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It is with great pleasure that I once again present some of the questions that I received from readers this past month. I continue to be enthused with your response and invite those who have a question to send it on to me. Wishing you a happy Tu b'Shevat holiday, and remember to take time to plant a tree in Israel by logging onto the Jewish National Fund Web site.

1. Are Jews allowed to donate their organs?

The deceased's will should always be closely followed unless it clearly transgresses Jewish law. In that case, a rabbinic authority should be consulted. While the donation of limbs seems to be contrary to Jewish law (and subject to a more liberal interpretation by liberal authorities), the donation of organs remains under constant debate. Such donations should be discussed in-depth with a rabbinic authority. However, organ donation today is generally encouraged by all branches of Judaism as a means of pikuach nefesh (saving and extending a life).

2. Who were the Levites in biblical times?

The Levites assisted the priests in doing their work, but they could not offer sacrifices themselves. They also took care of the Tabernacle and later the Temple in Jerusalem. The Levites disassembled the Tabernacle and helped to set it up whenever the Israelites traveled. They formed one of the 12 tribes of Israel, but they did not receive any separate land, except for 48 Levitical cities scattered throughout the other tribes' territories.

3. I once heard that not all the books of the Bible contain God's name? Is this true?

Yes, two books in the Tanach do not mention God even once: the Song of Songs, which is a collection of love poetry, and the Book of Esther which tells of the Jewish people's life and successes under Persian rule.

4. Why do Jews have masquerading and carnivals on Purim?

The Talmud says that when Adar (the month in which Purim falls) arrives, joy should be increased. Because Purim is a time of ultimate joy and the Jewish people were saved from an enemy intent on totally destroying them, the custom has been to allow frivolity, masquerading, and carnivals. Carnivals and dressing up are a part of the Purim tradition around the world. When I was 10 years old, I dressed up in a Queen Esther costume and won my first Purim contest!

In some Jewish communities, there are parades on Purim afternoon, with food, dance, and costumes galore. Some families invite others to their homes for the traditional Purim shpiel. Families serve many delicacies and put on funny little skits to the delight of all the members, who poke fun at each other in a humorous way.

5. Why do some Jews close their eyes during certain prayers?

To deepen concentration and block out distraction while reciting certain prayers, some people choose to close their eyes and cover them with the palm of one hand. There are still others who wear prayer shawls to cover their heads with their tallitot, to keep out all potential distraction. One is quite likely to see people close their eyes during the Shema prayer, because of its great importance. If you've never tried closing your eyes at some point during worship services, give it a try. You will be amazed as to how you can increase your level of concentration!

6. Where did the idea of having a minyan of 10 men at services come from?

Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav said, "Nine righteous people do not make a minyan, but one common person, joining them, completes the minyan." The number (minyan) of 10 adult Jews is the minimum required for congregational worship, public Torah reading, recitation of the Kedushah, and the Kaddish prayers. The number 10, required for the minyan, is said to have been derived from the Book of Numbers 14:27, where then 10 spies (exclusive of Joshua and Caleb) are referred to in the verse as an edah, the Hebrew word for congregation. It has traditionally been deduced that a congregation for prayer must consist of at least 10 male adults.

Today, the Reform, Conservative, and Reconstructionist branches of Judaism also include adult women in their count for minyan.

Waiting for the 10th person to arrive at services can have its challenges. A west coast synagogue is known to have a blue light outside on the synagogue marquis. When short a minyan, a member of the ritual commitee would turn on the blue light. People who were passing by and saw the light knew (if they belonged to that synagogue) that it was a sign that they were needed for the minyan.

7. What is the significance of the holiday Tu b'Shevat?

Hillel and his disciples declared the 15th of Shevat as a semi-holiday. They called it "Rosh Hashanah L'Ilanot" (New Year for Trees) because by this day in Israel the annual rains have ended and a new annual cycle of tree growth begins. This holiday is celebrated by the eating of various fruits, especially those grown in Israel. In modern Israel schoolchildren go out into the fields and plant trees. In our country we encourage people to purchase trees that will be planted in Israel. There is also a custom in some communities of a Tu b'Shevat seder, where various fruits and vegetables are eaten at a communal meal while reciting texts dealing with ecology and vegetation.

Rabbi Ron Isaacs is the spiritual leader of Temple Sholom, a Conservative congregation in Bridgewater. He has recently published biographies of Abraham Joshua Heschel and Judah Touro (Torah Aura Productions). Contact him at www.rabbiron.com or "Ask the Rabbi," c/o Rabbi Ron Isaacs, Temple Sholom, P.O. Box 6007, Bridgewater, NJ 08807.