Question: We are a religious family and our 17-year-old daughter dresses quite immodestly. It’s embarrassing in public, and we often find ourselves feeling frustrated and upset. We’ve had countless talks with her, but she simply says, “This is how I dress.” We don’t know what else to say or do • Aharon Schmidt replies, from the Living Jewish’s Farbrengen column • Read More

Question: When my kids ask if they can do something, my first thought is always worry—what if something goes wrong? When I have a good month at work, I think, “Great, but what about next month?” Even when I start something new, my positivity is overshadowed by that voice in my head that says, “I’m sure it won’t last.” I believe everything comes from Hashem, but why can’t I trust that things will turn out well? Why am I always worried, and how can I develop a more positive outlook? • Aharon Schmidt replies, from the Living Jewish’s Farbrengen column • Read More

Question: My husband is 30 and has been smoking for about 10 years. He says he wants to stop but never follows through. I want to help him, but whenever I bring it up, he gets annoyed and tells me to stop telling him what to do and let him live his life. I’m worried about him, but don’t know what to do. Please advise. Thank you • Aharon Schmidt replies, from the Living Jewish’s Farbrengen column • Read More

You set out to do something meaningful—to bring more goodness into the world beyond your daily routine. But when you entered the world of volunteering, expecting selflessness and unity, you found ego, politics, and power struggles. It’s disheartening. How can a place built on kindness feel so familiar to the flaws of the corporate world? • Aharon Schmidt replies, from the Living Jewish’s Farbrengen column • Read More

“I travel a lot for work, often to places that don’t observe my level of kashrut. I used to bring my own food or stick strictly to what I knew was within my standards. Sometimes that meant eating very little. Over time, I became more lenient—I’ll now eat things without a hechsher, telling myself, “It’s probably fine, and I need to eat.” But I know deep down it’s not right. I want to return to how I used to be, but I can’t seem to get back there.” • Aharon Schmidt replies, from the Living Jewish’s Farbrengen column • Read More

We are a group of five women friends who make time once a week to go out for breakfast together. However, one woman in the group is very conceited. She rarely shows interest in anyone else and tends to dominate the conversation by talking about herself. This frustrates me and fills me with resentment and negativity. How can I stop feeling this way? • Aharon Schmidt replies, from the Living Jewish’s Farbrengen column • Read More