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Is the Israeli Government Anti Charedi?
A pro Charedi futureThere is a little blurb in the Rosh Hashana edition of Mishpacha Magazine that encapsulates the warped image the Charedi world has of the non Charedi world. It is in the section...
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Of Yoatzot and Shtenders
Yoetzet receiving her certification - Photo credit: VINOne of the first topics I wrote about on this blog back in late 2005 was the innovation of Yoatzot Halacha. These are women who study the Halachos...
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The Mess They Leave Behind
Breslover Chasidim praying on a roof - Photo credit: Reuters via Jerusalem PostI could never understand the Uman phenomenon. I just don’t get what they get out of it. Breslover Chasidim consider it an...
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He Murdered His Daughter
Guest Post by Suzzane HandlerMental Illness is one of those subjects that is still pretty much taboo to talk about in the Orthodox Jewish community. And that can lead to tragic consequences. No more...
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Of Davenning, and OTD
Guest Post by 'Mechanech'The following was submitted to me by a noted Mechanech. It was generated by a post I had written a few weeks ago which in part dealt with the OTD phenomenon. As we approach Yom...
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No One is Immune
The following is from a lecture I attended in Jerusalem. On this, the day before Yom Kippur, I can think of nothing more appropriate for our times than the following.Despite the hair-raising stories...
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‘Mechanech’ Responds
Guest Post by ‘Mechnanech’Last Thursday’s guest post by ‘Mechanech’ unexpectedly proved to be one of the most enlightening posts to date on this blog. Not only because it allowed a glimpse into the...
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Intermarriage 2013
Nationally televised intermarriage of Ashley Hebert & J.P Rosenbaum“The preponderance of intermarriage has made it usually pointless to shun those who have married out,” “Once upon a time,...
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The Right to Buy Snake Oil
Image courtesy VINI am the first in line to support the freedom to choose any treatment you wish for what ails you. In a free society, everyone should have that right. The only question is whether that...
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Sukkos in the Holy Land
A soldier with the Daled Minim on SukkosSukkos in Israel is a real treat for me. Israel is truly the only place in the world where one can have the feeling of being a member of Klal Yisroel. The...
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An Inspiring Event and Yair Lapid
Erev Yom Kippur at the Kotel - Photo credit: Arutz ShevaRabbi Dovid Landesman is one of those Charedim for whom I have much respect. That’s because he is honest about the reality of the Charedi world....
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Religious Extremism in the Holy Land
Rav Shteinman - Photo credit: YWNExtremism in the defense of Torah is no vice. This is a turn on a phrase popularized back in 1964 by Barry Goldwater, a politically conservative Republican when he ran...
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Is Feminism Compatible with Orthodoxy?
Ruth Colian -Photo credit: Jewish PressI’ve always considered myself to be a feminist. I still feel that way, although I doubt an organization like JOFA (Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance) would see me...
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Funding Jewish Education
Gershon Distenfeld, who is a regular reader here has written an op-ed in the New Jersey Jewish Standard that may eventually become a milestone for positive change if implemented. He has come up with...
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Telling It like It Is
Rabbi Ron Yitzchok Eisenman(The) overinflated claim of near perfection and infallibility of the Gedolim I believe is not only incorrect it a major cause for the alienation of many Jews; both those who...
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Crossing Hard Lines
Rabbi Avi WeissI have had many issues with Rabbi Avi Weiss. But I have always defended him as an Orthodox Jew. He is in fact observant the way Orthodoxy has traditionally defined it. He follows...
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Having Your Cake and Eating It Too
Agudah spokesman Rabbi Avi ShafranI’m glad to see that Agudah has joined the internet age. There is a video online (available for viewing below) promoting their next banquet. Except that they haven’t...
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On the Other Hand…
I just hung up with a prominent member of the Agudah who expressed concern about what I wrote yesterday. Not that he disagreed with my desire to see Agudah go online. But in my perceprtion that Agudah...
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Orthodoxy - Outreach or Retreat?
Rabbi Asher Lopatin seen here with the Zidichover RebbeUnfortunately we live in a world of labels. Judaism has many faces. Far too many to list.I identify with the right wing of Modern Orthodoxy called...
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Can This be the Wisdom of the Torah?
Document asking Avrechim to pledge allegiance to 'Daas Torah'As if to underscore my contention that the truly great Torah leaders worthy of the appellation Gedolim belong to a generation no longer of...
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