16 Jun WHY TESTIFY?
Society cannot function if witnesses remain silent. Whether the issue is a crime, a contract or a disputed transaction, justice depends on people who are willing to step forward and tell what they know. If those who know...
09 Jun THE AI AGE IS TODAY’S IRON AGE
I. AI as a Human Tool Lately, people are rightly debating the moral and philosophical questions raised by Artificial Intelligence (AI). We need to keep one point firmly in mind and all other conclusions follow: AI is a...
01 Jun ARE INTERFAITH CHAPELS KOSHER?
Hospitals, airports and universities often include interfaith chapels which are intended to accommodate individuals of all faiths for individual or group prayer. This religious accommodation raises an important question: May a Jew pray in a room that also houses non-Jewish worship, potentially...
26 May THE COST TO FRUM JEWS OF CHANGING DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME
The Orthodox Jewish world is watching closely as the House of Representatives, once again, addresses a proposal for all- year Daylight Saving Time, a change that could have profound implications for Jewish religious practice. On May 21, 2026,...
19 May RELIGIOUS INCONSISTENCY AND HYPOCRISY
This article is dedicated to the memory of my longtime friend, Stephen Tolany, who passed away on May 14, 2026. I discussed this issue with him many times, and he repeatedly said that he admired this approach. I. Misplaced Priorities Religious...
12 May IS A KOSHER CHEESEBURGER KOSHER?
I. Kosher Isn’t Always Kosher Lately, I’ve seen kosher pizzerias offering vegetarian pepperoni pizza. Additionally, more and more kosher restaurants are serving kosher cheeseburgers, either with vegetarian burgers or non-dairy cheese. These faux-treif dishes raise a question of maris ayin,...
05 May UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF THE SIDDUR’S PUBLICATION
The prayers were originally taught orally, like all Jewish texts other than the Bible. Their publication involved a process that took place over time and had certain unexpected impacts on Jewish practice. The earliest written source about the prayers, what...
21 Apr WILL THERE BE ANOTHER CHURBAN?
I. The Promise This week, Israel is celebrating the 78th anniversary of its independence. It was not always a given that there would be a first anniversary, much less a 78th. But Rav Yitzchak Herzog was personally convinced that...
14 Apr LAVAN AND THE SHIDDUCH CRISIS
For many singles who deeply wish to marry but have not yet found the right partner, the pain is not only personal. It carries a broader dimension as well. There is also the quiet absence of the families, children...
27 Mar LAVAN AND THE SHIDDUCH CRISIS
For many singles who deeply wish to marry but have not yet found the right partner, the pain is not only personal. It carries a broader dimension as well. There is also the quiet absence of the families, children...