An Ideal Rosh Yeshiva: by His Light
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Load more
Recommended publications
-
Why Jews Quote
Oral Tradition, 29/1 (2014):5-46 Why Jews Quote Michael Marmur Everyone Quotes1 Interest in the phenomenon of quotation as a feature of culture has never been greater. Recent works by Regier (2010), Morson (2011) and Finnegan (2011) offer many important insights into a practice notable both for its ubiquity and yet for its specificity. In this essay I want to consider one of the oldest and most diverse of world cultures from the perspective of quotation. While debates abound as to whether the “cultures of the Jews”2 can be regarded integrally, this essay will suggest that the act of quotation both in literary and oral settings is a constant in Jewish cultural creativity throughout the ages. By attempting to delineate some of the key functions of quotation in these various Jewish contexts, some contribution to the understanding of what is arguably a “universal human propensity” (Finnegan 2011:11) may be made. “All minds quote. Old and new make the warp and woof of every moment. There is not a thread that is not a twist of these two strands. By necessity, by proclivity, and by delight, we all quote.”3 Emerson’s reference to warp and woof is no accident. The creative act comprises a threading of that which is unique to the particular moment with strands taken from tradition.4 In 1 The comments of Sarah Bernstein, David Ellenson, Warren Zev Harvey, Jason Kalman, David Levine, Dow Marmur, Dalia Marx, Michal Muszkat-Barkan, and Richard Sarason on earlier versions of this article have been of enormous help. -
Israel's National Religious and the Israeli- Palestinian Conflict
Leap of Faith: Israel’s National Religious and the Israeli- Palestinian Conflict Middle East Report N°147 | 21 November 2013 International Crisis Group Headquarters Avenue Louise 149 1050 Brussels, Belgium Tel: +32 2 502 90 38 Fax: +32 2 502 50 38 [email protected] Table of Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................................... i Recommendations..................................................................................................................... iv I. Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1 II. Religious Zionism: From Ascendance to Fragmentation ................................................ 5 A. 1973: A Turning Point ................................................................................................ 5 B. 1980s and 1990s: Polarisation ................................................................................... 7 C. The Gaza Disengagement and its Aftermath ............................................................. 11 III. Settling the Land .............................................................................................................. 14 A. Bargaining with the State: The Kookists ................................................................... 15 B. Defying the State: The Hilltop Youth ........................................................................ 17 IV. From the Hills to the State .............................................................................................. -
1 Jews, Gentiles, and the Modern Egalitarian Ethos
Jews, Gentiles, and the Modern Egalitarian Ethos: Some Tentative Thoughts David Berger The deep and systemic tension between contemporary egalitarianism and many authoritative Jewish texts about gentiles takes varying forms. Most Orthodox Jews remain untroubled by some aspects of this tension, understanding that Judaism’s affirmation of chosenness and hierarchy can inspire and ennoble without denigrating others. In other instances, affirmations of metaphysical differences between Jews and gentiles can take a form that makes many of us uncomfortable, but we have the legitimate option of regarding them as non-authoritative. Finally and most disturbing, there are positions affirmed by standard halakhic sources from the Talmud to the Shulhan Arukh that apparently stand in stark contrast to values taken for granted in the modern West and taught in other sections of the