Rationalist Judaism
A Meeting of Natans
22 Oct
Natan Slifkin reflects on his recent meeting with Natan Sharansky, a hero who endured persecution in the Soviet Gulag and became an advocate for freedom. Sli...
22 Oct
Rationalist Judaism
Jewish Obfuscation
19 Oct
Rabbi Dr. Natan Slifkin critiques the narratives presented in Jewish Action magazine regarding communal unity and contributions to Israeli society, particula...
19 Oct
Rationalist Judaism
The Lie of Achdus
15 Oct
Natan Slifkin critiques the superficial understanding of 'achdus' or unity emphasized during Sukkot, arguing that true achdus involves proactively taking res...
15 Oct
Rationalist Judaism
A Different Type of Viduy
11 Oct
Rav Melamed, author of Peninei Halacha, offers a distinct perspective on the Yom Kippur practice of Viduy, typically focused on confession and regret. In a s...
11 Oct
Rationalist Judaism
The Great Torah-Science Controversy
9 Oct
Natan Slifkin reflects on the twentieth anniversary of the Great Torah-Science Controversy, when his books integrating Torah with scientific perspectives wer...
9 Oct
Rationalist Judaism
Torah vs. Daas Torah, again
8 Oct
Natan Slifkin explores the debate between traditional Torah perspectives and the Charedi concept of Daas Torah concerning military service and divine assista...
8 Oct
Rationalist Judaism
October 7th Reflections
6 Oct
Living through the traumatic events of October 7, 2023, Rabbi Natan Slifkin reflects on the emotional and societal impact on Jews, particularly in Israel. De...
6 Oct
Rationalist Judaism
The Perfect Charedi Storm
5 Oct
Natan Slifkin explores the disparity in responses to war between Israel's charedi and dati-leumi communities, particularly during the High Holidays. Slifkin ...
5 Oct
Rationalist Judaism
What a Way to End the Year
2 Oct
Reflecting on the distressing end to a tumultuous year for Israel, Natan Slifkin discusses the impact of recent terrorist incidents, including a deadly attac...
2 Oct
Rationalist Judaism
It's a Strange, Unpredictable World
30 Sep
Reflecting on a year marked by severe challenges and surprising developments, Natan Slifkin discusses the unpredictability of life, referencing recent geopol...
30 Sep
Rationalist Judaism
My Ridiculous and Amazing Idea
29 Sep
Natan Slifkin shares his inspired yet belated idea to write a more accessible book on animals and the Torah, building on his previous work, "The Torah Encycl...
29 Sep
Rationalist Judaism
Torah vs. Daas Torah
27 Sep
The piece by Natan Slifkin critiques the stance of certain Orthodox Jewish groups, such as Torah uMesorah, against drafting Haredi men into the IDF, contrast...
27 Sep
Rationalist Judaism
The Trojan Tefillah
26 Sep
Natan Slifkin critiques an upcoming event in Lakewood, framed as a collective prayer gathering, which serves as a protest against Israeli draft laws affectin...
26 Sep
Rationalist Judaism
Are You Sick Of It?
25 Sep
Natan Slifkin addresses the ongoing frustration surrounding the charedi community's avoidance of IDF service amidst a critical military situation in Israel. ...
25 Sep
Rationalist Judaism
Crocodile Conflicts
25 Sep
In "Crocodile Conflicts," Natan Slifkin discusses the controversial narrative around a crocodile exhibit at the Biblical Museum of Natural History, sparked b...
25 Sep
Rationalist Judaism
Yeshivish vs. Charedi
23 Sep
Natan Slifkin discusses a revealing newsletter from Mishpacha magazine that highlights a conflict within the Charedi community in America. The newsletter ref...
23 Sep
Rationalist Judaism
Is Celebrating Beep Beep Moral?
21 Sep
Natan Slifkin explores the celebration in Israel following successful military operations attributed to the Mossad/IDF, raising ethical questions about rejoi...
21 Sep
Rationalist Judaism
UPDATE: Torah Defeated
20 Sep
Natan Slifkin humorously reports on the cancellation of a large Charedi rally in New Jersey, initially organized to protest against Israel. The event, expect...
20 Sep
Rationalist Judaism
Another War this Sunday
20 Sep
Amidst Israel's ongoing military conflicts, a significant controversy arises within the Charedi community who plan to protest against the Israeli universal d...
20 Sep
Rationalist Judaism
Yeah, They Went Ahead And Did It
19 Sep
Natan Slifkin critiques the audacious claims by the Israel edition of Yated Neeman that recent successful operations by Israel's intelligence and military ca...
19 Sep
Rationalist Judaism
Beep Beep
17 Sep
In this article, Natan Slifkin humorously recounts an unexpected incident where Hezbollah militants were attacked through their pagers, leading to significan...
17 Sep
Rationalist Judaism
Yemen Day
16 Sep
Natan Slifkin shares an unusual experience where a hypersonic missile from Yemen was intercepted near his location just as he was writing about Yemen's histo...
16 Sep
Rationalist Judaism
Gedolim and Slogans
15 Sep
Natan Slifkin critiques certain Charedi Gedolim for their misuse of traditional phrases to support pre-determined positions on theological and practical issu...
15 Sep
Rationalist Judaism
Daas Torah and Army
11 Sep
Natan Slifkin explores the complex issue of army service in Israel and the divergent views of Torah scholars, particularly contrasting the charedi community'...
