During these past two weeks we have witnessed some of the meanest political rhetoric by the authoritarian left in recent memory. The rhetoric focused upon the use of the phrase “blood libel,” by … more

‘Tis the season to be informed. This week’s reviews will briefly touch upon two works that inform us of the Jewish take on Christian history and theology. One word of caution, in no way … more

The current issue of “Jewish Action,” the quarterly magazine published by The Orthodox Union, features a very interesting and timely essay by Toby Bulman Katz titled, “Nachama Soloveichik: A … more

Mutual respect for another person’s beliefs and opinions is in very short supply. It is most heartening when we encounter an episode that demonstrates when two great rabbis are placed into a situation wherein they demonstrate mutual respect to the entire world. more

Two weeks ago a giant of Torah learning passed away. Rabbi Zechariah Fendel was, after Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan, one of the most prolific and articulate Jewish writers of our time.Each of the over dozen … more

The recent visit to Cape Canaveral to witness the launch of the last space shuttle by a group of very talented students of Yeshiva Katana of Inwood and the publication of a new book dealing with that very subject will serve as the focus of this week’s review. In his new book, “Intergalactic Judaism” [Urim Publications, 2011] by Rabbi David Lister of the United Kingdom, the subject of the Jewish take on space travel and related activities and studies is dealt with in depth. more

In his preface to this week’s review selection, “The Power of Aleinu” by Rabbi Asher Baruch Wegbreit [Judaica Press, 2011], Rabbi Yisrael Reisman stated that, “It is the custom of Klal Yisrael to recite Aleinu in the middle of the Shemonah Esrei on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. more

Recently a very special book was issued in honor of a very special man. The book is “Mishpetei Shalom” [YCT/Ktav, 2010], and the man that it honors is Rabbi Dr. Saul Berman, who will be speaking … more

In what will be one of this season’s most popular commentaries, Rabbi Moshe Weinberger of Congregation Aish Kodesh in Woodmere has written a translation of Rav Avraham Yitzchak Kook’s “Orot Teshuvah.” Entitled “Song of Teshuvah Volume One” [Penina – Urim Press, 2011] this new work is the result of over seven years of a shiur that Rabbi Weinberger gave on Friday mornings at his shul. 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