Do social issues make Jewish voters migrate to one side of an aisle or another, or do the issues effecting Israel make Jews go out and vote? The term, “the Jewish vote,” is often referred to by media or even talked about by political campaign strategists with an air of certainty, but when it is actually analyzed, there is no clear picture of the voting patterns of Jews as a single block. There are so many factors that go into individual Jewish community voting patterns; it often causes more confusion for those trying to understand just what issues will move a Jewish electorate. more

While Chapter 11 in the book of Bamidbar bears little resemblance to the famous reorganization process of the Bankruptcy Code, it does have a series of setbacks that seem to put the people in a negative light. Disobedience, complaining, people getting punished by fire, or their bodies suffer the effects of too much quail. more

Summer. Backyards. Friends and BBQ’s. My favorite time of year. Most will agree that barbecuing is the world’s oldest cooking method. Today we tend to follow in our ancestors footsteps. Our sense of smell leads us to freshly grilled meat, and we eat without utensils or linen. more

In an interesting and somewhat engaging collection of essays, a British lecturer in math and a shul gabbai, Martin Stern reveals in his interesting book, “A Time To Speak” [Devora Publishing, 2010] his frustrations with the callous attitudes many have as to the dignity we must preserve within the precincts of our shuls. With the use of both the sharp edge of humor and a more

The Yalkut Shimoni (Naso 6:710) raises an interesting non-halakhic debate between Rabbi Yehuda and Rabbi Shimon as to what was the motivation for becoming a Nazir. more

Take a drive up the south side of the Golan Heights, and you will see one of the most incredible vistas in Israel. more

Over one hundred thousand people will line the parade route from fifty –ninth to seventy-ninth streets this Sunday as they join the Celebrate Israel parade. Thousands of Israeli flags will be waved enthusiastically by young and old alike. more

This past week witnessed two events that brought the Talmud into central focus, one positive, the other negative. First, we have the positive, which involved the first publication of an English translation and commentary of the first volume of the Talmud in the Land of Israel. more

I find the vitriol directed against the Citifield asifa not only to be unfounded but downright offensive. Yes, the internet is an inescapable part of our modern world, but to be inattentive to the enormous dangers that lurk in this medium is naive and foolhardy. more

Winston Smith, the main character in Orwell’s novel 1984, worked for the Ministry of Truth, an enormous building made of pristine white concrete which housed over 3000 rooms. On the outside wall are the three slogans of the ruling party: “WAR IS PEACE,” “FREEDOM IS SLAVERY,” “IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.” more