Clik here to view.
Improving the Conversion Experience
Bethany Mandel (Twitter)Last October as a result of the egregious behavior of Barry Freundel, a once respected Modern Orthodox rabbi, the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA) decided to review its...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Are Reform Jews Jewish?
Israeli Religious Affairs Minister, David Azulay (Matzav)I cannot understand why some people feel that they have to condemn Reform Judaism to such an extent, that they end up lying about them. This is...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Changing the Direction of a Failed Foreign Policy
John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad ZarifI don’t think it’s going to happen. Unless the President is truly more concerned about his legacy than he is about the safety of the world....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Expel the Expellers
Lev Beis Yaakov (VIN)Expulsions from a school are particularly troubling to me. Even if the infractions for which they have been expelled are serious. Unless such people are shown to be detrimental to...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Saying Kaddish for Open Orthodoxy
Open Orthodox Rabbi Zev Farber, ordained by YCTI say this with a heavy heart. But I think the time has come to say Kaddish for Open Orthodoxy. Kaddish is the prayer traditionally recited upon the loss...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Role Model of Orthodox Feminism
NSA Chief Risk Officer, Anne (Chani) NeubergerAnne Neuberger is my kind of feminist. She is the kind of achiever that - given the opportunity - any woman could achieve. I don’t necessarily mean in her...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Peace in Our Time?
Neville Chamberlain showing off the agreement reached with Hitler in 1938I was proud of this country when back in 2008 it elected its first black President. I still am. At the time, I was willing to...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Imbibing in the Culture and Remaining Observant
Chasidim in New SquareOh, what the religious world lost when Shulem Deen opted out. In yet another insightful article he explains one of the little understood problems felt by those who change their...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Remarkable Statements by Two Charedi Leaders
Guest Post by Paul ShavivEida HaCharedis head, R' Yitzchok Tuvia (Tibor) WeissI am often accused of being a Charedi basher. This is not true. I emphatically deny it. In that same vein I have been...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Breath of Fresh Air? …or the Winds of Change?
Yeshivat Maharat RY, R' Jeffery FoxI had the pleasure over the last few days of interacting with 2 of Open Orthodoxy’s leading lights. One was by telephone with Rabbi Jeffery Fox, Rosh Yeshiva of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Racist Attitudes Among Us
Chava Shervington (JTA)There are 2 things that I have very strong feelings about which seem to elicit an opposite feeling from many of my Orthodox Jewish coreligionists. They are the concept of Ahavas...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Breaking Bad - Bill and Ezra
Rabbi Ezra Sheinberg (Arutz Sheva)They were inspiring individuals. Icons, in fact. People of great achievement. When they spoke, people listened. And now their reputations are in the trash where they...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Agendas Versus Historical Truths
Professor Marc B. ShapiroTruth is the best defense. This expression refers to the best way for an innocent defendant to present his case in court. It is also a prescription for mankind. Which of course...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Lesser of Two Evils –is Still Evil
An Islamic State execution, Imagine nuclear weapons in their hands!There are some people that hate Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu so much, they are blinded to the truths he articulates....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Doing What’s Right for the Rebellious Child
Faigy MayerAfter my recent posts on Open Orthodoxy, one may find this a bit strange, but I actually admire Rabbi Ysoscher Katz despite my profound disagreement with the ultimate path he’s taken. Rabbi...
View ArticleClik here to view.
When Piety becomes Worthless in the Eyes of God
Guest Post by Netanel GertnerProminent Jews caught in a money laundering scheme in 2009 (NYT)It is commonly taught that the Second Temple was destroyed because of baseless hatred. Less talked about is...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Sudden Destruction of Jerusalem
Khameni: "Israel must be annihilated" It happened so suddenly. That is what Rav Yoshe Ber Soloveitchik points out in his interpretation of one of the Kinos Tisha B’Av that we said this morning....
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Schism Removing it from Orthodoxy
Ordaining ceremony for female rabbis (Ha'artetz)An analysis of the state Orthodoxy in our world today has been attempted by Yair Ettinger. In his lengthy Ha’aretz article he questions whether there is...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Basic Education Will Improve Their Lives
(Yiddish says 'Foy -English is impure!') Does't this say it all? (VIN)One of the things that bothers me is when Emes is discounted because of its messenger. That is how many in the Charedi world that...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Asserting Our Rights To the Land of Israel
Saying Shema on the Temple Mount (Jewish Press)These are the kinds of stories that make my blood boil. One was in the Jewish Press and the other in Mishpacha Magazine last week (not available online)...
View Article