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Michael Feldstein

Feb 22, 2025, 1:14 AM

Five Years After COVID: An Interview with Rabbi Dr. Aaron Glatt

Credit: Rabbi Dr. Aaron Glatt

Five years ago this month, our world was turned upside down by the coronavirus. And while sometimes it seems like a million years ago, it was only a short time ago where our shuls and schools were forced to...

Apr 20, 2023, 4:32 PM

Book review: Two new books on medicine and halacha

The COVID-19 pandemic is approaching the three-and-a-half-year mark. It changed our lives significantly, and its long-term effects are still being worked out. It upended Jewish religious life to a degree not seen in many generations. The medical field was...

Mar 6, 2023, 9:26 PM

Picasso or a Digital picture?

A young man began his return journey back to his spiritual roots and asked Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, "Rabbi, why is it so difficult? Why do I constantly have hardships, difficulties coping…?" The Rebbe replied, "We are...

Elchanan Poupko

Jan 13, 2023, 1:04 AM

Can You Take a COVID Test on Shabbat?

A health worker collects a swab sample from a kid to test for COVID-19, at a coronavirus testing center, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, Aug. 9, 2021. Israel is grappling with a surge of infections and urging people over age 60 to get a booster shot. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

While many lives have been saved, and many deaths have been prevented by reducing the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, the virus is still among us and can cause illness. To prevent the spread and make sure people know...

Nov 21, 2022, 9:44 PM

Down and Up with God’s Assurance

Jacob, the third of the patriarchs, is very concerned about going to Egypt to find food during a famine in Canaan. God soothes and calms him down with the words, “Do not be afraid of going down to Egypt…...

May 8, 2022, 10:36 PM

Self Absorption – The Root of Depression

lonely woman walking

For people to make the most out of their lives, they must be happy. There is an expression: "God does not dwell but only where there is joy." You want the power of God, the power of your soul, to shine...

Barbara Pfeffer Billauer

Dec 24, 2021, 10:26 AM

When Rabbis Tread Where They Should Fear to Go

It’s not unusual for Rabbis to pontificate on current events, comingling their political perspective with their Torah views– ostensibly trying to make their Torah teachings more timely and meaningful. When they invoke science or law, Rabbis without specialized training...

Sharona Margolin Halickman

Oct 13, 2021, 10:22 PM

Our Reward for Settling the Land

In Parshat Lech Lecha (Breisheet 13:17), Avraham is told: Rise, walk (hithalech) the land through its length and breadth, for to you I will give it. This reminds us of Yishayahu 42:5 where we read: Thus says God the Lord, He that...

Alexander I. Poltorak

Sep 20, 2021, 11:58 PM

Let’s Make this Sukkot About Ananei HaKavod, not about Ananei ha-COVID

During the Holiday of Sukkot, we celebrate the divine providence that protected Jewish people from the sun and other dangers of the desert during their forty years of wandering in the desert. This providence came in the form of...

Sep 13, 2021, 10:16 PM

Long COVID and Yom Kippur

Should I Fast?

Dear Rabbi Klapper, I had COVID last November, and have been enduring “long-COVID” ever since. Thank God, I feel that overall I am improving. However, I have “flares” in which I experience fatigue, chest pain, and shortness of breath, and...

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