by R. Ya’akov Ariel This essay is excerpted with permission from Rav Ya’akov Ariel’s introduction to the third volume of the Mifal Mishneh Torah’s edition of Moreh Nevuchim. Translation by R. Moshe Schapiro. Published here with permission, although the author has not reviewed the translation. Section headings were added by the editor. I. Historical Reasons for Commandments Many chapters in ...

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 ...

by R. Yaakov Ariel This book review appears in Hebrew on R. Ya’akov Ariel’s website, dated 23 Shevat, 5771. It is presented here in translation with permission, although the translation has not been reviewed. -ed. The title “Rabbi,” to our regret, has been eroded in our generation. Any young yeshiva student who has passed a test on the laws of ...

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 ...

by R. Yaakov Ariel 1.The Problem Rapid change characterizes, perhaps more than anything else, the modern age; and the rhythm of these changes is dumbfounding. Science is developing at a dizzying pace. Technology implements the achievements of science and changes the circumstances of life at a tremendous speed. It is pronounced in the conditions of housing, transportation, communication, dress, medicine ...

I. Afterlife and Resurrection The Mishnah (Sanhedrin 90a) states: “All Jews have a place in the world-to-come… These have have no place in the world-to-come: He who states that there is no resurrection of the dead from the Torah….” The Gemara asks why such a severe punishment is placed on one who rejects resurrection of the dead. It answers: Since ...