Orthodox Judaism

Israel's highest court protects its power to curb government extremism − 3 essential reads

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 2, 2024

That reform would have taken away from the Supreme Court the ability to review and limit the government’s actions.

Key Points: 
  • That reform would have taken away from the Supreme Court the ability to review and limit the government’s actions.
  • Netanyahu and his cabinet – the most religious and politically conservative in Israel’s history – claimed the court had become too powerful, vetoing government policies.
  • Opponents of the legislation said it was an attack on democracy, aimed at neutering the judicial system so that government had nearly unfettered power.

1. Unchecked majority power

  • “The courts are the only institution that can check the power of the ruling parties and uphold the country’s Basic Laws, which provide rights in the absence of a formal constitution.
  • But the new government wants to erase this separation of power and explicitly aims at weakening the courts.

2. Perception isn’t reality

  • He said that there was a perception that the Supreme Court had overstepped boundaries.
  • So the perception, particularly by those on the right, that this is an activist court, that it has been too active, is reasonable.”
  • But, Waxman said, “This perception among the right that the court has really restrained Israeli governments isn’t actually accurate.
  • I think many people would accept that there could be an argument for some kind of judicial reform, at least passing a law to clarify the role and powers of the Supreme Court.

3. Secular power vs. settlers and the Orthodox

  • “This reform appeals to important sectors of Netanyahu’s supporters who see the Supreme Court’s power as an inappropriate secular check on Israel’s increasingly pro-settler and pro-Orthodox government,” Mednicoff wrote.
  • He did this in part by allying himself increasingly with the country’s settler population, many of them Orthodox Jews.
  • “Today’s Israel is marked by growing splits between secular, urbanized citizens near the Mediterranean coast and Orthodox and other settlers in or near the West Bank.

Brain Injury Expert Says Important Changes Still Needed to Law Defining Death Despite Reform Pause

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 26, 2023

The recently announced pause by the Uniform Law Commission, which is spearheading revisions, is disappointing, the expert notes, but should not permanently stall practical fixes to longstanding problems with the Death Act.

Key Points: 
  • The recently announced pause by the Uniform Law Commission, which is spearheading revisions, is disappointing, the expert notes, but should not permanently stall practical fixes to longstanding problems with the Death Act.
  • Lewis says her survey results showed that 34 organizations (83%) favored revisions to the Death Act.
  • Uniform Determination of Death Act, which defined death as either the irreversible cessation of all brain or cardiopulmonary functions.
  • However, such loss of hormone function is not needed to be declared dead by brain criteria using current medical standards.

Jewish denominations: A brief guide for the perplexed

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 15, 2023

As a scholar of modern Jewish history, religion and politics, I am often asked to explain the differences between Judaism’s major denominations. Here is a very brief overview:Rabbinic rootsAfter the Romans destroyed the Jerusalem Temple in 70 C.E., one main group, who called themselves “rabbis” – sages or teachers – began to dominate.

Key Points: 


As a scholar of modern Jewish history, religion and politics, I am often asked to explain the differences between Judaism’s major denominations. Here is a very brief overview:

Rabbinic roots

    • After the Romans destroyed the Jerusalem Temple in 70 C.E., one main group, who called themselves “rabbis” – sages or teachers – began to dominate.
    • What we now know as “Judaism” grew out of this group, technically called “Rabbinic Judaism.” Rabbinic Judaism believed that God gave Jewish teachings and scriptures to Moses at Mt.
    • This corpus became the foundation of rabbinic literature.

Historic turning point

    • For example, starting in the Middle Ages, a Jewish group called the Karaites challenged the rabbis’ authority by rejecting the oral Torah.
    • Still, Rabbinic Judaism remained a more or less united religious community for some 1,500 years – until the 19th century.
    • Meanwhile, thousands – eventually millions – of Jews moved to the United States, which likewise offered equal citizenship.

Three major groups

    • Each group claimed that they followed the best or most authentic traditions of Judaism.
    • The first modern denomination to organize was Reform – first in Germany in the early 19th century, but soon in America as well.
    • Orthodox Judaism soon organized in reaction to Reform, rallying to defend the strict observance of Jewish customs and law.
    • In practice, most Conservative Jews tend not to be strict about even major rituals, like observing Sabbath restrictions or kosher food practices.

From Orthodox to ultra-Orthodox

    • Of all the Jewish denominations, the Orthodox groups are perhaps most misunderstood.
    • They all share a commitment to Jewish law – especially regarding gender roles and sexuality, food consumption and Sabbath restrictions – but there are many divisions, generally categorized on a spectrum from “modern” to “ultra” Orthodox.
    • The ultra-Orthodox, on the other hand – sometimes called “Haredim” or Haredi Jews – advocate segregation from the outside world.
    • Not only has Orthodox Judaism innovated many rituals and teachings, but people today have greater awareness that other types of life are available – creating a firm break with the traditional world Orthodoxy claims to perpetuate.

Becoming a nation

    • Inspired by nationalist movements around them, they claimed that Jews constituted a modern nation, rather than just a religion.
    • Reform Jews and even some early Orthodox Jews worried that defining Jews as a “nation” would undermine their claim to equal citizenship in other countries.
    • Still, most ultra-Orthodox Jews today continue to oppose Zionist ideology, even as they hold right-wing political views on Israel.
    • Either way, Orthodoxy is going to continue to play a very important role in Jewish life for many years to come.

