Jewish Thought and History

Natan Oliff explores the theological implications of teshuva in a world that is God’s prescripted story.

Shlomo Zuckier reviews Rav Aharon Lichtenstein's just-released book on teshuvah

What sort of powers did Hazal have in the first century? Ari Lamm wonders.

Tzvi Goldstein's recent piece on Centrist and Haredi Orthodoxy has generated many responses from our readers. Today we present two stimulating letters by R.A. Alpert and Yaakov Resnik, who examine Goldstein's analysis from the perspectives of Hirschian Torah im Derekh Eretz and his analysis of the underpinnings of the Haredi hashkafa, respectively.

AJ Berkovitz explores the "life" of Jewish books, from authors to owners to outside the margins.

Moshe Kurtz regales us with his love of science fiction & fantasy, suggesting that the genre’s literature, movies, and games can teach Torah lessons in ethics and morality, but cautioning that Torah u-Madda ought not to become Torah u-Movies.

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.

Zev Eleff explores how the Jewish family anchored Rabbi Norman Lamm's sermons and thought during the destabilizing 1960s.

Natan Oliff looks at the various ways Jewish thinkers have found meaning in determinism.

A Look at Prof. Louis H. Feldman through the pages of the Yeshiva College student newspaper.