Dear JITC- What is Modern Orthodoxy? Thanks, Meredith Dear Meredith, Thanks for your question. In order to explain what Modern Orthodoxy is, I think we first have to explain what Orthodoxy is. It begins with a history lesson. In the year 2448 from the Creation of the world, corresponding to 1312 BCE, the Jews who […]
Dear Jew in the City- Does the mitzvah of lo saamod al dam rei’echa mean we believe countries should stop Putin? Thanks, David Dear David, Thanks for your question. I think the first thing we need to do is define terms. “Lo saamod al dam rei’echa” means “You shall not stand idly by your fellow’s blood” […]
At the heart of the controversy surrounding Spotify and the Joe Rogan experience is the question of free speech. Some 70 episodes of his podcast were removed after musicians protested the platform for allowing him to spout misinformation and racial slurs. Is it okay for him to spread misinformation about COVID? What about when that […]
Secure attachment is harder and harder to find these days. It is the ability to rest in yourself, to believe in yourself, to love yourself. Securely attached people feel like the world is mostly safe and people are mostly good. They feel confident to advocate for themselves and take healthy risks. Secure attachment comes about […]
In the past month, the Orthodox world has watched in horror as a beloved author was exposed as one of the most contemptible predators. His cowardly and cruel final act against his victims has cemented him as Exhibit A for a generation: This is what a rasha (wicked individual) looks like. When we hear stories such as […]
Ani l’doni v’dodi li – I am to my Beloved and my Beloved is to me. (Song of Songs 6:3) The Hebrew letters at the start of these four words form the word Elul, the name of the month preceding Rosh Hashana. With the “beloveds” at the center of Song of Songs being metaphors for […]
