Tag: Orthodox Judaism
A Crack in the Wall of Haredi Opposition
If Shas does agree to allow a secular core curriculum in their schools, that will put Ashkenazi Haredi leaders between a rock and a hard place.
Rav Soloveitchik’s Clear Stand on Homosexuality
What Rav Soloveitchik said in 1974 is truer than ever: normative Judaism is on the defensive in the modern world.
The ‘Maharat’: Wonderful Achievement, Bad Idea
the title rabbi (or its equivalent) is more than about recognition of achievement.
Will the Real Haredi Please Stand Up?
The issue is not our obligation to listen to our rabbinic leaders. It is about whether we should listen to the rabbinic leaders of others.
The Clash at the Kotel: Where is the Wisdom?
With all the good intention of Israel’s rabbinic leaders, how could they not see that this was going to happen?
The Kolko Case: A Stain on Lakewood
We are a people whose mandate is Torah observance in all matters - between man and God as well as between man and his fellow man.
Intimacy in a Jewish Marriage
Sexual dysfunction can take various forms for both men and women. If those statistics are right, it is a much bigger problem that I ever thought.
The Religious Significance of the Israeli Flag
A flag with the Star of David hung prominently in the synagogues of Prague since the mid-14th century, with the approval of their great rabbis.
Stop Deriding Black Hatters!
In the spirit of 'elu v’elu' we should just agree to disagree and respect each other’s views and lifestyles as long as they do not impinge on the rights of others.
Is Hatred for Haredim Due to Media Bias?
The record number of kipa-wearing Jews in the new Knesset surely shows that secular Jews do not really hate religious Jews.
Orthodox Women May Stand to Lose Under Sharansky’s Proposal
If it is the sole solution to women's rights at the Kotel, an egalitarian section at the Kotel will ultimately make things harder for Orthodox feminists who are trying to assert their rights within a Halachic framework.
Is the Chief Rabbinate to Blame?
In Israel today, how many of our religious leaders instill pride in being Jewish into the secular public?
The Outreach Revolution
Our battles with the Conservative movement are over. They no longer pose a threat to Orthodoxy.
For the Sake of Keeping the Bris Milah, Give Up Metzitza B’Peh
Those who carry the herpes virus cannot always tell when it is present in the mouth.
And Hate the Sinner Too
Forgetting how to hate can be just as damaging as forgetting how to love.
Changing the Paradigm of the Haredi Jew
Universal army service will help integrate Haredim into the workplace so that they can earn a livable wage and support their families.
An Autonomous Haredi State: Having Their Cake and Eating It Too
The suggestion is intriguing, self serving and frankly somewhat humorous.
Protesting the ‘Evil Decree’? Why Not a Counter Rally?
They can say all day long that they are not protesting Israel. The fact that they will be out there in the middle of Manhattan talking about 'gezeirot' says otherwise.
Wrapped in Plastic and Hilul HaShem
When a Jew who appears to the world as the most religious among us acts like a fool that is a hilul HaShem.
The Sharansky Option
Public protests of the expansion of the Robinson's Arch area for egalitarian prayer would only generate more enmity.
Another Baby (Almost) Bites the Dust
Rabbi Pirutinsky discussed the issue of 'metzizah b'peh' at length, concluding that if medical experts determine that there is a danger to the child, metzizah should be performed by other legitimate methods.
Intermarriage Rarely Has a Happy Ending
'Doublelife: One Family, Two Faiths and a Journey of Hope' is well written and compelling, but wrongly suggests that intermarriage is a workable option.
Is Sabbath Observance Enough?
I would love to consider all people who observe Shabbos as observant. That was once the case.
A Hasidic Role Model
I would love to see Mrs. Freier become the role model for all Hasidic women – and not just for those like the ones she attended school with.
A View of Observant Judaism by a Non Observant Jew
Most of us know right from wrong and live as though it matters because it does. This is what David Brooks reported.
Is Learning Torah ‘Sharing the Burden’?
Once again we see a great rabbinic figure who apparently does not understand what it is that really upsets the non-Haredi public, including many observant Jews.
Anger at Haredim: Who Is to Blame?
The draft is but one area Haredi leaders badly stumble over.
A Time for Zero Tolerance and a Time for Tolerance
When it comes to victims of abuse the overriding approach should be one of compassion and understanding. But school officials' mishandling of a situation should not automatically result in termination.
Well Intentioned, but Wrong to Condone Homosexuality
Making gay marriage not just value neutral but something positive. It is in effect koshering a forbidden lifestyle.
A New Beginning?
The era of Godless leadership in the Knesset ended with Menachem Begin. One might even say it ended with the Six Day War.