So Who (What) Are We?
Just what Jews are has been debated for ages. In recent times, the different options have become agendized and politicized. My friend Rabbi Shmuel Goldin recently contributed a delightful, upbeat essay to Torah Tidbits...
The Guard Protecting the Shul
Security for Jewish institutions – shuls, schools, community centers and organizations – has understandably been at the forefront of many minds and agendas in recent months. Agudath Israel of America, where I serve as...
Incendiary Devices
“BLACKS NEED TO RESPECT JEWISH AUTHORITY,” reads the stark, all-caps message on Telegram, an instant messaging service. The word “JEWISH” is reverse-color emphasized. The message came from a fake account, like similar racist sentiments...
Are Attacks on Curricula Related to Attacks on Jews?
A piece I wrote for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency about the dovetailing of anti-Orthodox sentiment and violence against visibly observant Jews is can be read here.
Two More Clips from Rav Soloveitchik zt”l on Torah
I am grateful to Rabbi Mark Dratch for having shared these very important clips with RCA membership: Clip 1 Clip 2
Rav Soloveitchik zt”l on Love and Attachment to Torah
This clip has been making the rounds, and Cross-Currents readers will surely appreciate it: Let us take its words to heart and disseminate this important lesson.
Through Jewish Eyes
Maybe you know the old Yiddish joke? Back in pre-war Minsk, Shmerel and Berel are having a conversation. During a pause, Shmerel suddenly remembers a bit of bad news he has to relate. “Did...
Abhorrent Action at a Distance
Direct physical attacks on Jews have, and for good reason, unfortunately, dominated the news in recent weeks. But there have been other kinds of attacks on innocent people who are perceived to be Jewish....
Not-So-Good People
Like many identifiably Jewish Jews, I’ve caught my share of catcalls, Nazi salutes and threats. And read the rantings of people like Louis Farrakhan, David Duke and Richard Spencer. I can’t say I’m nonchalant...
Anti-Anti Semitism
The well-known British doctor and pundit Jonathan Miller, who died last month, felt he had the solution to anti-Semitism. He was quoted in a 1985 book as asserting that, to end Jew-hatred, “the Jew...