Contemporary Avodah Zarah Issues
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Understanding Mikvah
Understanding Mikvah An overview of Mikvah construction Copyright © 2001 by Rabbi S. Z. Lesches permission & comments: (514) 737-6076 4661 Van Horne, Suite 12 Montreal P.Q. H3W 1H8 Canada National Library of Canada Cataloguing in Publication Data Lesches, Schneur Zalman Understanding mikvah : an overview of mikvah construction ISBN 0-9689146-0-8 1. Mikveh--Design and construction. 2. Mikveh--History. 3. Purity, Ritual--Judaism. 4. Jewish law. I. Title. BM703.L37 2001 296.7'5 C2001-901500-3 v"c CONTENTS∗ FOREWORD .................................................................... xi Excerpts from the Rebbe’s Letters Regarding Mikvah....13 Preface...............................................................................20 The History of Mikvaos ....................................................25 A New Design.............................................................27 Importance of a Mikvah....................................................30 Building and Planning ......................................................33 Maximizing Comfort..................................................34 Eliminating Worry ......................................................35 Kosher Waters ...................................................................37 Immersing in a Spring................................................37 Oceans..........................................................................38 Rivers and Lakes .........................................................38 Swimming Pools .........................................................39 -
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. -
Orthodoxy in American Jewish Life1
ORTHODOXY IN AMERICAN JEWISH LIFE1 by CHARLES S. LIEBMAN INTRODUCTION • DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF ORTHODOXY • EARLY ORTHODOX COMMUNITY • UNCOMMITTED ORTHODOX • COM- MITTED ORTHODOX • MODERN ORTHODOX • SECTARIANS • LEAD- ERSHIP • DIRECTIONS AND TENDENCIES • APPENDLX: YESHIVOT PROVIDING INTENSIVE TALMUDIC STUDY A HIS ESSAY is an effort to describe the communal aspects and institutional forms of Orthodox Judaism in the United States. For the most part, it ignores the doctrines, faith, and practices of Orthodox Jews, and barely touches upon synagogue hie, which is the most meaningful expression of American Orthodoxy. It is hoped that the reader will find here some appreciation of the vitality of American Orthodoxy. Earlier predictions of the demise of 11 am indebted to many people who assisted me in making this essay possible. More than 40, active in a variety of Orthodox organizations, gave freely of their time for extended discussions and interviews and many lay leaders and rabbis throughout the United States responded to a mail questionnaire. A number of people read a draft of this paper. I would be remiss if I did not mention a few by name, at the same time exonerating them of any responsibility for errors of fact or for my own judgments and interpretations. The section on modern Orthodoxy was read by Rabbi Emanuel Rackman. The sections beginning with the sectarian Orthodox to the conclusion of the paper were read by Rabbi Nathan Bulman. Criticism and comments on the entire paper were forthcoming from Rabbi Aaron Lichtenstein, Dr. Marshall Ski are, and Victor Geller, without whose assistance the section on the number of Orthodox Jews could not have been written. -
Rosh Hashanah Ubhct Ubfkn
vbav atrk vkp, Rosh HaShanah ubhct ubfkn /UbkIe g©n§J 'UbFk©n Ubhc¨t Avinu Malkeinu, hear our voice. /W¤Ng k¥t¨r§G°h i¤r¤eo¥r¨v 'UbFk©n Ubhc¨t Avinu Malkeinu, give strength to your people Israel. /ohcIy ohH° jr© px¥CUb c,§ F 'UbFknUbh© ct¨ Avinu Malkeinu, inscribe us for blessing in the Book of Life. /vcIy v²b¨J Ubhkg J¥S©j 'UbFk©n Ubhc¨t Avinu Malkeinu, let the new year be a good year for us. 1 In the seventh month, hghc§J©v J¤s«jC on the first day of the month, J¤s«jk s¨j¤tC there shall be a sacred assembly, iIº,C©J ofk v®h§v°h a cessation from work, vgUr§T iIrf°z a day of commemoration /J¤s«et¨r§e¦n proclaimed by the sound v¨s«cg ,ftk§nkF of the Shofar. /U·Gg©, tO Lev. 23:24-25 Ub¨J§S¦e r¤J£t 'ok«ug¨v Qk¤n Ubh¥vO¡t '²h±h v¨T©t QUrC /c«uy o«uh (lWez¨AW) k¤J r¯b ehk§s©vk Ub²um±uuh¨,«um¦nC Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel (Shabbat v’shel) Yom Tov. We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the universe, who hallows us with mitzvot and commands us to kindle the lights of (Shabbat and) Yom Tov. 'ok«ug¨v Qk¤n Ubh¥vO¡t '²h±h v¨T©t QUrC /v®Z©v i©n±Zk Ubgh°D¦v±u Ub¨n±H¦e±u Ub²h¡j¤v¤J Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, shehecheyanu v’kiy’manu v’higiyanu, lazman hazeh. -
Is There Life After Death?
