YU-Puah Online Course in Reproductive Health and Halacha
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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. -
(The) Sisterhood Is Powerful: Remarks by Rabbi Rachel M. Isaacs Upon the Inauguration of the Dorothy “Bibby” Levine Alfond Professorship in Jewish Studies
(The) Sisterhood is Powerful: Remarks by Rabbi Rachel M. Isaacs upon the Inauguration of the Dorothy “Bibby” Levine Alfond Professorship in Jewish Studies. November 19, 2015 Colby College, Waterville, Maine In October of 1957, the Beth Israel Congregation sisterhood met to discuss issues that ranged from the pedestrian to the controversial. After a vigorous conversation on the value of having a gossip column in the synagogue newsletter, the women of the sisterhood turned to their attention to an issue that was as salacious as it was fantastical: the possibility of women rabbis. Even though the Reform movement had ordained one woman, Regina Jonas, in Germany before the Holocaust, she had perished with her congregation in the concentration camps, and was largely forgotten by the mainstream Jewish world for many decades to come. But on this day in October of 1957, the sisterhood leaders of Beth Israel Congregation discussed the issue in Waterville, Maine. According to synagogue records, “Mrs. George Chesner introduced Rabbi Steinberg who was the speaker of the evening. His topic - ‘Women Rabbis’.” Sisterhood secretary Esther Paikowsky recorded his remarks: “Rabbi Steinberg is definitely opposed to women following this 1 profession. One reason being that there would not be a ‘Rebbetzin (a rabbi’s wife), and since a ‘Rebbetzin’ has functional duties in a congregation, it would not do to have the husband perform these duties. Another objection is who would raise the family and care for the home, certainly a man cannot do that. Therefore a man -
Willig Lanner Chronology
Rabbi Mordechai Willig And OU-NCSY’s Rabbi Baruch Lanner Coverup: A Chronology Compiled by Shmarya Rosenberg, http://www.failedmessiah.com/ 1. Beit din convened in 1989 to hear charges that Rabbi Baruch Lanner, a leader of the Orthodox Union's (OU) National Conference of Synagogue Youth (NCSY), was emotionally, physically and sexually abusing children. (The OU is the parent body of the RCA.) 2. Rabbi Willig excoriates Lanner victims and their families at the beit din before evidence has been heard in a clear attempt to stifle their testimony. 3. The beit din finds Lanner guilty of abuse in a 2 to 1 vote. 4. The beit din does not call police. 5. The beit din allows Lanner and his supporters to publicly claim he has been cleared of all charges by the beit din. 6. Lanner continues to abuse women and children while remaining in the employ of the OU and of Hillel Academy. 7. No steps are taken by the beit din to end Lanner's emplyment by these organizations or to limit – or even to supervise – his contact with children. 8. June 23, 2000 - The New York Jewish Week publishes an investigative piece exposing almost thirty years of Lanner's abuse. 9. June 27, 2000 - Lanner resigns from the OU. 10. Dec. 26, 2000 - The OU releases a report accusing Lanner of sexually abusing girls and women and of physically abusing boys and girls. The report concludes employees of the OU and NCSY did not properly respond to "red flags" raised in the almost thirty years Lanner abused. -
RABBI YAAKOV GIBBER Torah Reading Pg
