May 2, 2023

PODCAST: The Rav’s Enduring Pedagogical Relevance

Three decades following the passing of the Rav his legacy endures and his teachings still inspire – but how do we communicate his Torah to a generation “which did not know Yosef” (R. Yosef Dov Halevi Soloveitchik, that is)? Mali Brosky’s recent TRADITION essay “The Rav’s Enduring Pedagogical Relevance” takes up this challenge. She recently discussed her essay on the podcast she co-hosts, RZ Weekly, which graciously offered to share the episode with listeners of the TRADITION Podcast.
April 30, 2023

In Memoriam: Rebbetzin Bruria David

With the passing of Rebbetzin Bruria David (1938-2023) z"l, the renowned educator, we lose a model of commitment to teaching, to students, and to scholarship. Her lifelong friend, Judith Bleich, shares memories and helps us appreciate Rebbetzin David and her legacy.
April 28, 2023

TRADITION Today Summit: Material Success and Its Challenges 

On April 23, 2023, TRADITION and the Rabbinical Council of America convened our first TRADITION Today Summit exploring “Material Success and Its Challenges.” With the aim of helping to shape a larger communal conversation on these topics, content generated at and by the conference will be made available to the public from within the pages of the journal and on our other media platforms – in the meantime read more about the program now.
April 27, 2023

Alt+SHIFT: Minhat Hinukh Scholarship

Michal Tikochinsky’s book on the important 19th-century rabbinic work Minhat Hinukh fills in a gap in academic Jewish scholarship, and offers a sweeping portrait of a work much treasured in the beit midrash. Yitzchak Blau returns with Alt+Shift, helping the Anglo sphere to gain insight into worthwhile material available only in Hebrew.
April 23, 2023

REVIEW: The Souls of the World of Chaos

Originally published in 1913, Rav Kook’s short essay “The Souls of the World of Chaos” was a response to the young Russian Jewish immigrants to Eretz Yisrael, those ideological pioneers espousing socialism while rebelling against religious tradition—“a young generation who, in their wild idealism and relentless search for unbridled freedom, had thrown off what they perceived as the shackles of religion.” Steven Gotlib introduces us to Bezalel Naor’s edition of this important essay—Naor’s latest installment in his growing body of elucidated translations of Rav Kook’s writing.
April 20, 2023

TRADITION QUESTIONS: Orthodox Influencers’ Influence

“Tradition Questions” returns with Zissy Turner’s influential inquiry into Orthodox “Influencers.” What is gained and lost with the cadre of social media mavens, mainly women, to whom large swaths of our community have granted influence? 
April 16, 2023

PODCAST: We Read the Rav to Know We Are Not Alone

Our editor, Jeffrey Saks, offers this audio version of his Editor’s Note introducing TRADITION’s special issue on the thought of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik zt”l. In Saks’ essay, “We Read the Rav to Know We Are Not Alone in Loneliness,” he shares his own personal encounter with the Rav’s writings at a pivotal moment in his religious development. 
April 9, 2023

Mrs. Soloveitchik

As we mark the Rav's 30th yahrzeit today (18 Nisan) we also remember his wife, Dr. Tonya Soloveitchik, "A woman of great courage, sublime dignity, total commitment, and uncompromising truthfulness." Read the biographical sketch penned by their daughter, Dr. Tovah Lichtenstein, about her mother's contributions to Jewish education.
April 5, 2023

TRADITION Passover Archives

As the TRADITION editorial office closes for Passover, we leave you with these highlights from our 60+ years of archived essays. Enjoy this reading over Yom Tov – we hope all our readers will be celebrating a Hag Kasher veSameah in good health and in the company of loved ones.