Category Archives: Rabbis

Providing Moral Leadership To A Kid At A Chareidi Yeshiva

yeshivaboy: hey luke, i have a quick question, did you find out about the documentary hypothesis before or after your conversion YourMoralLeader: as a child YourMoralLeader: my dad has a phd in bible yeshivaboy: and you converted anyway YourMoralLeader: yep … Continue reading

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Roman Catholics Far More Interested In Truth Than Orthodox Jews

I always laughed inside when I listened to Orthodox rabbis preach about their religion’s great commitment to truth. What’s most interesting to me about a religion is not its theory but how it is practiced. I’ll give you two examples … Continue reading

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Lesbian To Head Southern California Board Of Rabbis

Gay Reform Temple Kol Ami is kvelling that their rabbi, Denise Eger, got selected: WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Congregation Kol Ami, a Reform Jewish congregation serving the diverse community of West Hollywood, today congratulated its Rabbi, Denise L. Eger on her … Continue reading

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Rabbi Yaakov Emden Was Almost Seduced By His Cousin

I’m listening to a lecture by Dr. Marc B. Shapiro (for Torah in Motion) on the Nazir, Rabbi David Cohen (1887-1972). Dr. Shapiro talks about the diary of Rabbi Jacob Emden (a great Talmudist of the 18th Century): "We have … Continue reading

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Orthodox Rabbis Lead Fight To Muzzle Alleged Victims Of Abuse

ABC News reports: Engelman’s is among a handful of publicized cases of alleged abuse within the insular Orthodox Jewish community. But alleged victims and their advocates say it is far from an isolated instance. The Brooklyn district attorney’s office, which … Continue reading

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The Lives of the Gedolim

Dr. Marc B. Shapiro gave a lecture for Torah in Motion on writing history vs. writing hagiography. Near the end, he takes a question: "Why should we be tolerant of the hagiographical Artscroll approach? Just to take it to a … Continue reading

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Beth Am Chooses Elliot Dorff’s Son-In-Law As New Rabbi

Rabbi Dr. Elliot Dorff is the rector at American Jewish University and a key member of Temple Beth Am (he’s a regular at the Library Minyan downstairs). Scores of Conservative rabbis were inspired to take up their calling by Elliot … Continue reading

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Rabbis, Converts & Jewish Law

I got into a discussion via email with Orthodox rabbi Yehuda Yonah Rubinstein who wanted me to remove from my website a claim that he was a convert to Judaism. I decided to publish our private email exchange after he … Continue reading

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Anti-Zionist Orthodox Rabbi Speaks In Oxford

I think it is disgusting when Jews try to shut down speeches by anti-Zionists. It only makes us look bad. It does no good. Let a thousand flowers bloom. From the Oxford Mail: More than 60 people attended a talk … Continue reading

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How Do LA’s Orthodox Rabbis Determine Their Moral Priorities?

All three Modern Orthodox shuls in Pico-Robertson — Bnai David-Judea, Beth Jacob and Young Israel of Century City — email their members to regularly rally outside the home of Meir Kin’s parents to protest his refusal to give a Jewish … Continue reading

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