Authors Posts by Yaakov Jaffe
Yaakov Jaffe
Yaakov Jaffe serves as the rabbi of the Maimonides Kehillah, founded by Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik in 1963, and as the Dean of Judaic Studies at the Maimonides School. He received his ordination and doctorate from Yeshiva University, where he holds graduate degrees in Bible, Jewish History, and Jewish Education. He is the author of Isaiah and his Contemporaries, a commentary on Yeshayahu and the other Biblical books of that time, now available from Kodesh Press.
One Day, One Chapter; Four Recitations and Four Themes in Psalm 24
Yaakov Jaffe explores four themes of Psalm 24 as recited on the second day of Rosh Hashanah.
Modest, Ethical, Scholarly, or Inventive Perspectives on Ruth, a Biblical Heroine
Yaakov Jaffe examines different views on which of Ruth's attributes first sparked Boaz's attention, and explores what that means about how we define a Jewish hero.
Does a Women’s Friday-Night Prayer Belong As Part of Menorah Lighting?
Yaakov Jaffe advocates adding a song to those sung while lighting Hanukkah candles.
The Directional Shaking of the Lulav: Bible, Mysticism, and Religious Polemics
Yaakov Jaffe traces the origins and evolution of the custom to shake the lulav in different directions.
Beginning the day with Halakhah or with Spirituality?
Yaakov Jaffe examines how the order of our morning Tefillot can shape the way we approach our day.
What role should young children play in the post-COVID synagogue?
Yaakov Jaffe argues that kids would be better served by coming to shul for the beginning of the Shabbat davening rather than the end.
Should the Davening of the Tenth of Tevet Take Sides in a Talmudic Debate?
Several reasons are given in our tradition about the reason for the fast on the Tenth of Tevet. The liturgy for the day takes a stand on what the true reasons are, but Yaakov Jaffe questions whether this stand is the right one.
Modern Technology Meets Tehum Shabbat
In honor of yesterday's Daf Yomi Siyum on Masekhet Eiruvin, Yaakov Jaffe describes how online maps and other technological tools have better enabled communities such as Boston/Cambridge to measure their tehum shabbat.
Did the Prophet Amos Predict the Women’s Siyum Daf Yomi?
Yaakov Jaffe explains how Biblical grammar and parables come together in Amos to teach us about women's Talmud Torah.
The Fourth Chapter of Avot as an extended reflection on Epicurean Philosophy
In the spirit of Hanukkah, Yaakov Jaffe offers an intriguing thesis tying together a series of Mishnayot in the fourth chapter of Pirkei Avot: they are all responding to various aspects of Epicurean philosophy.
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