Jewish Thought and History

The notion of Torah u-Madda—that Torah and secular studies can enrich each other—has been a byword in the Modern Orthodox community for decades. Yet some have claimed it is in decline. Over the course of the next few weeks, Lehrhaus is proud to present a symposium grappling with Torah u-Madda: how we got here, the challenges that have arisen, and how its meaning continues to evolve over time.

Rami Reiner breaks new ground, analyzing Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein's view of academic Jewish studies.

David Fried offers a novel reading of the Akeidah.

Josh Rosenfeld delves into the world of Rabbi Menachem Froman.

Yakov Nagen examines attitudes towards Islam in Jewish thought.

Henry Abramson debates Shaul Magid on the faith of the Aish Kodesh.

Zach Truboff on Rav Shagar, Israeli Post-Modernism and American Modern Orthodox Judaism.

Yosef Bronstein explores the thought of the late Lubavitcher Rebbe.

In his latest for the Lehrhaus, Steven Gotlib reviews the recently published collection of essays, Strauss, Spinoza, and Sinai: Orthodox Judaism and Modern Questions of Faith, which tries to answer: is there a philosophical defense of Orthodoxy in the modern world?

Rafi Eis responds to Meir Soloveichik on the role of Jews and Judaism in today's political climate.