Jewish Law
Seder Nezikin (Damages)
Universal interpersonal and societal issues, rather than Jewish ritual law, are the main subject of Seder Nezikin.
What Midrash Teaches About the Rabbis
Midrash allowed the rabbis to explain and expand on the Torah--and in doing so, they revealed much about themselves.
Waiting Between Eating Meat and Dairy
Why some Jews wait six hours, while others wait one or three.
Marit Ayin: Avoiding the Appearance of Violating the Law
According to this rabbinic principle, doing the right things matters — and so does appearing to do the right thing.
How to Be a “Player” in Jewish Life
What does it take to be a “player” in Jewish life? No, not that kind of “player.” I mean, what ...
Celebrating Our Daughters: From Simchat Bat to Bat Mitzvah
I had been thinking about my eldest daughter’s bat mitzvah for a long time. We belong to a Modern Orthodox ...
When a presidential candidate is misinformed about late term abortion
In recent weeks there has been a great deal said by presidential candidate, Donald Trump, that has caused deep upset ...
Partnership Minyans and Women’s Aliyot: A Maturing Conversation
Proponents and opponents of Partnership Minyans have jointly fostered a single narrative. In that narrative, the only relevant technical halakhic ...
Contextualizing the Conversation about Women’s Aliyot in the Orthodox Community
Women receiving aliyot (being called to the Torah) in Orthodox synagogues is a relatively new phenomenon. Its most prominent proponents are ...
Take a Stand: Don’t Let Religion Become a Weapon
In Pirkei Avot 2:10 we are taught that Rabbi Eliezer said, יהי כבוד חברך חביב עליך כשלך “Let your neighbor’s dignity be precious ...
Approaching “Niddah” with Radical Openness
I am learning the laws of niddah, laws that relate to menstruation and sexuality, with a group of women. It has ...