Dennis Is Back: Your Questions, His Answers | Dennis AMA

Life Audio.

On today's episode of Timeless Wisdom.

Let me tell you that we are so grateful to hear your voice again.

One simple question is whether you recognize the enormous positive impact you've had.

If you went back in life, what would you have done differently?

Well, that's worthy of broadcast after broadcast.

That's coming up on Timeless Wisdom with Dennis Prager, and it starts right now.

When someone you love is hurting, what do you do? We're often quick to say, if there's anything I can do, just let me know. But what if we stopped waiting to be asked and simply showed up? On the If There Is Anything I Can Do podcast, Pam McConnell shares real stories, biblical wisdom, and practical ways to walk alongside people through grief, loss, and life's hardest moments. Learn how to show up and make a difference. Subscribe now at At klovpodcast.com, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Welcome to Timeless Wisdom with Dennis Prager. Hear thousands of hours of Dennis's lectures, courses, and classic radio programs. And to purchase Dennis Prager's Rational Bibles, go to dennisprager.com.

Hi everyone, Dennis Prager here. Welcome to Ask Me Anything. I want to thank everyone who took the time to send in a question. I'm looking forward to answering some of your questions. So let's get started.

Hi, Dennis. It's Dana calling from Scottsdale, Arizona. I miss you so, so much, and I'm so happy you're doing this new question-answer online on podcast. I guess my biggest question for you is everybody fears being paralyzed, and you've even talked about that on the air. Now that this happened to you, what can you tell us on your side about what we all fear? And I guess what the hardest part is and what part keeps you going? Love, love, love you. Miss, miss, miss you. Dana.

Well, you're right, Dana. I remember one call as clearly as any call in my Broadcast history. I don't remember why it happened, but some guy called up and said he would rather be dead than quadriplegic. Paraplegic is paralyzed with 2 limbs, which means 2 legs. Quadriplegic is arms and legs. And I almost never yell at callers, as you know. But I remember sort of, maybe even literally yelling at him. If you could speak and your brain were fully functioning, you would rather be dead Than talk to your, your wife if you have one, your kids, your, your friends, your siblings. Better than listening to music, reading books, dictating ideas. You could have a whole life of, of the mind. Are you only a body? And, uh, it never occurred to me that it's better to be dead than quadriplegic. It has definitely occurred to me that it's better to be dead than a whole host of things. Should I even spell any of them out? Well, better to be dead than certain cases, I imagine, of ALS, where all you could do is blink. And yet my wife and I visited a rabbi, a young man. In his 40s who had ALS and all he could do was blink. But they have contraptions now where with the eyes he could spell out words and then answer, uh, in dialogue with you. The machine speaks for him. He didn't want to die. I mean, I would imagine that there are times where the brain is not functioning, and that too might be a, an, an example of where it might be better not to be here any longer. But it never occurred to me with quadriplegia. You ask, what is the worst part? Do you have all day? It's, uh, I miss my arms and hands terribly. That I can't type. I can't touch anyone. Can't hug my wife or my kids and my friends. I can't write with my beloved fountain pens. Can't pick up a cigar. I can't scratch my nose. Can't drive a car. Can't really travel much. Oh, there's a lot, but I'm increasingly leading a fuller and fuller life. Podcasting, broadcasting, writing books, talking to people that mean a lot to me. So I've been able to overcome a lot of that. That's what keeps me going, leading as full a life as possible. And in the background, there is reason to hope that a current peptide That has had tremendous success with the people who are paralyzed, regenerative nerve medicine, as it were, that's out there. It's undergoing phase 3 tests, and I hope the FDA will make it available. Sooner than later. In the meantime, I am having special electrical impulses which have already enabled me to wiggle my fingers, which is a big deal. I hope to be able to use a mouse. My dream is to use a wheelchair. My dream is to travel. A wheelchair doesn't stop you from traveling, but quadriplegia does. So there's plenty to live for. Thank you for your prayers.

Hi Dennis, my name is Ron and I'm calling you from El Monte. I've been listening to you since the '80s, since my firstborn I was born, and five years ago I lost him to COVID. So, in my grief, I've been missing you so much because I miss your wisdom, your advice, and your life experiences. I am so sorry for what happened to you, but I'm so happy that you're at least. Thank you, Dennis. Thank you, Dennis, for communicating with us again. I know you would always have something positive for me to hear during this time of pain, but God bless you, Dennis. I'll listen to you every chance I get in the evenings. Thank you, Dennis, for everything that, that you represent, especially in my life. God bless.