Torah itself. Let me begin with a few brief observations about the first two categories and proceed to somewhat more extended ruminations about the third. Critics ranging from medieval Christians to Mordecai Kaplan have directed withering fire at the doctrine of the chosenness of Israel. Nonetheless, if we examine an overarching pattern in the earliest chapters of the Torah, we discover, I believe, that this choice emerges in a universalist context. The famous statement in the Mishnah (Sanhedrin 4:5) that Adam was created singly so that no one would be able to say, “My father is greater than yours” underscores the universality of the original divine intent. While we can never know the purpose of creation, one plausible objective in light of the narrative in Genesis is the opportunity to actualize the values of justice and lovingkindness through the behavior of creatures who subordinate themselves to the will 1 of God. -
Yeshiva University AP Style Guide
Yeshiva University Style Guide Members of Yeshiva University’s office of Marketing & Communications produces multi- media materials for distribution to employees, external media and multiple constituencies such as alumni, donors and community leaders. Marketing & Communications, and others in the University producing such materials, should adhere to journalistic style standards as outlined by The Associated Press (AP) in The Associated Press Stylebook with special attention given to the unique needs of universities—specifically those relating to our own Yeshiva University community. The following style guidelines specifically address branding consistency; quality; personality; tone; and key messages for Yeshiva University and may be exceptions to AP style that should be practiced in all mediums. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary is the preferred reference for English spelling and punctuation. It can be searched online (for free) at: www.merriam-webster.com. Academic Degrees Use the possessive (’s) for bachelor’s degree and master’s degree but not with associate degree. There is no possessive in Bachelor of Arts or Master of Science (note the use of upper case). When abbreviating degrees, do not use periods, e.g. BA, JD, PhD, LLM, but set multiples off by commas. Do not capitalize majors, programs, specializations or concentrations of study when they are not part of an official department name or title. (NOTE: the exception is for English and foreign languages). When referring to the conferral of a degree, do not include “doctoral” or the word “recipients” for multiple awards. Examples: She received a bachelor's degree in history; She majored in economics; He is a French major; Governor Cuomo received an honorary degree from Yeshiva University; Honorary degrees were awarded to Governor Cuomo and Elliot Gibber. -
Honor Your Parents: the Fulcrum of the Ten Commandments
Honor Your Parents: The Fulcrum of the Ten Commandments here is little doubt thatkibbud av va-eim is a central mitzvah; it is not merely “another Rabbi Michael Rosensweig Tcommandment,” but an imperative Rosh Yeshiva and Rosh Kollel, RIETS vital to the enterprise of Torah and mitzvot. The Rambam Mamrim( Compiled by Rabbi Itamar Rosensweig 6:1) characterizes it as a “mitzvat Bella and Harry Wexner Fellow, RIETS, and Resident aseh gedolah” — a great positive Scholar, Cong. Ahavath Torah, Englewood, NJ commandment; the Yerusalmi (Pe’ah 1:1) declares it “chamurah shebichamuros;” — of the most serious belongs to a select class of mitzvot doubt of its axiological import. mitzvos, and the Tur (Yoreh Deah 240) 2 issued as a prequel to matan Torah. Yet when we assess kibbud av va-eim prefaces his discussion noting that At Marah, Bnei Yisrael were charged in the sugya (Talmudic discussion) of kibbud av va-eim demands a unique with a few essential commandments aseh docheh lo ta’aseh (the ability of a “punctilious observance.” that would both prepare them for and positive commandment to override What is the evidence for this afford them a glimpse of the Torah a negative commandment) — the evaluation? First, kibbud av va-eim they would later receive--sham sam lo sugya prima facie most informative appears in the most critical contexts of chok u-mishpat ve-sham ni’sahu —there of halakhic hierarchies — it emerges the Torah. It is delineated in the Aseret He established law and statute and as decidedly inferior to other Hadibrot (Shemot 20:12) — kabed there He tested it (Shemot 15:25). -