PARSHAS EMOR RABBI YAAKOV GIBBER Torah Reading Pg. 672 Morah Da’asra Haftorah Pg. 1176 18 Iyar - 25 Iyar 5781 April 30 - May 7, 2021 BJC INSIDER The BJC Insider is generously sponsored this week by Rabbi Efrem & Rebbetzin Yocheved Goldberg in honor of our Yedidei Nefesh, Rabbi and Rebbetzin Gibber. Thank you for your friendship, leadership and partnership. A Place for Lifelong Learning, Community & Friendship h Executive Committee: Sidney Sayovitz - President Dr. Yakov Elefant Radine Spier Warren Struhl Hindy Stuart Dr. Charles Trauring h Executive Director: Matthew Hocherman 21065 Powerline Road, Boca Raton, FL 33433 (561) 477-8872 • bocajewishcenter.org • [email protected] WEEKLY AND SHABBOS SCHEDULE FRIDAY NIGHT SCHEDULE WEEKDAY DAVENING SCHEDULE April 30 May 2 - May 7 Plag Mincha/Kabbalas Shabbos 6:15 pm Shacharis Sunday 8:00 & 9:00 am Earliest Candle Lighting 6:30 pm Shacharis Monday - Friday 6:45 & 8:30 am Zman Candle Lighting 7:34 pm Mincha/Maariv Sunday - Thursday 7:40 pm Zman Mincha/Kabbalas Shabbos 7:35 pm FRIDAY NIGHT SCHEDULE SHABBOS DAY SCHEDULE May 7 May 1 Plag Mincha/Kabbalas Shabbos 6:15 pm Hashkama Minyan 7:30 am Earliest Candle Lighting 6:34 pm Main Minyan 9:00 am Zman Candle Lighting 7:38 pm Young Professionals/Teen Minyan 9:45 am Zman Mincha/Kabbalas Shabbos 7:40 pm Youth Groups (Ages 3 - 11) 9:45 - 11:00 am Latest time to say Shema 10:00 am SHABBOS DAY SCHEDULE Latest time for Shacharis 11:06 am Shabbos Afternoon Rabbi’s Class 6:35 pm May 8 Hashkama Minyan 7:30 am Mincha followed by Shalosh Seudos 7:20 pm Main Minyan 9:00 am Shkiah 7:52 pm Young Professionals/Teen Minyan 9:45 am Maariv and Havdalah 8:30 pm Shabbos Afternoon Rabbi’s Class 6:40 pm Mincha followed by Shalosh Seudos 7:25 pm Maariv and Havdalah 8:34 pm SHALOM ZACHOR INFORMATION MAZEL TOV TO OUR MEMBERS The Feingolds invite the entire community to the h David & Shaina Feingold on the birth of their son. -
TORAH TO-GO® Established by Rabbi Hyman and Ann Arbesfeld June 2017 • Shavuot 5777 a Special Edition Celebrating President Richard M
Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary Yeshiva University Center for the Jewish Future THE BENJAMIN AND ROSE BERGER TORAH TO-GO® Established by Rabbi Hyman and Ann Arbesfeld June 2017 • Shavuot 5777 A Special Edition Celebrating President Richard M. Joel WITH SHAVUOT TRIBUTES FROM Rabbi Dr. Kenneth Brander • Rabbi Dr. Hillel Davis • Rabbi Dr. Avery Joel • Dr. Penny Joel Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph • Rabbi Menachem Penner • Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter • Rabbi Ezra Schwartz Special Symposium: Perspectives on Conversion Rabbi Eli Belizon • Joshua Blau • Mrs. Leah Nagarpowers • Rabbi Yona Reiss Rabbi Zvi Romm • Mrs. Shoshana Schechter • Rabbi Michoel Zylberman 1 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Shavuot 5777 We thank the following synagogues which have pledged to be Pillars of the Torah To-Go® project Beth David Synagogue Green Road Synagogue Young Israel of West Hartford, CT Beachwood, OH Century City Los Angeles, CA Beth Jacob Congregation The Jewish Center Beverly Hills, CA New York, NY Young Israel of Bnai Israel – Ohev Zedek Young Israel Beth El of New Hyde Park New Hyde Park, NY Philadelphia, PA Borough Park Koenig Family Foundation Young Israel of Congregation Brooklyn, NY Ahavas Achim Toco Hills Atlanta, GA Highland Park, NJ Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst Young Israel of Congregation Cedarhurst, NY Shaarei Tefillah West Hartford West Hartford, CT Newton Centre, MA Richard M. Joel, President and Bravmann Family University Professor, Yeshiva University Rabbi Dr. Kenneth -
Presenter Profiles