Hi, Dennis. My name is Jamie, and my husband and I have a question for you, for your timeless wisdom. But first of all, let me tell you that we are so grateful to hear your voice again and your sage wisdom. You are missed more than you know, and you are in our continued prayers each day. We think of you and pray for your recovery, for your health, and for your family. And you just You are so important to us and the world needs you. Anyway, our 21-year-old son— here's our question— our 21-year-old son, who's a Republican, is buying into the notion that America is putting Israel ahead of itself. What is the most rational way to defeat this misconception and stress the importance of our relationship? Thank you, Dennis. God bless you.

Marco Rubio. And the president, but especially Marco Rubio, has answered this well. And he's not a Jew. And he certainly puts America first. This whole notion is an absurdity. Did we put England first when we decided to help England resist Hitler? Did anybody even accuse America of England first? Did we put any country we helped— was it Korea first when we lost 36,000 men in the Korean War? Was this notion— nobody rational Can believe that, that President Trump would say, "Well, it's bad for America, but it's good for Israel. So I'm going to put Israel first." It shows the power of the internet. That's all it does. It's like Israel is committing genocide. One of the most not only obvious lies, but an absurdity. There are more Gazans today than there were before October 7th. Israel would send messages in the millions to Gazans telling them where they'll bomb so that civilians could leave those buildings. Has anybody done that in the history of warfare? It's, it's just a world saturated with lies. I'd like your son to give an example of where Israel comes first. America wants to stop Iran from having nuclear weapons? Is that putting Israel first? Hmm. I'm sorry that it's happening. I'd love to talk to your son on air. Thanks.

This episode of Timeless Wisdom will continue right after this.

When someone you love is hurting, what do you do? We're often quick to say, if there's anything I can do, just let me know. But what if we stopped waiting to be asked and simply showed up? On the If There Is Anything I Can Do podcast, Pam McConnell shares real stories, biblical wisdom, and practical ways to walk alongside people through grief, loss, and life's hardest moments. Learn how to show up and make a difference. If there is anything I can do. Make a difference. Subscribe now at klovpodcast.com, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Now back to more of Dennis Prager's timeless wisdom.

Good morning, this is, uh, Rich from Altadena. I left a message a couple of days ago which conveys my love for Dennis and my appreciation for all that he has done for many people, including me. I would like to add a second request. I don't want to monopolize his time, but I think this is a tremendous subject. Dennis is a lover of classical music. I know he loves— and he and his wife love Bruckner's 7th Symphony. I would like to request, as a follow-up to my earlier request, that Dennis riff on classical music, if he can comment about his love of classical music. Maybe his top 10 pieces of music, or maybe even if he has the time to go to his top 25 off the top of his head. It would just be a delight to hear him talk about his love of classical music and give us examples of those that he— those pieces that he loves the best. Thank you so much for this. Rich from Altadena.

I could riff on classical music for hours. One of my close friends is a member of the Philadelphia Orchestra, one of the greatest orchestras in the world. And he came to visit me with his family the other day. And my joy in talking classical music with people who really know music is endless. I haven't done it on the air because most people wouldn't know what I'm talking about. And they would get understandably bored. When people ask me where should they start, it's very hard to know. What will turn you on? But generally speaking, any great Baroque era music— music, like art, goes from Baroque to Classical to Romantic to 20th century, and they're all great. Well, 20th century has fewer greats, but there's some great 20th century music. And you start with Baroque, and I would start with Vivaldi, The Four Seasons. It's hard to imagine that some part of that of it, would move almost anybody who likes music of any genre. And then you work your way up from there. Most people love Mozart. And I would start with the 21st Piano Concerto. The second movement of the concerto is known in modern times as the Elvira Madigan Concerto. A Swedish love film used the theme from the middle movement of the 21st Piano Concerto As its theme, and people fell in love with it. But there's no there's no knowing what will get you started. Try Handel's Messiah. Who doesn't love the the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah? Just don't be scared of the word classical. Classical means— I'm not talking about the era, but classical means that it has withstood the test of time. Frank Sinatra is now a classical artist. Just the other day, it was— I was with a young man and he was listening to Frank Sinatra. But classical music, it's the greatest. But what you need to do is hear it live or in a great audio system. You could love any song, you know, with a guitar or piano with earbuds, but classical music needs real sound to be fully appreciated. So that's my little riff. Oh, and by the way, I like Brookner's 7th, but it's Brookner's 5th and Brookner's 8th that my wife traveled across the country to hear live. I want to do that again.

