Setting Out On A New Path

Posted on: September 24th, 2008

With the arrival of the new year, we must stop to reflect upon our deeds in order to pave the way for self-improvement. The current crisis here in Israel indicates that there is a serious problem. By drawing the necessary conclusions now, we can emerge from these difficulties into the light of solace and salvation.

Misinterpreting The Concept Of Prozbul

Posted on: September 24th, 2008

It is used once in seven years. A small, innocuous legal oddity, it looms large in interdenominational diatribes and is often cited as the “proof of proofs” that the disingenuous Orthodox are being less than honest about the available flexibility in the normative halachic process. It is the prozbul.

Falling Out Of Love With Exile

Posted on: September 24th, 2008

We stand at the threshold of a new year. What will 5769 bring? Will we greet Moshiach? Will we see, God forbid, a world of troubles? Perhaps both.

What They Stopped Me From Saying

Posted on: September 24th, 2008

Editor’s Note: As the world knows by now, Republican vice-presidential nominee Gov. Sarah Palin had been scheduled to speak at Monday’s rally in Dag Hammarskjold Plaza to protest the appearance at the UN of Iranian president Ahmadinejad. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) had also been invited to speak, but upon learning that Gov. Palin would be there, decided against attending. Then, under intense pressure from the Obama campaign, the Democratic Party and influential Jewish Democrats, the organizations sponsoring the event rescinded Gov. Palin’s invitation. The following is what Gov. Palin would have said had she not been disinvited:

Palin Looks To Queen Esther As Role Model

Posted on: September 17th, 2008

If there were any doubt that Sen. John McCain will shake up Washington and institute real change, the selection of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as the Republican vice-presidential nominee has put that question to rest. Few people can match McCain's maverick spirit and bipartisan nature like Gov. Palin.

There’s Something About Sarah

Posted on: September 17th, 2008

One of the most intriguing episodes of American political history, and one with particular resonance for observers of this year’s presidential race, took place at the Democratic National Convention in 1896.

Parents, Appreciate Your Blessings

Posted on: September 17th, 2008

It was the Chazon Ish’s custom that whenever a person with special needs walked into his office, his study, his home or his shul, he would stand up.

Boycotts And Consequences

Posted on: September 17th, 2008

The Beijing Summer Olympics represented the first time the United States and its Western allies unanimously participated in an Olympics hosted by a totalitarian regime since 1936, when the games were held in Berlin, the capital of Nazi Germany.

Persecuting The Righteous, Protecting The Guilty

Posted on: September 17th, 2008

All week long my e-mail inbox and the comment threads on many of the frum blogs have been melting down with irate comments from frustrated members of our community expressing their justifiable anger at the horrible treatment my dear friend and colleague Dr. Benzion Twerski has received at the hands of askonim (activists) and kanoim (extremists). I actually think of them as baryonim (destructive fanatics; see Gittin 56a).

Cold Meat On Shabbos Afternoons

Posted on: September 10th, 2008

So much has been written about the Rubashkins, specifically the allegations made against their company. AgriProcessors has been filleted by writers, roasted by bloggers, and smoked by former employees. It’s not my purpose here to defend the company against those allegations; I'll let the public-relations professionals and attorneys handle that. I merely wish to share my personal experiences with Rubashkin meat.

Beneath Abbas’s Moderate Exterior Beats A Stone Cold Heart

Posted on: September 10th, 2008

There are countries that practice diplomacy as a form of fine art and there are countries that practice diplomacy as an “in your face” martial art. And there are countries that practice a mix of the two arts.

Something To Celebrate In Day-School Education

Posted on: September 10th, 2008

Schools have multiple missions. They primarily exist to educate children, to provide knowledge, and to develop skills that stimulate intellectual growth and prepare youngsters for a productive adulthood and success in life. They also serve a socialization function, inculcating in children behavioral patterns and attitudes that foster respect and the acceptance of appropriate norms and rules.

The Inevitability Of Media Bias

Posted on: September 10th, 2008

So powerful are the media that they have been referred to as the fourth branch of government. Indeed, they can make or break reputations.

What To Expect From The Next President

Posted on: September 3rd, 2008

Nothing is certain except death and taxes -- but a few things come close. One is that, come November, either Democrat Barack Obama or Republican John McCain will emerge as the next president. When that happens we'll be turning the page on eight years of rancorous political partisanship.

Igniting The Spark

Posted on: September 3rd, 2008

It makes no sense. It defies logic. You've got two reliable statistics from two reputable sources and yet they stand in utter opposition to each other, like statistical non-sequiturs.

She’ll Be Better Than Biden For Israel

Posted on: September 3rd, 2008

Critics are already trying to damn Sarah Palin for her perceived lack of foreign-policy experience, but what they are not allowing for is something more important -- that she has the right basic attitudes and sense of priorities.

15 Reasons Why Palin Is Perfect For McCain — And Jews

Posted on: September 3rd, 2008

1. Coming from the conservative wing of the Republican party, vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin unites the GOP by helping to secure support from the conservative base, which was not enthusiastic about all of John McCain’s positions. And McCain’s choice of Palin shows his willingness to work with conservatives and recognize their concerns. Donations for the campaign will now flow in.

Why Food Matters

Posted on: August 27th, 2008

We all eat to live, but the vast majority of us truly live to eat. We think about what we will have for lunch while we are still eating breakfast. We conjure up scrumptious dinners before we’ve digested lunch. While we are enjoying our delicious dinners, our most compelling conversations are about other wonderful meals we’ve enjoyed or what we will be eating the following evening. We imagine outlandish desserts. We think of food between meals.

Dr. Isaac Lewin And The Fight For Kosher Slaughter

Posted on: August 27th, 2008

Fifty years ago the battle over a federal humane slaughter law came to a close. On August 27, 1958, Congress adopted, which established the “use of humane methods of slaughter of livestock as a policy of the United States” – forbidding the federal government from purchasing meat slaughtered by inhumane methods and giving the Department of Agriculture inspection authority in this area.

The Benefits Of Rising Gas Prices

Posted on: August 27th, 2008

We are all too aware of the impact exorbitant gas prices have had on us as individuals and on the general economy. The surge in transportation expenses has fueled a rise in food prices and other necessities and driven our economy to the brink of recession (if not beyond).