Daily Podcasts Video Research
Lehrhaus On Subjectivity and Pluralism: Sparks of Rav Shagar’s Thought 6 Dec 2017
Yehuda (Udi) Dvorkin reflects on the teachings of Rav Shagar, emphasizing the ongoing publication of his works and the importance of understanding his philos...
6 Dec 2017
Lehrhaus Racism Redux 5 Dec 2017
The author discusses the issue of racism within religious texts and communities, highlighting that while some scholars argue that Rabbinic Judaism is not inh...
5 Dec 2017
Lehrhaus The “Between-the-Lines” Faith of Rabbi Hershel Schachter 4 Dec 2017
Rabbi Hershel Schachter's faith centers on the concept of mesorah, the chain of rabbinic transmission that upholds Orthodox tradition, guided by divine inter...
4 Dec 2017
Lehrhaus The Beit Midrash in the Age of Snapchat 30 Nov 2017
In this article, the author discusses the challenges that technology, specifically smartphones, presents in the field of education, particularly in Jewish le...
30 Nov 2017
Lehrhaus The Soul of Man Under Postmodernism: Further comments on Rav Shagar’s contribution 27 Nov 2017
In a discussion about the Jewish thinker Rav Shagar's book "Faith Shattered and Restored: Judaism in the Postmodern Age," Shalom Carmy comments on Rabbi Gil ...
27 Nov 2017
Lehrhaus There Is Nothing New Under the Sun: A Reply to Gil Perl 23 Nov 2017
Gidon Rothstein responds to Rabbi Dr. Gil Perl's essay, highlighting their shared background influenced by Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein's teachings but differin...
23 Nov 2017
Lehrhaus On Racism and the Torah 21 Nov 2017
The discussion explores a Mishnah from Negaim, focusing on the diagnosis oftzaraat, a skin condition, in Jewish textual tradition. The Mishnah raises questio...
21 Nov 2017
Lehrhaus In Search of Modern Orthodoxy 20 Nov 2017
Rabbi Dr. Gil Perl reflects on his journey within Modern Orthodoxy, initially inspired by Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein, but ultimately seeking more certainty in...
20 Nov 2017
Lehrhaus The Baptized Jew Who Had a Lot to Teach Us about Orthodox Judaism 16 Nov 2017
Peter Berger, a baptized Jew born in Austria, was a renowned sociologist known for his analysis of religion in modern society. His work highlighted the resil...
16 Nov 2017
Lehrhaus Racism and Religious Particularism: A Corrective Antidote 13 Nov 2017
The essay delves into the issue of racism within Judaism, exploring how religious particularism can contribute to prejudicial attitudes and xenophobia. It di...
13 Nov 2017
Lehrhaus A Love Letter to the Woman of Valor 9 Nov 2017
The author reflects on the traditional Jewish poem, Eishet Hayil (Woman of Valor), initially viewing it as a metaphor between the Jewish people and the Sabba...
9 Nov 2017
Lehrhaus Postmodern Orthodoxy: Giving Voice to a New Generation 6 Nov 2017
In "Postmodern Orthodoxy: Giving Voice to a New Generation" by Gil Perl, the focus is on addressing the challenges faced by Modern Orthodox Millennials, part...
6 Nov 2017
Lehrhaus Was God Angry at Sarah? 4 Nov 2017
In this article, the author explains that God is not angry with Sarah when she laughs at the idea of giving birth at an old age, as mentioned in Genesis 18:1...
4 Nov 2017
Lehrhaus Some Thoughts on the Binding of Isaac 2 Nov 2017
The story of the Binding of Isaac, or Akeidah, showcases Abraham's dilemma between obeying God's command to sacrifice his son and acting ethically. However, ...
2 Nov 2017
Lehrhaus Building Upon the Rav’s Legacy in Women’s Learning 1 Nov 2017
The article discusses the state of advanced Talmud Torah for women, particularly in the context of Rabbi Soloveitchik's influence and the experience of teach...
1 Nov 2017
Lehrhaus Why Are There Empty Chairs in the Beit Midrash?: Updating the Communal Agenda 31 Oct 2017
The article discusses the ongoing debate around the inclusion of women in intensive Torah study, particularly focusing on the need to update communal attitud...
31 Oct 2017
Lehrhaus Women, Talmud Study, and Avodat Hashem 30 Oct 2017
Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein emphasizes the importance of women's Torah study and religious practice, rooted in a concern for current and future generations. He...
