Category Archives: Marc B. Shapiro

The Chatam Sofer Wanted His Daughters To Marry Rich

The Chatam Sofer lived at the turn of the 19th Century. His responsa (answers to questions of Jewish law) are the most important responsa of the past 200 years according to Marc B. Shapiro who relates the following story in … Continue reading

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Aish HaTorah’s Rosh Hashanah Video

In his second lecture for Torah in Motion on Rabbi Moses Kunitz, professor Marc B. Shapiro says: “Simcha says that naming the yeshiva Ohr Somayach is good marketing. Why? I can almost guarantee you that almost 100% of all the … 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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Torah Geniuses Uncrushed By Convention

In his second lecture for Torah in Motion on Rabbi Moses Kunitz, professor Marc B. Shapiro says about the Ohr Somayach: “All of his education came from his father. He comes into that category of people with the Chazon Ish … Continue reading

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The Fall of Reb Moshe

In his second lecture for Torah in Motion on Rabbi Moses Kunitz, professor Marc B. Shapiro says: “Even among great Torah scholars, it is usually the case that their reputation declines naturally. Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer, Rav Herzog, Reb Moshe … Continue reading

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Marc B Shapiro: ‘I Haven’t Seen Any Good Jews Named Luke’

In his second lecture for Torah in Motion on Rabbi Moses Kunitz, professor Marc B. Shapiro talks about rabbis with non-Jewish names. There was a tosafist (medieval Talmudic commentator) named Rabbi Peter. “I spell my name with a ‘c’. Marc. … Continue reading

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Just One New Idea

In his first lecture for Torah in Motion on Rabbi Moses Kunitz, professor Marc B. Shapiro says: “Jacob Neusner used to say that if you find one thing of value in a book, then it is worthwhile. He said this … 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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