Featured Essays

  • Putting Up a Mezuzah for a Non-Jew

    Putting Up a Mezuzah for a Non-Jew
    By Gidon Rothstein     (0)

    by R. Gidon Rothstein 7 Av: Putting Up a Mezuzah for a Non-Jew Some people treat mezuzah superstitiously, as if the box itself protects, independent of our belief in or subservience to Hashem. That explains why some non-Jews want mezuzot on their doors, even though they might not believe anything else about Judaism. On the 7th of Av, 5709 (1949), R. Moshe Feinstein, Iggerot Moshe Yoreh Deah 1;184, was asked about a non-Jew who wanted his Jewish landlord to put a mezuzah on the door. The landlord wanted to know […]

     
  • The Breaking of the Glass

    The Breaking of the Glass
    By Aharon Ziegler     (0)

    Halakhic Positions of Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik by R. Aharon Ziegler The common practice is that the Chatan [groom] breaks a glass at a wedding. Many assume that this is to remind all those in attendance of the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash, as is mentioned in the Rama to Orach Chaim [Siman 560]. This idea is based on the pasuk in Tehilim [137:6] which encourages all to always make mention of Yerushalayim at all times, even on the joyous occasion of a wedding. In the Gemara Berachot [31a], which […]

     
  • Audio Roundup: R. Reisman Special

    Audio Roundup: R. Reisman Special
    By Joel Rich     (0)

    by Joel Rich Hat tip to Counselor K for providing the CD’s even as  the dog days of summer threatened his impeccable raiment and plumage. These shiurim are available for $ at ISHIUR.com J-129 – Pre Pesach Thoughts Some thoughts on the role of the Leviim and the special relationship between the tribes of Benjamin and Yehuda. J-130 – The Luz Bone Review of the various mentions of Luz in Tanach and Talmud.  Common factor is focus on eternity and that everyone has an opportunity to achieve it.  Our test […]

     
  • Jews, Tisha B’Av, and World War I

    Jews, Tisha B’Av, and World War I
    By Henry Abramson     (1)

    Brief discussion of the anniversary of Tisha B’Av, the onset of World War I, and its implications for Jewish History.

     
  • Moshe’s Interpretation of the Torah

    Moshe’s Interpretation of the Torah
    By Yair Kahn     (0)

    by R. Yair Kahn Moshe’s Interpretation of the Torah I. Senior Moments? Sefer Devarim contains the parting speeches delivered by Moshe to Benei Yisrael. The first section, known as the historical speech, reviews various events that occurred during the forty years in the wilderness, with an eye on preparing Yisrael to enter the land of Canaan. However, when comparing Moshe’s version, with the Torah’s original description, we are confronted with a number of troubling discrepancies. Moshe begins with the journey from Har Sinai. He records his sense of inability to […]

     
  • The Virtues and Pitfalls of Communal Criticism

    The Virtues and Pitfalls of Communal Criticism
    By Yaakov Ariel     (0)

    by R. Yaakov Ariel Communal criticism is vital for any proper community. It has the power to rein in leaders, communal institutions and private individuals and to guide them in the correct path. It has the power to reveal corruption, to expose acts of evil and to educate the community to refrain from them and to wrestle with them. Positive criticism, which keeps the good of the community before its eyes, is a biblical positive commandment as it says, “You shall surely rebuke your fellow” (Lev. 19:17). In order to […]

     
 

The Blatt

  • Daily Reyd

    Daily Reyd (0)

    ▪ R Melamed: Tisha B’Av...

     
  • Daily Reyd

    Daily Reyd (0)

    ▪ R Aviner: Tisha Be-Av which...

     
  • Daily Reyd

    Daily Reyd (0)

    ▪ Nicer term than rent-a-rabbi:...

     
  • Daily Reyd

    Daily Reyd (0)

    ▪ The Trans-Fat Ban Deals A...

     
 
 
 

Recent Essays

  • Putting Up a Mezuzah for a Non-Jew

    Gidon Rothstein (0)
    Putting Up a Mezuzah for a Non-Jew

    by R. Gidon Rothstein 7 Av: Putting Up a Mezuzah for a Non-Jew Some people treat mezuzah superstitiously, as if the box itself...

     

  • The Breaking of the Glass

    Aharon Ziegler (0)
    The Breaking of the Glass

    Halakhic Positions of Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik by R. Aharon Ziegler The common practice is that the Chatan [groom] breaks...

     

  • Audio Roundup: R. Reisman Special

    Joel Rich (0)
    Audio Roundup: R. Reisman Special

    by Joel Rich Hat tip to Counselor K for providing the CD’s even as  the dog days of summer threatened his impeccable raiment...

     

  • Jews, Tisha B’Av, and World War I

    Henry Abramson (1)
    Jews, Tisha B’Av, and World War I

    Brief discussion of the anniversary of Tisha B’Av, the onset of World War I, and its implications for Jewish History. ...

     

  • Moshe’s Interpretation of the Torah

    Yair Kahn (0)
    Moshe’s Interpretation of the Torah

    by R. Yair Kahn Moshe’s Interpretation of the Torah I. Senior Moments? Sefer Devarim contains the parting speeches delivered...

     

  • The Virtues and Pitfalls of Communal Criticism

    Yaakov Ariel (0)
    The Virtues and Pitfalls of Communal Criticism

    by R. Yaakov Ariel Communal criticism is vital for any proper community. It has the power to rein in leaders, communal institutions...

     

  • Audio Roundup

    Joel Rich (0)
    Audio Roundup

    by Joel Rich Discuss: A yahrtzeit shiur is “being sponsored” at the same time as your regular learning seder. Evaluate...

     

  • Swear to G-d

    Gil Student (3)
    Swear to G-d

    by R. Gil Student Jews are averse to swearing–taking oaths–for two reasons. One, as we discussed last week, is...

     

  • Conversion Guidelines, Transparency and Accountability

    Gil Student (1)
    Conversion Guidelines, Transparency and Accountability

    My article in last week’s Jewish Link of New Jersey The Orthodox Jewish community is currently experiencing a devastating...

     

  • Two Teshuvot on Gittin

    Gidon Rothstein (2)
    Two Teshuvot on Gittin

    by R. Gidon Rothstein 29 Tammuz: Two Teshuvot on Gittin The laws of divorce are technically challenging, so I don’t generally...

     
 
1 2 3 … 597