10 Nov MARRIAGE AND FREE WILL
The concept of “Bashert,” a person’s soulmate, warms the heart and plays into our notions of romance. The Gemara (Sotah 2a) says that forty days before the creation of a...
02 Nov DEATH PENALTY
Even those with only a passing knowledge of the Five Books of Moses recognize the death penalty applied to various sins. The Oral Torah, committed to writing centuries later, explains...
26 Oct PIDYON SHEVUYIM FOR SOMEONE GUILTY
P i d y o n i m Shevuyim means redeeming a captive, paying s o m e o n e ’ s ransom. It is among the highest priorities of mitzvos. Shulchan Arukh (Yoreh De’ah 252:1) is more important than...
19 Oct REMEMBERING RABBI LORD JONATHAN SACKS ZT”L ON HIS FIRST YAHRTZEIT: RABBI SACKS AND THE STRANGER
I. The Problematic Theology of the Stranger Rabbi Jonathan Sacks zt”l, whose first yahrtzeit falls this year on October 26 (20 Cheshvan), opened up Jewish thought to a broader audience with...
19 Oct REMEMBERING RABBI LORD JONATHAN SACKS ZT”L ON HIS FIRST YAHRTZEIT: THREE SIDES OF RABBI SACKS
The passing of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt”l, whose first yahrtzeit falls this year on October 26 (20 Cheshvan), left thousands if not millions of people of faith — Orthodox...
12 Oct IS SECULAR MUSIC KOSHER?
I. EXTENT OF THE PROHIBITION The Gemara (Gittin 7a) asks from where we learn that music is forbidden. The Gemara answers with a few possible verses, including “Do not rejoice, Israel,...
05 Oct LISTENING TO PROFANITY
When someone uses profanity, he abuses the divine gift of speech, demonstrating a lack of refinement and self-control. Speaking profanity violates a biblical prohibition. There is reason to forbid not...
14 Sep THE INTELLECTUAL BA’AL TESHUVAH
I. Two Types of Teshuvah The modern Ba’al Teshuvah, someone from a non-religiously observant background who becomes religiously observant, does not fit well into classical categories. That leaves room for us...
05 Sep ARE BA’ALEI TESHUVAH REALLY THAT GREAT?
I. Who Is Greater? Is it better to be good all your life or to turn your life around? Someone who overcomes sin and returns to full observance, a ba’al...
31 Aug THE HALACHOS OF SHUSHING IN SHUL
I. Talking Destroys Shuls Talking in shul has been a problem since time immemorial. People who talk about idle matters during the prayer service not only show disrespect for the sanctity...