Focusing on Function: Women’s Leadership Roles by Nathaniel Helfgot
April 29, 2010 by Nathaniel Helfgot
Filed under Halakha, New Posts, Philosophy
The following is an edited version of my initial remarks at a panel on Women’s Leadership Roles that was held on the first day of the RCA convention on Sunday, April 25, 2010. The panel consisted of Rabbi Michael Broyde, Rabbi Gidon Rothstein, Dr. Deena Zimmerman and myself. It was conceived and moderated by Rabbi [...]
Our Writers Respond: Chukim, Mishpatim, and Womanhood by Aryeh Klapper (Part 1)
March 11, 2010 by Aryeh Klapper
Filed under Jewish Culture, New Posts, Our Writers Respond
Chukim and Mishpatim in Halakha and Hashkafa A core concept in popular Orthodox thought is the distinction between חוקים and משפטים as presented by Rashi. In this view, mitzvot are classified by whether they do or do not have a humanly intelligible purpose. This position is hashkafically alien to the Spanish philosophical tradition, and [...]
The Legacy of Polemics: Microphones on Shabbat, Metzitzah, and the Rabbah Ordination by Shlomo Brody
March 7, 2010 by Shlomo Brody
Filed under Halakha, Jewish Culture, New Posts
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 [...]