September 6, 2024
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Linking Northern and Central NJ, Bronx, Manhattan, Westchester and CT

Ben Rothke

Ben Rothke lives in New Jersey and works in the information security field. He reviews books on religion, technology and science. @benrothke

Articles by Ben Rothke

Why They Left

Reviewing: “Degrees of Separation: Identity Formation While Leaving Ultra-Orthodox Judaism,” by Schneur Zalman Newfield. Temple University Press. 2020. English. Paperback. 248 pages. ISBN-13: 978-1439918968. While

Tackling the Fundamentals

Reviewing: “Ani Maamin: Biblical Criticism, Historical Truth, and the Thirteen Principles of Faith,” By Joshua Berman. Maggid Books. 2020. English. Hardcover. 334 pages. ISBN-13: 978-1592645381. There

Four Great New Books

With four days of Yom Tov and Shabbat Chol Hamoed, no walks to shul—or outside, for that matter, Pesach was a time for learning and

Finding Meaning in Prayer

 Reviewing: “Prepare My Prayer—Recipes to Awaken the Soul,” by Rabbi Dov Singer. Maggid Books. 2020. English. Hardcover. 292 pages. ISBN-13: 978-1592645374. Talking in shul is a very

Takanas Hashavim

Reviewing: “Takanas Hashavim,” by Rabbi Daniel Yaakov Travis. Ohel Rabbeinu Yonoson Ublima Foundation. Often people will (mistakenly) say something to the effect that there are

Two Works With a Focus on Maimonides

Reviewing: “Maimonides’ Grand Epistle to the Scholars of Lunel: Ideology and Rhetoric,” by Charles Sheer. Academic Studies Press; 2019. Paperback. 100 pages. English. ISBN-13: 978-1618119612

Making ‘Melachim’ Come Alive

“I Kings: Torn in Two,” By Rabbi Alex Israel. Koren Publishers Jerusalem. 2013. Maggid Studies in Tanakh Series. English. Hardcover. 350 pages. ISBN-13: 978-1613290040. “II

Insights Into Sefer Bereishit

Reviewing: “Explorations Expanded: Sefer Bereishit,” by Rabbi Ari Kahn. Kodesh Press. 2019. Paperback. 351 pages. English. ISBN-13: 978-1947857292. Reviewing: “The Jewish Ethic of Personal Responsibility: Volume

Speaking About Emperors and Jews…

Book review: “The Emperors and the Jews,” by Ari Lieberman. Mosaica Press. 2019. Hardcover. 354 pages. English. ISBN-13: 978-1946351746. Trivia question: How many foreign rulers