Why does the halacha devote so much attention to the “small” issues? It is understandable to focus much energy on resolving matters of life and
A “Why” Question Why questions are often the most difficult Torah questions to answer. So, when TABC talmid, Akiva Sytner asked, “Why do we place
Even when a beit din may not coerce a husband to give a get, attempts must be made to convince him not to withhold a
Anti-Orthodox Insults Sadly, Orthodox Jews are occasionally verbally assaulted (too often by non-observant Jews) with denunciations of being pathetic! I have experienced several such encounters.
A Talmid’s Dilemma Torah Academy of Bergen County’s talmid, Jacob Horn, asked how one should handle portions of the Torah which appear to not be
A Glaring Omission The omission of Shevet Shimon from the Shevatim blessed in parshat VeZot HaBracha screams for an explanation. Rashi (to Devarim 33:7) and
Ashkenazic Versus Sephardic Hagbah Ashkenazic Jews who ask why Sephardic Jews conduct hagbah before Kriat HaTorah are asking the wrong question. The question should be:
Self-Mutilation Prohibited The tools necessary to cope with bereavement are inherent in Devarim 14:1. This pasuk tells us: “You are children to Hashem, do not
An Unnecessary Divide I do not think Hashem is happy with the deep chasm dividing different groups of religious Jews in Israel. The gap has
A Dropped Slurpee During the pandemic, a favorite Jachter family activity was to order Slurpees delivered from a local store (see https://oukosher.org/kosher-slurpee-list/ for more information
Secular writers claim that the Torah is incompatible with democracy, since it calls for a king. This misguided conclusion stems from a superficial understanding of
An Upset Talmid A talmid walked into the room very upset. The talmid’s math teacher returned his test, and the results were less than stellar.
