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Robert L. Wolkoff

Jul 6, 2018, 11:18 PM

Liberal Jews Cause Earthquakes. Who Knew?

It is no coincidence that Parshat Pinchas, which centers on blind zealotry, always comes during the build up to Tisha B’av, which commemorates the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem—which was destroyed, the rabbis tell us, because of sinat...

Jul 4, 2018, 8:19 PM

I was a draft-dodger

Illustrative: Soldiers of the IDF's ultra-Orthodox Netzah Yehuda Battalion sit in a field at the Peles Military Base, in the Northern Jordan Valley. (Yaakov Naumi/Flash90)

Where the South African army was an instrument of racism, the ultra-Orthodox have nothing to complain about

Allen S. Maller

Jul 1, 2018, 8:41 AM

Pre 9 Av political advice from our sages

During the three weeks between the Fast of Tamuz and Tisha B’Av, the topic of the unrestrained hatred of other Jews (sinat khinam) should be carefully studied and talked about especially in Israel; for our sages say that both...

Jun 30, 2018, 12:41 AM

OCD and halakha: The Orthodox rabbi’s challenge

One of the great privileges of my budding career in the rabbinate has been the opportunity to study with the Center for the Jewish Future (Yeshiva University), and to complete their Continuing Rabbinic Education (CRE) programs in areas including...

Bracha Goldstein

Jun 26, 2018, 10:09 PM

Stringency Wars

“Let them be stringent,” they said. “Let them have their chumras..it doesn’t matter to us.” I heard the way this new world of Modern Orthodoxy viewed my old world. It was so foreign to me. It felt like we were...

Joshua Gerstein

Jun 26, 2018, 4:06 PM

Ethiopian Jewry, No Longer a Lost Tribe

I read with outrage and dismay the recent report of racism --masquerading as Halacha -against Ethiopian Jews at the Barkan Winery. According to the report first published by the Public broadcaster Kan (Link to the Hebrew Video) and now...

Jun 26, 2018, 12:01 AM

The day a 'hand vagina' made this bride blush

Illustrative wedding photo. (JTA)

Or how an Orthodox rebbetzin made this secular Israeli bride blush

Jun 25, 2018, 12:56 AM

Toward Partnership with the Haredim

We who try to keep our politics separate from religion often treat those who do not do so as adversaries of the public good. Israel’s secular Jewish population is no exception; you do not need to search far to...

Jun 25, 2018, 12:18 AM

How Did I Get Here?

Dedicated to: Saul of Hallandale, Mark of Hadera, Binyamin & Shula of Ramat HaSharon, Steven of New York, Liora of RishonLezion who insisted that #613 was insufficient and asked for more. Their overseas phone calls, e-mails and Comments added...

Jun 25, 2018, 12:16 AM

Dear OTD People

This is Part Two of a collaborative project in which folks address both frum and OTD people collectively. You can read Part One here. Dear OTD People, The only important path in life is YOUR path. We are all here to...

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