Monday Apr 30, 2012
Over the years I have done far more than my share of traveling to Jewish communities around the world. As far back as 1970 I had the opportunity to make my first trip to visit with Jewish communities in what were then Communist countries. Last week I made my most recent such trip – to Budapest.
Now I have been to Hungary before – several times. But as far as the Jewish community is concerned, it seems...
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Sunday Feb 26, 2012
Evading Service or Serving God?
Much of the Zealously Orthodox, non-Zionist, Yeshiva world in Israel would appear to be populated by those who may study the words of the Torah but who invest time and effort avoiding its commandments. How could I make such an outrageous statement? Allow me to make my case.
The Torah seems quite clear that in the event of war (i.e. when there is a need for conscription) only a very few...
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Monday Jan 23, 2012
Haagen-Dazs is NOT Kosher. Ouch! The Chief Rabbinate of Israel, who under Israeli law has sole authority for matters relating to Kashrut in Israel (despite the plethora of Badazim) has ordered the product removed from the store shelves. They have gone so far as to say that “those refusing to comply risk losing their Kashrut certification.” This abderian behavior, sad or funny though it may be, is becoming a...
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Monday Nov 21, 2011
Is the Right in Israel condemning Zionism to the garbage heap of history? Are they bent on creating a state of Israel that denies the very principles upon which the State of Israel was founded? Are they violating Jewish law?
We have been witness over the past weeks to legislative attempts to pervert the democratic process. Attempts have been made to blur the separation of powers between the legislative and judicial branches of government.
Other...
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Sunday Oct 30, 2011
Photo by Reuters
In our Jewish tradition the Mikveh, or ritual immersion, is used for any number of purposes. Ritual immersion is the total submersion of the body in a natural body of water. A sexually active woman is expected to immerse herself after her period, before resuming sexual relations. A bride traditionally immerses herself before the wedding day. New dishes are immersed in a Mikveh. Immersion is a requirement for all who...
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