CCAR Journal the Reform Jewish Quarterly
CCAR Journal The Reform Jewish Quarterly Halachah and Reform Judaism Contents FROM THE EDITOR At the Gates — ohrgJc: The Redemption of Halachah . 1 A. Brian Stoller, Guest Editor ARTICLES HALACHIC THEORY What Do We Mean When We Say, “We Are Not Halachic”? . 9 Leon A. Morris Halachah in Reform Theology from Leo Baeck to Eugene B . Borowitz: Authority, Autonomy, and Covenantal Commandments . 17 Rachel Sabath Beit-Halachmi The CCAR Responsa Committee: A History . 40 Joan S. Friedman Reform Halachah and the Claim of Authority: From Theory to Practice and Back Again . 54 Mark Washofsky Is a Reform Shulchan Aruch Possible? . 74 Alona Lisitsa An Evolving Israeli Reform Judaism: The Roles of Halachah and Civil Religion as Seen in the Writings of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism . 92 David Ellenson and Michael Rosen Aggadic Judaism . 113 Edwin Goldberg Spring 2020 i CONTENTS Talmudic Aggadah: Illustrations, Warnings, and Counterarguments to Halachah . 120 Amy Scheinerman Halachah for Hedgehogs: Legal Interpretivism and Reform Philosophy of Halachah . 140 Benjamin C. M. Gurin The Halachic Canon as Literature: Reading for Jewish Ideas and Values . 155 Alyssa M. Gray APPLIED HALACHAH Communal Halachic Decision-Making . 174 Erica Asch Growing More Than Vegetables: A Case Study in the Use of CCAR Responsa in Planting the Tri-Faith Community Garden . 186 Deana Sussman Berezin Yoga as a Jewish Worship Practice: Chukat Hagoyim or Spiritual Innovation? . 200 Liz P. G. Hirsch and Yael Rapport Nursing in Shul: A Halachically Informed Perspective . 208 Michal Loving Can We Say Mourner’s Kaddish in Cases of Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Nefel? . 215 Jeremy R. -
The Semitic Component in Yiddish and Its Ideological Role in Yiddish Philology
philological encounters � (�0�7) 368-387 brill.com/phen The Semitic Component in Yiddish and its Ideological Role in Yiddish Philology Tal Hever-Chybowski Paris Yiddish Center—Medem Library [email protected] Abstract The article discusses the ideological role played by the Semitic component in Yiddish in four major texts of Yiddish philology from the first half of the 20th century: Ysroel Haim Taviov’s “The Hebrew Elements of the Jargon” (1904); Ber Borochov’s “The Tasks of Yiddish Philology” (1913); Nokhem Shtif’s “The Social Differentiation of Yiddish: Hebrew Elements in the Language” (1929); and Max Weinreich’s “What Would Yiddish Have Been without Hebrew?” (1931). The article explores the ways in which these texts attribute various religious, national, psychological and class values to the Semitic com- ponent in Yiddish, while debating its ontological status and making prescriptive sug- gestions regarding its future. It argues that all four philologists set the Semitic component of Yiddish in service of their own ideological visions of Jewish linguistic, national and ethnic identity (Yiddishism, Hebraism, Soviet Socialism, etc.), thus blur- ring the boundaries between descriptive linguistics and ideologically engaged philology. Keywords Yiddish – loshn-koydesh – semitic philology – Hebraism – Yiddishism – dehebraization Yiddish, although written in the Hebrew alphabet, is predominantly Germanic in its linguistic structure and vocabulary.* It also possesses substantial Slavic * The comments of Yitskhok Niborski, Natalia Krynicka and of the anonymous reviewer have greatly improved this article, and I am deeply indebted to them for their help. © koninklijke brill nv, leiden, ���7 | doi �0.��63/�45�9�97-��Downloaded34003� from Brill.com09/23/2021 11:50:14AM via free access The Semitic Component In Yiddish 369 and Semitic elements, and shows some traces of the Romance languages. -
The Rebbe and the Yak
