Author Archives: Aharon Rakeffet-Rothkoff

Rabbi Dr. Aharon Rakeffet-Rothkoff is a Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva University's Gruss Institute in Jerusalem. He has published a number of books, mostly recently his scholarly memoirs, From Washington Avenue to Washington Street. This series of essays are adapted from R. Rakeffet's 2012-2013 lectures on the subject.

Isaac Leeser: The Right Man at the Wrong Time

Aharon Rakeffet-Rothkoff Dec 25, 13

by Aharon Rakeffet-Rothkoff I. Right Man, Wrong Time Isaac Leeser (1806-1868) was a visionary, ahead of his time… to his frustration. The ultimate mazal is to be the right man in the right place at the right time. Whatever Leeser tried to do failed but eventually became standard. Sadly, he was at the wrong time but years later he was ...

A History of Torah Judaism in America

Aharon Rakeffet-Rothkoff Oct 8, 13

Introduction to A History of Torah Judaism in America When I was in college, American Jewish History did not exist. In 1957, I won a Yeshiva College undergraduate essay contest on Jewish history with the topic of the 1924 rabbinic delegation to the White House. However, the judges debated whether to award me the $50 prize (no small amount at ...