Spirituality/Tradition
Seriously, Aren’t Atheists Embarrassed by P.Z. Myers?
One of my mentors, Rabbi Yaakov Weinberg, (of blessed memory), made the following, rather sobering, observation about human nature: "Nobody ever allowed something as...
President Obama and the 1967 Borders – What Israel Should Do Now
President Obama presented yesterday his blueprint for Mideast peace: Israel must withdraw to its pre-1967 borders. A Palestinian State needs to be created, viable and sovereign. Israel must be recognized and its security guaranteed. I wish...
Bin Laden’s Burial and other Religious Frauds
The bizarre burial of Osama bin Laden at sea - an action necessitated by our government's need to accommodate Islamic law requiring that a Muslim be buried within 24 hours of death - raises urgent...
Why Chabad and Jewry Urgently Needs an Institute of Jewish Values
Forgive the imperfections contained in this column. I am writing it quickly and late at night in order to respond to Chabad feedback I have received the entire day concerning the launch event I staged...
The Morality of Killing Bin Laden
In imagining how we Americans would react to the news that Osama bin Laden had...
Emor: How to Speak – The Secret to Influencing Others
To Rebuke or to Ignore? To Fight or to Accept? When witnessing a transgression our...
The Natalie Portman “Motherhood-gate” scandal; should we laugh or cry?
I must admit that I'm behind the curve on this one. Until I just saw...
Free Range Shechita – An Eye Opening Experience
Having grown up as the daughter of an Army Rabbi, my childhood was spent in...
Germans Setting Shoah Memories in Stone
Last month, on a sunny pavement in the Wilhelmsdorf-Charlottenberg section of Berlin, some 40 people...
Seriously, Aren’t Atheists Embarrassed by P.Z. Myers?
One of my mentors, Rabbi Yaakov Weinberg, (of blessed memory), made the following, rather sobering, observation about human nature: "Nobody ever allowed something as trivial...
President Obama and the 1967 Borders – What Israel Should Do Now
President Obama presented yesterday his blueprint for Mideast peace: Israel must withdraw to its pre-1967 borders. A Palestinian State needs to be created, viable and...
Bin Laden’s Burial and other Religious Frauds
The bizarre burial of Osama bin Laden at sea - an action necessitated by our government's need to accommodate Islamic law requiring that a Muslim...
Why Chabad and Jewry Urgently Needs an Institute of Jewish Values
Forgive the imperfections contained in this column. I am writing it quickly and late at night in order to respond to Chabad feedback I have...
The Morality of Killing Bin Laden
In imagining how we Americans would react to the news that Osama bin Laden had finally been killed, I expected mass expressions of relief. But...
Emor: How to Speak – The Secret to Influencing Others
To Rebuke or to Ignore? To Fight or to Accept? When witnessing a transgression our first inclination may be to rebuke the transgressor, and chastise...
The Natalie Portman “Motherhood-gate” scandal; should we laugh or cry?
I must admit that I'm behind the curve on this one. Until I just saw Sarah Wildman's article in theForward (4/22/11, "A Woman's Greatest Role?"),...
Free Range Shechita – An Eye Opening Experience
Having grown up as the daughter of an Army Rabbi, my childhood was spent in three different countries, often in places where orthodox Jewish communities...
Germans Setting Shoah Memories in Stone
Last month, on a sunny pavement in the Wilhelmsdorf-Charlottenberg section of Berlin, some 40 people solemnly gathered outside a block of tidy, well-scrubbed residential flats...
Anorexia and Corrupt Values in Jewish Dating
The New York Times article last week about the explosion of anorexia and eating disorders in the orthodox community highlights a tragedy that has long...
This Year we are Free
Last Thursday night Avi married Tamar in Petach Tikvah (an Israeli city whose name means "opening towards hope"). It was a glorious wedding. I have...
Seeing the Extraordinary in the Ordinary
Summary People often talk about miracles. There are firm believers that miracles happen in our lives, and firm skeptics and non-believers. But before we discuss...
Rabbis Without God(?!)
It has been said in the name of one of the great Hassidic rebbes, that before the arrival of the messiah there will be an...
Divided Matzah, Divided People: The Secret of the Afikoman
Afikoman For children, it is the highlight of the seder. Over the years they discovered that because the seder could not be concluded until this...
