If a Cohen dies of a heart attack and his brain is transplanted into a Levi, while his body and the Levi’s brain are buried – who is the new person? Is he a Cohen because of the brain, or a Levi after the body? Also, who is this person married to and who sits shiva?

Meir

Dear Meir

The question of course is purely hypothetical – they cannot do brain transplants, thought one website does offer a 10% discount off their $499,000 asking price if you book online and are prepared to wait the supposed two year waiting list. What is worth considering, however, is that the status of a Cohen, Levi and every Jew besides is determined by the soul of the person. So once a person is pronounced dead, which means his soul has departed, however much you might be able to transfer a brain one day, you cannot transfer a soul. (In fact that’s precisely why I don’t think a brain transplant will ever work, because it is the embodiment of the soul, which, once departed, means the brain cannot function properly or be supercharged to regain the soul). Although with some people it is apparent that their heart is their primary source of vitality, judging from the way they think, still, even as they do heart transplants, the family of the one whose heart has been transplanted are the ones who sit shiva. There is no reason to suggest things should be different for the brain.

Dear, Rabbi

I'm a reformed Jew and I am active in my community. I have been thinking of getting a tattoo for some time now. I am aware that this is against the Torah teachings and every Jewish mother, but I would like to get a tattoo of the kaddish prayer in memory of my father, and possible the yizkor prayer, for my family in the Holocaust. Are these the proper prayers? I feel strongly about this and I am aware I can still be laid to rest in a Jewish cemetery even with the tattoos. I hope for a positive response.

Adam

Dear Adam

For a start, considering the hundreds of words involved you’d need awfully big arms and a rather long back to get all that in. In addition, as they are holy words, you’d have to cover them up when in the shower, which presents its own obvious problems. Above all else you’d look quite hideous which would make life extremely difficult for you in so many ways. Why don’t you keep your shirt on, and think of some other, more meaningful ways in which you can honour your father. Start by going to synagogue, even if only once a week, and reciting the kaddish. Go on the major festivals and say the yizkor. And finally, undertake some positive and meaningful resolution that will bring greater merit onto the soul of your father and other members who perished in the Holocaust. I promise you, they’d appreciate that much more.

Dear Rabbi

What is the origin of "wishing you long life"? I have heard it referring to condolence from my British relatives.

Aaron

Dear Aaron

Indeed in the Hebrew it was always a case of wishing people chaim aruchim – which means long life. There are numerous phrases in Jewish liturgy which make reference to the term and it is the obvious thing to wish someone after a bereavement.

Dear Rabbi

You seem to keep poking fun at the Anglo-Jewish synagogue Kiddush. At the Saatchi Synagogue they put on a wonderful Kiddush. Even as your experience might be lousy, doesn’t mean you should tar them all with the same brush.

Katrina

Dear Katrina

I’ve been around enough synagogues to know the measly state of some of their kiddushim. Whilst our ancestors were happy to just come along and pray, in our modern age, we have to develop our synagogues into exciting places which will incorporate more than just the prayer. To that end, the Kiddush is an important social aspect and it only works if it is appealing. To be sure, there are some synagogues that do get it right, and I will say for the record that in the recent past, under new “catering management,” my synagogue (Mill Hill United) has been getting it very right as well! I mean where else do you get a wonderfully laden continental breakfast once every few weeks, and Pimms to mark Anglo-Jewry’s 350^th birthday? (The whiskey could still do with some upgrading though).

Dear Rabbi

As a very mature (52 yrs.) science fiction fan I want to know if Moulder & Skully are right? Does Judaism believe there is “something out there?”

Stanley

Dear Stanley

Well, this might surprise readers somewhat. My answer would be that there is every possibility. Here’s my proof: In the book of Judges, chapter 5, the prophetess Deborah sings a song of praise to G-d for helping Barak win his battle against his enemy Sisera. In verse 20 she sings: "The stars in their course fought against Sisera." And then in verse 23 she continues: "Curse Meroz, said the angel of the Lord, curse bitterly its inhabitants, because they did not come to the help of the Lord...against the mighty men."

And who is this Meroz? Since reference to Meroz is preceded by the verse that states "the stars in their course fought against Sisera" compels one opinion in the Talmud (Moed Katan 16) to define it as a planet (as opposed to a neighbouring city). Accordingly, the "inhabitants" of "Meroz" indicates life on another planet.

Of course the implication of this is a whole separate discussion in itself. Just don’t go starting your own Jew-X Files.