Hi, Dennis. We all miss you. And I also want to ask you a question. Um, I'm a Christian, and Christians believe that God's plan is pretty much written in stone. And the saying, you plan, God laughs, that's a legit mantra for those who believe in God, which I do. But my question is, if God already has our destinies planned out, why do we pray? Are we trying to make God change his mind regardless— I mean, I'm sorry, regarding the destiny or outcome of our fate or the fates of people who are ill? So if God is in control of all outcomes and already knows our future and has planned it out for us, Why bother to pray for him to change what's already written? Are we trying to change God's mind, which seems kind of odd to me? Anyway, my name is Paige. I'm from Crestline, California, and I miss you and pray for you. Tell me why.

Wow, you're a thinker. Well, I don't, uh, I've never bought the idea that God has this plan cast in stone for each of our lives. I don't know where that idea comes from, actually. That means we don't have free will. If God If God has a plan and it's cast in stone, then we don't have free will. Not just why pray, why do anything? Why get out of bed in the morning? God has a plan. I don't know where the idea comes from. And It's never made sense to me, to be honest. God may have wishes. I think he does for each of us that we live a certain life. God has given every one of us certain gifts, but the cast in stone, you're absolutely right. Why pray? Or as I said, why get out of bed? So the premise is not one that I share. So I don't have that particular problem vis-à-vis prayer or anything else we do.

Hey Dennis, John here of Costa Mesa. So glad to hear you back on the radio. It just brings, brings so much joy to me. Thank you for keeping up the good fight and hanging in there. You're inspirational to me. You've always been a guiding light for me raising— my wife and I raising our 3 young sons who all went into the Navy like your dad and served this country. So we love you. We miss you.

Thank you.

Please say hi to Sue for us and, uh, just keep on keeping on. Um, shalom.

Yes, good morning, Dennis. It's— I'm listening to the Morning Answer right now. My name is David Sachs. Uh, this is my second call to you. Just want to say that, um, myself and others are praying for you. We want to see your live show back on the air someday. You sound pretty good in your announcement about, about calling this number and leaving messages, and I try to catch your, uh, show at 10 o'clock every evening. Anyway, just want to say how much we love you and we miss you. Anyway, I'm gonna cry.

Okay, you take care. Love you.

Bye now.

Hello, Dennis. My name is Mary. I'm calling from Ocala, Florida. Just wanted you to know that I've been praying for you, praying that you're able to, um, come back and share your wisdom with us.

And I want you to know that I really miss Your wisdom, and I pray for you all the time, and hoping that you're getting better every day.

God bless you.

Hi, Dennis Prager here. Well, as you know, I've been off the air since my injury in November 2024. Thank you for your prayers. Believe me, I've missed talking I'm starting the Ask Me Anything episodes on the Timeless Wisdom Podcast, and I'd love to hear from you. Whether your question is about faith, morality, politics, history, relationships, happiness, or even my life, give me a call and leave a voicemail. The number is 877-243-7776. That's 877-243-7776. 243-7776. Please include your first name and where you're calling from. I will answer as many questions as I can on future episodes of the podcast. Obviously, I can't respond to every question, but I will listen or read every question. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for listening.

Now, back to more of Dennis Prager's timeless wisdom.

You know, one thing I've never understood is when people who are hardworking, good Americans with good values, say that there's only one party, the uniparty, and that it's not worth voting Republican because it doesn't matter who wins. That was never true. And it is less true today than it has ever been. The Democratic Party is leaning towards socialism slash communism. When the mayor of New York City is a Democrat and a socialist, And an Islamist with a socialist Islamist running for Senate in Michigan. You're going to tell me the parties are the same? They could almost not be more different. They were— they're as different as during the 1860s. And '50s, when the Republicans were founded to oppose slavery and the Democrats were the pro-slavery party. You have to vote. And with all your misgivings about Republicans and about the president at any given moment, it doesn't matter. You must look at the big picture. America is in the balance. It's somewhat childish even to want the party to be perfect. No human is perfect, let alone a group of humans. Let alone a political group. They will always disappoint you if you want them to only do what you want. It's not going to happen. Please vote. And please vote to save America.