February 2017 69 with Jewish values? CONSIDER Rashi tells the story of a gentile who THIS... asked Rabbi Yehoshua ben Korchah, “Do you not admit that the Holy One, blessed be He, foresees the future?” Rabbi Yehoshua replied, “Yes.” The gentile retorted, “But it is written [before He brought on the flood], and ‘He regretted that He made man on earth and He became grieved in His heart!’ ” Rabbi Yehoshua replied, “Did you ever give birth to a son?” “Yes,” he replied. “And what did you do?” Rabbi Yehoshua asked. He replied, “I rejoiced and made every- one rejoice.” IS THERE “But did you not know that he was des- tined to die?” Rabbi Yehoshua asked. The gentile replied, “At the time of joy, joy; at the time of mourning, mourning.” Rabbi Yehoshua said to him, “So is it LIFE AFTER with the work of the Holy One, blessed be He; even though it was revealed to Him that they would ultimately sin and He would destroy them, He did not refrain DEATH? from creating them.” (Bereishis 6:6; Bere- ishis Rabbah 27:4). Rabbi Gershon Schusterman The same is just as true in the obverse. Los Angeles, CA Though one must mourn at the time of mourning, it must end and give way again to a life of joy. THE TRAGEDY of losing a spouse midlife, having bonded and built a The Shulchan Aruch in the Laws of family over years and decades, is difficult to describe. The Talmud pronounces Mourning (Yoreh De’ah 394) begins: poignantly: A woman doesn’t die but to her husband; a man doesn’t die but to his One must not mourn excessively wife (Sanhedrin 22b). -
Rabbi Asher Schechter Study (718) 591-4888 Fax (718) 228-8677 Email [email protected]
CONGREGATION OHR MOSHE In Memory of Rav Moshe Feinstein ZT"L 170-16 73rd Avenue Hillcrest, NY 11366 (718) 591-4888 Rabbi Asher Schechter Study (718) 591-4888 Fax (718) 228-8677 Email [email protected] Dear Friends, This letter certifies that all items sold on the BAGEL BOSS WEBSITE are strictly Kosher. The bagels, rolls, challahs, challah rolls and other bread products are PARVE & PAS YISROEL, all other products are ASSUMED DAIRY (either dairy ingredients or dairy utensils) unless a label discloses otherwise. Any questions should be directed to me (contact information above). The following Bagel Boss locations are under my Supervision: Bagel Boss of Carle Place Bagel Boss of East Northport Bagel Boss of Hewlett Bagel Boss of Hicksville Bagel Boss of Jericho* Bagel Boss of Lake Success Bagel Boss of Manhattan (1st Ave.) Bagel Boss of Merrick Bagel Boss of Murray Hill, NYC (3rd Ave.) Bagel Boss of Oceanside Bagel Boss of Roslyn* All these locations mentioned above are owned and operated by Non-Jewish Owners/Partners for Shabbos & Yom Tov. The bagels, rolls, challahs, challah rolls and other bread products baked at these locations (except those with *) are PARVE & PAS YISROEL. All products are assumed DAIRY, unless a sign or label discloses otherwise. All Dairy products are assumed to be Non-Cholov-Yisrael except in Bagel Boss of Manhattan as described in detail in its Certification Letter. Off premises parties are generally not under my Supervision, unless special arrangements are made. .which coincides with September 19, 2020 ראש השנה תשפ"א This letter is valid through With Torah Greetings, Rabbi Asher Schechter AS/tf. -
Shulchan Arukh Amy Milligan Old Dominion University, [email protected]
Old Dominion University ODU Digital Commons Women's Studies Faculty Publications Women’s Studies 2010 Shulchan Arukh Amy Milligan Old Dominion University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/womensstudies_fac_pubs Part of the History of Religions of Western Origin Commons, Liturgy and Worship Commons, Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons, and the Yiddish Language and Literature Commons Repository Citation Milligan, Amy, "Shulchan Arukh" (2010). Women's Studies Faculty Publications. 