Wisdom from a Venice Beach Vagabond
He told me that according to a Muslim poet, children do not truly belong to their parents. Instead, parents are the vessel through which children flow into the world.
The Morality of Accepting Charity from Immoral People
Rambam would also allow charity from a mumar as long as the person maintains basic belief in God and Judaism.
Life is in Its Struggles: Dealing with the Tough Questions
When the "offensive" statements in our Talmud were stated, no one thought they were offensive.
Will the Real Haredi Feminists Please Stand Up?
Ruth Colian is running as a Haredi woman for political office.
What Should We Say On Billboards for God and Judaism?
The Pope is saying that actions are far more important than faith. This is particularly ironic coming from Catholicism.
When a Heretic Speak Heresy Against Heretics
For deviating from the orthodox scientific position, Nagel has been abused, maligned, outcast, and insulted.
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
Let’s Call Them Modern Chasidim
The problem is that Tuna Beigel is a pejorative.
My Favorite Nelson Mandela Quote
The world lost a great man last week.
How Far Will Gershonides Go to Avoid Mystical Interpretations?
In short, he says the whole thing was a prophetic vision, a dream. There was no physical battle.
Why Do Rabbis Make Jokes at Serious Times?
It’s even more strange when the jokes come at our holiest times of the year.
R’ Eliezer Knew More Science than R’ Yehoshua
According to the Torah Temimah...
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?
Modesty Messages from a Mormon
Mormons are expected to be chaste in every possible way and this can be particularly difficult for young men.
Rabbi Kelemen on Kids Leaving Orthodoxy (I Think He’s Wrong)
Basically, the real problem is bad parenting. He calls it parental selfishness.
Can People Live Longer than 120 Years?
The Talmud is making a general statement for which there are more exceptions that situations where the rule applies.
A Song of Love, a Song of Life
There is no song that tells the story of freedom like Shir HaShirim.
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.
Defenders and Benders of Roles for Genders
Boys can play with dolls. Men can embrace their feminine side. Girls can play sports.
Women Wearing Tefillin Is Really Not Such a Big Deal
Some people are assuming the intentions of these women are less than perfect, but that’s complete conjecture.
Two Different Tracks: Women and Tefillin vs. Women and Torah
Women learning Torah is becoming increasingly permissive, but women wearing tefillin is becoming increasingly stringent.
Ami Magazine Forcing Gilgulim Down our Throats
Trying to explain Holocaust deaths as tikkun and a way of cleansing a soul is offensive.
A Call to End Anti-Chasid Bigotry
People were literally saying that a chasid cannot write so well. It’s impossible they claimed.
Educating about Abuse without Stigmatizing Victims
Organic dating has its own set of problems that the shidduch system can help avoid.
The J-Blogs Are Like Politifact and They Make a Difference
Fact checking leadership means asking tough questions.
The People Are Looking for Answers
A rabbi who writes controversial things becomes international news.
We Are Not Under Attack By the LGBT Community
Orthodox Jews are free to teach Leviticus and we are free to deny any religious rights and privileges to anyone we so choose.
What Kind of Life Shall We Choose?
Dvar Torah for Nitzavim Vayelech.
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.
On the Shoulders of (Imperfect) Giants
In order to truly appreciate Torah, one must be a master over one’s spirit as well.