Same Sex Marriage – A Debate For Our Times
One of the most impactful pieces I recall from the years of The Jewish Observer was a debate between two contributors. (One was Rabbi Bernard Weinberger, z”l, who was niftar just a short while...
Author: Special to Cross-Currents
Racism or Halakha? An Analysis of the Barkan Controversy
The Eidah would have requested the same of any employee, regardless of skin color, whose Jewish status required further investigation in the view of its rabbis. Conversely, if an Ethiopian converted with the rabbinical court of the Eidah Ha-Hareidit, the Badatz would have absolutely no hesitation whatsoever about his or her handling wine.
Faith, the Final Frontier
by Brian Keating As a professor of astrophysics, you might be shocked to learn I don’t believe in the law of gravity. I don’t believe in black holes either. I don’t even believe that...
On the Hundredth Yahrtzeit of Reb Chaim Brisker- From Rebbe to Talmid: Intellect and Ayin Tova.
by Reuven Ungar The Torah is passed on from rebbe to talmid, from generation to generation. Chachmei HaMesorah, ma’atikei ha-shemua are charged with this task. This summer will mark the 100th yahrtzeit of Rav...
Queen Esther: How to be a Strong Jewish Woman in a Man’s World
by Dovid Kornreich Many years ago, after it finally dawned on me that there are some quite disturbing adult themes hidden between the lines of the first couple of chapters of the Scroll of...
Appreciating the “Simple” Jews: A Tale of Two Weddings
by Rabbi Asher Brander A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of attending two Yerushalayim weddings. I did not actually dance at both of them— the Yerushalayim traffic made sure that I uphold the...
Style vs. Substance and The Trump Effect
By Alexandra Fleksher Does America really want another celebrity president? Yes, as long as it is Oprah. Oprah Winfrey is as beloved as they get as a role model and source of guidance to...
What’s Worse – Sexual Harassment Or Adultery?
By Elliot Resnick Another day, another accusation of sexual harassment. If you’re guilty to the slightest degree, there’s no redemption. Your career must end. Now. I find this moral crusade awfully confusing. Of course,...
At Least We Could Cry
by Rabbi Meir Goldberg Rav Yitzchok of Vorka was one of the leading Rebbes in Poland some two hundred years ago. A close friend of the Kotzker and the Chidushei Harim of Ger, he...
In Celebration of Rabbi Norman Lamm’s Ninetieth Birthday
Rabbi Michael J. Broyde Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm celebrates his ninetieth birthday in during Channuka of this year. Rabbi Lamm שליט”א life model makes him a figure worthy of examination across the spectrum of...
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