Atonement and Renewal: Thoughts for Parashat Aharei Mot
At root, seeking atonement is a sign of a responsible human being. Confronting our weaknesses is a sure sign of our strength.
Articles
Israel Should Offer its Own Peace Plan
This op ed by Rabbi Marc D. Angel appeared in the Jerusalem Post, March 25, 2024.
Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik: Judaism and Modernity
Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik is Orthodoxy's most eloquent response to the challenges of modernity and to the critics of Modern Orthodoxy. A Torah giant of the highest caliber, the Rav was also a world-class philosopher. In his studies in Lithuania, he attained the stature of a rabbinic luminary. At the University of Berlin, he achieved the erudition of a philosophical prodigy. He passed away April 9, 1993.
Thoughts for Pessah
The Jewish Press newspaper asked a group of Rabbis, including Rabbi Marc Angel, to comment on the meaning of Pessah during these troubled times.
Holiness: Thoughts for Parashat Vayikra
The Torah reminds us and challenges us to be the best person we can be. Although it is difficult to block out all the negative static in our world, the quest for holiness keeps us human, humane and Godly.
Orthodox Semikha for Homosexuals?
Rabbi Alan Yuter takes issue with an Orthodox colleague who defends granting semikha to homosexuals.
Blessings: Thoughts for Parashat Shemini
The world would be a happier place if we could bless not just those who are closest to us but all those who act righteously and courageously. While curses deepen enmity among people, blessings promote love and mutual respect. One who blesses is worthy of the blessings of the Almighty.
The Disease of Hatred: Thoughts for Parashat Tazria
The Torah states that one plagued with tsara’at needed to undergo a purification process. Similarly, a society suffering from spiritual tsara’at needs to examine the roots of its disease and to purify itself. Leaders in all strata of society need to mobilize against the hatred that is cutting at the soul of our nation.
A New Ladino Publication
The Diario: The Daring Escape of Two Sephardic Jews from Turkey to America During World War I, Albion Andalus Books, Boulder, 2023. Written in Ladino by Alfred Ascher, Translated and Introduced by Gloria J. Ascher
Biblical Criticism, Historical Truth
Berman’s book is an important contribution to scholarship and to our religious pursuit of truth in the context of Tanakh study. He challenges readers to examine critically the assumptions they bring to the text. Those who ignore ancient Near Eastern laws and narratives lose a vital tool to evaluate the eternal messages of the Torah.