As Hassidism spread through Eastern Europe, it developed into many different shapes, both in form and substance. I have described elsewhere many of these differences. But one thing that stands out is the divergent approach to rabbinic leadership....
I have already discussed the ideologies of the various non-halachic forms of Judaism in my series "Orthodox and non-Orthodox Judaism". These differing ideologies produced many new concepts of what is a rabbi, as well as great differences in their...
The original formula for ordination consisted of the phrase "Yoreh Yoreh, Yadin Yadin" (shall he rule in cases of permissibility and non-permissibility? He shall rule. Shall he judge Jewish criminal and civil law? He shall judge." This formula was...
Like in the Jewish community in general, the "online rabbis" are a mixed bag. The difference is that whereas in the general community, especially in a large city, charlatans will be quickly identified, with warnings put out for the public, an...
The next group of online rabbis I wish to deal with is those who have "discovered" a hitherto unnoticed statement of RAMBAM. RAMBAM writes in a clear and concise manner. His Hebrew is nearly flawless (with the exception of a few Arabisms), but...
There has been a meme circulating on Facebook for some time, with a quote from the Lubavitcher Rebbe, responding to a letter sent by a person who proclaimed herself "not Orthodox", saying that there is no such thing as Orthodox, Conservative and...
This is a most sensitive topic, which raises great anger in both Jewish and non Jewish circles. Opinions vary greatly.We have our G-d given laws of both the written and Oral Torahs. To what degree are we bound by the laws of the place we live in?...
We must ask a question as to where the authority of the secular authorities comes from in the first place. If you and I perform a business transaction, how does the government become a party to that? Many of the medieval authorities suggest that...
Another factor in all of this is the concept of "Hillul HaShem" (Desecrating the Name of G-d). If a Jew does something wrong, or is even perceived as doing something wrong, it reflects badly upon the Jews in general, and ultimately upon the Torah....
Part of the reason for the non acceptance of the "Dina D''Malchuta" principle as halachah in many circles, is the fact that it would put every town council on a greater footing than the Sanhedrin. When a Sanhedrin makes an enactment, it doesn't...
Through the ages, there have been theoretical discussions if the concept of Dina D'Malchuta would apply to a Jewish government in the Land of Israel. Many opined that it woulod not, as such a government would clearly need to be founded upon Torah...
When I was twelve, I read Marx's "Communist Manifesto". I loved the idea of a classless society, with each contributing according to his abilities, and receiving according to his needs. But I had no knowledge of how many tens of millions had been...
One of the disciples of the Vilna Gaon, wrote a book called "Kol HaTor" in which he outlines the events leading to redemption. In this book, it is stated that "Mashiach son of Joseph" will be a secular leader (or leaders), who will gather in the...
Like many, I was convinced that the only place for a Jew was Israel. It was 1983, and Sima and I realized that it was now or never. I was now thirty four, and many programs had an age thirty five limit. We had read Rabbi Kahane's books about the...
The Rav Kook communities, especially in the settlements, see violating Israeli Civil law as tantamount to rebellion against G-d Himself. Rabbi Melamed's daughter in law, was running an unofficial day care center from her home. It didn't take long...