PRESENTER PROFILES RABBI KENNETH BRANDER Rabbi Kenneth Brander is Vice President for University and Community Life at Yeshiva University. He served as the inaugural David Mitzner Dean of Yeshiva University Center for the Jewish Future. Prior to his work at Yeshiva University, Rabbi Brander served for 14 years as the Senior Rabbi of the Boca Raton Synagogue. He oversaw its explosive growth from 60 families to over 600 families. While Senior Rabbi of the Boca Raton Synagogue (BRS), he became the founding dean of The Weinbaum Yeshiva High School, founding dean of the Boca Raton Judaic Fellows Program – Community Kollel and founder and posek of the Boca Raton Community Mikvah. He helped to develop the Hahn Judaic Campus on which all these institutions reside and as co-chair of Kashrut organization of the Orthodox Rabbinical Board of Broward & Palm Beach Counties (ORB). Rabbi Brander also served for five years as a Member of the Executive Board of the South Palm Beach County Jewish Federation, as a Board member of Jewish Family Services of South Palm Beach County, and actively worked with other lay leaders in the development of the Hillel Day School. Rabbi Brander is a 1984 alumnus of Yeshiva College and received his ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary in 1986. During that time he served as a student assistant to the esteemed Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik. He also received an additional ordination from Rav Menachem Burstein the founder and dean of Machon Puah and from the Chief Rabbi, Mordechai Eliyahu, in the field of Jewish Law and Bioethics with a focus on reproductive technology, He is currently a PhD candidate (ABD) in general philosophy at Florida Atlantic University (FAU). -
Apostates and More, Part 2,The History Behind the Ashkenazi
Apostates and More, Part 2 Apostates and More, Part 2 Marc B. Shapiro Continued from here 1. Another apostate was Rabbi Nehemiah ben Jacob ha-Kohen of Ferrara, who was an important supporter of R. Moses Hayyim Luzzatto during the controversy about him.[1]Here is the the final page of the haskamah he wrote in 1729 for R. Aviad Sar Shalom Basilea’s Emunat Hakhamim. R. Isaac Lampronte, in a halakhic discussion in hisPahad Yitzhak, refers to Nehemiah, but not by name.[2] He calls him .In R .אחד מן החכמים רך בשנים אשר אחרי כן הבאיש ריחו כנודע Hananel Nepi and R. Mordechai Samuel Ghirondi, Toldot Gedolei Yisrael (Trieste, 1853), p. 229, they write about Obviously, “Ishmaelite” is a .שאח”כ נעשה ישמעאלי :Nehemiah code word for Christian.[3] The story reported by Samuel David Luzzatto is that Nehemiah used to go to prostitutes, and when the rabbis found out about this they removed the rabbinate from him. Too embarrassed to remain in the Jewish community, Nehemiah apostatized.[4] Cecil Roth cites another Italian source that Nehemiah converted so he could marry a Christian woman. Unfortunately, his son and three daughters apostatized together with him (his wife had apparently already died).[5] Another apostate who should be mentioned is Michael Solomon Alexander (1799-1844), first Anglican bishop in Jerusalem. Before his apostasy, Alexander was a rabbi.[6] Rabbi Abraham Romano of Tunis also became an apostate. He converted at the end of the seventeenth century when R. Meir Lombrozo was appointed a dayan in his place. After Romano converted, he became well known as a Islamic preacher, and after his death his tomb was venerated by Muslims. -
OF 15Th 2003 Rabbinic and Lay Communal Authority.Pdf (934.2Kb)
Rabbinic and Lay Communal Authority edited by Suzanne Last Stone Robert S. Hirt, Series Editor THE MICHAEL SCHARF PUBLICATION TRUST of the YESHIVA UNIVERSITY PRESs New York forum 15 r08 draft 7b balanced.iiii iii 31/12/2006 11:47:12 THE ORTHODOX FORUM The Orthodox Forum, initially convened by Dr. Norman Lamm, Chancellor of Yeshiva University, meets each year to consider major issues of concern to the Jewish community. Forum participants from throughout the world, including academicians in both Jewish and secular fields, rabbis,rashei yeshivah, Jewish educators, and Jewish communal professionals, gather in conference as a think tank to discuss and critique each other’s original papers, examining different aspects of a central theme. The purpose of the Forum is