Nathaniel Helfgot has posted at Text and Texture on Women, Communal Leadership, and Modern Orthodoxy. Many people who oppose women in positions of communal leadership cite a statement of the Rambam in Hilkhot Melakhim 1:5. Helfgot’s comments on the reception of this Rambam are worth quoting. In this context, I would also add a question [...]
The Society for the Interpretation of Talmud has published Aaron Amit’s commentary on the fourth chapter of Bavli Pesahim, Makom She-Nahagu. This volume, as well as the others already published, is available for purchase from Rubin Mass.
Here is a lengthy, interesting, and in my opinion, honest, interview with the Chancellor of JTS Arnold Eisen. Below are some snippits. The definition of our message has become a priority for several reasons. One is that on our left side, in the Reform movement, there have been changes that have made it look more [...]
Both Makor Rishon (2.12.2010) and Behadrei Hareidim have reports about an interesting class-action suit. Two brothers are suing a number of publishers of siddurim and mahzorim, charging that despite claims to the contrary, these siddurim and mahzorim do not contain all of the prayers used during the entire year. In addition, because of the way [...]
If you were wondering why there isn’t much enthusiasm for the Peace Process in Israel, the latest Pew poll might offer some direction (summary, full report). In Arab nations, attitudes toward Jews remain extremely negative. More than 90% of Egyptians, Jordanians, Lebanese and Palestinians express unfavorable views toward Jews. Only 35% of Israeli Arabs, however, [...]
The Jewish Review of Books is about to hit the stands. If both Shmuel Rosner and Azzan Yadin have articles in it, who wouldn’t want to subscribe.
Most people who live in an urban setting and don’t have a parking space know that parking is usually at a premium throughout the year. Parking becomes even more of a problem after a snowstorm because there are fewer parking spaces. You spend time to dig out your car and when you leave the spot, [...]
The Babylonian Talmud is now available for users of Accordance software. See here for details. The text is from the editio princeps (Venice, 1520-1523). They have also reformatted Jacob Neusner et al.’s English translation to better work with the original. This is great news for this snowy day. There are still a few tractates which [...]
Article alert: Benjamin Shmueli, Corporal Punishment of Children in Jewish Law: Traditional Approaches Meet Modern Trends: A Comparative Study
On Monday I was able to attend the Fordham Conference on Jewish Law (see here) and I wanted to post a few comments on it. First of all, yishar koach to all of the organizers. While I was only able to be there for one day, it was well worth the effort. Here are a [...]
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