Tag: halachah
Rare Discovery of Mikveh in New England Rewrites US Jewish History
The mikveh barely existed in 19th century American, where Jewish immigrants turned against religion. But one has been found in Connecticut, and it is more similar those in Israel than in the US.
Why Don’t We Celebrate Two Days of Purim in Jerusalem?
Jews of 14th century Jerusalem celebrated Purim on both the 14th and 15th of Adar.
Menachem Elon: The Sweet Revolutionary
The late Israeli Supreme Court judge Menachem Elon, was a pioneer of Jewish and Israeli law.
The Ketubah as a Prenup
If the Ketubah would be taken seriously, as an enforceable legal document then there would be fewer agunot, "chained" women awaiting Jewish divorce from their husbands.
Telling it Like it is – Publicly
No matter how altruistic one is - if he is afraid to speak the truth out of fear of being attacked, that is not leadership.
Just Say No… to the Nonsense of the iPhone Smashing Rabbis
Rabbi Lior Glazer smashed an iPhone with a hammer in a show of protest. Like virtually every other Rav in the very right-wing Charedi world of Bnei Brak, Glazer blames personal tragedies on technology and not the abnormal psychology of the individual. I am beginning to find that the more I see a story like this, the more I just want to fold up my tent, and go home. No matter how much one wants to be Dan L’Kaf Zechus and judge people and their actions favorably, a story like this comes along which makes it extremely difficult to do so.
To Inform or Not to Inform – That is the Question
With all the bacteria a mouth is known to contain - and the possibility that it might contain bacteria or viruses that are very harmful to a vulnerable 8-day-old child while an adult carrier might not even be aware of it - it is not exactly rocket science to know that putting your mouth on an open wound is not a good idea.
The Emes Ve-Emunah People
The Emes Ve-Emunah blog recently ran an internal poll as to readers religious leanings, here blog author Harry Maryles analyzes the results.
The Proper Performance of Bris Milah
When it comes to Metzitza B’Peh, we are not discussing a Biblical Commandment, nor are we referring to a Rabbinical enactment from the Gemarah's time. We are referring to a hallowed Minhag from days of yore to use the mouth only.
Running For Judge With An Orthodox Background And A Universal Perspective
Just days before the entire world stands before the great Judge on Rosh Hashanah, Democrats of the 5th district of Brooklyn will be casting their votes in the primary election for civil court judge. Shlomo Mostofsky, private attorney and former president of the National Council of Young Israel (NCYI), is currently campaigning to secure the post as judge.
Conservatives to Ordain Gay and Lesbian Rabbis in Israel
The Board of Trustees of the Schechter Rabbinical Seminary voted to accept gay and lesbian students for ordination. “The Schechter Rabbinical Seminary views the serious process leading to this decision as an example of confronting social dilemmas within the framework of tradition and halachah,” Board of Trustees Chair Hanan Alexander said in a statement.
A Shoe, Handkerchief, and Pen
What do a shoe, handkerchief, and pen have in common? For English buffs, they all contain an "e."
Let's try in Hebrew: What do na'al, sudar, andeit have in common? They all begin in alphabetical order: Nun, Samach, and Ayin. OK, but better.... in Choshen Mishpat, these are the classic items for "Kinyan Chalipin."
Let's try in Hebrew: What do na'al, sudar, andeit have in common? They all begin in alphabetical order: Nun, Samach, and Ayin. OK, but better.... in Choshen Mishpat, these are the classic items for "Kinyan Chalipin."