Category Archives: Orthodoxy

Was The Yeshiva The Great Equalizer?

In his second lecture on R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinksi for Torah in Motion, history professor Marc B. Shapiro says: As with most gadolim, Chaim Ozer comes from a rabbinical family. This notion that people have that the great equalizer is … Continue reading

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Why Aren’t Most Jews Orthodox?

Dear Orthodox intellectual: Have you publicly addressed the primary reasons why most Jews are not Orthodox? If you haven’t, I’d love to see that. I’m curious if you think the biggest obstacle to non-Orthodox considering Orthodoxy is intellectual (most of … Continue reading

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Can You Be Modern Orthodox And Accept Da’as Torah?

According to Wikipedia: Da’as Torah (or Da’at Torah, Da’as Toyreh) (Hebrew: דעת תורה‎, literally “Knowledge of Torah”), is a concept in Haredi Judaism according to which Jews should seek the input of rabbinic scholars not just on matters of Jewish … Continue reading

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Can A Cantor Appear On Broadway?

In his first lecture on R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinksi for Torah in Motion, history professor Marc B. Shapiro says: Some people have a problem when you have chazzanim like Dudu Fisher who sings secular music. You can cite some rabbis … Continue reading

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What Influence Does Dennis Prager Have In Orthodox Judaism?

Historian Marc B. Shapiro tells me: “I don’t think he has any influence. I don’t ever see him quoted by Orthodox figures (although Rabbi Rakefet quotes a line from Prager a lot). He doesn’t speak in Orthodox shuls or write … Continue reading

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Israel’s Haredi Welfare State

In his first lecture on R. Joseph Mesas for Torah in Motion, professor Marc B. Shapiro says: The Talmud says explicitly that if you don’t work, if all you do is study, it will lead to thievery. “This society of … Continue reading

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Carrying On The Sabbath

In his second lecture on R. Joseph Mesas for Torah in Motion, professor Marc B. Shapiro says: “If R. Joseph Mesas made his rulings in America, we’d think he was a Conservative rabbi.” “In Algeria in the 1920s, 1930s, the … Continue reading

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Modern Orthodox Demographics

In his fifth lecture on the Steipler for Torah in Motion, professor Marc B. Shapiro says: Modern Orthodox is larger than haredim. Modern is larger in Israel, about 20-25% of the population. The haredim are about 11%. The Modern are … Continue reading

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Why Don’t Many Unmarried Orthodox Women Try To Look Their Best?

Yitta Halberstam writes about the shidduch (finding a spouse) scene: The second thing that jolted me when I opened the door (and which I know will incur many a mother’s wrath, but which I feel I must speak about) was … Continue reading

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Rav Menashe Klein – Most Extreme Writer On Jewish Law

In his fifth lecture on the Steipler for Torah in Motion, professor Marc B. Shapiro says: “Menashe Klein was a genius, and the most extreme and fanatical of anyone writing halacha today.” “Menashe Klein wants to recreate the way things … Continue reading

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