Rationalist Judaism
A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing
3 Dec
Natan Slifkin discusses what he sees as a deceptive initiative that purports to support Charedi integration into the workforce but in reality aims to maintai...
3 Dec
Rationalist Judaism
"Better to be a Torah Student in America than Israel!"
1 Dec
Natan Slifkin critiques Aryeh Ehrlich's condemnation of Israeli government policies that impact charedi yeshiva students. Ehrlich argues that charedi student...
1 Dec
Rationalist Judaism
Letter from the Bereaved Families
29 Nov
Bereaved families from Israel's Religious-Zionist and Traditional communities have issued a public letter urging elected officials to oppose the Draft Exempt...
29 Nov
Rationalist Judaism
National Outcry
27 Nov
In light of Israel's severe military manpower shortage due to ongoing war and a heavy reliance on reservists, Natan Slifkin criticizes a proposed charedi Dra...
27 Nov
Rationalist Judaism
Turkey, Tradition, and Peacock
26 Nov
Natan Slifkin's article explores the complex halachic history behind the acceptance of turkey as a kosher bird, particularly in light of the traditional requ...
26 Nov
Rationalist Judaism
When Friends Support Enemies
23 Nov
Natan Slifkin critiques recent political actions by figures such as Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu, highlighting their unexpected endorsements that cont...
23 Nov
Rationalist Judaism
Prioritizing Charedi Lives
20 Nov
Natan Slifkin analyzes the changing perspectives within charedi rabbinic leadership regarding IDF enlistment. Initially, there was a conditional exemption fo...
20 Nov
Rationalist Judaism
Vance, Tucker, Ner Yisrael and R. Feldman
17 Nov
Natan Slifkin addresses the controversy surrounding R. Aharon Feldman's support of R. Yitzchak Yosef’s opposition to IDF enlistment, apologizing for previous...
17 Nov
Rationalist Judaism
Baltimore Backs Them Up
14 Nov
Rabbi Aharon Feldman and other leading American charedi rabbinic figures, including those from Baltimore's Ner Israel, have signed a letter endorsing Rabbi Y...
14 Nov
Rationalist Judaism
Holy Leopard Skin Scam
10 Nov
Natan Slifkin explores an intriguing topic at the intersection of Judaism and zoology, involving a purported leopard pelt used in the making of a tallis atar...
10 Nov
Rationalist Judaism
The Mouthpiece of the Gedolim
8 Nov
Natan Slifkin's publication, Rationalist Judaism, explores the dynamics and influence of the "gedolim," or Jewish sages, within the Jewish community. Althoug...
8 Nov
Rationalist Judaism
Horses and Asses
6 Nov
Natan Slifkin critically examines the charedi community's stance on military service in Israel, highlighting what he sees as the irrationality and contradict...
6 Nov
Rationalist Judaism
Rationalism vs. Mysticism: Introduction
6 Nov
Natan Slifkin announces the release of the audio version of his book "Rationalism vs. Mysticism: Schisms in Traditional Jewish Thought." This work delves int...
6 Nov
Rationalist Judaism
Another Own Goal By The Gedolim
4 Nov
Natan Slifkin critically examines the Charedi community's stance on military enlistment and societal contribution in Israel, suggesting it reflects a broader...
4 Nov
Rationalist Judaism
This Is Not Treife!
2 Nov
Rabbi Natan Slifkin discusses the upcoming Feast of Exotic Kosher Curiosities at The Biblical Museum of Natural History, scheduled for December 24th. Highlig...
2 Nov
Rationalist Judaism
The Prostitution of the Likud
31 Oct
Natan Slifkin critiques the Likud party, highlighting its alignment with charedi factions that oppose military service and draw significant financial support...
31 Oct
Rationalist Judaism
A Society Based on Non-Responsibility
30 Oct
Natan Slifkin criticizes the behavior and mindset of attendees at a recent mass Charedi rally in Israel, emphasizing their disregard for safety regulations a...
30 Oct
Rationalist Judaism
The Charedim Go To War
30 Oct
Natan Slifkin critiques the Charedi Orthodox community's recent prayer rally in Jerusalem, highlighting the deep division between their leadership and broade...
30 Oct
Rationalist Judaism
How Dare You Steal Our Song
29 Oct
Rabbi Natan Slifkin reflects on maintaining resilience in the face of adversity, particularly citing the significance of the song "Am HaNetzach Lo Mefached M...
29 Oct
Rationalist Judaism
The Charedim Go All-Out
28 Oct
Following the 2021 conflict with Hamas, Israeli society has been grappling with manpower shortages in the IDF. Despite efforts to integrate the Charedi commu...
28 Oct
Rationalist Judaism
Charedi War Envy
25 Oct
Natan Slifkin examines the contentious issue of a poster comparing yeshiva students imprisoned for draft-dodging to hostages of Hamas, exploring a phenomenon...
25 Oct
Rationalist Judaism
I Noah Guy
24 Oct
Natan Slifkin draws parallels between his role at the Biblical Museum of Natural History and the biblical figure Noah, highlighting both's responsibilities f...
24 Oct
Rationalist Judaism
This Is Not A Hostage
22 Oct
Rabbi Natan Slifkin critiques a protest organized by the Ateres Shlomo yeshiva, illustrating the gulf between the Charedi community and larger Israeli societ...
22 Oct
Rationalist Judaism
Non-Zionists vs. Anti-Zionists
21 Oct
Charedi Judaism, particularly its relationship with Zionism, has been marked by diverse streams such as anti-Zionist groups like Satmar and non-Zionist mains...
21 Oct
Rationalist Judaism
The Ultimate Noah's Ark
19 Oct
Natan Slifkin highlights the development of the Noah's Ark exhibit at the Biblical Museum of Natural History, turning it into an elaborate display featuring ...
