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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
As Elul arrives and Rosh Hashanah approaches, we need to start thinking about teshuvah, about how we can build positively on all the events of tumultuous past year so that...