June 12, 2023
Published by Tradition Online at June 12, 2023
Among the papers presented at the recent Tradition Today Summit was a fascinating item co-authored by Avital Chizik-Goldschmidt and Chaim Saiman, “Material Success and the Rise of ‘Modern, Orthodoxy’” – in which a lot rides on the title’s enigmatic comma. In this episode of our podcast, Jeffrey Saks chats with Saiman about the paper, and the unique and curious ways in which the markers of Orthodoxy’s material aspirations each respond to the halakhic requirements and religious aspirations of persons who live fully within Orthodoxy and who are invested in its continuity.
June 8, 2023
Published by Tradition Online at June 8, 2023
In this week’s Tradition Questions, Chaim Strauchler considers a failed addition to the modern kosher diet. Looking at the locust as a case study, he asks why do some new foods make it and others do not.
June 5, 2023
Published by Tradition Online at June 5, 2023
Akiva Sternberg has amassed a collection of halakhic responsa documenting the challenges to religious life in 19th and early 20th century America. In reviewing the Hebrew volume, Menachem Keren-Kratz calls it “an important book to any scholar interested in the history of halakha, and particularly to scholars interested in the history of Orthodox Judaism in America.”
June 1, 2023
Published by Tradition Online at June 1, 2023
Ruth Calderon captivated Israel and the Jewish world with her maiden Knesset speech in which she taught a piece of Talmud, and offered a plea that Gemara take a greater role in Israeli civic life. Her book of aggadic analyses furthers this goal by encouraging secular Israelis to look more into texts which animated their ancestors; religious readers who are already familiar with many of these texts will be similarly rewarded for their openness by encountering Calderon’s sensitive and often insightful readings. Yitzchak Blau reviews “Alfa Beta Talmudi” in this week’s Alt+SHIFT.
May 30, 2023
Published by Tradition Online at May 30, 2023
TRADITION’s seasonal roundup of noteworthy new titles in Jewish studies and learning, with offerings on religion vs. reason, classic rabbinic texts in new translations, old age in Medieval times and halakha in modern Israel, various posthumous volumes from our community’s leading rabbis and scholars, and more.
May 28, 2023
Published by Jeffrey Saks at May 28, 2023
As we observe today's third yahrzeit of TRADITION's founder, Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm z"l, we are pleased to announce that the entire contents of our Rabbi Lamm Memorial Volume are now available open-access at TraditionOnline.org.
May 23, 2023
Published by Jeffrey Saks at May 23, 2023
The arrival of Avigail Rock's book in an English translation is occasion to revisit Yosefa (Fogel) Wruble's review of the original Hebrew edition, "Parshanei HaMikra" (2021), and to remember the legacy of an outstanding educator z"l, taken from us too soon. The book provides a broad historical perspective on biblical exegesis and makes the commentators come alive as sages who questioned and provided responses to spiritual dilemmas that occupy our minds and hearts until today.
May 21, 2023
Published by Tradition Online at May 21, 2023
In reviewing David Landes’ recent tribute volume to Rabbis Amital and Lichtenstein, Shlomo Zuckier identifies important themes in the remarkable lives of Har Etzion’s Roshei Yeshiva, which provide new insights for their longtime disciples as well as offers an excellent introduction to the uninitiated. “Our Roshei Yeshiva” (Shikey Press) also serves as a testament to the remarkable life and career of its author z”l, David Landes.
May 18, 2023
Published by Tradition Online at May 18, 2023
In reviewing Malka Puterkovsky’s “Mehalekhet be-Darka,” Yitzchak Blau profiles a work of halakhic literature remarkable for its author, genre, and sensitivities. That a volume of “teshuvot” (even if not adhering to the classical form) penned by a woman garnered critique from the right-wing is not surprising, and sheds some light on the path breaking accomplishment.