Lehrhaus
If Your Wife Is Short, Bend Down and Hear Her Whisper: Rereading Tanur shel Akhnai
17 Feb 2019
In Miriam Gedwiser's essay about revisiting the story of the Oven of Akhnai in Jewish tradition, she explores how the narrative on Bava Metzia 59a-b offers a...
17 Feb 2019
Lehrhaus
The Talmud’s Economic Behavior, and the Study of Behavioral Economics
14 Feb 2019
This article delves into the intersection of Talmudic literature on economic behavior and the study of behavioral economics, with a focus on cases from the B...
14 Feb 2019
Lehrhaus
The Development of Neo-Hasidism: Echoes and Repercussions Part IV: Arthur Green and Conclusion
11 Feb 2019
Rabbi Arthur Green, a liberal theologian and scholar of Jewish mysticism, has played a significant role in the development of Neo-Hasidism. Influenced by thi...
11 Feb 2019
Tablet
Better Treyf Than Sorry
8 Feb 2019
In "Better Treyf Than Sorry," Adam Kirsch explores the Talmudic discussions in Chapter Three of Tractate Chullin regarding what renders an animal tereifa, or...
8 Feb 2019
Lehrhaus
Will we support the day school of tomorrow?
7 Feb 2019
The author discusses the potential future of Jewish education and questions the traditional model of Jewish day schools against a rapidly changing educationa...
7 Feb 2019
Tablet
Battling Israel’s Marriage Monopoly
5 Feb 2019
In Israel, the Chief Rabbinate holds a monopoly on Jewish marriages, leading to limitations such as Orthodox control, prohibiting Reform or Conservative cere...
5 Feb 2019
Tablet
The Man Who Remade Death
5 Feb 2019
Yechezkel Nakar, an Orthodox Jewish man, was declared dead based on brain death criteria despite his heart continuing to beat for three weeks after his death...
5 Feb 2019
Tanakh Cast
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TanakhCast #150: The Metaphors We Live By Edition
4 Feb 2019
TanakhCast #150 explores various metaphors found in the Tanakh across 4 chapters every two weeks, starting from Genesis to 2 Chronicles, offering a deep dive...
4 Feb 2019
Forward
American Jews Are Getting Rituals Like Mikveh All Wrong
28 Jan 2019
Naomi Malka, director of a progressive mikveh in Washington, highlights the transformative power of the mikveh as a ritual for marking life transitions. Desp...
28 Jan 2019
Tanakh Cast
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TanakhCast #149: The Lion and the Menorah Edition
21 Jan 2019
In episode #149 of TanakhCast, the hosts discuss 4 chapters of the Tanakh every two weeks, covering Genesis to 2 Chronicles. Listeners are encouraged to be p...
21 Jan 2019
Lehrhaus
Wearing a Smartwatch on Shabbat
20 Jan 2019
The discussion revolves around the permissibility of wearing a smartwatch on Shabbat, specifically focusing on the use of electricity and altering currents. ...
20 Jan 2019
Lehrhaus
Peshat and Beyond: The Emergence of A Reluctant Leader
13 Jan 2019
The article explores the evolution of Moses from a reluctant and hesitant figure to the leader of the Jewish People. It introduces the concept of Peshat and ...
13 Jan 2019
Lehrhaus
The Lifespan of Hirschian Orthodoxy: On the 130th Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch
10 Jan 2019
Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch's 130th Yahrtzeit provokes a reflection on the lifespan of his Torah im Derekh Eretz approach and its endurance. Hirsch's unique ...
10 Jan 2019
Lehrhaus
A Controversial Halakhic Case Against the State of Israel
3 Jan 2019
In "I Will Await Him" by Yirmiyahu Cohen, a thought-provoking case against the State of Israel from a Halakhic perspective is presented, advocating for anti-...
3 Jan 2019
Lehrhaus
The Development of Neo-Hasidism: Echoes and Repercussions Part II: Abraham Joshua Heschel and Zelda Schneurson Mishkovsky
31 Dec 2018
In the article "The Development of Neo-Hasidism: Echoes and Repercussions Part II," Ariel Evan Mayse explores the impact of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel (190...
31 Dec 2018
Lehrhaus
When Rambam Met the Izhbitser Rebbe: Response to a Straussian Reading of Hilkhot Teshuvah
27 Dec 2018
In response to Leo Strauss's notion of authors writing on multiple levels, including an esoteric one, scholar Bezalel Safran applies this idea to Maimonides'...
