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1. Is it permissible for a Jew to attend the exhibit known as The Body Worlds that consists of displaying real human specimens? Someone got me tickets to it but I felt uncomfortable and have yet to decide whether or not to attend.

This exhibit, which I first learned about two years ago, consists of displaying whole bodies, organs, organ configurations, and transparent body slices. To date, more than 26 million people around the world have seen these exhibits since they opened more than a decade ago. According to the Body Worlds Web site, the aim of the exhibit is to educate the public about the inner workings of the human body and show the effects of poor health, good health, and lifestyle choices. They are also meant to create interest in and increase knowledge of anatomy and physiology among the public. The Body Worlds exhibitions rely on the generosity of body donors.

I have done some research on the exhibit, and there have also been several investigations of its practices on news magazine shows. There are rumors that some of the donors of body parts are Chinese convicts who did not consent. I believe there is no question that if the bodies on display were Jews, it would be forbidden to visit this exhibit by Jewish law because Jewish law requires burial in the ground. In addition, the organizers of Body World have taken in millions of dollars and made a huge profit from the people who purchased tickets to see the exhibit. Benefiting from the dead is prohibited by Jewish law.

Since the body is created in God's image it seems to me that although Jewish law might not require us to avoid an exhibit of a display of non-Jewish bodies, perhaps we should avoid it because of the sometimes undignified way in which a body is being displayed.

2. Can women serve as a mohel?

In Jewish law the obligation to circumcise rests upon the father. If he is qualified, he has the prior responsibility. If he is not qualified, the practice is to appoint a mohel, a person specially trained in the theory and practice of circumcision. In communities where there is no qualified mohel available, a Jewish physician who knows the procedure and the required prayers may serve as the one who performs the circumcision. According to Jewish law, women are allowed to serve as a mohel. One of my own former students is both an M.D. and a mohelet, (female for mohel) and there are surely other females serving in this capacity as well.

3. Is it permissible for me to offer my pet a blessing?

I have been offering a blessing to my golden retrievers for the past 20 years. Pets are part of the family. They are to be loved, nurtured, and protected. Just as families may choose to say the family blessings on Shabbat eve for their children, there are surely those who also include their pets in their prayers as well.

4. Is it true that early marriages were encouraged in bygone years?

In talmudic times 18 was considered the proper age for marriage (Ethics of the Fathers 5:21). When the economic situation of Jews was good, youthful marriages were most common. When conditions were poor, young people waited longer until they could afford to marry.

In the Middle Ages, girls were betrothed as young as age 12. In Russia of the late 19th century and early 20th century child marriages were common so that boys would not have to serve in the military.

5. Why is the bar mitzvah celebrated at age 13 while the bat mitzvah celebrated at or after age 12?

Girls generally mature earlier than boys, and this fact is reflected in the religious life of the Jew.

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). His newest book, "Have a Good Laugh: Jewish Jokes for the Soul," will be forthcoming this fall. Contact him at www.rabbiron.com or "Ask the Rabbi," c/o Rabbi Ron Isaacs, Temple Sholom, P.O. Box 6007, Bridgewater, N.J. 08807.