“Rabbenu Tam altered the text of a blessing that had been in use for probably a thousand years”
When someone gets married, Ketubot 7b tells us that the following words appear in...
Category Archives: Jewish
“This ‘failure to communicate’ doesn’t strengthen synagogue life; instead, it encourages more members to leave the synagogue complaining about the lack of relevancy to their own lives”
On each Shabbat, many worshipers open their siddurim and proceed through the service with...
“It is uplifting to see segments of the community suddenly adopt Chabad strategies”
It is uplifting to see segments of the community suddenly adopt Chabad strategies. The...
“In the first century C.E., Judaism was marked by numerous sects and groups…”
In the first century C.E., Judaism was marked by numerous sects and groups: Pharisees,...
“Midrash derives from the verb derash ‘to seek, ask'”
Midrash derives from the verb derash ‘to seek, ask’. Already in Scripture, the verb...
“Unlike staid practice sessions of old, these promise flowing alcohol, macho food and male bonding along with some religious instruction, although that last one can get a bit lost at some of the events”
Held a few days before the holiday, the “mock Seder” or “Steak ‘n Seder,”...
“Unlike the more insular ultra-Orthodox communities, Modern Orthodoxy puts a bigger premium on studying at the best colleges and pursuing professional careers”
Modern Orthodoxy is especially vulnerable to kids leaving the derech, precisely because its philosophy...
“The Babylonian Talmud attained its (almost) final shape in the eighth century…”
The Babylonian Talmud attained its (almost) final shape in the eighth century, i.e. at...
“Rav Lichtenstein was the living and breathing example we could look at to see Modern Orthodoxy at its best”
Rav Lichtenstein was the living and breathing example we could look at to see...
“One of the remarkable characteristics of the Mishnah is how little information the text reveals about itself, its origins, authors, history, sources, and social setting”
One of the remarkable characteristics of the Mishnah is how little information the text...