27 Dec 2018
Lehrhaus
Maimonidean Providence & Stoicism
24 Dec 2018
The article discusses the practical principles of Stoicism and their relation to Maimonides' exploration of providence and theodicy in the Guide for the Perp...
24 Dec 2018
Jewish Review of Books
Historical Agency
20 Dec 2018
Mark R. Cohen's book delves into the historical partnership between Yeshua and Khalluf, two Jewish merchants in the 11th century, as revealed through documen...
20 Dec 2018
Jewish Review of Books
Letters, Winter 2019
20 Dec 2018
In the excerpted letters, two main discussions are encapsulated. Firstly, Dr. Howard Smith reflects on Isaac Newton's approach to reconciling science and rel...
20 Dec 2018
Lehrhaus
The Development of Neo-Hasidism: Echoes and Repercussions Part I: Introduction, Hillel Zeitlin, and Martin Buber
19 Dec 2018
Neo-Hasidism, rooted in the devotional and mystical renewal of Hasidism, seeks to inspire contemporary spiritual renaissance through infusing tradition with ...
19 Dec 2018
Lehrhaus
The Downside of Digital Democratization: A Response to Zev Eleff
13 Dec 2018
Sarah Rudolph reflects on the democratization of Jewish learning in response to Zev Eleff's article. She highlights the benefits of accessibility to Jewish t...
13 Dec 2018
Tablet
A New Leaf
12 Dec 2018
Jews have been increasingly involved in the cannabis industry and culture worldwide, with Israel leading in medical research and North American Jews catching...
12 Dec 2018
Tablet
Slaughterhouse Shrive
4 Dec 2018
The discussion centers on the tractate Hullin in the Talmud, which deals with the rules surrounding the slaughter of non-sacred animals for consumption. The ...
4 Dec 2018
Forward
The Forward Guide To The Mikveh
3 Dec 2018
The mikveh, a ritual bath central to Jewish religious practice, is traditionally used for conversion, marital purity, and ritual purification before burial o...
3 Dec 2018
Lehrhaus
Where in my Apartment Should I Light my Hanukkah Lamps?
3 Dec 2018
The discussion on where to light Hanukkah lamps in an apartment traces back to the Talmud's instructions for homeowners but has grown complex for modern urba...
3 Dec 2018
Tablet
David Ben-Gurion Asks 51 Jewish Scholars: ‘Who Is a Jew?’
30 Nov 2018
In 1958, David Ben-Gurion, Israel's prime minister, asked 51 Jewish scholars for input on defining Jewish identity, particularly in cases of mixed marriages ...
30 Nov 2018
Lehrhaus
The Prophets Did Not Take Political Stands, and You Should Too
29 Nov 2018
The article discusses the misconception that biblical prophets took specific political stands, and argues that prophets like Moses were unique in their direc...
29 Nov 2018
Lehrhaus
Is a Dateline a Logical Necessity? The Halakhic View Less Often Quoted
26 Nov 2018
The essay explores the concept of a halakhic dateline in Jewish law, questioning its necessity and discussing various historical and modern perspectives on i...
26 Nov 2018
Lehrhaus
Jacob’s Silence and the Rape of Dinah
22 Nov 2018
The article explores the story of Jacob's daughter, Dinah, who is raped in Shechem, leading to a violent retaliation by her brothers, Simeon and Levi. Jacob'...
22 Nov 2018
Tablet
The Mayflower Maidel
20 Nov 2018
The author reflects on their upcoming Thanksgiving celebration, which will be different as they recently discovered their descent from Mayflower passengers a...
20 Nov 2018
Jewish Review of Books
Return to Me
15 Nov 2018
Chaim Potok's posthumous collection of plays offers insight into the struggles of mid-20th-century Jewish intellectuals balancing traditional Judaism with mo...
15 Nov 2018
Unorthodox
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Thanks in Advance: Ep. 158
15 Nov 2018
This episode of Unorthodox discusses two unique stories of gratitude and philanthropy through interviews with Shay Khatiri, who raised millions for the Tree ...
15 Nov 2018
Lehrhaus
Politics from the Pulpit: An Epistemological Reflection
12 Nov 2018
The text explores the challenges rabbis face in navigating politics from the pulpit amidst increasing American partisanship. It questions whether rabbis shou...
