Articles

Steve Lipman reviews a new book by Rabbi Natan Slifkin on trends in Orthodox Jewish thought...rationalism vs. mysticism.

President Joe Biden signed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, which had been passed overwhelmingly by both houses of Congress. It is a forceful response to the disgraceful attacks on Asian-Americans by bigots who blamed them for the Covid-19 pandemic. Nothing of the sort appears to be contemplated in response to the attacks by Palestinian sympathizers on Jewish-American persons, synagogues, and restaurants during and after the latest Israel-Hamas conflict.

The Jewish Press Newspaper has a feature in which several rabbis are asked to respond to relevant questions. Rabbi Marc D. Angel is one of the respondents, and here are his answers to some of the recent questions,

It is well known that all mitzvoth fall into two major categories: those between humans are God-bein adam laMakom, and those between humans and their fellows-bein adam leHaveiro. The question we wish to discuss here is which of these two categories is, as it were, more weighty. Formulated differently: If there were to be a clash between two different mitzvoth from these two categories, which one would prevail?

While it may be nice to receive praise in return for praiseworthiness, one seeks to be praiseworthy by feeling God’s presence in one’s life and in one’s work. That feeling of spiritual bliss is the ultimate human fulfillment.

Rabbis Hayyim and Marc Angel recently gave Zoom classes, and each class has been posted on our Institute's website: youtube.com/jewishideasorg  Here are brief descriptions of the classes. This enables you to learn from the classes at your own convenience. Enjoy...and Learn!

Is riding a bike on Shabbat halakhically permitted/appropriate? While a general consensus opposes bike riding on Shabbat, this article offers a more lenient view. This article is not a "pesak" but a discussion of the topic. For specific halakhic guidance, please consult your own Orthodox rabbi.

Rabbi Chaim Amsalem, author of important halakhic volumes on the topic of conversion to Judaism, is a strong proponent of an inclusive approach to accepting converts. He offers a strong case for this approach and a strong critique of those who insist on extreme and stringent views.

Part 1: Israel in the Torah https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YT9yD9WfjsM&t=9s Part 2: Israel in Prophecy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKVsVDX8Tpk&t=3s Part 3: The Second Temple Period https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xxJm22vFdU&t=12s

Sharing many of our Institute's core values, the Montefiore Endowment in London recently has published a small volume which compiles many teachings of (primarily) Sephardic rabbis which promote a traditional Jewish vision characterized by love and moderation, rather than extremism and exclusivity.