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.
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.
Love (and Trust) Conquer All: Another Angle on the Akeidah
Alex Ozar drills down on the point of the Akeidah, responding to Herzl Hefter and Tzvi Sinensky.
Countering Counter-History: Re-Considering Rav Aharon’s Road Not Taken
Tovah Lichtenstein responds to and critiques Zev Eleff's counter-history, "What if Rav Aharon Had Stayed?"
Translating Theory into Practice to Revolutionize the Teaching of Talmud
Yaakov Bieler continues the conversation on Talmud education, introducing "action research" to the discussion.
What’s Missing In “The View From Pew”
Responding to results from the recent Pew survey, Hillel David Rapp argues that we can limit Orthodox attrition by addressing the bifurcation of Jewish and general learning in high school.
A Prehistory of Rav Kook
What can we learn from Rav Kook's writings before he immigrated to the land of Israel? As Yom Ha-Atzma'ut approaches, Levi Morrow reviews Yehuda Mirsky's new prehistory of Rav Kook.
What Does Jewish Law Think American Abortion Law Ought To Be?
In light of the Supreme Court’s decision on Friday, Michael Broyde considers what American abortion law halakhah might prefer.
“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.
When the Beggar Knocks
Avi Killip explores three Talmudic stories dealing with the feelings of discomfort that can be involved in helping the poor, even when we know it’s the right thing to do.