11 Sep
Rationalist Judaism
Dinos and Rhinos
10 Sep
Natan Slifkin explores the intersection of halacha and zoology concerning the use of animal horns for shofars, sparked by the humorous confusion between dino...
10 Sep
Rationalist Judaism
The Amazing Ahmed's Error
8 Sep
Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, despite his harrowing experiences and losses due to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, stands out as a unique advocate for peace and mut...
8 Sep
Rationalist Judaism
Torah on a Large Scale
6 Sep
The article "Torah on a Large Scale" explores the different approaches of the charedi and dati-leumi communities in Israel towards applying Torah principles ...
6 Sep
Rationalist Judaism
Joy Amidst Pain
4 Sep
The article presents a poignant narrative set against the backdrop of the ongoing pain in Israel due to hostilities, focusing on a visit to an unconventional...
4 Sep
Rationalist Judaism
Pain and Division
2 Sep
The article "Pain and Division" discusses the intense political and social discord in Israel following the murder of six hostages. It explores the complexiti...
2 Sep
Rationalist Judaism
And What About American Jews?
1 Sep
The article discusses the role of American Jews in supporting Israel, especially regarding army service. While the author believes it's unrealistic to expect...
1 Sep
Rationalist Judaism
Kosher Food to Die For?
29 Aug
This article explores the kosher status of the lionfish, an invasive and venomous species recently introduced into the Mediterranean. Despite possessing veno...
29 Aug
Rationalist Judaism
What Should Trapped Charedim Do?
27 Aug
The article addresses dilemmas faced by charedi individuals who feel trapped in their community's norms, particularly around not participating in national re...
27 Aug
Rationalist Judaism
The Dati Community is Furious
24 Aug
This article reflects the deep resentment and anger within the Dati Leumi community in Israel towards the Charedi community regarding military service. Many ...
24 Aug
Rationalist Judaism
The Delusion about Dati'im
22 Aug
The article discusses a growing tension between the Anglo-charedim and the dati-leumi communities in Israel, particularly following the events of October 7th...
22 Aug
Rationalist Judaism
The Rule of Law
20 Aug
The discussion addresses the importance of adhering to the rule of law in Israel, particularly in the context of the recent arrest of soldiers on suspicion o...
20 Aug
Rationalist Judaism
The Religious Risks of IDF Service
18 Aug
The article discusses common claims about the religious risks that IDF service poses for charedim. It debunks these claims by highlighting that soldiers from...
18 Aug
Rationalist Judaism
Trust the Magic
16 Aug
The author reflects on a lecture by R. Neugroschel advocating against charedim serving in the army, highlighting Neugroschel's emphasis on blind trust in the...
16 Aug
Rationalist Judaism
Torah and Army: The Big Index
14 Aug
The text discusses the author's posts on the topic of charedim and army service, highlighting the divide in perspectives between those in the United States a...
14 Aug
Rationalist Judaism
An Erev Tisha B'Av Disgrace
12 Aug
On Erev Tisha B'Av, a lecture was given by Rabbi Mordechai Neugroschel at a charedi shul in Ramat Beit Shemesh focusing on Charedi army conscription and even...
12 Aug
Rationalist Judaism
Distorting and Delegitimizing Opponents
7 Aug
The text highlights the issue of distorting and delegitimizing opponents in discussions within the Jewish community, particularly regarding topics like going...
7 Aug
Rationalist Judaism
Moshe Rabbeinu, Hater of Torah
2 Aug
The text discusses a page from a purported elucidation of the Torah, Chumash HaCharedim LDvar HaGedolim, claiming to be based on hidden Kabbalistic teachings...
2 Aug
Rationalist Judaism
Rome Shmome
31 Jul
The text discusses the dilemma Israel faces regarding its approach towards its Arab enemies, balancing a hard-line stance with international political consid...
31 Jul
Rationalist Judaism
Mission: Impossible
18 Jul
The letter addresses tensions within the Jewish community, specifically between the Orthodox Union (OU) and the charedi community regarding military enlistme...
18 Jul
Rationalist Judaism
Herzl and the Rabbits
14 Jul
"Watership Down" is a 1972 British children's book by Richard Adams that follows a group of rabbits led by Herzl Hazel on a journey of adventure, hardship, a...
14 Jul
Rationalist Judaism
"Haters of Torah"
11 Jul
The article discusses the chareidi community's refusal to share in the national burden faced by other Israelis, particularly in terms of military service, fr...
11 Jul
Rationalist Judaism
Wonderful - if it's Kiruv
10 Jul
The text discusses the ongoing debate within the Charedi community regarding military service in Israel. It highlights a video featuring Rabbi Asher Weiss di...
10 Jul
Rationalist Judaism
The Eighty Unmentionable Yeshivos
9 Jul
The author discusses the lack of awareness among American yeshivish Jews about the dati-leumi community in Israel, particularly the eighty hesder yeshivot th...
9 Jul
Rationalist Judaism
Rav Brudny's Accusation
7 Jul
Rav Brudny's article in Mishpacha magazine discusses the High Court ruling in Israel and the issue of charedi yeshiva students' exemption from army service. ...
7 Jul
Rationalist Judaism
The "Great Ones"
6 Jul
The Council of Great Torah Scholars of Agudas Yisrael of America issued a statement urging increased prayers, citing various challenges faced by the Jewish P...
6 Jul
Rationalist Judaism
An Aquatic Kosher Adventure
5 Jul
The Biblical Museum of Natural History will mark its tenth anniversary with various events, starting with an exotic kosher feast themed "Legends from the Sea...
5 Jul