19 Oct
Rationalist Judaism
When Dinosaurs Become Dinosaurs
16 Oct
Natan Slifkin reflects on how his once fervent interest in dinosaurs, which involved not just their biology but also the theological conundrums they pose for...
16 Oct
Rationalist Judaism
...And There You Have It.
13 Oct
Natan Slifkin critiques the response of the Charedi community, particularly Agudas Yisrael, regarding recent events involving Israeli hostages and the role o...
13 Oct
Rationalist Judaism
Credit Where Credit's Due
12 Oct
Natan Slifkin examines the complexities surrounding the release of hostages by Hamas and reflects on who deserves credit for this development. The article di...
12 Oct
Rationalist Judaism
Super Satmar?
9 Oct
Natan Slifkin critiques the feature article on Yoeli Landau, a wealthy Satmar philanthropist, in Mishpacha magazine. Landau's narrative embodies a rags-to-ri...
9 Oct
Rationalist Judaism
Mission: Impossible
6 Oct
Natan Slifkin highlights the challenge of engaging the charedi community in discussions about their resistance to civic responsibilities, which he views as d...
6 Oct
Rationalist Judaism
The Esrog Challenge
5 Oct
Natan Slifkin explores the theological challenges regarding the identification of the esrog, or citron, as the pri etz hadar mentioned in the Torah. Despite ...
5 Oct
Rationalist Judaism
Spooks and British Antisemitism
2 Oct
Following a tragic antisemitic attack at a Manchester synagogue, Rabbi Natan Slifkin argues that British antisemitism runs deeper than government inaction or...
2 Oct
Rationalist Judaism
Yom Kippur UnJews
30 Sep
Natan Slifkin critiques an alternative version of the Yom Kippur confessional, Al Cheit, proposed by academics for addressing Israeli actions in Gaza. He arg...
30 Sep
Rationalist Judaism
Wisdom and Goodness from the Gedolim?
29 Sep
Natan Slifkin critiques Rav Dov Landau's assertion that the survival of Israel is solely due to full-time Torah scholars. Slifkin questions the theological a...
29 Sep
Rationalist Judaism
The Lakewood Paradox
28 Sep
Natan Slifkin examines the ideological contradictions within the American yeshivish community, particularly in the juxtaposition of reverence for charedi lea...
28 Sep
Rationalist Judaism
Flat Earth reaches Israel
26 Sep
The belief in a Flat Earth has intriguingly reached Israel, as detailed by Natan Slifkin. Despite being considered an outdated notion, Flat Earth theory has ...
26 Sep
Rationalist Judaism
The Key is the Key
25 Sep
Natan Slifkin's article explores the symbolism of the key worn by Mahmoud Abbas during his UN speech, reflecting Palestinian aspirations to return to homes a...
25 Sep
Rationalist Judaism
The Crazies On All Sides
21 Sep
Natan Slifkin critiques the political posturing and extremism surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting the paradoxical international stance...
21 Sep
Rationalist Judaism
Venom against the Gedolim?
18 Sep
Natan Slifkin reflects on a controversial quip he made comparing the situation of Gedolim visiting England to the sting of a bullet ant. He sheds light on hi...
18 Sep
Rationalist Judaism
Crazy Bugs and Crying Rabbis
16 Sep
Natan Slifkin's latest reflection juxtaposes his unique experience at England's Eastern Invertebrate Show with a poignant critique on rabbinical perspectives...
16 Sep
Rationalist Judaism
Why I hate "Zionism"
13 Sep
Natan Slifkin critiques the term "Zionism" as misleading and argues that the focus should be on the practical necessity of protecting the Jewish population i...
13 Sep
Rationalist Judaism
Getting Someone's Ear
10 Sep
Natan Slifkin shares his experiences at the Museum of Tolerance in Jerusalem during the US Embassy’s delayed Independence Day celebration. He interacts with ...
10 Sep
Rationalist Judaism
Messages from God
8 Sep
Natan Slifkin critiques the Charedi tendency to interpret disasters as divine messages that align with their worldview, particularly in light of recent tragi...
8 Sep
Rationalist Judaism
Diverting the Gravy Train
7 Sep
Natan Slifkin discusses a provocative new campaign aiming to reform the fundraising dynamics that support the charedi yeshiva world in Israel. A published le...
7 Sep
Rationalist Judaism
A Defense of Charedim
3 Sep
Natan Slifkin discusses the contentious relationship between the Charedi community and the broader Jewish society, specifically their refusal to serve in the...
3 Sep
Rationalist Judaism
A Palestinian Coloring Book
2 Sep
Natan Slifkin discusses a controversial Palestinian coloring book, emphasizing its unique approach of integrating flora and fauna significant to Palestinian ...
2 Sep
Rationalist Judaism
Who are the People of the Land?
31 Aug
Natan Slifkin's article addresses a disturbing call for genocide by Palestinian-American author Susan Abulhawa, highlighting the paradox of a human rights ac...
31 Aug
Rationalist Judaism
The Treachery Continues
28 Aug
Natan Slifkin critiques Rabbi Dovid Hofstedter and other charedi leaders for spreading falsehoods about the Israeli military enlistment of yeshiva students. ...
28 Aug
Rationalist Judaism
Don't Panic
27 Aug
Natan Slifkin addresses the alarming allegations of organized ritual sexual abuse within Israel's ultra-Orthodox and national-religious communities, scrutini...
27 Aug
Rationalist Judaism
"Tel Avivians Don't Serve"
26 Aug
The belief that secular Tel Aviv residents refrain from serving in the IDF is a misconception often promoted by charedim, despite lacking factual basis. Nata...
26 Aug