The Yale Five (IV)
The Yale 5 became the cause célèbre of liberals who maligned & conservatives who triumphed the cause
The Breakfast Of Champions (Part I)
Dear Readers:
You may remember how we once did an experiment with a story (about a monster fire in Arizona) without Jewish protagonists, but containing a universal lesson that I believed worthy to record for the readers of Chodesh Tov. We are there yet again, this time directly north in Wisconsin.
Please bear with me as we once again record a story we investigated in the hope that the lesson is unique and worthy of our attention. It is going to take us five full columns to complete the tale, and I thank you in advance for your patience.
Reb Elimelech M’Lizhensk (Part III)
Wherever the two holy brothers went on their self-imposed exile they generated a spirit of repentance. Their standard routine was to admonish themselves out loud for their supposed crimes, when in fact their “sins” were precisely the ones that the villager within earshot needed to rectify.
The Rubashkin Saga – VIII
Another installment on the ongoing assault against Agriprocessor. This week's article discusses unions taking on the Rubashkins.
The Ever-Amazing Reb Elimelech (Part XVI)
It was when Reb Elimelech assumed the leadership of the chassidic movement that the Austrian Kaiser decreed that before a woman may wed, a tax of 400 golden coins must be paid to the government. This tax was far too exorbitant for the commoner to pay and many feared that they would never be able to marry off their daughters.
Reb Elimelech M’Lizhensk (Part IV)
Reb Elimelech M’Lizhensk was considered one of the finest students of the Baal Shem Tov’s successor, the Maggid MiMezretch. When the Maggid passed away, his disciples gathered for the funeral and then had to decide who would succeed their master.
Breakfast And Happiness (Part I)
After having written this column for so many years, and covering so many topics, I am (finally) bowing to the numerous requests to write about our blessed family. More specifically, I shall commit to paper everyone’s favorite routine: the scene at our breakfast table.
Impossible
One who fears that a task is beyond their ability, or too challenging for their comfort level, has racked up the odds against their excelling beyond their current state of inertia.
The Emergence Of The Steipler
Habbat Shalom and Chag Sameach
The Belzer Rebbe’s Flight To Freedom
Beginning in the tiny Galician town of Belz, Rabbi Aharon Rokeach, better known as the Belzer Rebbe, maintained his chassidic court despite the constant danger.
The Yale Five (Conclusion)
Though the Yale 5 lost the case and appeal, they ultimately won: Yale became flexible about housing
Guard Your Influence (II)
A person's environment can work for the good or the bad; but it works more powerfully for the bad.
Guard Your Influence (III)
How the "Broken Windows Theory" helped solve graffiti on NYC subways and led to a more orderly NYC.
If Not Higher
Despite the misnaggid finding himself in a loony bin of naiveté, surely the Rebbe would not be so brazen and shameless to claim that he was up in Heaven reciting selichos!
Jewish Practice In The U.S. Military (V)
Goldman's fight against the entire military establishment was stressful yet, oddly, exhilarating. He felt the Almighty was tapping him on the shoulder, whispering, “I want you to pull this off for Me”
Breakfast and Happiness (II)
One of the ancillary axioms of cornflake fights is that they can never be contained between just two warring parties.
Bikur Cholim – A New Edition
Without telling anyone that he was going, Rabbi Kelemer had driven for hours to sit with this old man, who was not his congregant and had been non-verbal for many years. The rabbi was obviously embarrassed when the grandson walked in and found him there.
Harnessing Information
This precise question does not arise in the Talmud. But young Reb Shlomo Zalman was able to marshal his breadth of knowledge and genius of application to render a most innovative ruling.
The Origin Of The Floating Underground Railroad
He left the meeting with no doubt that if Hitler only could, he would destroy European Jewry.
The Rubashkin Saga – V
These PETA people are not Orthodox Jews. So, why would they so strongly criticize a kosher packing plant for what they believe to be violations of kosher practice? They are using tactics similar to the Nazis.
The Farhud
These anti-British forces formed a pro-German government, winning the support of the Iraqi Army and administration. They had hoped that an Axis victory in the war would facilitate independence for Iraq.
Education In The Shtetl
The shtetl of Apt would rise early every weekday morning when the men would rush to one of the houses of prayer, better known as shteiblech.
Jewish Practice In The U.S. Military (IV)
Law-abiding, mild-mannered, Rabbi Dr. (Psychology) Simcha Goldman was unprepared to obey the direct order of his commander that he could NOT wear his yarmulke outside the hospital. Strike 2 on Goldman
The Rubashkin Saga – X
While we rejoice at the recent release of Shalom Mordechai Rubashkin from prison, the series continues this month and beyond.
A Brand-New Perspective
The Jewish Press has made great and important changes in recent months. Now it’s my column’s turn: “Chodesh Tov” will also undergo some revision. First, it has a new name, and second, a new focus. I am proud to report that the author (yours truly) will remain constant.
President Truman’s Recognition Of Israel
Eight days after Truman became president, he was visited by a Zionist delegation headed by Rabbi Steven S. Wise. The President told his guests that he supported the Zionist goals, but he was very concerned about opposition from the State Department.
Jewish Practice In The U.S. Military (I)
The story of Air Force Chaplain Rabbi Geller's options concerning his beard: "Either you go to the barber shop or you go to jail."
When I Was The Hole Of The Bagel
Because I have been teaching and lecturing for decades, a lot of people have seen and heard me, making me a likely subject for bageling. Often the gesture is less discreet and takes the form of frontal gawking and waving.
From A Gallon Of Gas To Gallons Of Tzedakah
As franchisees of Shell Oil, the Raffs had to sell a certain amount of fuel to be eligible for loans and other company benefits. Alas, a filling station that cannot pump gas is what rain is to a garden wedding.
Rav Elyashiv, A Personal Memoir (II)
In a cab with Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach & Rav Elayshiv discussing if/when to say tefillas haderech