Letters Enlighten
The idiom osiyos machkimos/ letters enlighten appears innumerable times in rabbinic literature. It usually means that the one using the phrase has read the original of an argument, and finds it more enlightening than...
Pesach Audio Shiurim
For the really bored, I offer two shiurim on Pesach for download. The first was given last Thursday evening as part of a three part series at Cong. Kehilas Yaakov in LA, with a...
Two At The Times
Kiddush Hashem happens – even in the New York Times. David Brooks’ appreciation of the Orthodox community will be talked about this Shabbos. So will the heart-wrenching translation of the letter of thanks that...
Good Questions To Ask Ourselves
Even as Prime Minister Netanyahu’s efforts to put together a coalition founder on the issue of inclusion of charedi parties, the acrimonious debate continues. Doubtless, readers have had their fill of both attacks on...
The Torah Oscars
No need to pass the envelope. To this judge, there is not much of a contest. The clear winner in multiple categories is Torah Live. We in the Torah world are hardly Luddites. But...
Purim: Blame It on the Rabbis
An anonymous submission in honor of Purim — Adapted from Michtav M’Eliyahu Vol. I p.75 The casual observer of the story of Purim will often overlook and/or misunderstand some of the most crucial aspects...
Any interest?
I’m gauging interest in a weekly e-mail offering of 3-6 pages aiming to provide an overview of several of the prior week’s Jewish-related news stories – with a stress on providing some context and,...
The Purim-Pesach Nexus
For most of us, two ideas dominate the connection between Purim and Pesach. Some of us remember the Rashi, whose “marbim besimcha” includes both Adar and Nisan. Others pragmatically take note of the kickoff...
It’s Not Your Mother’s Knesset
What would have surprised Israel’s founding fathers more: the growth of an observant community many believed was destined to disappear in short order, or its intrusion into the very non-hallowed halls of government? The...
Parnasah – Taking It Beyond Mishpacha
A recent article in Mishpacha (“Making it Work, January 3, 2013) provided advice to young men on the cusp of leaving kollel and entering the job market. The article was a good beginning in...