Category Archives: Orthodoxy

Reb Moshe Sat Up Straight

When I mention the Alexander Technique to people, they often stiffen and push themselves up in a rigid way. “Is this good Alexander Technique?” they often ask. No, it is not. You’d be better off with your habitual slump, I … Continue reading

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Shmuel Kamenetsky – America’s Pope

In his second lecture for Torah in Motion on Rabbi Moses Kunitz, professor Marc B. Shapiro says: “They’re building Shmuel Kamenetsky into America’s pope. He now is the man to deal with all issues, be it Orthodox gays… Ten years … Continue reading

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Do Jews Need To Listen To Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah?

According to Wikipedia: “Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah[1] (Heb.: מועצת גדולי התורה (“Council of [great] Torah Sages”)) refers to the supreme rabbinical policy-making council of any of several related Haredi Jewish organizations.” In his second lecture for Torah in Motion on Rabbi … Continue reading

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Willing Sinners Vs Unwilling Sinners

From the second lecture on the Rabbi Abraham Samuel Sofer (Ketav Sofer) for Torah in Motionby Orthodox rabbi and history professor Marc B. Shapiro: The Ketav Sofer was more moderate than his father, the Hatam Sofer. “Do you have to … Continue reading

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When Mechitzas Weren’t Kosher

From the second lecture on the Rabbi Abraham Samuel Sofer (Ketav Sofer) for Torah in Motionby Orthodox rabbi and history professor Marc B. Shapiro: “In those days (19th Century), you didn’t have mechitzas in Hungary. You had women up in … Continue reading

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Is The Shulchan Aruch The Jewish Constitution?

One frequently given definition of an Orthodox Jew is one who abides by the 15th Century code of Jewish law — the Shulchan Aruch. In his third lecture on Rabbi Abraham Samuel Sofer (Ketav Sofer) for Torah in Motion, Orthodox … Continue reading

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What’s The Difference Between A Torah Scholar And A Gadol?

In a lecture on rabbinic biographies for Torah in Motion, Orthodox rabbi and history professor Marc B. Shapiro says: “In the haredi world [ultra-Orthodoxy], [Rav J.B. Soloveitchik] is recognized as a Torah scholar but not as a gadol [great rabbi]. … Continue reading

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The Apprenticeship Of Luke Ford

I was listening to Dennis Prager’s radio show today. He’d just returned from his fifth trip to Australia, my homeland. Dennis said that Australia was over-regulated and rather reserved. An American woman phones in. “Australians are reserved. Timid. When I … Continue reading

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Australian Orthodox Rabbis Called Ministers

I’m looking at the website for the Central Synagogue of Sydney, Australia. Rabbis in the mainstream Orthodox synagogues of Great Britain are also called “ministers” and they used to wear robes like Reform rabbis in America. “Minister” is a Protestant … Continue reading

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It’s OK To Go To Lectures By Old Ladies

Marc B. Shapiro writes: “Who says we make no distinctions between a regular woman and what I termed a “very old” woman. R. Aviner told me that in his opinion it is forbidden to attend a lecture given by a … Continue reading

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