Lehrhaus
Women must learn and lead: A Response to Chaim Saiman
9 Jul 2018
In response to Chaim Saiman's views on female Torah study and leadership, Sharona Margolin Halickman argues that women in American Modern Orthodox communitie...
9 Jul 2018
Lehrhaus
Pinhas’ Parts: Of Priests, Peace, and Disturbing the Piece
5 Jul 2018
The article explores the story of Pinhas from a Torah perspective, emphasizing the theme of using violent force for a positive outcome. Pinhas, a priest, act...
5 Jul 2018
Lehrhaus
The Source of Faith is Faith Alone
2 Jul 2018
The article reflects on the nature of faith, particularly within the context of Orthodox Judaism, focusing on the interplay between belief, rational argument...
2 Jul 2018
Lehrhaus
The Opaque Ceiling Hovering Over Women’s Torah Study: A Reply to Judah Goldberg
28 Jun 2018
The article responds to Judah Goldberg's call to enhance women's Torah study by addressing the need to understand the existing motivations and assumptions sh...
28 Jun 2018
Lehrhaus
The “Essentials” of Orthodox Judaism
25 Jun 2018
Rabbi Benny Lau and Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein engaged in a debate regarding physical disabilities and the priestly service in the Third Temple. Rabbi Lau sug...
25 Jun 2018
Lehrhaus
Divinity Redefined- Review of Christine Hayes, What’s Divine About Divine Law?: Early Perspectives
21 Jun 2018
Christine Hayes' book "What's Divine About Divine Law?: Early Perspectives" challenges the assumption of the inherent divinity of Torah law by exploring how ...
21 Jun 2018
Lehrhaus
Nine Measures
18 Jun 2018
The text explores the life of an olive grower in Jerusalem whose son was tragically killed in a confrontation in the West Bank. The narrative delves into the...
18 Jun 2018
Lehrhaus
Korach
14 Jun 2018
In the discussion by Zohar Atkins on Korach, various interpretations of the biblical story are explored. Korach is likened to Moses' inner critic by Ibn Ezra...
14 Jun 2018
Lehrhaus
Making Expertise Available to Women: A Programmatic Agenda for Advanced Torah Study
11 Jun 2018
In a discussion on advanced Torah study for women, Judah Goldberg emphasizes the need for further development of advanced Talmud programs for women. He ackno...
11 Jun 2018
Lehrhaus
After Lag: Two Readings on The ‘Self-Praise’ of Rabbi Shimon bar Yohai
7 Jun 2018
After the Lag Ba-omer celebrations at the tomb of Rabbi Shimon bar Yohai (Rashbi) in Meron, there are discussions around his self-praise in rabbinic literatu...
7 Jun 2018
Lehrhaus
Will Day School Be Affordable Again?
4 Jun 2018
The affordability crisis in Jewish day schools remains unsolved since the Great Recession, with tuition costs increasing significantly over the years. While ...
4 Jun 2018
Lehrhaus
“Doctor, I Need My Rabbi”: How can Halakhah be Practical in Medical Ethics?
31 May 2018
Rabbi Jason Weiner's book, "Jewish Guide to Practical Medical Decision Making," provides a clear and compassionate guide to navigating medical dilemmas in li...
31 May 2018
Lehrhaus
Goodbye, Philip: A Hesped
28 May 2018
Philip Roth, a groundbreaking Jewish American writer, challenged and shaped the landscape of American Jewry through his controversial and thought-provoking n...
28 May 2018
Lehrhaus
Digital Discourse and the Democratization of Jewish Learning
24 May 2018
The discussion revolves around the impact of digital tools on Jewish learning, particularly in Torah study. Rabbi Hayyim of Volozhin believed that with print...
24 May 2018
Lehrhaus
Pesah and Shavuot, Or: Emancipation and Freedom
17 May 2018
The text delves into the concepts of freedom and emancipation in Jewish tradition through the lenses of Pesah and Shavuot. It explores the Talmudic discussio...
17 May 2018
Lehrhaus
First Fruits (Bikkurim) and the Talmudic View of Capital: An Essai in the Philosophy of Halakhah
14 May 2018
The text delves into the concept of first fruits (bikkurim) in Jewish tradition, focusing on the Talmudic view of this practice and its philosophical implica...
14 May 2018
Lehrhaus
Leviticus, Leonard Cohen, and the Paradox of Rest
10 May 2018
The final Torah portions of Leviticus, Behar and Behukkotai, extend the concept of sanctity from the Tabernacle to include time and place, introducing the Sa...