This episode of Timeless Wisdom will continue right after this.

When someone you love is hurting, what do you do? We're often quick to say, if there's anything I can do, just let me know. But what if we stopped waiting to be asked and simply showed up? On the If There Is Anything I Can Do podcast, Pam McConnell shares real stories, biblical wisdom, and practical ways to walk alongside people through grief, loss, and life's hardest moments. Learn how to show up and make a difference. If there is anything I can do. Make a difference. Subscribe now at klovpodcast.com, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Now back to more of Dennis Prager's timeless wisdom.

Hi, my name is Stanley, Stanley from Los Angeles. Could Dennis address the male-female issues? You know, there's a lot of confusion in the roles these days, and Traditional values are really not there even in marital relationships. So emphasis on the woman's role more so because there's a lot of competition in marriages and the emphasis of the home and homemaking is not as popular. Yet Proverbs talks about the virtuous woman. And then you have Martha Stewart and Julia Child. They're celebrated as women who really Put emphasis in, in the home. So could you address that? That'd be great.

Well, that's worthy of broadcast after broadcast. God created Adam, and then he created Eve. The Hebrew is ezer kenegdo, as a helper. Who is his equal? That's the literal Hebrew translation. So it's a fascinating role. You're a helper, but you are equal to the one you are helping. And that's what I believe. By the way, helper. The word ezer is how God is described in Hebrew on a number of occasions in the Hebrew Bible. God is an ezer, just like Eve was an ezer. The exact same word. We have lost something.

Clearly.

Well, did you take out the garbage today? I took it out yesterday. Did you do the dishes today? I did it yesterday. Did you change her diaper today? I changed her diaper yesterday. When will you wake up at night? I woke up at 3 a.m. last night. Tonight's your turn. If that works out for people, more power to them. But overwhelmingly, a dividing of roles has worked out better. With all the complaints that exist about it, the problem of course is that women are earning as much and often more than their husbands. So what do you do then? Well, you have to decide. Maybe she should be. The sole breadwinner, and he takes care of the home. Then you have a divvying up of duties. The problem is most women want to rely on their man, and they—most women, not all—will not be happy with that role. If they are, then fine. I know couples where the man raised the children. They're terrific children, by the way. And it's worked out. She earned a fair amount of money in both cases that I'm thinking about. But 50-50 is not a solution. I'm sorry.

Longtime listener in Whittier, California. Thank you so much for your show. So glad that you are doing better. God bless you. You have been in my prayers. Hey Dennis, Brian Rothie. I called you once on Religion on the Line. I'm very interested in your opinion as to whether there is a supreme evil, meaning is there a Is there a counterpart to God who's consciously working to make us sin and go against God? Anyways, that's the gist of my question. Thank you.

Well, if you mean a Satan or a devil, some supernatural figure that works against what God wants, That I don't believe. It's not my faith tradition. But I don't easily dismiss it. Some things are almost only explained by the demonic in individuals, even in societies. The Jewish belief is that we have competing wills in our nature. The yetzer hatov and yetzer hara. The will to do good and the will to do bad. And they're in constant conflict. And the will to do bad Is rooted in in our nature. You know, we we have to suppress the desire to steal. It's very common for kids to take a cookie away from another kid. That's stealing, or cheat on tests. That's why it's so important. To develop a good conscience and to develop a behavioral system of goodness. It's not enough to want to do good. You have to do it, which is another subject that I am happy to talk about.

This episode of Timeless Wisdom will continue right after this.

When someone you love is hurting, what do you do? We're often quick to say, if there's anything I can do, just let me know. But what if we stopped waiting to be asked and simply showed up? On the If There Is Anything I Can Do podcast, Pam McConnell shares real stories, biblical wisdom, and practical ways to walk alongside people through grief, loss, and life's hardest moments. Learn how to show up. And make a difference. Subscribe now at klovpodcast.com, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Now back to more of Dennis Prager's timeless wisdom.

Hi, Dennis. This is Rebecca Simon, Rancho Palos Verdes. I, myself and my daughter traveled with you to Israel. We had a great time. Miss you tremendously. Always wish you the best. And my question to you is, if you went back in life, what would you have done differently? You take care, and I'm still hoping for you to come back full force. Take care, my dear.