Hillel Halkin on King James: The Harold Bloom Version JEWISH REVIEW Volume 2, Number 3 Fall 2011 $6.95 OF BOOKS Alan Mintz The Rebbe and the Yak Ruth R. Wisse Yehudah Mirsky Adam Kirsch Moshe Halbertal The Faith of Reds On Law & Forgiveness Yehuda Amital Elli Fischer & Shai Secunda Footnote: the Movie! Ruth Gavison The Nation of Israel? Philip Getz Birthright & Diaspora PLUS Did Billie Holiday Sing Yo's Blues? Sermons & Anti-Sermons & MORE Editor Abraham Socher Publisher Eric Cohen The history of America — Senior Contributing Editor one fear, one monster, Allan Arkush Editorial Board at a time Robert Alter Shlomo Avineri “An unexpected guilty pleasure! Poole invites us Leora Batnitzky into an important and enlightening, if disturbing, Ruth Gavison conversation about the very real monsters that Moshe Halbertal inhabit the dark spaces of America’s past.” Hillel Halkin – J. Gordon Melton, Institute for the Study of American Religion Jon D. Levenson Anita Shapira “A well informed, thoughtful, and indeed frightening Michael Walzer angle of vision to a compelling American desire to J. H.H. Weiler be entertained by the grotesque and the horrific.” Leon Wieseltier – Gary Laderman, Emory University Ruth R. Wisse Available in October at fine booksellers everywhere. Steven J. Zipperstein Assistant Editor Philip Getz Art Director Betsy Klarfeld Business Manager baylor university press Lori Dorr baylorpress.com Interns Kif Leswing Arielle Orenstein The Jewish Review of Books (Print ISSN 2153-1978, An eloquent intellectual Online ISSN 2153-1994) is a quarterly publication of ideas and criticism published in Spring, history of the human Summer, Fall, and Winter, by Bee.Ideas, LLC., 745 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1400, New York, NY 10151. -
Estonian Yiddish and Its Contacts with Coterritorial Languages
DISSERT ATIONES LINGUISTICAE UNIVERSITATIS TARTUENSIS 1 ESTONIAN YIDDISH AND ITS CONTACTS WITH COTERRITORIAL LANGUAGES ANNA VERSCHIK TARTU 2000 DISSERTATIONES LINGUISTICAE UNIVERSITATIS TARTUENSIS DISSERTATIONES LINGUISTICAE UNIVERSITATIS TARTUENSIS 1 ESTONIAN YIDDISH AND ITS CONTACTS WITH COTERRITORIAL LANGUAGES Eesti jidiš ja selle kontaktid Eestis kõneldavate keeltega ANNA VERSCHIK TARTU UNIVERSITY PRESS Department of Estonian and Finno-Ugric Linguistics, Faculty of Philosophy, University o f Tartu, Tartu, Estonia Dissertation is accepted for the commencement of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (in general linguistics) on December 22, 1999 by the Doctoral Committee of the Department of Estonian and Finno-Ugric Linguistics, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Tartu Supervisor: Prof. Tapani Harviainen (University of Helsinki) Opponents: Professor Neil Jacobs, Ohio State University, USA Dr. Kristiina Ross, assistant director for research, Institute of the Estonian Language, Tallinn Commencement: March 14, 2000 © Anna Verschik, 2000 Tartu Ülikooli Kirjastuse trükikoda Tiigi 78, Tartu 50410 Tellimus nr. 53 ...Yes, Ashkenazi Jews can live without Yiddish but I fail to see what the benefits thereof might be. (May God preserve us from having to live without all the things we could live without). J. Fishman (1985a: 216) [In Estland] gibt es heutzutage unter den Germanisten keinen Forscher, der sich ernst für das Jiddische interesiere, so daß die lokale jiddische Mundart vielleicht verschwinden wird, ohne daß man sie für die Wissen schaftfixiert -
SELECTED ARTICLES of INTEREST in RECENT VOLUMES of the AMERICAN JEWISH YEAR BOOK American Jewish Fiction Turns Inward, Sylvia Ba
SELECTED ARTICLES OF INTEREST IN RECENT VOLUMES OF THE AMERICAN JEWISH YEAR BOOK American Jewish Fiction Turns Inward, Sylvia Barack Fishman 1960-1990 91:35-69 American Jewish Museums: Trends and Issues Ruth R. Seldin 91:71-113 Anti-Semitism in Europe Since the Holocaust Robert S. Wistrich 93:3-23 Counting Jewish Populations: Methods and Paul Ritterband, Barry A. Problems Kosmin, and Jeffrey Scheckner 88:204-221 Current Trends in American Jewish Jack Wertheimer 97:3-92 Philanthropy Ethiopian Jews in Israel Steven Kaplan and Chaim Rosen 94:59-109 Ethnic Differences Among Israeli Jews: A New U.O. Schmelz, Sergio Look DellaPergola, and Uri Avner 90:3-204 Herzl's Road to Zionism Shlomo