by R. Gil Student I. Competing Bids In approximately 1547, one litigant (“Shimon”) bought a region’s liquor monopoly for three years from the local nobleman. Before the three years were done, someone else (“Reuven”) bought the monopoly for the next three years for a higher price. Shimon complained that Reuven elbowed into his territory and stole his livelihood. The two ...

• This is why we need gatekeepers – I’m an Orthodox rabbi, and I officiate at LGBTQ weddings https://www.jweekly.com/2019/07/18/im-an-orthodox-rabbi-and-i-officiate-at-lgbtq-weddings/ • R Y Blau – On charismatic rabbis and cults https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/on-charismatic-rabbis-and-cults/ • So this is weird – Haredi man sues Orlando-area McDonald’s for not hiring him due to his beard – https://www.jta.org/quick-reads/haredi-man-sues-orlando-area-mcdonalds-for-not-hiring-him-due-to-his-beard

by R. Gil Student  I.The Ludmir Decision In 16th century Poland, leading rabbis debated whether a single rabbi, a Torah giant, can effectively resolve a monetary dispute. In general, a religious court requires at least three judges. However, the Gemara (Sanhedrin 5a) says that a single expert can resolve monetary cases. While the Tur (Choshen Mishpat 3) says that according ...

• How Can Observant Jews Counter LGBTQ Advocates? https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/how-can-observant-jews-counter-lgbtq-advocates/ • New poll shows growing view that clergy are irrelevant https://religionnews.com/2019/07/16/new-poll-shows-growing-view-that-clergy-are-irrelevant/ • No Matter Where You Are, Religious Freedom Is Getting Worse https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2019/july/religious-freedom-getting-worse-pew-ministerial.html • When It Is Appropriate To Say Nothing http://jewishlinknj.com/features/32466-when-it-is-appropriate-to-say-nothing

• Jews are Routinely Being Attacked in the Streets of New York City. Why Does No One Care? https://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-news-and-politics/287821/orthodox-jews-attacked-brooklyn-hate-crime • Corporate Power and the Public Square https://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2019/07/corporate-power-and-the-public-square • The Beguiling Pretense of Prefacing Remarks as a Jew or Rabbi https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-beguiling-pretense-of-prefacing-remarks-as-a-jew-or-rabbi/ • No Matter Where You Are, Religious Freedom Is Getting Worse https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2019/july/religious-freedom-getting-worse-pew-ministerial.html

• New York State Cracks Down on Jewish Schools: Senator Simcha Felder and Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel meet the long shadow of Joseph Hodges Choate https://www.educationnext.org/new-york-state-cracks-down-jewish-schools-senator-simcha-felder-rabbi-chaim-dovid-zwiebel-joseph-hodges-choate/ • Israeli education minister clarifies remarks on gay conversion therapy https://www.jns.org/education-minister-clarifies-controversial-remarks-on-gay-conversion-therapy/ • Chief Rabbi of Poland slammed by board over his support of Jewish prayer https://www.jpost.com//Diaspora/Chief-Rabbi-of-Poland-slammed-by-board-over-his-support-of-Jewish-prayer-595835 • Orthodox Union opens applications for second cohort ...

Covenant & Conversation: Deuteronomy: Renewal of the Sinai Covenant by R. Jonathan Sacks’ (Maggid/OU Press)

• A Shafran – Federation Blues https://cross-currents.com/2019/07/14/federation-blues/ • C Waxman – Looking Backward: Modern Orthodoxy in the Year 2000 https://traditiononline.org/looking-backward-modern-orthodoxy-in-the-year-2000/ • I lean toward the view that people who believe it is impossible to be a Zionist while living in the diaspora don’t understand Judaism or human nature – E Poupko – Zionism Outside of Zion https://www.jewishpress.com/indepth/opinions/zionism-outside-of-zion/2019/07/12/ • The Middle ...

• Many in our community have stopped thinking and instead accept talking points from those opposed to the Torah. Is celebrating homosexual identity AND activity really the only way to prevent suicides? I don’t buy that for one minute. There are more acceptable, modest and wholesome ways for people to come to terms with themselves than this unsavory celebration of ...

by R. Gil Student Many rabbis use the High Holiday sermons as an opportunity to showcase their talents and to showcase crucial ideas and themes. Considering the large crowd, rabbis may spend months preparing just the right combination of information and inspiration. In other words, it’s a big deal. Some congregants enjoy the sermon. Others flee the room. Some envy ...