Halacha
Jewish Relativity
Religious leaders often posit that the secular world is morally relative and adrift. The changing and metastasizing values of the larger world are no doubt foreboding and challenging but it... Read More »
Is There a Bright Future for the KosherSwitch®?
Orthodox Judaism often struggles with new technology. Its top problem is a simple question: “Can you use this on Shabbat?” While this sometimes comes up with manual/mechanical items, any time... Read More »
New Trends in Hair Covering?
I call myself Modern Orthodox, aka “Dati Lite” in Israel. Or, as my friend Shira once termed it, an “endangered species.” How would I describe this level of observance? In... Read More »
Reading, ‘Riting, and ‘Rithmetic in Retrospect, Part II: No Literature Created Equal
An Analysis of the Clashes Between Judaic and Secular Studies in the Jewish Day School Read More »
Agriprocessors: Why my family has stopped buying red meat
My wife and I have recently made the decision that, at least for the time being, we will no longer buy any Kosher butchered red meat (although we will probably... Read More »
Davening on airplanes
I haven’t posted in a while, perhaps because I haven’t felt particularly passionate about anything. Here’s something I am passionate about, having dealt with it recently on a plane back... Read More »
Jewish Unity in the 21st Century
I grew up the son of a Conservative rabbi in the Twin Cities. The local Orthodox rabbi was not only a member (with my father) of the non-denominational Minnesota Rabbinical... Read More »
Yeshiva University Employs Transgender Professor
An article published today in the New York Post discusses Literature Professor Joy Ladin, formerly known as Jay Ladin. I implore you to read this article and post your comments... Read More »
Alone Again (Not) Naturally
The week didn’t go at all as I expected. When Jody made plans for her and Amir to go to Cleveland for Jody’s grandmother’s 90th birthday at the same time... Read More »
The Other Leather Bondage
I, once again, feel I may be going into territory not as family friendly as this site is intended. If your sensibilities are easily offended (or if you think I... Read More »
“Raid Unsettles Kosher Beliefs” WSJ article 7/1/08
For those of you who don’t get the Wall Street Journal, here is an outside view of the Agriprocessors matzav, and what some Jews are doing about it. (Its also... Read More »
Torah Judaism, Homosexuality, and Gay Marriage
The Torah does not like gays. For some Jews, this is not a difficult challenge to overcome. The Torah may have been inspired by God, but it was written by... Read More »
The Touchy Subject
When tackling this issue, all sorts of fun puns come to mind. One needs to be cautious in approach, steady on arrival and only once a comfortable calm has been... Read More »
Sports, Religion & The Catskills: Part 3
In the past few articles, I’ve postulated that people who follow pro-sports do so to try to be part of a team. I’ve also postulated that people holding on to... Read More »
Davening Man Removed from Plane
On Wednesday night, an Orthodox man boarded a United Airlines flight from JFK to San Francisco. Before the flight took off, he went to the back of plane to daven,... Read More »
The Geek Guide to Kosher Machines
I just stumbled on a Wired article from November of 2004 which profiles Jonah Ottensoser, an engineer for the Star-K. “A retired helicopter engineer who is himself Orthodox, Ottensoser teaches... Read More »
The Incredible Story of “Natan Levy”/AKA Ted Riley Floyd
In another proof that real life outdoes film in the sensationalism department, the ultra-orthodox community of Lakewood, NJ was shocked to learn that a member of their community had been... Read More »
Brain Death in Jewish Law: Setting the Record Straight
In the March 25, 2008 article “MK: Hundreds of organ transplants may lose funding,” the Jerusalem Post got their research on Brain Death in Halacha wrong. They misquoted the opinion... Read More »
Rabbis’ New Role: Wedding Crashers
While those in the Internet reading community may not be aware, Brooklyn rabbis have recently banned marriage. I went undercover to find the story, and I now present my first... Read More »