to create and disseminate a new and vibrant Torah literature addressing the critical issues facing Jewry today. The Orthodox Forum gratefully acknowledges the support of the Joseph J. and Bertha K. Green Memorial Fund at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary established by Morris L. Green, of blessed memory. The Orthodox Forum Series is a project of the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, an affiliate of Yeshiva University forum 15 r08 draft 7b balanced.iii ii 31/12/2006 11:47:12 Copyright © 2006 Yeshiva University Press Typeset by Jerusalem Typesetting, www.jerusalemtype.com * * * Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Orthodox Forum (15th : 2003 : New York, N.Y.) Rabbinic and lay communal authority / edited by Suzanne Last Stone. p. cm. – (Orthodox forum series) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-88125-953-7 1. Rabbis – Office – Congresses. -
HARAV GEDALIA DOV SCHWARTZ, ZT”L by Rabbi Shaanan Gelman
HARAV GEDALIA DOV SCHWARTZ, ZT”L By Rabbi Shaanan Gelman On December 9, 2020 the Chicago Jewish Community lost Kidushin (33b) describes another show of respect shown one of its greatest leaders. Rav Gedalia Dov Schwartz zt”l to the Av Beth Din when he is outside of the study hall, came to Chicago as the Av Beth Din of the cRc, the Chief presumably in the marketplace: Justice of our rabbinical court, and the highest authority אב ב”ד עובר עומד מלפניו מלא עיניו וכיון שעבר ד' אמות יושב for matters of Jewish law and tradition. He was recognized internationally as a posek and was renowned for his immense If an Av Beth din passes by one stands up in his presence as soon expertise and broad knowledge. Since his arrival in Chicago in as he is within range of vision, and once he passes four cubits from 1986, Rav Schwartz established himself as a leading light for him, one may sit. the broader community, a mentor and supporter of Rabbis Chazal saw these two halachot as part of the same principle, ִמ ְּפ ֵני ֵ ׂש ָיבה ָּתקוּם ְו ָה ַד ְר ָּת ְּפ ֵני ָז ֵקן around the country, and a cherished guide for the countless a fulfilment of the commandment of individuals who sought his sage counsel. – yet they also understood that the reality inside of the study The Gemara dictates two halachot regarding giving respect to hall or the academy was entirely different from the world the Av Beth Din. Tractate Horayot (13b) describes the honor outside. -
Dngd Zkqn Massekhet Hahammah
dngd zkqn Massekhet HaHammah Compiled and Translated with Commentary by Abe Friedman A Project of the Commission on Social Justice and Public Policy of the Leadership Council of Conservative Judaism Rabbi Leonard Gordon, Chair [email protected] Table of Contents Preface i Introduction v Massekhet HaHammah 1. One Who Sees the Sun 1 2. Creation of the Lights 5 3. Righteous and Wicked 9 4. Sun and Sovereignty 15 5. The Fields of Heaven 20 6. Star-Worshippers 28 7. Astrology and Omens 32 8. Heavenly Praise 41 9. Return and Redemption 45 Siyyum for Massekhet HaHammah 51 Bibliography 54 Preface Massekhet HaHammah was developed with the support of the Commission on Social Justice and Public Policy of the Conservative Movement in response to the “blessing of the sun” (Birkat HaHammah), a ritual that takes place every 28 years and that will fall this year on April 8, 2009 / 14 Nisan 5769, the date of the Fast of the Firstborn on the eve of Passover. A collection of halakhic and aggadic texts, classic and contemporary, dealing with the sun, Massekhet HaHammah was prepared as a companion to the ritual for Birkat HaHammah. Our hope is that rabbis and communities will study this text in advance of the Fast and use it both for adult learning about this fascinating ritual and as the text around which to build a siyyum, a celebratory meal marking the conclusion of a block of text study and releasing firstborn in the community from the obligation to fast on the eve of the Passover seder.1 We are also struck this year by the renewed importance of our focus on the sun given the universal concern with global warming and the need for non-carbon-based renewable resources, like solar energy. -
