Bid to restart clock on civil penalties passes NY Assembly By Michael Orbach Issue of March 20, 2009 / 24 Adar 5769 It was Pearl Engelman’s first trip to Albany. The Satmar woman, … more

By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of June 26, 2009 / 4 Tammuz 5769 There is a common theme in three verses at the beginning of the book of Bamidbar, which is echoed in our parsha: “V’ha’zar … more

(Hint: it's not hard to understand why they're so unpopular) By Michael Orbach Special to the web — Sept. 25, 2009 / 7 Tishrei 5770 Noah Phelps, 10, of the Westboro Baptist Church … more

By Michael Salamon Issue of January 8 2010/ 22 Tevet 5770 Being Gay in the Modern Orthodox World, the Wurzweiler School of Social Work conference, has created a significant, and generally … more

From the other side of the bench by David Seidemann Issue of April 23, 2010/ 5 Iyar, 5770 I attended a wedding in Brooklyn the other night and was pleasantly surprised to meet a childhood … more

Issue of August 13, 2010/ 3 Elul 5770 By Sandy Eller It is a scene that is repeated over and over again in Orthodox Jewish households in America. Sifting through the mail, you catch sight of … more

In their fundamental theology, untainted by modern liberal thinking, the other major religions of the world claim that those who do not subscribe to their belief system have no share in the world to … more

Seeking to balance their professions alongside Torah guidelines, hundreds of participants attended Agudath Israel’s Halacha Conference for Professionals and the Business Community on May 15. more

Few industries are as low-risk and high-reward as the tzedaka industry. After all, there is little overhead, no merchandise to stock, a steady supply of customers, and customers pay cash without expecting anything in return. more

In the last verse in Chapter 48, Yaakov promises Yosef the city of Shechem, “…which I took from the Emorite with my sword and bow.” Up until now the only thing we know about any “taking of the city of Shechem” is that Shimon and Levi took up arms and massacred the males of the city in retaliation for the treatment accorded to their sister Dinah. Yaakov’s reaction to their armed encounter was anything but positive and supportive. Some say this is what Yaakov is referring to. But this seems hardly likely. What could Yaakov be referring to? more