In a recent presentation at the Young Israel of Lawrence Cedarhurst, Brooklyn College professor and famed historian Dr. Shnayer Leiman discussed the controversy surrounding the speech and invocation given by Chief Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook at the inauguration of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem on April 1, 1925. more

The first weekend in May, we learned that early Israeli elections were scheduled for September 4th. Those elections were cancelled last week, with the stunning announcement that Prime Minister Netanyahu and the head of the leading opposition party, Kadima, reached an agreement to bring the party into the government, forestalling an election till the official end of its term on October 22, 2013. more

There are always interesting studies coming out of some well known research centers that are worth reading and understanding. Often they are fascinating because of the impact the reported results may have on day-to-day life. more

It was our first Masah, our first forced march. We were barely two weeks in the army, and Itzik, a sadistic little first sergeant who had made it his mission to make us, or rather, break us into soldiers, owned us for the night. more

Last week I was privileged to teach a class about Mikveh to a group of non-Orthodox Jews. The first ten minutes of the class focused on the concepts of "tumah" and "taharah" and how every single-word or two-word "translation" of each word does not do justice to the discussion. more

While a guest at Rabbi Berel Wein and Rebbetzin Jackie Wein, A”H for Shavuot in 1985, I had the pleasure of enjoying the most delicious homemade challah. more

If you read my posts or emails then you know I’m a night owl. I find the wee hours to be inspiring. Maybe it’s the mystery or romanticism of the dark, but, writing at 1 A.M., my ideas flow quickly from my brain out through my fingers to the keyboard onto the glowing screen. more

A legacy that lives on is, to this writer, sure proof as to the legitimacy of that person’s faith and ideological message. more

Now that Mitt Romney has secured the GOP nomination, political speculation has turned to whom he will pick as his running mate. more

There is a prison in Santa Cruz, Bolivia that is commonly referred to as a ghetto. There are walls surrounding a huge complex, and there are buildings within it, and in the center, a large open courtyard. more