Avineri 98:3-15 The Impact of Feminism on American Jewish Sylvia B. Fishman 89:3-62 Life Israel at 50: An American Perspective Arnold M. Eisen 98:47-71 Israel at 50: An Israeli Perspective Yossi Klein Halevi 98:25-46 Israeli Literature and the American Reader Alan Mintz 97:93-114 Israelis in the United States Steven J. Gold and Bruce A. Phillips 96:51-101 Jewish Experience on Film—An American Joel Rosenberg 96:3-50 Overview Jewish Identity in Conversionary and Mixed Peter Y. Medding, Gary A. Marriages Tobin, Sylvia Barack Fishman, and Mordechai Rimor 92:3-76 719 720 / AMERICAN JEWISH YEAR BOOK, 1999 Jewish Organizational Life in the Jack Wertheimer 95:3-98 United States Since 1945 Jewish Theology in North America: Arnold Eisen 91:3-33 Notes on Two Decades Jews in the European Community: Sergio DellaPergola 93:25-82 Sociodemographic Trends and Challenges New Perspectives in American Jewish Nathan Glazer 87:3-19 Sociology The Population of Reunited Jerusalem, U.O. -
Mattos Chassidus on the Massei ~ Mattos Chassidus on the Parsha +
LIGHTS OF OUR RIGHTEOUS TZADDIKIM בעזרת ה ' יתבר A Tzaddik, or righteous person , makes everyone else appear righteous before Hashem by advocating for them and finding their merits. Kedushas Levi, Parshas Noach (Bereishis 7:1) MATTOS ~ MASSEI _ CHASSIDUS ON THE PARSHA + Dvar Torah – Mattos Keep Your Word The Torah states (30:3), “If a man takes a vow or swears an oath to G -d to establish a prohibition upon himself, he shall not violate his word; he shall fulfill whatever comes out of his mouth.” In relation to this passuk , the Midrash quotes from Tehillim (144:4), “Our days are like a fleeting shadow.” What is the connection? This can be explained, says Rav Levi Yitzchok, according to a Gemara ( Nedarim 10b), which states, “It is forbidden to say, ‘ Lashem korban , for G-d − an offering.’ Instead a person must say, ‘ Korban Lashem , an offering for G -d.’ Why? Because he may die before he says the word korban , and then he will have said the holy Name in vain.” In this light, we can understand the Midrash. The Torah states that a person makes “a vow to G-d.” This i s the exact language that must be used, mentioning the vow first. Why? Because “our days are like a fleeting shadow,” and there is always the possibility that he may die before he finishes his vow and he will have uttered the Name in vain. n Story The wood chopper had come to Ryczywohl from the nearby village in which he lived, hoping to find some kind of employment. -
Sukkos, 5781 Dear Talmidim, the Recent Uptick in Covid-19 Prompts
1 Sukkos, 5781 Dear Talmidim, The recent uptick in Covid-19 prompts this letter. The Torah requires that we avoid dangerous activity. The protection afforded to Mitzvah performance does not apply when danger is prevalent (Pesachim 8b). In all gatherings, masks covering everyone's mouth and nose must be worn. In addition, appropriate social distance between attendees (except for members of the same household) must be maintained. Hands must be washed with soap and water or with proper hand sanitizer. On Shabbos and Yom Tov liquid soap or sanitizer may and must be used. On Simchas Torah, the usual hakafos and dancing are prohibited. At the discretion of every local rav, hakafos may be limited or eliminated. Any dancing must be done while wearing masks and socially distanced. Upon advice from medical experts, we recommend that the sefer Torah not be passed from one person to another. Preferably, one person should circle the bima 7 times. After each hakafa the tzibur should join in an appropriate nigun and "dance" in place. The practice of everyone getting an aliya is a minhag, not a din, and may be adjusted or eliminated at the discretion of the local rav (see links here and here for similar horaos}. Similarly, at weddings the usual dancing is prohibited. Any dancing must be done while wearing masks and socially distanced. Chasanim and their families are urged to limit the size of weddings and to insist upon and enforce masking and appropriate distancing by all their guests. Adherence to all the above is required by the halacha which demands great caution to protect life and good health.