Judaism 101: Who is a Jew?
The term “Jew” – Yehudi in Hebrew – can mean various things depending upon the context and the time period the term is used. Originally a Yehudi would have been a member of the Tribe of Yehuda. The original Yehudim…
Jen (Rachel-Esther)
Refuting the “Oral Law” – Instructions and Judgment
Instructions Rabbi Shimon ben-Tzemach Duran points out the following passage as proof of an “Oral Law.” You should make clear to them the laws and the instructions, you should make known to them the way they should go, and the…
Refuting the “Oral Law” – Exegesis and Grammar
Rabbinic Judaism (specifically Orthodox and Conservative) offers to the world the idea that the “Oral Law” – as enthroned in the Talmud – was given to Moshe at Har Sinai along with the Written Torah. Orthodox and Conservative Jews claim…
Intermarriage and the HUC-JIR
A couple months ago rabbinical student Daniel Kirzane wrote a post related to his student senior sermon. His topic was a discussion about the current position of the HUC-JIR regarding applicants to its rabbinical school who are married to or…
Women and the Kotel – Part 3
We have now established that the mechitza is actually something that started centuries after the destruction of the Temple. We have also established the fact that there are no ancient synagogues that separated women and men. So now let’s turn…
Women and the Kotel – Part 2
The mechitza is a modern tradition pushed upon all Jews regardless of the traditions or beliefs of non-Orthodox Jews or even other Orthodox Jews. As I explained in part one, the mechitza comes from the supposed separation of men and…
Women and the Kotel – Part 1
I write this after years of frustration and anger over how women are treated at the Kotel (Western Wall). I have not had the fortune to visit Israel yet so I speak as a true outsider on this issue. The…