10 May 2018
Lehrhaus
Charismatic Leaders and Spiritual Seekers: A Review of Jews in the Age of Authenticity
7 May 2018
"Jews in the Age of Authenticity: Jewish Spiritual Renewal in Israel" by Rachel Werczberger explores the rise and fall of two unconventional spiritual commun...
7 May 2018
Lehrhaus
On the Importance of the Twentieth of Iyar
3 May 2018
The twentieth of Iyar holds significance in Jewish history as it marks the Israelites' journey towards the Land of Canaan after leaving Sinai. This date is l...
3 May 2018
Lehrhaus
No Rest for the Weary? Ambiguity in Yehudah Halevi’s “Yom Shabbaton”
30 Apr 2018
The essay explores the ambiguity and complexities found in Yehudah Halevi's popular poem Yom Shabbaton, focusing on the debate around different versions of t...
30 Apr 2018
Lehrhaus
A Jewish Theology of Depression
26 Apr 2018
Rabbinical student Atara Cohen explores the challenge of finding a textual identity in Jewish tradition for individuals living with depression. She discusses...
26 Apr 2018
Lehrhaus
Rabbi Ozer Glickman: Reflections of a Talmid
23 Apr 2018
Rabbi Ozer Glickman, a beloved teacher and figure in the Jewish community, passed away, leaving behind a legacy of kindness and generosity. Known for his dee...
23 Apr 2018
Lehrhaus
Prayer in an Age of Distraction
19 Apr 2018
Prayer in an Age of Distraction discusses the challenges of maintaining focus during prayer, particularly in an era of constant digital distractions. It high...
19 Apr 2018
Lehrhaus
Rabbi Chaim Yaakov Goldvicht and His Unintentional Revolution in Yavneh
16 Apr 2018
Rabbi Chaim Yaakov Goldvicht, the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Kerem BYavneh, played a significant role in the history of Religious Zionism in Israel. Despite co...
16 Apr 2018
Lehrhaus
The Tension that is Tanakh
12 Apr 2018
The article explores the evolving landscape of Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) study, highlighting the renewed emphasis on religious value in interpreting biblical tex...
12 Apr 2018
Lehrhaus
Welcome to the Jungle: Shababniks Meet the Spotlight
8 Apr 2018
Israeli television has seen a rise in series depicting the lives of religious Jews, showcasing iconic shows like Srugim, Kathmandu, Shtisel, and the latest a...
8 Apr 2018
Lehrhaus
Ode to a Nightingale
3 Apr 2018
This poem "Ode to a Nightingale" by Yocheved Friedman is a tribute to Rav Yosef Dov Ha-Levi Soloveitchik, focusing on his impactful legacy as a teacher and l...
3 Apr 2018
Lehrhaus
The Pauper’s Bread
30 Mar 2018
The paragraph Ha lahma anya, recited at the start of the Seder during the Maggid section, has puzzled scholars due to its unique Aramaic composition and its ...
30 Mar 2018
Lehrhaus
Magid, Moshe, Story-Telling, and Story-Living
29 Mar 2018
The text explores the significance of viewing oneself as personally having left Egypt in the context of the Passover Haggadah's directive. By paralleling the...
29 Mar 2018
Lehrhaus
Elijah’s Elusive Cup and the Challenge of Memory
28 Mar 2018
The text explores the concept of Elijah's elusive fifth cup in the Passover Seder, which challenges traditional structures and highlights the tension between...
28 Mar 2018
Lehrhaus
Schrodinger’s Hametz
27 Mar 2018
Rabbi Katz is confronted with the new technology of a hametz zapper, which promises to simplify Pesach cleaning by using quantum mechanics to destroy all tra...
27 Mar 2018
Lehrhaus
From San Francisco to Synagogue: Can Startup Culture Invigorate Jewish Organizations?
22 Mar 2018
Rabbi Mike Uram and others are exploring how startup culture can revitalize Jewish organizations, emphasizing the need for disruptive innovations within the ...
22 Mar 2018
Lehrhaus
An Alternate View on Rav Aharon Lichtenstein and Academic Talmud Study
19 Mar 2018
Professor Avraham (Rami) Reiner examines Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein's views on academic Talmud study in his recent essay, suggesting a shift in Lichtenstein's...
19 Mar 2018
Lehrhaus
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks’s Portrait of Moses
19 Mar 2018
Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, known for his Covenant and Conversation series, focuses on the figure of Moses in his biblical commentaries, emphasizing themes of...