10. https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/womensstudies_fac_pubs/10 Original Publication Citation Milligan, A. (2010). Shulchan Arukh. In D. M. Fahey (Ed.), Milestone documents in world religions: Exploring traditions of faith through primary sources (Vol. 2, pp. 958-971). Dallas: Schlager Group:. This Book Chapter is brought to you for free and open access by the Women’s Studies at ODU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Women's Studies Faculty Publications by an authorized administrator of ODU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Spanish Jews taking refuge in the Atlas Mountains in the fifteenth century (Spanish Jews taking refuge in the Atlas Mountains, illustration by Michelet c.1900 (colour litho), Bombled, Louis (1862-1927) / Private Collection / Archives Charmet / The Bridgeman Art Library International) 958 Milestone Documents of World Religions Shulchan Arukh 1570 ca. “A person should dress differently than he does on weekdays so he will remember that it is the Sabbath.” Overview Arukh continues to serve as a guide in the fast-paced con- temporary world. The Shulchan Arukh, literally translated as “The Set Table,” is a compilation of Jew- Context ish legal codes. -
Rav Yisroel Salanter's Grave Has Finally Been Located by A
The RYS Daily 3/13/07 The Resting Place of RYS From http://chareidi.shemayisrael.com/archives5761/nasso/NSOarysrl.htm Rav Yisroel Salanter's Grave has Finally been Located By A. Cohen Last week we were privileged to hear some exciting news: with obvious siyata deShmaya the burial place of HaRav Yisroel Salanter ztv"l in the ancient cemetery of Koenigsberg was located. Those involved in this holy task these past few years could not find an adequate way of giving expression to their feelings of joy and gratitude to the Creator. "They that sow in tears, shall reap in joy." Many years of tireless work to locate the final resting place of the founder of the mussar movement and guide of the yeshiva world during the last few generations finally bore fruit. No joy is as great as that of having doubts and uncertainties resolved. However it is too early to congratulate ourselves. We now have to invest all our efforts into recruiting funds for setting up a gravestone befitting this giant figure, and building a mokom tefilloh for the masses who are sure to come in the future to this site, and to continue to rescue the whole of this ancient cemetery and to revive the Jewish community in this town where Rav Yisroel was active in his last years. We must do everything in our power for the sake of this gaon, who created a revolution in Torah and yir'oh in the last few generations and who "through his activities and methods of learning mussar saved all the yeshivos from falling prey to the maskilim and the accursed haskolo" (HaRav Shach shlita in his letter printed in Writings of the Alter of Kelm and his Students). -
Daf Hakashrusedition a PUBLICATION of OU KOSHER ISSUE 15 | YOMIM NORAIM 5778
CONSUMER Daf HaKashrusEDITION A PUBLICATION OF OU KOSHER WWW.OUKOSHER.ORG ISSUE 15 | YOMIM NORAIM 5778 ALMOST KOSHER IS NOT REALLY KOSHER! Reprinted with permission from the OU’s Jewish Action Summer 2017 Edition, with slight Rabbi Eli Gersten modifications. The title of the original article was “What Could be Wrong With”? RC Recorder of OU Psak and Policy IS IT ACCEPTABLE TO EAT OUT AT A VEGETARIAN OR VEGAN-FRIENDLY INDIAN RESTAURANT IF THE HASHGACHAH (CERTIFYING RABBI OR AGENCY) IS UNRELIABLE? In some circles, it has become increasingly common, and even acceptable, to eat out at Indian restaurants that are vegetarian or vegan-friendly even though the hashgachah may be unreliable. The thinking goes something like this: Indian restaurants don’t serve meat or fish, and I can order foods that don’t contain dairy, so there is very little that can go wrong. Indian restaurants are “almost” kosher. So long as there is a rabbi vouching that it is kosher, though he might have lax standards, isn’t it good enough? This reminds me of the time I received a call from an out-of-town vaad ha’kashrus that was contemplating giving certification to a local Indian restaurant. The restaurant was owned and managed by non-Jews, and there were a number of halachic questions the vaad was unable to resolve. The rabbis decided to speak with Rabbi Yisroel Belsky, zt”l, who was an OU senior posek at the time. Small Jewish communities often lack the resources to support a kosher restaurant. To contend with this challenge, a vaad might try to find an existing (uncertified) restaurant in the neighborhood that is willing to make the necessary changes to become kosher. -
