Category: General

9

Conversion Conundrums Rabbi Michael J. Broyde Thank you to Rabbi Gordimer for his thoughtful article “Conversion Subversion.” While there is much of value to ponder in it, it is his closing statement that deserves...

Shemos – Nameless

While parshas Shemos (“Names”) does begin with names, those of the shevatim, and introduces the naming of Moshe, it is ironic that, when the parsha’s narrative begins, anonymity seems the rule. “A man went...

17

Conversion Subversion

Geirus – conversion to Judaism – is one of the weightiest institutions there can be. Geirus impacts not only the personal halachic status of those who undergo it, but the status (and marriageability) of...

5

Guest Podcast

Living in Israel as an Anglo-charedi has been a dilemma for many. On the one hand, we can understand the need to preserve halachic standards, and the history of broken commitments by the government....

Vayigash – Man and Beast

Shepherds were abhorrent to ancient Egyptians, Yosef tells his brothers, as he relates what they should tell Par’oh in order to reserve the area of Goshen for his immigrating family (Beraishis 46:34). We find...

1

Two Rabbis, Three Opinions Episode 13

The latest episode of Two Rabbis, Three Opinions is up and available on Spotify and elsewhere. What’s with one writer’s comparison of charedim to American Indians? Can they claim that they were the indigenous...

Vayishlach – Beware the Rabbi

Imagine finding yourself in a desolate place and spying a lone figure in the distance coming toward you. Your apprehension, even nervousness, would be understandable.  But then, when he comes closer and you see...

Vayeitzei – The Purity Principle

Yaakov and Leah had their first (perhaps only) argument on the morning after the wedding feast. He had expected Rachel to join him in his abode that night but, unknown to him until morning’s...

1

Two Rabbis, Three Opinions Episode 12 Our latest episode of the podcast that examines current issues from a Torah perspective (or two, or three) is now available. Rabbi Simi Lerner and I muse over...

7

THE PLACE FROM AFAR: A Tale of Three Sisters

דּ וַיִּשָּׂ֨א אַבְרָהָ֧ם אֶת־עֵינָ֛יו וַיַּ֥רְא אֶת־הַמָּק֖וֹם מֵֽרָחֹֽק: And Avraham lifted his eyes, and saw the place from afar. Every year on the 4th of July, Candis made me a birthday party. She must have...

Pin It on Pinterest