Italians, Romans, Germans and Edomites

By Yitzchak Grossman*   שִׁיר הַמַּעֲלוֹת, לְדָוִד: הִנֵּה מַה-טּוֹב, וּמַה-נָּעִים– שֶׁבֶת אַחִים גַּם-יָחַד.[1]  How good and how pleasant it is  that brothers dwell together.[2]  מַשָּׂא דְבַר-יְהוָה, אֶל-יִשְׂרָאֵל, בְּיַד, מַלְאָכִי. אָהַבְתִּי אֶתְכֶם אָמַר יְהוָה, וַאֲמַרְתֶּם בַּמָּה אֲהַבְתָּנוּ; הֲלוֹא-אָח עֵשָׂו לְיַעֲקֹב נְאֻם-יְהוָה, וָאֹהַב אֶת-יַעֲקֹב. וְאֶת-עֵשָׂו, שָׂנֵאתִי; וָאָשִׂים אֶת-הָרָיו שְׁמָמָה, וְאֶת-נַחֲלָתוֹ לְתַנּוֹת מִדְבָּר. כִּי-תֹאמַר אֱדוֹם רֻשַּׁשְׁנוּ, וְנָשׁוּב וְנִבְנֶה [...]

What is the Halakhic Status of the Doctrine of the Trinity?

by Aryeh Klapper Texts followed by analysis:  Sanhedrin 63b A beraita: “And the names of other divinities you must not mention” – this forbids a person to say to his friend ‘Wait for me next to that avodah zarah’; “it must not be heard on account of you” –  this forbids one from taking an oath [...]

Of Politeness and the Drawing of Lines

by Gidon Rothstein  Although this is not a venue for making political comments about issues of our day, the recent Chanukah holiday set me on a trajectory of thought that led me to questions I think are productive for all of us to ask, and I therefore wish to share them with you. To begin [...]

The Angel’s Oath: The Relationship of Hazal to the Platonic Doctrine of Recollection by David Flatto

The Angel’s Oath:  The Relationship of Hazal to the Platonic Doctrine of Recollection by David C. Flatto Whereas balei mussar and machshava dramatize the great clash between Judaism and Hellenism (which serves as the background to the holiday of Hanukka), Jewish historians go to great lengths to demonstrate the degree to which Second Temple Judaism [...]

Attention to Our Readers in Pakistan, Kuwait, Iran, and Oman

Dear Readers, We hope that you are continuing to enjoy reading this blog.  We are particularly pleased that according to our web analytical tools, our blog enjoys a truly international readership.  I am particularly curious which of our readers are from Pakistan, Kuwait, Iran, and Oman!  If you would be so kind to drop me a note, [...]

Of Miketz, Menorahs, and Majesty

Of Miketz, Menorahs, and Majesty By Daniel Z. Feldman  Halakhic Inquiries Regarding Yosef’s Behavior The release of Yosef from prison, a moment of great drama and emotion, has also been the subject of halakhic inquiry. Some rishonim note, in light of the fact that his release took place on Rosh HaShanah[1], it is surprising that Yosef [...]

Rambam’s Hilchot Hanukka: A Masterpiece of Hashkafah Blended Into Halachah

Rambam’s Hilchot Hanukka: A Masterpiece of Hashkafah Blended Into Halachah By Gidon Rothstein * I have long been fascinated by the first chapter of Rambam’s presentation of the laws of Hanukka.  As a first oddity of the presentation, I note that Rambam folds the laws of Hanukka into one set of laws along with those [...]

From Our Archives: Hanukka @ Tradition Online

Prof. Gerald Blidstein – Hanukka in Hazal:  The Missing Players  (Tradition 35:3 – Fall ’01) Rabbi Leo Landman – Gambling in the Synagogue (10:1 – Summer ’68) Chanukah Sameach! – Shlomo Brody

When was the Mitzvah of Candle Lighting Declared? by Nathaniel Helfgot

When was the Mitzvah of Hadlakot Nerot Declared?  By Nathaniel Helfgot R. Isaac Judah Trunk of Kutno (1879-1939),1 in his work Hasdei Avot  #17,2 proffers  a fascinating theory  in relation to the genesis of the lighting of Chanukah candles. He begins by noting that in the famous Talmudic discussion about the origin of Chanukah the [...]

Gid haNasheh: Yaacov Avinu’s Contribution to Jewish Spirituality

Gid haNasheh: Yaacov Avinu’s Contribution to Jewish Spirituality by Gidon Rothstein There are only three commandments recorded in the book of Bereshit, so when we come across one, we sit up and take notice.  If that weren’t enough, the prohibition of Gid haNasheh (commonly translated as sciatic nerve, but easily as likely referring to a [...]

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