Commentary

Chesky Kopel looks at the various tellings and retellings of the controversial deal that Rudolph Kastner made with Nazi leadership in Budapest and argues that they represent a modern-day Midrashic presentation of the history.

In part 1, Gil Perl argued that Modern Orthodox is in need of a Hedgehog Concept and put forward Or (la-)Goyim as a candidate for that role. In part 2, he details what this might look like in practice and why it would appeal to our youth in a post-modern world.

Gil Perl argues that Modern Orthodox currently lacks a “Hedgehog Concept,” namely something at their core that they passionately believe they do better than anyone else in the world. He argues that Or Goyim, as articulated by 19th century luminaries like Netziv and Hirsch, is the Hedgehog concept that can engage Modern Orthodox Youth in a postmodern world.

Rav Dov Zinger discusses his innovative perspective on education, and why its important to listen to what happens beyond the back and forth of the classroom.

Lehrhaus editor Yehuda Fogel asks: What does R. Nosson Bratslaver's understanding of controversy have to do with Hegel?

Jeremy Brown considers the deeper significance of kashrut organizations' new humrah regarding eggs that were left out overnight.

Eliana Yashgur argues that grading Judaic subjects in day schools harms the larger goals of Jewish education, and offers some alternative practices.

Chaim Trachtman explores the relationship between moral instincts and rational thinking in Rabbinic Psychology.

R. Yitzchak Blau analyzes the 2018 book, Was Yosef on the Spectrum?

Roberta Kwall weighs in on the state of non-Orthodox Judaism and how it affects Orthodoxy.