Modern Orthodoxy | The Blogs

Apply for a Blog

Sharona Margolin Halickman

Feb 15, 2019, 12:38 AM

The Biblical Taylors

In Parshat Tetzave, there are almost 40 verses that deal with the clothing of the Kohen. As we read through the articles of clothing that are mentioned (Shmot 28:4), a few words jump out at us: “These are the...

Joseph C. Kaplan

Feb 14, 2019, 10:36 PM

We can agree to disagree about women rabbis

Left to right, Rabbi Nathaniel (Nati) Helfgot, Marianne Novak and Rabbi Kenny Schiowitz. (courtesy of the Jewish Standard, via JTA)

Teaneck has many synagogues; it's easy to find at least one you don't go to, without dividing the community

Feb 10, 2019, 7:55 AM

An Open Letter to the RCBC

Dear Rabbi Schiowitz, I read your letter to the community on behalf of the RCBC with a profound sense of appreciation and respect. Our community is fortunate to have leaders like you who care about communal unity and harmony. At...

Sharona Margolin Halickman

Feb 8, 2019, 2:36 PM

The link between Mount Sinai and the Temple Mount

The Talmud, Taanit 16a asks: What is the meaning of Har HaMoriah (Mount Moriah)? Rabbi Levi bar Chama said that it was the mountain from which Torah instruction (horaa) went out and Rabbi Chanina said that it was the...

Mordechai Soskil

Feb 8, 2019, 12:04 PM

A Sweet Smell or Second Rate

This week, I have spent a lot of time thinking about a pretty classic and well known debate between two famous medieval commentaries. I’m sorry if I’ve made you jealous that I’m living the thug life. I don’t mean...

Joseph C. Kaplan

Feb 7, 2019, 7:07 PM

I thought that the confluence of starting my fourth year writing in this space and the occasion of my 50th column would be a good time for some reflection about the past three years. But then I checked my...

Feb 4, 2019, 5:34 PM

Face to Face in Parshat Terumah

From all the emphasis placed on korbanot (sacrifices) in the daily prayer services one might conclude that the centerpiece of Jewish ritual is the slaughtering and burning of animals; that it is this endless carnage that made משכן (Taberncle)...

Alan Silverstein

Jan 31, 2019, 6:48 PM

Conservative Judaism – Pew Numbers Reassessed

Jewish decision-makers and funders in Israel, the USA, and around the world in part shape allocations and the dispensing of positions of influence on the basis of demographic studies. When interpretations of these studies are misapplied, too often pivotal...

Jan 31, 2019, 7:52 AM

New Jersey's RCBC decertifies communal debate

It's not (just) about women rabbis -- no synagogue should cede its policy-making and hiring decisions to an external body

David S. Zinberg

Jan 27, 2019, 9:56 PM

The 13th month: An appreciation

This year, an additional month of holiday whitespace separates the usual four weeks between Tu Bishevat and Purim. We are in a Jewish leap year, with 13 instead of 12 lunar months, one of seven in every 19-year cycle. (The...

Load more