Articles

These op ed pieces by Rabbi Marc D. Angel were published in various newspapers during 2024.

Over Shabbat, May 16-17, Rabbi Hayyim Angel served as scholar-in-residence in Congregation Shaare Torah, in Pittsburgh, PA. He delivered four talks, blending the synthesis of traditional and academic approaches to Tanakh and also highlighting how learning more about Sephardic and Ashkenazic (and other) customs enriches us all. This Shabbat was yet another opportunity to reach communities nation-wide with our outlook and ideology at the Institute.

David Suissa, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the Los Angeles Jewish Journal, shares his insights relating to Israel, American Jewry, and the Jewish future.

We should utilize the categories of kiddush Hashem (sanctification of the Name) and hillul Hashem (desecration of the Name). These categories legitimately place pressure to make halakhic choices and interpretations that inspire non-Jews to value Torah.

Rabbi Isaac Sassoon's article focuses on rabbinic texts and attitudes on homosexuality, among other topics.

Maimonidean messianic universalism and naturalism teaches us: hope. We can hope for (and work toward) a world in which different nations and cultures can value their own contributions to the human mosaic without diminishing the value of others—without wholly “otherizing” the other. If we can hope, we need not despair; the human condition is not necessarily tragic. That message alone justifies the continued allegiance of the Jewish people to the Torah of Israel and to their destiny.

The daily Amidah prayer has a concluding meditation: “Oh Lord, guard my tongue from evil and my lips from speaking deceitfully.”  Let everyone pay close attention to these words and strive to live up to them.