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. -
Elections Web.Qxp
1 ELECTIONS Lechatchila Ariber 2 IYAR, 5766 Tiferes SheBeTiferes VOTE At the Kingston Ave entrance to 770, at the side of the Ladies Shul, (Tifferes Zíkeinim Levi Yitzchak) 8am - 11pm APRIL 30, 2006 2 VOTE VOTE VOTE ELECTIONS -SSUNDAY, 2 IYAR, APRIL 30 VOTE VOTE VOTE THE OVERWHELMING IMPORTANCE ATTACHED BY THE REBBE TO THE RABBONIM’S ELECTION Parshas Mishpotim, Erev Rosh Chodesh Adar, 1987 Points made by the Rebbe: Every Person was asked to participate in the elections The overwhelming majority, answered this call They all came to a holy site, the Beis Medrash, and particularly to the Rebbe’s shul This conveys and grants to the elected Rabbonim an outstanding strong power that is unsurpassed. VOTE VOTE VOTE ELECTIONS -SSUNDAY, 2 IYAR, APRIL 30 VOTE VOTE VOTE 3 There is but 1 Torah, and 1 Shulchan Aruch. 1 Beis Din, 1 Voice. No Agenda. Rabbi Light, went to Rabbi Mangel on Wednesday, April 26 as a representative of the Vaad Hakohol, and spend an hour talking to Rabbi Mangel and trying to convince Rabbi Mangel to run on the Sunday elections. Rabbi Mangel’s answer to Rabbi Light, was “No Comment”, which the Vaad Hakohol considered a refusal. Unfortunately, there are no other candidates at this time that are willing to put their name on the ballot. Rabbi Mangel, Rabbi Levi Garelik and Rabbi Bell were all approached and asked to run. To go about saying this is all one sided is just deceitful and it is done just to foment more machloket in the community. By electing any or all of the 3 Rabbonim, according to your choice, you will give the Beis Din the power to have a clear majority. -
Admissions Policy and Procedures
YESHIVA TORAS CHAIM Admission Requirements Students applying to Yeshiva Toras Chaim must meet one of the following requirements: 1. Have graduated high school and provide evidence of high school graduation 2. Have been homeschooled and provide documentation of homeschooling 3. Meet one of the recognized equivalents. Recognized equivalents include: a. GED/TASC/HISET b. Successful completion of an associate’s degree program; c. Successful completion of at least 60 semester or trimester credit hours or 72 quarter credit hours that does not result in the awarding of an associate’s degree, but that is acceptable for full credit toward a bachelor’s degree at any institution; or d. Enrollment in a bachelor’s degree program where at least 60 semester or trimester credit hours or 72 quarter credit hours have been successfully completed, including credit hours transferred into the bachelor’s degree program. Applicants to Yeshiva Toras Chaim must also meet the following requirements. Competence in the Chumash (Pentateuch) and commentaries Completion of 150 folio pages of Talmud Competence in the laws and customs codified in Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim, along with a personal commitment to their observance Positive references from previous schools attended A commitment to fulfilling the institution’s mission and to conforming to its culture A commitment to high standards of morality and character Yeshiva Toras Chaim does not utilize an Ability to Benefit test for admitting students. Additionally, students must have: . A commitment to develop in the personal growth of character traits, and ethical and moral obligations . An interview and oral exam administered by the Rosh Yeshiva Before being granted an interview applicants are carefully vetted by contacting previous instructors and/or Rosh Yeshiva to make sure they will be a “good fit” to the Yeshiva.