Human Nature, Police and “Defunding”
A piece I wrote for Forward about what the Talmud has to say about the nature of men and the need for governmental authority, and the movement to “defund” police, can be read here.
Rav Soloveitchik – Historical Approach to Talmud Study
We are indebted to Rabbi Gil Student for recently sharing this important vintage recording of Rav Soloveitchik zt”l on the historical approach to Talmud study. It is important to understand that the Rav here...
To Err is Vital
In a few days, astute students of Daf Yomi will encounter a hint to a hidden life lesson of indescribable worth. If, that is, they look closely at the mishna on 103a in massechta...
In Praise of the Orthodox Statements on the George Floyd Murder
Only HKBH’s Torah demands a Torah she-b’al-peh. Sometimes even the work of Man cannot or is not properly understood without commentary and exegesis. The statements released by a number of Orthodox organizations were, as...
Understanding Sotah
An article I wrote about the oddity, indeed, uniqueness, of parshas sotah, for My Jewish Learning, a site intended to offer Jews seeking to learn more about their religious heritage, can be read here.
Criminality in the Streets and in the Cloud
As sad as it is ironic, those who have seized the opportunity during protests over the killing of George Floyd to vandalize police vehicles and attack officers, deface buildings and loot stores are perpetuating...
Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, z”l
The tributes to Rabbi Lamm are pouring in from the many within his extensive orbit who speak lovingly of how he and his thought touched them. I write from outside that orbit. In fact,...
We Must Attend Shul Whether or Not Women are Present
R. Dov Linzer recently argued that shuls in New York State should not reopen until the present limit of ten people at religious services is raised, so that women may attend. My response to...
De-Camping
At this point, no one knows if sleep-away or day camps, including Jewish ones, will be functioning this summer. And, if they will be, whether all children who want to attend them will be...
The Real Story Behind the Vaccine Story
One of the Covid-19 vaccines being studied has yielded encouraging results. That good news should yield us something too: a sense of awe at the accomplishment. Earlier this week, the biotech company Moderna, which...