Category Archives: Marc B. Shapiro

Can We Trust R. Moses De Leon?

Historian Marc B. Shapiro writes: “…R. Moses de Leon and the creation of the Zohar, and it is questionable if one can even speak of a single author. One essential point that must be recognized by all who investigate this … Continue reading

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The Jewish Ritual Of Washing Hands Upon Waking

Historian Marc B. Shapiro writes: “R. Yitzhak Abadi discusses this in Or Yitzhak, vol. 1, no. 1. He begins his responsum by pointing out that despite the fact that the Mishnah Berurah records how one is not to walk four … Continue reading

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Is The World’s Most Prolific Writer Of Torah Publications A Plagiarist?

Historian Marc B. Shapiro writes: The following page comes from R. Yehiel Michel Stern’s Ha-Torah ha-Temimah on the Book of Joshua, p. 84 no. 3, which appeared in 2009. As you can see, Stern’s comment is lifted word for word … Continue reading

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Don’t Pick Your Nose In Public

I find it disconcerting how many of the elementary courtesies are ignored by many in Orthodox Judaism. For instance, picking your nose in public. It’s widespread among my Orthodox friends. Historian Marc B. Shapiro writes: …R. Eliezer Melamed – who … Continue reading

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Do you think Orthodox Jews in America are more likely to be honest in business than the average Jew?

Historian Marc B. Shapiro replies to my email: “Absolutely no.”

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