12 Nov 2018
Lehrhaus
Peshat and Beyond: How the Hasidic Masters Read the Torah
7 Nov 2018
The article explores how Hasidic masters interpret Torah narratives as a process of refining human-divine character traits, known as tikkun ha-middot. Focusi...
7 Nov 2018
Tablet
Oil Change
6 Nov 2018
The Talmudic text Tractate Menachot raises questions about the details of meal offerings, particularly regarding the use of oil in their preparation. The Tal...
6 Nov 2018
Tablet
Good Fortune
6 Nov 2018
The author reflects on receiving a significant sum of money from his deceased father and his internal struggle with wealth, debt, and Jewish values surroundi...
6 Nov 2018
Tablet
A Psalm for Pittsburgh
2 Nov 2018
In the wake of the tragic shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, the power of Psalms (Tehillim) to provide solace and words in times of despai...
2 Nov 2018
Lehrhaus
Halakhah’s Insiders and Outsiders
1 Nov 2018
"Halakhah: The Rabbinic Idea of Law" by Chaim Saiman explores Jewish law as a broader concept beyond mere regulation of conduct, delving into talmud Torah, p...
1 Nov 2018
Lehrhaus
Saiman’s Halakhah: Rabbinic Law as Culture
30 Oct 2018
Chaim Saiman's book "Halakhah: The Rabbinic Idea of Law" delves into the concept of rabbinic law as culture, exploring how law in Judaism is not just about r...
30 Oct 2018
Lehrhaus
No Law in Heaven
29 Oct 2018
In "Halakhah: The Rabbinic Idea of Law," Professor Chaim Saiman offers a unique exploration of Halakhah's nature, steering clear of apologetics or criticism....
29 Oct 2018
Tanakh Cast
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TanakhCast #143: The Cover and the Original Edition
29 Oct 2018
TanakhCast #143 delves into the Tanakh, exploring 4 chapters every two weeks from Genesis to 2 Chronicles. The podcast encourages patience as it progresses t...
29 Oct 2018
Jewish Review of Books
Hollywood and Jerusalem
25 Oct 2018
The author reflects on an encounter in Hollywood where he pitched a screenplay about George Catlin, a painter who documented Native American life in the 19th...
25 Oct 2018
Lehrhaus
Reclaiming the Akeidah from Kierkegaard
22 Oct 2018
The discussion delves into interpretations of the Akeidah, the binding of Isaac, through the lens of Kierkegaard and Kant. Kierkegaard argues for the suspens...
22 Oct 2018
Tablet
A Safer Space for Women in Orthodox Judaism’s Rules for Sex
17 Oct 2018
The text discusses the #MeToo movement's impact on societal attitudes towards the treatment of women, highlighting the prevalence of sexual abuse and objecti...
17 Oct 2018
Forward
Marilyn Monroe’s Annotated Jewish Prayer Book Expected To Fetch A Fortune At Auction
16 Oct 2018
Marilyn Monroe's personal Jewish prayer book, a 1922 siddur annotated by the icon herself, is up for auction, highlighting Monroe's genuine connection to her...
16 Oct 2018
Tablet
There’s No Business Like Showbread Business
16 Oct 2018
In the early chapters of Tractate Menachot in the Talmud, the focus is on the procedures for offering meal offerings in the Temple, including details on baki...
16 Oct 2018
Lehrhaus
Nishmat HaBayit: A Window into the Successes of Yoatzot Halacha
15 Oct 2018
"Nishmat HaBayit" is a significant book authored by Yoatzot Halacha from Nishmat that focuses on Jewish family purity laws, particularly Hilkhot Niddah. The ...
15 Oct 2018
Tablet
Early Mourning
11 Oct 2018
After the sudden death of the author's father, traditional Jewish rituals of mourning, such as aninut and sitting shiva, did not offer much comfort. The obli...
11 Oct 2018
Lehrhaus
The “Genesis” of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein
4 Oct 2018
Mary Shelley's novel "Frankenstein" draws heavily from Milton's "Paradise Lost" and Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik's work, "The Lonely Man of Faith." The novel...
4 Oct 2018
Forward
Opinion | I’m A Zionist. Canary Mission Targeted Me Anyway.
3 Oct 2018
David Biale, a Zionist and Jewish history professor, critiques the Canary Mission, a secretive group labeling individuals as anti-Israel and anti-Semitic oft...
3 Oct 2018