Rabbi Dr. Moshe Tendler zt”l spoke our language, that of the modern world, and in the process taught us how to speak his language, that of timeless Torah. Yona Reiss recalls the wisdom of the late and lamented remarkable regal rabbi. 

Torah and Madda, and their encounter with each other, have been elemental parts of Jewish life for centuries, but R. Moshe Tendler’s unique “synthesis” of the two into a compound structure had simply not previously existed in the natural world, says Dr. Eddie Reichman in an initial assessment of the late rabbi and scientist. Rabbi Tendler’s complete mastery of both science and Torah at the highest levels, bound in a cohesive double helix through exceptional skills of oratory, wisdom, wit and humor, represented a patentable entity.

Timed with the 20th yahrzeit of R. Ahron Soloveichik zt”l, his talmid Joshua Rudoff recalls his rebbe’s awe-inspiring efforts to spread Torah, despite the ravages his body had experienced through a debilitating stroke, and the transformative power of his teaching on master and disciples alike.

The nights of Sukkot were celebrated in the Temple with song and dance in a celebration known as Simhat Beit HaSho’eva. Yakov Nagen argues that these celebrations and ceremonies are in fact a rededication of the Temple and a reenactment of events leading to the dedication of the First Temple by David and Solomon.

Join Congregation Rinat Yisrael of Teaneck, NJ, for a special Tikkun Leyl Hoshana Rabbah remembering the legacy of Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm z"l, and celebrating the publication of TRADITION's “Rabbi Lamm Memorial Volume.” Sunday, September 26 at 8:00 p.m. EDT on ZOOM.

The goral (casting of lots) takes a central role on Yom Kippur – from the method the high priest used to select which goat should be sent to the desert, to the sailors’ use of goral to determine that Jonah was the cause of the storm. Some think goral reveals a divine truth, but David Curwin presents another perspective in which the goral is actually a random role of the dice which allows us to achieve our spiritual goals for the holiest of days.