The Hasmoneans as a Paradigm for Modern Jewish Sovereignty
R. Shimshon Nadel explores the connection between the Hasmonean dynasty and the modern-day State of Israel.
A Return to Moderation: Rabbi Lamm’s Passionate Plea for Civility
Tzvi Sinensky examines Rabbi Lamm’s lifelong commitment to civility.
Separation of Powers and Majority Rule: Insights from the Talmud, Maimonides, Spinoza, and Mendelssohn
This article was written and accepted for publication in the summer of 5783/2023 and scheduled to appear after the holidays. Because of the outbreak of Israel’s “Iron Swords” war with Ḥamas following the murderous attack on Israel on Shabbat/Simḥat Torah (7 October, 2023), we agreed that publication needed to be postponed. Now, five months into the war with no end in sight, we are nevertheless witness to renewed political tensions, public demonstrations, disagreements and paralysis in appointing judges and the President of the Supreme Court, together with resumption of talk of the “judicial reform.”
Despite the continuing tragedy of the war in the south and warfare in the north, a review of how our sources treat the separation of powers and majority rule may help us avoid repeating some of the mistakes of the pre-war political and ideological divisions in Israel and contribute to a more reasoned consideration of the issues.
A Question of Perpsective
Miriam Gedwiser
Chaim Saiman argues that the number of “gedolim” associated with a community - in this case, the modern and liberal Orthodox communities - is...
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.
Hearing the Shepherd from Tekoa
Ethan Schwartz reviews Yitchak Etshalom’s new volume on the prophet Amos, considering ways in which the author succeeds and fails to recreate the divine roar of Amos’ message.
In Search of Modern Orthodoxy
In introducing his embrace of Rav Shagar, Rabbi Dr. Gil Perl details his personal journey of being initially excited, then disappointed with the writings of our...
“Leonard Cohen: A Crack in Everything” at the Jewish Museum: A Review
Ronnie Perelis reviews The Jewish Museum's exhibition: Leonard Cohen: A Crack in Everything.
Bati Le-Gani and the Triumph of Humanity
In honor of Yud Shevat, The Lehrhaus presents an excerpt from Eli Rubin’s forthcoming book Kabbalah and the Rupture of Modernity: An Existential History of Chabad Hasidism. Rubin explores the theological meaning of an influential series of discourses by the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, R. Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn.
What Time Should the Early Minyan Begin on Monday? Recognizing mi-sheyakir: Science, Technology,...
Yaakov Jaffe explores a common synagogue practice, and why it doesn't seem so halakhic. minyan,