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...
Counting Days and Making Them Count
Whenever the secular year closes and a new one begins, one of life’s simple chores is to change the pages of the desk calendar: out with the old, in with the new. But that...
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...
Dos Yiddishe Mensch
If you’ve noticed a little less dignity, geniality and nobility in the world of late, it may be because we no longer have Reb Yosef Friedenson here with us. Reb Yosef’s humble bearing, good...
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...
Lies, Statistics and News Reports
It’s rare for light to be cast on the origins of a rumor. But a recent revelation about a charge made against Chuck Hagel before his confirmation as Secretary of Defense does that –...
Principle or Pragmatism?
I was on Israel English-language TV last week debating the army draft issue with Yochanan Plessner, the head of the government committee established to make recommendations on the issue in the last Knesset. The...
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...