30 Oct 2017
Lehrhaus Don’t Forget David’s Literary Temple! A Rebuttal to Levi Morrow 26 Oct 2017
Jon D. Levenson responds to Levi Morrow's objections regarding Levenson's interpretation of a passage from the Babylonian Talmud linking the Temple to restra...
26 Oct 2017
Lehrhaus Why Doesn’t Abraham Get to Enjoy the Weekend? 26 Oct 2017
The Torah, aside from being foundational in Judaism, contains the only contemporary account of the origin of the seven-day week, including the weekend. Abrah...
26 Oct 2017
Lehrhaus Rabbinic Creativity and the Waters that would Consume the World 20 Oct 2017
Rabbinic law's purpose and creativity, distinct from biblical law, are explored through aggadah narratives, like the story of David subduing chaotic waters w...
20 Oct 2017
Lehrhaus Rabbinic Creativity and the Waters that would Consume the World 20 Oct 2017
The text explores the purpose of rabbinic law and its relationship to biblical text through a narrative involving Rabbi David calming threatening waters thro...
20 Oct 2017
Lehrhaus Nafshah Hashkah Ba-Torah: A Response to Rabbi Saul Berman 20 Oct 2017
Devora Steinmetz responds to Rabbi Saul Berman's essay on Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik's influence on women's Talmud study. She appreciates the progress made...
20 Oct 2017
Lehrhaus Celebrating Women’s Talmud and Acknowledging its Opponents 20 Oct 2017
Leonard A. Matanky reflects on his experience teaching girls Talmud at Ida Crown Jewish Academy in Chicago for nearly 30 years, emphasizing the importance of...
20 Oct 2017
Lehrhaus How Can the Modern Orthodox Community Fulfill the Rav’s Vision for Women’s Talmud Study? 20 Oct 2017
In this essay, Rivka Kahan reflects on the fulfillment of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik's vision for women's Talmud study in the Modern Orthodox community. Sh...
20 Oct 2017
Lehrhaus Can I Use Zip-Ties To Hold Down My Sekhakh? 20 Oct 2017
The discussion revolves around the permissibility of using zip-ties to hold down the sekhakh (covering) of a sukkah. While some halakhic recommendations disc...
20 Oct 2017
Lehrhaus Forty Years Later: The Rav’s Opening Shiur at the Stern College for Women Beit Midrash 9 Oct 2017
In 1976, a movement to introduce intensive Talmud study at Stern College for Women was born, prompted by Dr. Haym Soloveitchik's belief in the importance of ...
9 Oct 2017
Lehrhaus Kohelet as Intertext 4 Oct 2017
The article discusses the intertextual conversation between the Book of Kohelet and High Holiday liturgy. It highlights the similarities between the themes i...
4 Oct 2017
Lehrhaus How Zionism Saved the Etrog in America 3 Oct 2017
The text discusses how Zionism played a role in reviving the tradition of using etrogim (citrons) in America. Initially, there were challenges in acquiring e...
3 Oct 2017
Lehrhaus Yeshiva University President Rabbi Ari Berman’s Opening Shiur 3 Oct 2017
Rabbi Ari Berman, the President of Yeshiva University, delivered a Shiur Petihah (opening lecture) focusing on Tractate Sukkah, tying it to the new administr...
3 Oct 2017
Lehrhaus The Species for Change 2 Oct 2017
The author discusses the symbolism of the four species used during Sukkot, traditionally representing different types of Jews and emphasizing the importance ...
2 Oct 2017
Lehrhaus Are Modern Orthodox Jews More Comfortable with Mysticism or Anthropomorphism? 2 Oct 2017
In examining the beliefs and practices of Modern Orthodox Jews, there is a discussion around their comfort level with mysticism and anthropomorphism in Judai...
2 Oct 2017
Lehrhaus A Jewish Story of Two Hurricanes 1 Oct 2017
In a time of increasing division and extremism, the Jewish community in Atlanta found unity and hope through their responses to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. M...
1 Oct 2017
Lehrhaus Why I Don’t Miss Shul on Yom Kippur 28 Sep 2017
The author, Leslie, used to find great meaning in attending shul on Yom Kippur, with its emotional highs and routines, feeling a sense of doing the right thi...
28 Sep 2017
Lehrhaus Coming Undone: Vows and the High Holy Days 27 Sep 2017
During the High Holy Days, the focus on vows - their making and undoing - is a significant part of the period's reflection. Annulling vows before Rosh Hashan...
27 Sep 2017
Lehrhaus Rabbi Yehudah ha-Nasi’s Yom Kippur 25 Sep 2017
In this article, Rabbi Shlomo Zuckier discusses the interpretation of the ritual of the High Priest on Yom Kippur as described in Leviticus 16. He notes that...
25 Sep 2017
Lehrhaus “Like a Fleeting Dream”: U-netaneh Tokef, Dreams, and the Meaning of the High Holy Days 20 Sep 2017
"U-netaneh Tokef, a central prayer of the High Holy Days attributed to Rabbi Amnon of Mainz, focuses on themes of God's judgment, human powerlessness, and th...
20 Sep 2017
Lehrhaus “Like a Fleeting Dream”: U-netaneh Tokef, Dreams, and the Meaning of the High Holy Days 20 Sep 2017
The text delves into the significance of the U-netaneh Tokef prayer in the High Holy Days liturgy, focusing on the phrase "ki-halom yauf" (like a fleeting dr...
20 Sep 2017
Lehrhaus “Looking for a Havvayah” A Genealogy of “Experience” on the High Holy Days 18 Sep 2017
Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur are traditionally times for prayer and introspection, seeking atonement and blessings for the coming year. However, in modern ti...
18 Sep 2017
Lehrhaus Narcissus and the Nazir 14 Sep 2017
The legend of Narcissus, as retold by Ovid, involves a young man overly obsessed with his own beauty, leading to tragic consequences. In contrast, in a Talmu...
14 Sep 2017
Lehrhaus A Religion Without Visual Art? The Rav and the Myth of Jewish Art 11 Sep 2017
The article explores the misconception that Jews have not historically engaged in visual art due to the prohibition against making images in the Second Comma...
11 Sep 2017
Lehrhaus Steely Dan and Rosh Hashanah 7 Sep 2017
The article discusses the significance of the band Steely Dan in relation to Rosh Hashanah and the biblical text of 1 Samuel. The writer reflects on the them...
7 Sep 2017
Lehrhaus “Turn it and Turn it, for all is in It:” Ilana Kurshan and the Talmud Memoir 4 Sep 2017
Ilana Kurshan's memoir, "If All the Seas Were Ink," details her seven-year journey studying daf yomi in Jerusalem, intertwining personal experiences like fai...
4 Sep 2017
Lehrhaus Rabbi Moshe Feinstein on What Makes America Great 31 Aug 2017
Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, in a sermon on the 150th anniversary of the United States Constitution, praised America for having a government structure that resists...
31 Aug 2017
Lehrhaus Netivot Shalom: A Mixed Blessing? 31 Aug 2017
The discussion centers around the growing popularity of the Slonimer Rebbe's work, Netivot Shalom, in various Jewish communities and its representation of Ha...
31 Aug 2017
Lehrhaus On the Irrelevance of Biblical Criticism 28 Aug 2017
In his article "On the Irrelevance of Biblical Criticism," Jerome Marcus challenges the approach of biblical criticism, arguing that it leads to a shallow re...
28 Aug 2017
Lehrhaus How Mendelssohn’s Torah and Philosophy Converge: A Study of “Anokhi” 24 Aug 2017
This article examines the convergence of Moses Mendelssohn's Torah commentary and philosophy. It explores Mendelssohn's belief that the goal of revelation is...
24 Aug 2017
Lehrhaus Rav Hayyim and the Love of Lernen 21 Aug 2017
Rabbi Hayyim Soloveitchik's innovative method of Talmud study, known as the Brisker method, became popular in Lithuanian yeshivot in the early 20th century. ...
21 Aug 2017
Lehrhaus Mitzvah Merchants and their Made-in-America Toys 17 Aug 2017
The kosher toy industry, exemplified by stores like Wise Buys and Double Play Toys, caters to the Orthodox community seeking toys that reflect their religiou...
17 Aug 2017
Lehrhaus Sarah Schenirer and Innovative Change: The Myths and Facts 14 Aug 2017
Sarah Schenirer is celebrated as the founder of the Bais Yaakov movement, which revolutionized Jewish education for girls. While popular accounts claim she o...
14 Aug 2017
Lehrhaus Orthodox Judaism and the Impossibility of Biblical Criticism 10 Aug 2017
Orthodox Judaism and biblical criticism have a complex relationship. While many biblical critics argue that the Bible is historically inaccurate and composed...
10 Aug 2017