Itzik Crombie’s Hebrew book, “Israel’s Future with an Ultra-Orthodox Majority” (Yediot) considers that as Haredim become a larger percentage of the population, they will have to become more involved in academic studies, serving in the IDF, and leaving kollel for the company office. In his concluding Alt+SHIFT installment, Yitzchak Blau reviews Crombie’s thesis for why initiatives to advance such trends have not borne much fruit—and who ultimately bears responsivity.

In a new book, Adina Sternberg analyzes the Jewish holidays, analyzing sources from the Bible through Rabbinic literature, and adds reflections on meaning for our day, and also offers an attempt to grapple with women’s exemption from time-bound positive commandments. Yitzchak Blau’s Alt+SHIFT surveys this first offering from Matan’s Kitvuni program created to encourage women authors.

Hanoch Daum’s autobiographical work illustrates what it means to be on the so-called “religious spectrum” and reveals the small nature of Israeli society. It is a source of both humor and insight, and reminds us that some comedians know how to take life seriously.

In commemoration of R. Aharon Lichtenstein’s tenth yahrzeit, his son, R. Mayer Lichtenstein, published “Musar Avi,” a volume of written adaptations of his annual yahrzeit shiurim delivered over the past decade, alongside eulogies and letters from his father. Each chapter dialogues with one of R. Aharon’s foundational essays. Yitzchak Blau’s Alt+SHIFT shows how the son conveys his father’s character, analyze his Torah, and add his own valuable insights.