19 Mar 2018
Lehrhaus
When Law Fails Us: Lessons from Rabbinic Responses to Crimes We Cannot Punish for the #MeToo Movement?
15 Mar 2018
In reflecting on how the #MeToo movement and the response to sexual misconduct intersect with Jewish legal traditions, particularly rabbinic justice, Sarah Z...
15 Mar 2018
Lehrhaus
Challenges of the American Rabbinate from the First Rabbi in the Americas: In Honor of the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Isaac Aboab da Fonseca
14 Mar 2018
Rabbi Isaac Aboab da Fonseca, the first ordained rabbi to arrive in the Americas in 1642, faced challenges reflecting the immigrant rabbinate's struggles in ...
14 Mar 2018
Lehrhaus
Homeland Insecurity
12 Mar 2018
The text discusses the concept of the Jewish homeland and diaspora, presenting differing views. One perspective, exemplified by the author's personal experie...
12 Mar 2018
Lehrhaus
Of Divine Nostrils and the Primordial Altar: A Pipeline of Sanctity
8 Mar 2018
The text discusses the intricate details of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and Temple, focusing on the design and function of the altars within them. It delves int...
8 Mar 2018
Lehrhaus
From Forbidden Fruit to Milk and Honey
6 Mar 2018
Diana Lipton's book "From Forbidden Fruit to Milk and Honey: A Commentary on Food in the Torah" delves into the references to food and drink in each Torah po...
6 Mar 2018
Lehrhaus
In the Shadow of God: The Mishkan’s “Constructive” Theology
5 Mar 2018
The article explores the intersection of art, divinity, and theology through the lens of Betzalel's divine inspiration in constructing the Mishkan as describ...
5 Mar 2018
Lehrhaus
Christians, the Talmud, and American Politics
26 Feb 2018
The author discusses a recent censorship incident in the Talmud involving a reference to Jesus, where Jewish censors removed the mention of Jesus, instead re...
26 Feb 2018
Lehrhaus
Supporting Women’s Avodat Hashem Across the Lifespan: Reflections and Recommendations
22 Feb 2018
The text presents a symposium on women's roles in Orthodox Judaism, focusing on their religious experiences and how to support them throughout their lives in...
22 Feb 2018
Lehrhaus
The Messages We Are Sending
21 Feb 2018
In the symposium discussing women's roles in Orthodox Judaism, Tamar Snyder Chaitovsky highlights the challenges faced by women in their thirties juggling fa...
21 Feb 2018
Lehrhaus
A Spirited Quest
20 Feb 2018
The text discusses the author's personal journey and reflections on women's roles in Orthodox Judaism, focusing on her experiences with Torah study, educatio...
20 Feb 2018
Lehrhaus
Everything You Wanted to Know About Surveying the Orthodox Community—And Why the Recent Research Is Important
19 Feb 2018
Important new research is being conducted in the Orthodox community to address issues often overlooked by mainstream Jewish surveys, focusing on Modern Ortho...
19 Feb 2018
Lehrhaus
Drawing The right Conclusions: A Defense of a Recent Orthodox Survey
19 Feb 2018
Zvi Grumet responds to criticisms of his recent Orthodox survey, acknowledging his study lacks professional social science research standards but defends its...
19 Feb 2018
Lehrhaus
A Game by Any Other Name
15 Feb 2018
Selling under the guise of wholesome fun, "Pharisees: The Party Game" by Kenny and Elle Campbell has raised eyebrows for its troubling content. The game, ins...
15 Feb 2018
Lehrhaus
Unhappy Families: Elhanan Nir’s Rak Shnenu
14 Feb 2018
"Rak Shnenu" by Elhanan Nir delves into the complexities of a Religious Zionist Israeli family, focusing on the Lehavi family in the Beerot settlement. The n...
14 Feb 2018
Lehrhaus
Do We Really Know What We Think We Know? The Current State of Social Science Research and the Orthodox Community
12 Feb 2018
The article discusses the challenges and limitations of social science research within the Orthodox Jewish community, focusing on two recent surveys on Moder...
12 Feb 2018
Lehrhaus
What is Jewish Law? Uncovering a Debate between the Tur and the Ran
8 Feb 2018
The discussion on Jewish law involves a debate between the Tur and the Ran, two prominent 14th century Jewish scholars. The Tur emphasizes the importance of ...
8 Feb 2018