November 12, 2024

RESPONSE: Peeking Through the Slaughterhouse Window

Rabbi Prof. Daniel Sperber responds to a recent review of his book “Vegetarianism, Ecology, and Business Ethics” (Urim Publications). Having seen abattoirs up close he defends his critique of contemporary kosher slaughter standards against the critique of his reviewers.
November 10, 2024

PODCAST: Maimonides as Rabbi and Philosopher

Writing for TRADITION, Menachem Kellner recently reviewed ArtScroll’s new anthology of Maimonidean philosophy, “Kisvei HaRambam: Writings of Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon,” and profiled “The Guide to the Perplexed: A New Translation” (Stanford University Press). With some critical reservations in place, in this podcast with Jeffrey Saks he applauds ArtScroll for a new openness to exposing its readers to Maimonides the philosopher, and praises the new translation of the Guide as an important corrective to earlier works that occluded the fact that “Rambam was also a rabbi”!
November 7, 2024

TRADITION Questions: Packaging and Product

Chaim Strauchler questions the hermetically-sealed plastic sleeves in which hadassim and aravot are delivered. What advantages and disadvantages does pre-checking mitzvot create?
November 5, 2024

The “Exemption” Mindset

It’s hard to shed light on the circuitous debate surrounding the Haredi draft exemption, but Yosefa Fogel Wruble approaches the debate from the angle of another well-known “exemption”: that of women from many mitzvot, like Talmud Torah and certain time-caused commandments, which has contributed to an internal religious posture impacting the entirety of religious society. Can this parallel help explain Haredi society’s attitude toward draft exemption—and what might produce a shift?