Israel's Many Friends
This article by Rabbi Dr. Yakov Nagen originally was published as a blog in the Times of Israel. It underscores the reality that Israel is not alone, but has many friends and allies.
Min haMuvhar
Godliness and Fraudliness: Thoughts for Parashat Ki Tavo
The Torah presents us with a remarkable challenge: to walk in God’s ways. But how does one do this? How are we to become Godly people?
The Binding of Isaac: Extremely Religious without Religious Extremism, by Rabbi Hayyim Angel
The Akedah, or binding of Isaac (Genesis 22:1–19), [1] is a formative passage in Jewish tradition. It plays a central role on Rosh haShanah, and many communities include this passage in their early morning daily liturgy. What should we learn from this jarring narrative with regard to faith and religious life?
Reclaiming Orthodox Judaism
To reclaim Orthodox Judaism, we need to transform the intellectual climate within Orthodoxy—to foster an intellectually vibrant, compassionate, and inclusive Orthodoxy that sees Judaism as a world religion with world responsibilities. We need to battle fundamentalism, authoritarianism, and obscurantism in our homes, our schools, in our communal life.
Holiday Reader of the Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals
The "Holiday Reader" of the Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals was prepared by Rabbis Marc and Hayyim Angel. Part One includes a collection of short essays by Rabbi Marc Angel relating to Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur and Succoth. Part Two includes articles by Rabbi Hayyim Angel on the Akeidah, the book of Jonah, and the book of Kohelet. We invite you to print the "Holiday Reader" and enjoy it during the course of the holidays.
Four Species that Once United a Nation
On a holiday that brought much of the nation together for a week in one place, the four species let each group take pride in its region while giving the group a sense of cohesiveness. The central place given to the four species as a Jewish symbol in later times suggests that this message may ultimately have been internalized.
Rabbi Hayyim Angel will give a five-part series on the Book of Jonah
Beginning September 9, Rabbi Hayyim Angel will give a five-part in-depth series on the Book of Jonah. The classes are through Lamdeinu Teaneck and will be conducted over Zoom.
Dates: Five Mondays: September 9, 16, 23, 30, and October 7, from 1:00-2:00 pm EST.
For more information and to register, please go to:
https://www.lamdeinu.org/programs/
Rabbi Hayyim Angel will give a Zoom class on Tuesday, September 17
On Tuesday, September 17, from 8:00-9:00 EST, Rabbi Hayyim Angel will teach a Zoom class sponsored by Yeshivat Ben Porat Yosef.
The class will be on "Hannah's Prayer: The Haftarah for the First Day of Rosh HaShanah."
It is free and open to the public.
Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5413950938
Embracing Tradition and Modernity: Rabbi Benzion Meir Hai Uziel
Rabbi Uziel believed that the purpose of the State of Israel on the world scene is to serve as a model nation, characterized by moral excellence. Just as individuals are religiously required to participate in the life of society, the Jewish people as a nation must participate in the life of the community of nations.
How the Torah Broke with Ancient Political Thought
For the first time in history, the Torah presented a vision to the masses a vision with a radically different understanding of God and humanity. It introduced new understandings of the law, of political office, of military power, of taxation, of social welfare. What we find in the Torah is a platform for social order marked with the imprint of divinity.