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Holy from Womb to Tomb?
Rabbi Ben Tzion Shafier (seen here on the cover of Mishpacha Magazine)I am pleased to once again see someone with Charedi credentials, Rabbi Ben Tzion Shafier, underscore an idea I have expressed here...
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In Praise of ArtScroll
Tractate Yevamos - currently being studied in Daf YomiI find it curious that a simple criticism of a publisher about one aspect of his work has generated so many negative comments about him and his...
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Capturing the Truth
Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen RiceI’m sure what I am about to say will be misconstrued no matter what kind of disclaimer I make. But as a seeker of truth I feel compelled to talk about it....
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Jewish Education and Moderation is the Key
A lot has been made about the Pew Survey on American Jewry last year that showed a sharp population decline in all Jewish denominations - save for Orthodoxy. The question remains, Why is that the...
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Orthodox Survival in Israel
Charedim studying at Kiryat Ono College (Failed Messiah)After dealing with the survival of Orthodoxy in the United States yesterday, let us analyze Orthodoxy in Israel. It should not come as a surprise...
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Decentralizing Conversions in Israel
MK Elazar Stern, the New Conversion Bill's sponsor (Ynet)Last Sunday, the Israeli Kenesset passed a new bill that will reform the way conversions to Judaism will be handled. This has brought objections...
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Settlements the Temple Mount, and Rabbi Yehuda Glick
Rabbi Yehuda GlickI know that this is not the popular view among many of my coreligionists. Especially those who tend to the more right wing of Religious Zionism. But unlike most Religious Zionists I...
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Shades of Grey
Chaim Topol as Tevya the milkman in Fiddler on the RoofOne of the things that characterizes the views of a Centrist is that very few things in life are black and white. Except for those Torah laws...
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Inexcusable!
Rabbi Ysocher KatzWith all of my reservations about Yeshiva Chovevei Torah (YCT), I nevertheless had high hopes when Rabbi Asher Lopatin took over its reins. I consider Rabbi Loptain to be a friend. I...
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An Orthodox Rabbi Whose Wife in Not Orthodox
Sally Priesand, America's first female rabbi (Reform)One of the issues addressed by Rabbi Avrohom Gordimer in his recent Cross Currents essay Looting the Kodesh is whether the spouse of a religious...
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5 Ways to Keep Hanukkah Gift Giving Meaningful
Did you know that there are no universally prescribed traditions regarding gift giving during Hanukkah? This must be one reason why each Jewish family has its own ways of celebrating Hanukkah. And for...
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Feet of Clay - Who Watches the Watchman?
Guest Post by Rabbi Eliyahu SafranRabbi Eliyahu SafranThe trespass so clear, so disturbing, so defiling that no caring member of the Jewish community can help but feel a deep sense of humiliation and...
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Transparency and the Honor of the Rabbinate
RCA President Rabbi Leonard MatankyMost rabbis are either sexual predators or cover-up for those colleagues that are.That is of course one of the most ridiculous and disgusting statements anyone can...
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Can’t Happen Here!
Illustrative photo. credit: INGIMAGE / ASAP via the Jerusalem PostBarbara Sofer’s opinion piece in the Jerusalem Post reveals some statistics about sex abuse that raises some questions in my mind.1....
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Actions - Not Platitudes
Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zweibel addressing the Agudah Convention last night (VIN)The hits just keep on coming. I’m not talking about music. I’m talking about the world of Orthodoxy being ‘hit’ yet again with...
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The Folly of Taking Chances for Peace
Latest ISIS beheading, Peter Kassig (NY Daily News)There is one thing all of those calling for Israel to stop building settlements and take chances for peace with the Palestinians are ignoring. That...
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The CBC and the Events in Jerusalem
R' Moshe Twersky - 1 of 5 people killed by terrorists in Jerusalem this morningYes… the Israeli police have done it again. This morning they shot and killed some hapless Palestinians. Is this not proof...
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A Hero, an Apologist, and a Truthseeker
Funeral of Zidan Saif (Photo: Israel police via the Jerusalem Post)Unlike many religions, Judaism does have a place in Heaven for non Jews. Judaism does not require conversion as a prerequisite for...
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The Poor Judgment of Crying ‘Wolf’ Too Often
CBS Morning News Anchor, Norah O'DonnellI don’t really pay that much attention to Honest Reporting - a website that is supposedly a watchdog for media bias against Israel. There certainly is enough of...
View ArticleThe Words I Have Been Waiting For
I am not in the habit of posting videos as a primary post. At most I will post them as an enhancement of what I have written. But I am making an exception in this case.Rabbi Avrohom Nesanel Zucker...
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