Tag: Jewish Law

The narrator reflects on her former religious practices and beliefs as she navigates a parking lot in an ultra-Orthodox neighborhood in Israel.
The discussion on Jewish perspectives on nuclear weapons and deterrence highlights the historical ambivalence among Jews towards the atomic bomb, influenced by experiences of WWII and the Holocaust.
Prof. Roberta Ronsethal Kwall's new book "The Myth of the Cultural Jew" explores the idea that even secular Jews have been influenced by Jewish legal traditions (halakha) whether they realize it or not.
Rabbi Barry Freundel, a prominent Washington rabbi, was sentenced to 6-1/2 years in prison after pleading guilty to 52 misdemeanor counts of voyeurism for secretly filming women naked in a ritual bath facility from 2012 to 2014.
Literary critic Adam Kirsch explores Tractate Ketubot in the Talmud, emphasizing marriage and contract law as a subset of civil law.
Four Orthodox rabbinic scholars, Michael Wygoda, J. David Bleich, Michael Broyde, and Itamar Warhaftig, assert that Jewish law permits torturing enemies in certain cases to save lives, contradicting contemporary Jewish opponents who argue all forms of torture are forbidden.
"Moshe Halbertal's intellectual biography 'Maimonides: Life and Thought' delves into the relevance of Maimonides in modern times, exploring his contributions to both Jewish law and philosophy. Maimonides, known for works like the Mishneh Torah and 'The Guide of the Perplexed,' aimed to simplify Jewish law and de-anthropomorphize God to combat idolatry. Halbertal highlights Maimonides' emphasis on philosophy and science for religious enlightenment, shedding light on his struggles against superstition. The book also discusses Maimonides' comprehensive interpretation of tradition and the authority of his works like the Mishneh Torah. Despite his efforts, Maimonides' radical reorganization of halakha and enigmatic 'Guide' faced divergent readings and led back to Talmudic study, showcasing the complexities and enduring impact of his legacy."
The author recounts a personal experience involving a fire accident to explore the concept of "middah kneged middah," or Jewish karma, where actions have consequences mirroring the initial deed.
"Saving Private Ryan," directed by Steven Spielberg, at its core, portrays an act of compassion mirroring Jewish law and custom, reflecting the biblical principle of shiluach haken and emphasizing the importance of filial piety.
After years of delays and challenges, an Orthodox women's EMT corps named Ezras Nashim is set to launch in Brooklyn to cater to the needs of observant Jewish women who may feel uncomfortable being tended to by male EMTs due to religious modesty concerns.
The article delves into how the traditional role of Jewish mothers, characterized by self-sacrifice and high expectations, has evolved in modern times.
In Rabbi Elchanan Adler's book "Yerach Tov: Birkat HaChodesh in Jewish Law and Liturgy," he delves into the intricate details of the prayer for the new month, Birkat Hachodesh, recited on the Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh.
A couple shares their journey of evolving their Purim tradition from giving out simple mishloach manot to creating a humorous Purim newsletter over the years.
In a symposium on Jewish belief, Commentary Magazine highlighted the influence of Franz Rosenzweig, a German Jew whose essay "The Builders" provided a meaningful non-Orthodox perspective on Jewish law, emphasizing the transformation of law into personal commandment through practice.
Wearing leather items like belts and yarmulkes is permitted on Yom Kippur and Tishah B'Av; only leather shoes are prohibited.
The text delves into the legal and ethical questions surrounding whether a ship captain must go down with their sinking ship, exemplified by the trial of Francesco Schettino, the captain of the Costa Concordia.
The article discusses the dilemma surrounding the burial of alleged Boston Marathon terrorist Tamerlan Tsarnaev, highlighting Jewish perspectives on burial practices.
Rabbi Joel Sirkes, known as the Bach, in his commentary on Megillat Ruth, draws parallels between Ruth's story and Jacob's acquisition of a blessing from his father, Isaac, meant for Esau.
Rabbi Ephraim Oshry, a respected figure in the Kovno Ghetto during the Holocaust, received questions on Jewish law in the face of extreme hardship.
In a study of law and narrative in the Talmud, the text highlights the importance of seeking forgiveness from those one has wronged, stating that Yom Kippur atones only for sins against God, not for interpersonal sins, until the wronged party is appeased.
The essay discusses the evolution of kidney donation in Jewish law, highlighting the historical context and halachic considerations surrounding living kidney donation.
In the late 19th century, the Yiddish press began shedding light on the lives of average Jews, including stories often ignored by intellectuals.
The text explores the topic of suicide among Jews, shedding light on historical accounts of suicides in Jewish communities, particularly in Warsaw during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Rabbi Aharon Feldman's book "The Eye of the Storm" delves into various contentious issues within the Jewish community, focusing on topics such as Zionism and feminism from a critical perspective.
In late 19th and early 20th-century Warsaw, the Yiddish press provided a window into the lives of average Jews through sensationalized coverage of divorce court proceedings at the rabbinical court.