Category Archives: Orthodoxy

How Does Men Marrying Men Go Over In Orthodox Communities?

I expect that most of the left-wing American Modern Orthodox embrace same-sex marriage. A Modern Orthodox source says: a male member of our community was recently outed as a homosexual. he married another dude and posted up pictures of the … Continue reading

Posted in Homosexuality, Orthodoxy, Sephardim | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on How Does Men Marrying Men Go Over In Orthodox Communities?

Have You Noticed My Change In Tone?

From my live cam: Josh: wow luke, the beard has gotten really long. i haven’t been on your webcam in maybe 6 months. you look like you lost weight too Josh: so i hear you’re officially a member of the … Continue reading

Posted in Orthodoxy, Personal | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Have You Noticed My Change In Tone?

Shannon Orand’s Unusual Conversion

Here’s the Jewish Israel report. Here’s The Jerusalem Report. From The Jerusalem Post, it sounds like Rav Shmuel Eliyahu (Chief Rabbi of Safed and the son of the former Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel, Mordechai Eliyahu) is the main force … Continue reading

Posted in Christianity, Conversion, Guma Aguiar, Israel, Jewish Israel, Orthodoxy, R. Dov Lior, R. Haim Druckman, R. Leib Tropper, R. Rafi Ostroff, R. Shmuel Eliyahu, R. Tovia Singer, Shannon Orand | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Shannon Orand’s Unusual Conversion

Corruption In Jewish Law Courts

A.B. writes: I think that it is unanimously agreed that the state of Botei Din in the US is pathetic. Going to the Brooklyn Courts one comes across minyan after minyan of not only ultra Orthodox but even Chassidic Jews … Continue reading

Posted in Orthodoxy | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Corruption In Jewish Law Courts

How Many Plooks Before You’re Out?

I know this rabbi who was caught with child pornography on his computer and he lost his job. And whenever we’re together, he gives me divrei Torah. In fact, every rabbi I know who has been convicted of a sex … Continue reading

Posted in Aish HaTorah, Orthodoxy, Rabbis | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on How Many Plooks Before You’re Out?

What’s The Big Difference Between LA And NY Orthodox Shuls?

There are hardly any single women in Los Angeles Orthodox shuls while New York shuls are filled with them. The Upper West Side of Manhattan has the biggest Orthodox singles scene in North America. Los Angeles? Not so much. In … Continue reading

Posted in Dating, Orthodoxy | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on What’s The Big Difference Between LA And NY Orthodox Shuls?

What’s The Moral Upshot Of Orthodox Judaism?

I’ve been asking Orthodox rabbis if simply knowing that someone was Orthodox told you anything about their ethics. The rabbis say no. What if you knew the person davened three times a day? Does that say anything about their ethics? … Continue reading

Posted in Ethics, Orthodoxy | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on What’s The Moral Upshot Of Orthodox Judaism?

Sex and the Sages

I have a girl who took this course. It’s really paid off for us. She often pauses and says, “Rabbi Lookstein teaches…” Or, “I wonder what Rabbi Lookstein would say about this?” Or, “I remember in Rabbi Lookstein’s class, I … Continue reading

Posted in Orthodoxy, Sex | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Sex and the Sages

Is The Purpose Of Religion To Aggrandize Yourself Or To Serve God?

That’s the question I think about when I look at Jewish Los Angeles. When the Orthodox Union puts its hashgacha (kosher certification) on toilet bowl cleanser and water, is that just for making money or is there a divine reason … Continue reading

Posted in Kashrut, Orthodoxy, R. David Rue, R. Gershon Bess, R. Yehuda Bukspan, RCC | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Is The Purpose Of Religion To Aggrandize Yourself Or To Serve God?

Becoming Jewish Three Times

I used to go to Ohr HaTorah with this guy. We reconnected at the first LimmudLA in February 2008. He lives in Jerusalem and looks chareidi. He’s the most genial guy, funny, and easy to talk to. Yes, most Orthodox … Continue reading

Posted in Conversion, Orthodoxy | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Becoming Jewish Three Times