Meeting the Challenge of Tisha B’Av: a Proposal
Can we hear the agony in his words? Can we step into his shoes and experience his torment?
Privacy and Government Snooping in Jewish Law
There is standing prohibition in Jewish law against sharing anything revealed in private conversation.
Man-Made Meat? A fence for Wisdom is Silence
The proper response for almost the entire population of planet Earth to these eternal questions about man-made meat is “I am not qualified to render an opinion on this matter.”
Creative License When Interpreting the Bible
When we are dealing in non-legal matters, we are no longer concerned with precedent.
What’s Wrong With the Star-K Kosher Phone?
A kashrus agency should be concerned with one thing and one thing only: the kosher status of our food.
Why Do People Leave Orthodox Judaism? Why Do People Stay?
People act not because they think it’s right; they do what they do because it’s what they want to do
Video Mocking Rabbinic Sermons Was in Bad Taste
Spontaneity and quirkiness have their place but a sermon is neither the time nor place for either of those.
The False Flag of False Accusations in Sex Abuse Cases
The NY Times has a very (appropriately) one-sided article on the Baruch Lebovits and Sam Kellner situation.
We Are Going in the Wrong Direction
For some, guilt by association is actual guilt. For these people, who you know and with whom you associate determine your credibility.
Abuse in New Square
This kid gets a medal for coming forward.
Mozilla: ‘Judge Not Your Fellow Until You Have Stood In His Place’
It is unfair to judge a 52 year old man with the glasses of a person who lives in a different world.
Educating about Abuse without Stigmatizing Victims
Organic dating has its own set of problems that the shidduch system can help avoid.
Can One Be a Shomer Torah u’Mitzvos and Accept Bible Criticism?
Historians currently assume the Bible was written between 720 BCE and 587 BCE, between the destruction of the Northern Kingdom and the destruction of Jerusalem.
The State of the Jew According to Pew
Very few middle aged and older people consider themselves ultra-orthodox. It’s a youth movement.
Satmar Matzah as New York Times Front Page News
This kind of stringency borders on silliness.
A Call to End Anti-Chasid Bigotry
People were literally saying that a chasid cannot write so well. It’s impossible they claimed.
When a Heretic Speak Heresy Against Heretics
For deviating from the orthodox scientific position, Nagel has been abused, maligned, outcast, and insulted.
The Challenge of Modesty
There is no real theological reason that tznius be heavily codified in Jewish law while other areas of our lives that require modesty are left to our whims and desires.
What Do I Tell My Children (About the Boys)?
What do we do when we want to be mad at God but we also want God to make it all better? Indeed, what do we do?
Ruminations on Meditation
Many great Jewish thinkers have described Jewish prayer as a form of meditation.
Why Do We Celebrate Chanukah?
Megilas Taanis simply proclaims the 25th of Kislev a holiday and it is forbidden to mourn for 8 days. The text does not give a reason for the celebration.
The J-Blogs Are Like Politifact and They Make a Difference
Fact checking leadership means asking tough questions.
Lessons Orthodox Judaism Can Learn from Mormons
Both communities value using books to study their texts, and digital devices are a less preferable way for younger people to study.
Defenders and Benders of Roles for Genders
Boys can play with dolls. Men can embrace their feminine side. Girls can play sports.
The People Are Looking for Answers
A rabbi who writes controversial things becomes international news.