Most of the time I try to post only on topics related to Judaism, Rabbinics, etc., with posts on other topics few and far between. Trying not to stray too much, yet wanting to expand a little bit, from time to time I will now post links to blog posts on other topics that I [...]
AcademicHacK has posted (read the entire post since it addresses a number of important issues) that Yale U. has recently established Open Yale Courses. The courses include syllabi, and most importantly, video and audio of classes. While at the present they only have a few courses posted, their intention is to offer more. In the [...]
In a comment to this post, CK mentions the work of Stuart S. Miller. Since Ancient Judaism is not my area of concentration, I am not so familiar with Miller’s work, but today I happened to see his new book on the shelf. His most recent work is Sages and Commoners in Late Antique Erez [...]
At first glance, the question “Who wrote the Shulhan Arukh?” is almost rhetorical-R. Joseph Caro. As I mentioned in a previous post, there are certain scholars who entrust no small part of their research and writing to students and research assistants. Among those who have been accused of such a methodology was none other than [...]
My brother called my attention to an article written by Prof. Moshe Benovitz, someone with whom we both have studied, on the development of Hanukkah. It was originally written as part of the “Faculty Forum” at the Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies. It is long, but is an important contribution to the study of Hanukkah. [...]
See another great post at Seforim on various Hanukkah-related customs.
I just wanted all of the readers of this blog to know that I write everything that appears on this blog unless otherwise noted. My research assistants have yet to show up for work, and my children, while sometimes offering artistic advice, don’t usually write any of the content. This is what makes my blog [...]
This post is dedicated to my sister-in-law’s brother, PG, who is currently serving in Iraq with the USAF. May he return safely and speedily to his family. Rabbinic literature has many discussions and much information about Jews and military service and weapons. Medieval rabbinic literature contains discussions about such topics as armor and the carrying [...]
I know of latkes, sufganiyot, and dairy products, but ham? It seems as if somebody thinks that it is a good idea. See the Gothamist for details.
While the Biblical text explains what was the sin of Onan, “And Onan knew that the seed would not be his; and it came to pass when he went in unto his brother’s wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest he should give seed to his brother.” (Gen. 38:9), there is no mention [...]
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