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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
As we approach a three day Yom Tov, people are thinking about their hygiene and comfort, including showering and brushing teeth. I will discuss here the longstanding debate about the permissibility of brushing teeth on Shabbos and Yom Tov....
I. Danger in Yeshiva? It is now common for many American yeshiva students to spend a “gap year” in Israel after high school. This year usually fosters religious growth through intense study in a specialized environment. Since war began with...
I. A Jewish Name When someone converts to Judaism, he chooses a Jewish name with which to be called for ritual purposes. Should he use that name in common conversation and interactions? That is a very personal decision and includes...
I. Military Encampments in Halachah With the recent stunning military success in Israel’s ongoing attack on Iran, it is an opportunity to celebrate the Israeli Air Force by examining one aspect of its halachic significance. The Torah has special laws...
One of the mitzvos of Purim is giving food to a friend. The verse says that Purim is a day of “u-mishlo’ach manos ish le- re’ehu, sending food a man to his friend” (Esther 9:22). The Sages see in...