There has been a running controversy in circles that are committed to Jewish Law over “brain death.” Traditional sources require the heart and lungs to stop functioning. In olden days a mirror or … more

By Michael Orbach James Kugel is the author of “In the Valley of the Shadow” and “How to Read the Bible.” A former chair of Near Eastern Languages at Harvard, Kugel is now the chair of the … more

As I walked through the doors of Noi Due I was immediately stuck by how wonderful the restaurant smells. The aroma, a combination of dark Italian coffee and freshly baked bread, permeates the small … more

During one of the classes I teach on weeknights, our topic turned to the different kinds of love mentioned in the Torah. One insightful participant commented that if G-d tells us to look out for … more

Not that anyone is counting, but this is my 180th article for this fine newspaper. In article 88, I described a wedding I attended in Williamsburg. When I went out to make a phone call, I observed a … more

There is a distinct difference between a vacation and a family trip. A vacation is when you go somewhere, wile away your cares, skip the laundry and sit on a beach drinking a mai tai. Okay — maybe … more

A heavy sigh of relief could be heard across New York State as the Jets defeated the Patriots on Sunday night. Of course, that sigh was quickly followed by the uproarious chant of … more

After a lengthy debate, the Rabbinical Council of America has come out with its position regarding organ donation and brain death: it doesn’t have one, but everyone else does. Whether brain … more

For a limited engagement, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde will both be frum. David Yudell, an Orthodox Jew, will be playing the lead role in SUNY Westbury’s production of “Jekyll & Hyde.” There … more