When the Complexities of Life Converge with Jewish Tradition

One of the best-known blessings Orthodox Jews recite every day is the blessing, “Thank you God for not making me a woman.”

The recent transformation on the cover of Vanity Fair’s 22-page cover story featuring Caitlyn Jenner, formerly known as Bruce, raises a number of fascinating questions pertaining to Halacha as well as Jewish ethics.

To begin with, persons wishing to undergo transsexual surgery are a minority—in fact one per million men and even less with ...

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6
JUN
2015

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biblical theology, Contrarian wisdom, Current Events, Gender Topics, Halacha, Jewish sexual ethics, Judaism and Feminism

Book Review: Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik’s Brilliant Torah Commentary on Genesis

Chumash Mesoras Harav – Chumash with Commentary Based on the Teachings of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik – Sefer Bereishis by Dr. Arnold Lustiger: OU Press and Ohr Publishing; First edition (2013) ISBN-10: 0989124606. Price: $38.24 Rating: 5*

As one of the most important Orthodox thinkers of his time, Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik (a.k.a. the “Rav”) frequently combined classical Talmudic concepts with insights drawn from the great secular thinkers of Western Tradition. The ensuing synthesis ...

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13
JAN
2014

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biblical history, biblical theology, Book Reviews, ethics, Halacha, Heart-Centered Judaism, Jewish sexual ethics, Jewish symbolism, Maimonidean Wisdom

Rabbi Akiba’s Hidden Love Life

(Picture: Madam Turnus Rufus probably looked something like Hedy Lamaar!)

One of the most illustrious sages of the Talmudic era is Rabbi Akiva ben Yosef (ca.40-ca.137 CE). His life-story has inspired many legends and in many ways Rabbi Akiva’s approach to the interpreting the biblical text has become the foundation for many of the mystical interpretations that have evolved over the centuries. For R. Akiba, the Torah is a love letter from God; ...

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15
DEC
2013

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ethics, Gender Topics, Heart-Centered Judaism, Jewish sexual ethics, Stories for the Searching Heart, Talmud, Zohar, and Midrash

Obama-care’s Cynical Exploitation of Young Women

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGeSpWfOqIY

One of the many reasons why Mitt Romney lost the presidential election was because he alienated the women voters. He gave his constituents the impression that he would overturn Roe vs. Wade. Romney’s resentment toward Obamacare also offended female voters; as of August 1012, insurers must cover “woman visits, domestic-violence screening, and breast-feeding supplies at no additional charge. Insurance plans must also cover birth control, though religious institutions are ...

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14
NOV
2013

2

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-Youtube Videos-, ethics, Gender Topics, Jewish sexual ethics

Who Says an Orthodox Woman Can’t Serve as a Rabbi? (Part 1)

This past week, the Jewish Star updated its article about the maverick Modern Orthodox named Rabbi Avi Weiss, who recently backed down from a confrontation with the RCA (Rabbinical Council of America) over his decision to offer ordination to a Sara Hurwitz, as an Orthodox rabbi.

Frankly, I am not surprised at all by the series of events that ensued. Surprisingly, Agudath Israel spokesman Rabbi Avi Shafran admitted that the issue whether women may become rabbis or not is not a ...

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10
MAR
2010

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Bible, Contrarian wisdom, Current Events, ethics, Halacha, Israel, Jewish Law & Technology, Jewish sexual ethics, Judaism and Feminism, Responsa Literature, The Future of Judaism

Contrarian wisdom, Current Events, Halacha, Israel, Jewish Law & Technology, Jewish sexual ethics, Judaism and Feminism, Private: Who says a woman can’t serve as a rabbi? Posted by admin in Bible, religious ethics, Responsa Literature, The Future of Judaism