Polishing the Badge
Like most everything these polarized-perspectives days, talking about the police seems to demand the taking of sides — either with ‘em or agin ‘em. But, of course, that’s nonsense. One can, and should, fully...
Author: Avi Shafran
An Upside to Israeli TV
A piece I wrote for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency about how several example of recent Israeli television shows, including a new “reality series,” are serving to “normalize” charedim for non-observant Israelis can be read...
A Jewish Take on Toppling Statues
An article I wrote for Forward on the targeting of statues of Confederate leaders and slave owners can be read here.
Should “Black Lives Matter” Matter?
[photo credit: Rathkopf Photography] If there were a contest for the most tasteless use of a slogan this summer, it would be hard to pick one out of several recent candidates reacting to...
You Can Never Escape
A piece I wrote about my father, a”h, and one of many life lessons he taught me was published by Fox News today. It can be accessed here.
The Gray Lady Swoons
James Bennet, who served as the editorial page editor of the New York Times for the past five years, was recently walked to the journalistic guillotine by the powers-that-be at that once-venerable institution. His...
Human Nature, Police and “Defunding”
A piece I wrote for Forward about what the Talmud has to say about the nature of men and the need for governmental authority, and the movement to “defund” police, can be read here.
To Err is Vital
In a few days, astute students of Daf Yomi will encounter a hint to a hidden life lesson of indescribable worth. If, that is, they look closely at the mishna on 103a in massechta...
Understanding Sotah
An article I wrote about the oddity, indeed, uniqueness, of parshas sotah, for My Jewish Learning, a site intended to offer Jews seeking to learn more about their religious heritage, can be read here.
Criminality in the Streets and in the Cloud
As sad as it is ironic, those who have seized the opportunity during protests over the killing of George Floyd to vandalize police vehicles and attack officers, deface buildings and loot stores are perpetuating...
Recent Comments