Free-Market Judaism and Conversion Standards: A Response to Dr. Shuki Friedman
“We should seriously consider eliminating municipal police departments and increasing the issuance of gun permits to
Say It Ain’t So, Mike
In 1990, attorney Mike Godwin introduced what became known as “Godwin’s Law,” the contention that if an electronic discussion (regardless of topic or scope) goes on for long enough, sooner or later someone will...
The Psychotic Stabber
Not that this should surprise anyone, but we now know that Yishai Schlissel was diagnosed with serious mental issues, was hospitalized for over a month — and was released from prison, three weeks before...
The Jerusalem “Pride Parade” and the Beruriah Doctrine
“May sinners (חטאים) be eradicated from the earth…” (Tehillim/Psalms 104:35). Beruriah, the erudite wife of the Talmudic sage Rebbe Meir, exposited the verse to convey not that sinners, but that sins, be eradicated. (Berachos...
Useful Tool to Combat the Iran Deal
So many people we know simply have lost the capacity to get involved in complexity and sustained argument. But they, too, can play a role in our community’s effort to beat back this existential...
J’Accuse. You Have Hurt Me, Lisa
Lisa, I am very disappointed and personally hurt by your words directed against me. You and I have communicated before. We are in agreement on many issues, and have always been amicable with regards...
Lion Hunting and Torah Teachings
Although we are now occupied with far weightier issues than a recent illegal lion hunt – issues such as the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran, and acts of killing and assault by deranged/incredibly misguided zealots, along...
Bigotry Watch
First things first: I learned while preparing this that one of the victims of today’s stabbing in Jerusalem is unstable and in critical condition. Whoever he or she may be, and I hope we’ll...
An Open Letter To Rabbi Herzl Hefter
by Rabbi Nahum Spirn אֵיךְ נָפְלוּ גִבּוֹרִים – How the mighty have fallen. These words, spoken by King David in his eulogy for King Saul, seem to apply oh-all-too well to you, R’ Herzl....
Planned (Frum) Parenting
I do not think that I am a great parent; I do not know if I am even a good one. Nonetheless, even those of us whose accomplishments are mediocre or worse learn from...