Bye. There's not much I would have done differently, to be honest. The thing that immediately comes to my mind is on Tuesday, November 12th, 2024, I would have put towels down on the floor stepping out of the shower. By far, if I could do anything again, that's what I would do over. Otherwise, I have to say, while I made my share of mistakes, I can't think of much that I would have changed. I always believed I led a blessed life.

Mr. Prager, my name is Adam from Palos Verdes, California. My One simple question is whether you recognize the enormous positive impact you've had on tens of thousands of people over the years, myself included. I just hope that is a realization you have, and I'm sending you all positive thoughts. Thank you.

Well, all I've wanted to do in life At least on a macro level, I always wanted a family, always wanted to get married, always wanted friends. But what I've wanted more than anything was what I wrote in my diary my 3rd year of high school. I want to influence people to the good. And I've never said this publicly. I hope it's received as humbly as it's meant. But when I hear that I've done that to lives, I don't get a high. All I get is affirmation. Dennis, that's what you were supposed to do, and you've done it somewhat, and keep going. And I'm very touched by anyone who acknowledges that fact. And I thank you for the lovely voicemail. Thank you all for your questions. I really enjoy answering them. And if you have a question you'd like me to answer, give us a call at 877-243-7776 and leave a voicemail. Again, that's 877-243-7776. Thanks so much for listening, and I'll talk to you next time.

Hello, Dennis. No question, just, um, wanted to send lots of love and prayers for you and your strength, your recovery, uh, for, uh, your whole family and Take care of yourself. Miss you so very much. Thank you.

Bye-bye.

Tomorrow on Timeless Wisdom with Dennis Prager.

Hi, my friends. The Male-Female Hour on the Dennis Prager Show, a truly honest look at the 2 sexes and their relations. I remember a call that I received on one of these hours from a woman who was very nervous. around men because she didn't like the way they would look at her. When they would look at her that way, it made her nervous and she— or even perhaps resentful. I want to talk to you about this issue, you women and you men, both sexes, to talk about this. And I'm not talking now about the husband-wife relationship specifically. Talking— that's why I call it the Male-Female Hour. It's about the larger issues as well. We have talked about the issue of the man seeing his wife as a sex object, and I am all for it. And I defended it on every ground, from holiness to eroticism. It is a good thing. Imagine if he didn't. What would you prefer? That he saw you as a roommate who happened to be female. But, uh, that's in the realm of the marriage. What about outside the marriage, just in day-to-day social interaction, strangers?

When a man looks at me just a little bit too long, not a stare, just a little long look, I love it. It just tells me that I am doing something right.

So I have spent the last 10 years conducting a very unusual research project asking men and women why they don't call back after a good first date. And what was very interesting on your topic is that the number 3 most common reason men revealed— I mean, I'm sorry, that women revealed— was that something I call the garbage man. And this is when a guy looks at a woman in that way or makes lewd, crude comments to her on a date.

Lewd, crude comments and looking are in different universes, and I 100% agree with your research.

So the look that was really interesting, there's a woman in Boston, for example, a 34-year-old woman who told me that she met a guy for a 4 o'clock coffee date at Starbucks. Starbucks, and he started undressing her with his eyes right away, saying how beautiful she looked.

He's an idiot. We have to do a show on— I have to talk to men on how not to be idiots.

Right, right.

All right, all right, shut up. He's impossible. Alan, send him away.

Join us tomorrow to hear more on Timeless Wisdom with Dennis Prager. Visit DennisPrager.com. Visit PragerU.com for thousands of hours of Dennis's lectures, courses, and classic radio programs, and to purchase Dennis Prager's Rational Bibles. We want to take just a second to thank the team at Life Audio for their partnership with us on the podcast. Go to lifeaudio.com to find dozens of other faith-centered podcasts in their network, including shows about prayer, Bible study, parenting, and more.

When someone you love is hurting, what do you do? We're often quick to say, if there's anything I can do, just let me know. But what if we stopped waiting to be asked and simply showed up? On the If There Is Anything I Can Do podcast, Pam McConnell shares real stories, biblical wisdom, and practical ways to walk alongside people through grief, loss, and life's hardest moments. Learn how to show up and make a difference. Subscribe now at klovpodcast.com, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts.