Rationalist Judaism
"Bnei Brak is Protected"
16 Jun 2025
Recent missile attacks on Israel have prompted a tragic incident in Bnei Brak, where the failure to utilize shelters led to casualties. This reflects broader...
16 Jun 2025
Rationalist Judaism
As War Rages
15 Jun 2025
As Israel wages its most significant war in fifty years, the messages communicated by different Jewish communities vary significantly. Natan Slifkin contrast...
15 Jun 2025
Rationalist Judaism
The Lions Arise
13 Jun 2025
Operation Rising Lion marks significant military achievements for Israel, particularly regarding its preemptive strikes against Iran's nuclear capabilities, ...
13 Jun 2025
Rationalist Judaism
Little Children
12 Jun 2025
Natan Slifkin critiques the Israeli government's handling of military service exemptions for the charedi community, highlighting the fragile cooperation betw...
12 Jun 2025
Rationalist Judaism
The Charedim Officially Secede
11 Jun 2025
Natan Slifkin discusses the public stance taken by leading Charedi figures, who have issued a halachic ruling forbidding religious Jews from enlisting in the...
11 Jun 2025
Rationalist Judaism
And Now They're Calling Us "Antisemites"
10 Jun 2025
Natan Slifkin discusses recent tensions between the charedi community and broader Israeli society, particularly focusing on accusations of antisemitism. He h...
10 Jun 2025
Rationalist Judaism
The "Gedolim" Slander the Rest of Israel
8 Jun 2025
Natan Slifkin criticizes the Council of Gedolei Torah of Agudas Yisrael for their stance on the charedi community's army service exemptions in Israel. He arg...
8 Jun 2025
Rationalist Judaism
The False Dilemma
5 Jun 2025
In "The False Dilemma," Natan Slifkin critiques the so-called "Enlistment Law" in Israel, arguing that it is not truly about forcing charedim to enlist in th...
5 Jun 2025
Rationalist Judaism
"Rav Chaim Can't Be Wrong!"
4 Jun 2025
Rav Chaim Kanievsky's stance that charedi yeshiva students should not serve in the IDF is often upheld within the charedi community as an undisputed truth, l...
4 Jun 2025
Rationalist Judaism
To Become a Jew
1 Jun 2025
Natan Slifkin reflects on the profound nature of Jewish conversion, emphasizing that the core of becoming a Jew is not strictly about adherence to religious ...
1 Jun 2025
Rationalist Judaism
Yeshivos: Blight or Blessing?
29 May 2025
Natan Slifkin critically examines the role of yeshivot in modern society, particularly as Israel faces ongoing challenges. Reflecting on his yeshiva experien...
29 May 2025
Rationalist Judaism
"You're Just A Charedi-Basher!"
27 May 2025
Natan Slifkin addresses accusations from his detractors who label him a 'charedi-basher' for his critiques of charedi society. He defends the necessity of di...
27 May 2025
Rationalist Judaism
CENSORED: Yom Yerushalayim
25 May 2025
Natan Slifkin reflects on the lack of recognition for Yom Yerushalayim within charedi yeshivas, contrasting its significance with Yom HaAtzmaut. Despite ackn...
25 May 2025
Rationalist Judaism
A Tour for Gur
22 May 2025
Natan Slifkin details an unexpected day at The Biblical Museum of Natural History, where he led six tours for groups of Gur Chassidic children. Due to a lack...
22 May 2025
Rationalist Judaism
Bubble Jews
18 May 2025
Natan Slifkin explores the concept of "Bubble Jews," religious Jews from the United States who are supportive of Israel and the IDF but remain disconnected f...
18 May 2025
Rationalist Judaism
No Prison For Charedim
14 May 2025
Natan Slifkin critically examines the issue of charedi draft evasion in Israel, focusing on recent actions by the Military Police to arrest draft-dodgers and...
14 May 2025
Rationalist Judaism
Ten² for Ten
13 May 2025
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Biblical Museum of Natural History, a significant milestone for founder Natan Slifkin. The museum, which bridges ...
13 May 2025
Rationalist Judaism
Gaza: Morality and Logic
11 May 2025
Natan Slifkin critically examines the complex moral and strategic dynamics surrounding Israel's blockade of Gaza and the distribution of aid. He challenges c...
11 May 2025
Rationalist Judaism
Holy Criminals?
8 May 2025
Natan Slifkin's article explores the contentious debate over the Israeli government's military conscription laws, which require all eligible citizens, includ...
8 May 2025
Rationalist Judaism
The Gedolim Deal With a Crisis
6 May 2025
Natan Slifkin critiques a recent initiative by charedi leaders, particularly focusing on Rabbi Dov Landau's fundraising trip to the USA, amidst proposed decr...
6 May 2025
Rationalist Judaism
The Other Sharks Out There
4 May 2025
Natan Slifkin recounts receiving a suspicious legal threat concerning a supposed copyright infringement involving a snow leopard photograph included in his s...
4 May 2025
Rationalist Judaism
Lies Spreading Like Wildfire
1 May 2025
Natan Slifkin addresses the misinformation surrounding the major wildfires in Israel, debunking myths circulated about their causes. He refutes claims like t...
1 May 2025
Rationalist Judaism
Reishit Tzmichat Geulateinu?
1 May 2025
Natan Slifkin reflects on the prayer's description of the State of Israel as "reishit tzmichat geulateinu," or the "first sprouting of our redemption." Initi...
1 May 2025
Rationalist Judaism
The Disconnect
30 Apr 2025
Natan Slifkin underscores the emotional intensity and sacrifices commemorated on Yom HaZikaron, contrasting this with the contentious issue of Charedi partic...
30 Apr 2025
Rationalist Judaism
Standing Silent for the Siren
29 Apr 2025
Natan Slifkin explores the modern charedi response to the sirens sounded on Yom HaShoah and Yom HaZikaron in Israel. While traditional charedim ignore the si...
29 Apr 2025
Rationalist Judaism
Ben Gvir in Woodmere
27 Apr 2025
Natan Slifkin explores the divided opinions surrounding Itamar Ben-Gvir's controversial visit to New York and his scheduled, then cancelled, speaking engagem...
27 Apr 2025
Rationalist Judaism
Sharks and Jews
26 Apr 2025
In the aftermath of a tragic shark attack in Hadera, Israel, where a man was killed, diverse reactions emerged, reflecting societal attitudes toward such inc...
26 Apr 2025
Rationalist Judaism
Is it a Mitzvah to Eat Kosher?
24 Apr 2025
Natan Slifkin explores the complex question of whether eating kosher is a mitzvah—commandment or good deed—in Jewish law. The article examines the perspectiv...
24 Apr 2025
Rationalist Judaism
Beinish Day
23 Apr 2025
Natan Slifkin reflects on the poignant and vibrant experience of his son's draft day into the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) as part of the beinishim program, ...
23 Apr 2025
Rationalist Judaism
Bye Bye Bye
21 Apr 2025
Natan Slifkin's article addresses the growing rift between the charedi and dati (national-religious) communities in Israel, particularly highlighting the fru...
21 Apr 2025
Rationalist Judaism
The Shidduch Crisis and Hypocrisy
17 Apr 2025
Natan Slifkin critiques the charedi community's response to the shidduch crisis of single older girls by highlighting the inconsistency of their approach com...
17 Apr 2025
Rationalist Judaism
The Gedolim Among Us
15 Apr 2025
Natan Slifkin reflects on encountering individuals of profound courage and community service, emphasizing diverse measures of greatness. The article recounts...
15 Apr 2025
Rationalist Judaism
The Seder of Solidarity
10 Apr 2025
Natan Slifkin shares a compelling episode from 1946, recounted by Golda Meir, highlighting a poignant moment of unity among the Jewish community during Pesac...
10 Apr 2025
Rationalist Judaism
[Re-send with corrected download link] Some Exciting Publications
8 Apr 2025
Natan Slifkin highlights two new volumes that delve deeply into the contested issue of military service in Israel, particularly from a halakhic perspective. ...
8 Apr 2025
Rationalist Judaism
Some Exciting Publications
8 Apr 2025
Natan Slifkin shares excitement over receiving two significant volumes addressing the halakhic and ideological facets of military service within Israeli soci...
8 Apr 2025
Rationalist Judaism
Something To Celebrate
6 Apr 2025
Natan Slifkin reflects on the mixed emotions of hosting a party for his son's upcoming enlistment in the IDF. While acknowledging the fears and challenges ah...
6 Apr 2025
Rationalist Judaism
The Generation Gap
3 Apr 2025
Natan Slifkin reflects on the legacy of his father, Professor Michael Slifkin, who balanced a successful scientific career with a commitment to Orthodox Jewi...
3 Apr 2025
Rationalist Judaism
The Endless Sacrifice
31 Mar 2025
In "The Endless Sacrifice," Natan Slifkin addresses the profound individual and societal impacts of the ongoing reserve duty demands on Israeli soldiers sinc...
31 Mar 2025
Rationalist Judaism
Cognitive Dissonance
28 Mar 2025
Natan Slifkin discusses the cognitive dissonance experienced by American religious Jews who revere the charedi community for their dedication to Torah, yet a...
28 Mar 2025
Rationalist Judaism
Clueless People
26 Mar 2025
Natan Slifkin addresses misconceptions among American Orthodox Jews regarding the political and economic dynamics of Israel, particularly focusing on the dif...
26 Mar 2025
Rationalist Judaism
Thief, Robber, or Liar?
23 Mar 2025
Natan Slifkin critically examines the recent comments by Yitzchok Goldknopf, leader of the Torah party under Agudas Yisrael and Minister of Housing Developme...
23 Mar 2025
Rationalist Judaism
From Madness to Insanity
21 Mar 2025
Rabbi Natan Slifkin discusses the growing political insanity in Israel, particularly focusing on Prime Minister Netanyahu's recent actions and statements. Sl...
21 Mar 2025
Rationalist Judaism
Self-Churban, Episode LXXI
18 Mar 2025
Natan Slifkin critiques the current stance of Charedi and political leaders in Israel who support the exemption of Charedi Jews from military service. Citing...
18 Mar 2025
Rationalist Judaism
The Mad King
17 Mar 2025
Natan Slifkin criticizes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, depicting him as a leader overtaken by self-interest and tyrannical tendencies. He detail...
17 Mar 2025
Rationalist Judaism
Happy Purim?
14 Mar 2025
Natan Slifkin expresses his deepening concerns about global and domestic challenges faced by Israel, affecting his mood during the Purim celebrations. Addres...
14 Mar 2025
Rationalist Judaism
Torah vs. Daas Torah, Yet Again
11 Mar 2025
Natan Slifkin critiques the distortion of Torah teachings by charedi leaders to oppose drafting yeshiva students into the IDF. He highlights a recent announc...
11 Mar 2025
Rationalist Judaism
Saving Charedim, Saving Israel
8 Mar 2025
Natan Slifkin addresses the looming economic and security crises posed by the growing Charedi population in Israel, which largely eschews secular education a...
8 Mar 2025
Rationalist Judaism
"No Other Land"
6 Mar 2025
Natan Slifkin addresses the complex reactions to the Oscar-winning documentary "No Other Land," which focuses on the Israeli Defense Forces' destruction of a...
6 Mar 2025
Rationalist Judaism
(Don't) Just Say No
2 Mar 2025
Natan Slifkin discusses the lack of Charedi participation in the IDF and the broader societal issues stemming from their underemployment and educational defi...
2 Mar 2025
Rationalist Judaism
Anti-Zionism with Integrity
27 Feb 2025
Rav Dov Landau, a leader in the charedi Lithuanian community, has taken a principled stand against charedi involvement in the World Zionist Organization (WZO...
27 Feb 2025