Category Archives: Marc B. Shapiro

When Rabbis Over-Step

I love this story because I love seeing rabbis who fancy themselves authorities in matters they know little get humiliated when they try to squash others. Rabbi Hirsch fancied himself the leader of German Orthodoxy. He attacked Rabbi David Zvi … Continue reading

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Most Rishonim, Early Achronim Permitted Concubines

The Rishonim were leading rabbis who lived from the 11th to the 15th Centuries, before the Shulchan Aruch. The Achronim are leading rabbis from the 16th Century to the present. I’m listening to a Torah in Motion lecture by Dr. … Continue reading

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Intellectuals Go Nuts Over Rav Soloveitchik

But the ordinary Jew has not been affected by the Rav. Those who get drunk on the Rav’s theories are intellectuals who love theories. Yes, the Rav ordained more rabbis than anybody in history. But the Rav did not make … Continue reading

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What Is The Scientific Study Of Judaism?

Academic study of Judaism aka critical study aka scientific study all mean something simple — following the facts wherever they lead. The major Ashkenazi denominations of Judaism (Reform, Conservative and Orthodox) developed in Germany in the 19th Century. A founder … Continue reading

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Providing Moral Leadership To A Kid At A Chareidi Yeshiva

yeshivaboy: hey luke, i have a quick question, did you find out about the documentary hypothesis before or after your conversion YourMoralLeader: as a child YourMoralLeader: my dad has a phd in bible yeshivaboy: and you converted anyway YourMoralLeader: yep … Continue reading

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