This week’s essay will focus primarily upon an article rather than upon a book. The convergence this year of American Independence Day and the 17th Day of Tamuz was brought together by an interesting and timely essay by attorney Michael W. Schwartz entitled, “A Great Compliment Paid the Jews” [Commentary Magazine.com/article] This essay’s theme demonstrates the uniqueness of the ideological foundations of the American republic and its regard for the integrity of the Jewish faith. more

By the first week of August, a new cycle in the study of the Talmud, according to the method established by Rabbi Meir Shapiro of blessed memory, will have started. This week’s essay is in tribute to Rabbi Shapiro, and by extension, to all those dedicated souls who have made his Daf Yomi a part of their daily spiritual regimen. more

Among the many new synagogues being established within our community today, it should be noted that the majority follow the prayer rite known as Nusach Sepharad. This rite has a long history, which was detailed by Dr. Philip Birnbaum, the pioneer American liturgist, in his introduction to his historic translation of the Sepharad rite close to a half-century ago. more

Timely in its publishing date, Rabbi Shlomo Riskin’s commentary on Bamidbar continues his “Torah Lights” series being produced by Maggid Books featuring some of his finest Torah teachings for this time of year. As is his style, Rabbi Riskin blends together the sacred text with current history in the successful attempt to demonstrate the relevance that each plays in our lives. more

In an interesting and somewhat engaging collection of essays, a British lecturer in math and a shul gabbai, Martin Stern reveals in his interesting book, “A Time To Speak” [Devora Publishing, 2010] his frustrations with the callous attitudes many have as to the dignity we must preserve within the precincts of our shuls. With the use of both the sharp edge of humor and a more

This past week witnessed two events that brought the Talmud into central focus, one positive, the other negative. First, we have the positive, which involved the first publication of an English translation and commentary of the first volume of the Talmud in the Land of Israel. more

The text of Pirkei Avos is the only segment of the Talmud that does not deal with halachah. The commentator of this new edition is the newly appointed Rosh Yeshiva at Lander College. more

In a recent presentation at the Young Israel of Lawrence Cedarhurst, Brooklyn College professor and famed historian Dr. Shnayer Leiman discussed the controversy surrounding the speech and invocation given by Chief Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook at the inauguration of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem on April 1, 1925. more

A legacy that lives on is, to this writer, sure proof as to the legitimacy of that person’s faith and ideological message. more

Perhaps the most popular tractate of the Talmud among our people is the Mishnah Avot. What is unique to this particular book of the Talmud is that, unlike the other tractates, this one is a book of ethics not law. more