March 11, 2024

New and Noteworthy Books

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March 7, 2024

Unpacking the Iggerot: Series Introduction

In this new TraditionOnline series, “Unpacking the Iggerot,” Moshe Kurtz explores the responsa of R. Moshe Feinstein zt”l, widely regarded as the posek ha-dor. By understanding R. Feinstein’s halakhic rulings the reader will be provided with a window into the overarching legal, philosophical, and policy considerations that poskim consider when addressing the pressing issues of their day.
March 3, 2024

PODCAST: Alt+SHIFT Exit Interview

The Tradition Podcast catches up with some of our regular columnists to discuss how their work helps us expand our reach in shaping the communal conversation over the journal’s digital-direct platforms. Yitzchak Blau offers a review of what he has been exploring over 30 installments of his “Alt+SHIFT” column, now going on hiatus. What’s involved in the act of cultural “translation” of Hebrew content for an American audience—and why is it important? Later in the episode we meet Moshe Kurtz, who will be stepping in with a new series, “Unpacking the Iggerot,” exploring themes and topics at the intersection of halakha and hashkafa as they arise from the Iggerot Moshe of R. Moshe Feinstein.
February 27, 2024

PROFILE: The Faithful Transmission of the Oral Torah

In this profile of R. Hershel Schacter’s new book, “Divrei Soferim,” R. Yona Reiss discusses the volume’s nuanced treatment of the multiple facets of the Oral Torah, including the hermeneutical principles employed by the Talmud, and its relationship to the Written Torah. Reiss suggests that the book helps its readers develop a deeper understanding of this relationship and acts toward strengthening the “Masora,” a lifelong concern for R. Schachter.