We've Come a Long Way, Maybe
In connection with International Women's Day, we are re-posting this article by Pamela Ehrenkranz on the role of women within the Orthodox Jewish community.
Articles
National Scholar Report: January 2021
As always, I profoundly thank the members and supporters of our Institute for enabling us to disseminate our vision around the globe. We are constantly corresponding with interested people and are making a genuine impact with our classes and publications.
Zoom Class with Rabbi Hayyim Angel: Israel in the Bible
A three-part Zoom series with Rabbi Hayyim Angel on Israel in the Bible. The series serves as a celebration of his newly published book: Cornerstones: The Bible and Jewish Ideology.
The series will be held on Thursdays: Dec 31, Jan 7, Jan 14, from 12-1 pm EST.
To join, please register here: https://www.jewishideas.org/rabbi-hayyim-angel-israel-bible
A Modesty Proposal: Rethinking Tseniut
Tseniut is not simply a system of prevention from sin. Rather, it encompasses a positive philosophy relating to the nature of human beings. While acknowledging the power of human sexuality, tseniut teaches that human beings are more than mere sexual beings.
A Bridge across the Tigris: Chief Rabbi Joseph Herman Hertz
Rabbi Joseph Hertz was one of the most influential rabbinic figures of the 20th century. He is perhaps best known through his "Hertz Pentateuch" found in many synagogues. As we approach the anniversary of his passing (January 14, 1946), it is instructive to become more aware of his life's work.
The End of Prophecy: Malachi's Position in the Spiritual Development of Israel
Rabbi Hayyiim Angel offers important insights on the Prophet Malachi and on the nature of prophecy itself. Rabbi H. Angel's book on Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi can be ordered through the online store of our Institute https://www.jewishideas.org/haggai-zechariah-and-malachi-prophecy-age-un...
End of Year Campaign
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The Discourse of Halakhic Inclusiveness
We must, however, ask ourselves how our halakhic system treats people who do not believe, and are not expected to believe, that this system applies to them. To this, our answer is that such people are not to be held liable or excluded as a result of their non-compliance with this system. Omer mutar accurately describes today’s reality. It is perfectly descriptive and non-judgmental, and should be a major part of our inclusive discourse.
Thoughts on the Teachings of Martin Buber
People are greatly in need of a liberating religious message. We yearn for relationship with our fellow human beings; we reach out for a spiritual direction to the Eternal Thou. It is not easy to be a strong, whole and self-confident I; it is not easy to relate to others as genuine Thous; it is a challenge to reach out to the Eternal Thou. Yet, without these proper relationships, neither we nor our society can flourish properly.
No Wonder
How is wonder supposed to help us overcome the decisive religious and theological questions that we often grapple with? For Rabbi A. J. Heschel, the sense of wonder is so overwhelming that it conquers our doubts and questions about evil and meaning in a world that often seems absurd. Significantly, he is not on a quest to ultimate solutions, but rather “to find ourselves as part of a context of meaning.”