Halachic Minyan”
Guide for the “Halachic Minyan” Elitzur A. and Michal Bar-Asher Siegal Shvat 5768 Intoduction 3 Minyan 8 Weekdays 8 Rosh Chodesh 9 Shabbat 10 The Three Major Festivals Pesach 12 Shavuot 14 Sukkot 15 Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah 16 Elul and the High Holy Days Selichot 17 High Holy Days 17 Rosh Hashanah 18 Yom Kippur 20 Days of Thanksgiving Hannukah 23 Arba Parshiot 23 Purim 23 Yom Ha’atzmaut 24 Yom Yerushalayim 24 Tisha B’Av and Other Fast Days 25 © Elitzur A. and Michal Bar-Asher Siegal [email protected] [email protected] Guide for the “Halachic Minyan” 2 Elitzur A. and Michal Bar-Asher Siegal Shevat 5768 “It is a positive commandment to pray every day, as it is said, You shall serve the Lord your God (Ex. 23:25). Tradition teaches that this “service” is prayer. It is written, serving Him with all you heart and soul (Deut. 2:13), about which the Sages said, “What is service of the heart? Prayer.” The number of prayers is not fixed in the Torah, nor is their format, and neither the Torah prescribes a fixed time for prayer. Women and slaves are therefore obligated to pray, since it is a positive commandment without a fixed time. Rather, this commandment obligates each person to pray, supplicate, and praise the Holy One, blessed be He, to the best of his ability every day; to then request and plead for what he needs; and after that praise and thank God for all the He has showered on him.1” According to Maimonides, both men and women are obligated in the Mitsva of prayer. -
Chavrusa Pesach 2007
Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary A PUBLICATION OF THE RABBINIC ALUMNI OF THE RABBI ISAAC ELCHANAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY • AN AFFILIATE OF YESHIVA UNIVERSITY an affiliate of Yeshiva University Yeshiva University Center for the Jewish Future Max Stern Division of Communal Service 500 West 185th Street New York, NY 10033 CHAVRUSA APRIL 2007 • NISAN 5767 :dx ,ufr c–vrucjc tkt ,hbeb vru,v iht VOLUME 41 • NUMBER 3 CHAVRUSA is a publication of the Rabbinic Alumni of the Yeshiva Bids Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary- The Center for the Jewish Future, Farewell to an affiliate of Yeshiva University Rabbi Melech Richard M. Joel President Schachter z’l Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm Chancellor, Yeshiva University somber and large crowd packed Rosh HaYeshiva, RIETS into the Nathan Lamport Rabbi Kenneth Brander Auditorium on February 27 Dean, Center for the 2006 to bid a kavod acharon Jewish Future A to Rabbi Dr. Melech Schachter z’l, a Rabbi Dr. Solomon Rybak beloved Colleague, Father, Zeide, Rebbe President, Rabbinic Alumni Rabbis Brander, Schachter, Genack and Twersky discuss their revered Rebbe. and Rosh Yeshiva. Among those who Rabbi Ronald L. Schwarzberg offered words of eulogy were RIETS Director, Jewish Career Development and Placement Rosh Hayeshiva and Yeshiva University CJF and Rabbinic Alumni Sponsor Chancellor Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm Rabbi Elly Krimsky Assistant Director, Jewish Career ‘51R; Rabbi Zevulun Charlop ‘54R, the Development and Placement New York Premiere of Film and a Max and Marion Grill Dean of RIETS; Editor, Chavrusa Conversation on Rav Soloveitchik Rabbi Yisrael Meir Steinberg, Rabbi Rabbi Levi Mostofsky Schachter’s son in law; Rabbi Hershel Director of Rabbinic Programming n a scene at the end of “ Lonely Man 1985.