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...
Is a mourner, within a year for a parent or thirty days for another close relative, allowed to lead synagogue prayers on Purim? A man who is in mourning is expected to lead weekday prayers in the synagogue. Of course,...
Drinking coffee raises a surprising halachic difficulty. Coffee seems to have entered the Jewish world during the 15th and 16th centuries. Yet it was only in the 17th century that a major halachic question regarding its blessing was addressed. One...
I. Shul Sanctions Shuls (synagogues) need funding in order to maintain the building and provide services to members. This is clear and obvious. It is uncomfortable to talk about such matters because we want to focus on religious growth and...
I. The Maximal Tzadik A recent saying has it that every Jew is a tzadik, righteous. Taken literally, the statement strains credulity. Jews, like everyone else, commit sins, some grievously so. Even the conscientious Jew is marked by inconsistency and...
I. Shabbos and Popular Culture Stop, in the Name of G-d is a surpris- ing book of praise for a traditional Jewish practice by a leading Christian figure. Charlie Kirk, the right wing polit- ical activist and devout Christian,...
I. Shabbos and Popular Culture Stop, in the Name of G-d is a surpris- ing book of praise for a traditional Jewish practice by a leading Christian figure. Charlie Kirk, the right wing polit- ical activist and devout Christian,...