The Legacy of Polemics: Microphones on Shabbat, Metzitzah, and the Rabbah Ordination by Shlomo Brody

  I personally have no gripes with polemics playing a role in socio-legal discourse within the Jewish community.  I think it is inevitable, given the sociological reality of Jewish history, and occasionally it is appropriate, given larger religious goals. 1 I do believe, however, that one has to be very careful with the terminology used, and [...]

From Our Archives: May One Use a Microphone on Shabbat?

From Our Archives:  Rabbi Manuel Poliakoff and The Use of Microphones on Shabbat   If a microphone is turned on before Shabbat, or pre-set on a timer, may one use it on Shabbat?   As is well known, many American Orthodox congregations used a microphone in the middle of the 20th century, with some continuing to use [...]