answers received to the questions. Judaism teaches the importance of study and work in order to gain knowledge, and it is claimed that the ease of asking via the Internet might promote disrespect towards the value of knowledge.[3]

Ask The Rabbi Official Website

Chabad.org: Ask the Rabbi

Yeshiva.co: Ask the Rabbi

Aish.com: Ask the Rabbi

The Rabbinical Assembly (Conservative): Ask a Rabbi

Reform Judaism (Reform): Ask a Rabbi