The SSCNA Has Joined the Fight Against the State of New York's Unjust Prohibition on Carrying Firearms in Houses of Worship

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 13, 2023

The Synagogue Security Council of North America ( www.sscna.org ) is a 501c3 non-profit organization formed to help synagogues develop and train congregant first responders.

Key Points: 
  • The Synagogue Security Council of North America ( www.sscna.org ) is a 501c3 non-profit organization formed to help synagogues develop and train congregant first responders.
  • In an era of increasing threats of violence against Jews and the targeting of synagogues, New York's misguided law makes synagogues more vulnerable to violent attacks.
  • According to the FBI, the average police response time to an active shooter call in the United States is over three minutes.
  • This means that in case of an attack, synagogue congregants will always be the first responders.

KFI Lenders Show No Signs of Slowing Down with $500 Billion in Closed Loans in 2022

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 17, 2023

KFI (Kosher Financial Institute) is celebrating $500 Billion in loans closed by KFI-certified mortgage companies.

Key Points: 
  • KFI (Kosher Financial Institute) is celebrating $500 Billion in loans closed by KFI-certified mortgage companies.
  • Kosher Certified Banking has become the new norm in the money lending industry in record-breaking time.
  • "We knew from the beginning that this was an idea whose time has come," says Avigdor Grunwald , KFI Director.
  • KFI also anticipates onboarding additional banks and lenders to continue to assist the observant Jewish community in getting the loans they need while staying in compliance with their values.

2022's Must Read Creative Nonfiction Book Titled God's Answer to Abortion Discusses Supernatural Dreams and Visions in the Year That the Mayan Indians Predicted the End of the World

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 16, 2022

Written in the style of a creative nonfiction book, which is based on Taylor's real life supernatural experiences/ story where she is taken on a spiritual journey through dreams and visions.

Key Points: 
  • Written in the style of a creative nonfiction book, which is based on Taylor's real life supernatural experiences/ story where she is taken on a spiritual journey through dreams and visions.
  • In God's Answer To Abortion, the protagonist is a staunch Abortion Advocate, Casual Christian, and notorious Party Girl.
  • Jesus also revealed that He can use all living things, including insects to deliver messages to human beings.
  • More than visions and revelations, the book discusses the following as well:
    One of the Chapters in the book titled, Do Numbers Have Meaning?

AJC Survey: Most Jews Approve of Biden Leadership

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 2, 2021

As with previous AJC surveys of U.S. Jews, there are clear divisions of opinion between self-identified Orthodox and non-Orthodox Jews.

Key Points: 
  • As with previous AJC surveys of U.S. Jews, there are clear divisions of opinion between self-identified Orthodox and non-Orthodox Jews.
  • According to the new AJC survey, 12% of Orthodox, 61% of Conservative, 80% of Reform, 99% of Reconstructionist, 86% of Secular, and 71% of non-specified denomination voted for Biden.
  • 70 percent of American Jews approve and 26% disapprove of the job President Biden is doing as president.
  • One in five (19%) strongly approve, 39% somewhat approve, 11% disapprove somewhat, and 16% disapprove strongly.

'Jew In The City' Invites New Yorkers To 'Ask Us Anything' About Orthodox Jewish Life

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 10, 2021

"Orthodox Jews are frequently, distressingly misrepresented on screen," said Allison Josephs, founder of Jew in the City.

Key Points: 
  • "Orthodox Jews are frequently, distressingly misrepresented on screen," said Allison Josephs, founder of Jew in the City.
  • "When any minority group is inaccurately depicted, the ramifications are real and can be dangerous, as our fellow underrepresented New Yorkers know too well.
  • We applaud NBC's removal of a recent episode from circulation and hope to build on the conversation by supporting creators who want to include Orthodox Jewish characters in film and television."
  • "More accurate on-screen depictions not only foster greater understanding and openness in our society, but make for better TV," continued Josephs.

Glaubach Family Donates $10 Million To Yeshiva University Career Center

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 9, 2021

Felix and Miriam Glaubach have donated $10 million to support the work of the Yeshiva University Career Center, which will be renamed The Shevet Glaubach Center for Career Strategy and Professional Development.

Key Points: 
  • Felix and Miriam Glaubach have donated $10 million to support the work of the Yeshiva University Career Center, which will be renamed The Shevet Glaubach Center for Career Strategy and Professional Development.
  • Dr. Glaubach is a Trustee of Yeshiva University and the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) and is a member of the Boards of Yeshiva College and Yeshiva University High Schools.
  • "We feel that a gift to name the Career Center at Yeshiva University is the most impactful investment we can make.
  • At this time of uncertainty, growing and strengthening the Career Center at Yeshiva University will bring confidence and stability to countless students and their families," said Dr. Glaubach.

New Book Release: "Bible Dynamics - Evolving Personalities and Ideas"

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Biblical personalities are often perceived as larger-than-life, heroic figures, who surmount incredible obstacles to advance the world.

Key Points: 
  • Biblical personalities are often perceived as larger-than-life, heroic figures, who surmount incredible obstacles to advance the world.
  • However, according to the centuries-old Kabbalistic tradition revealed in our times by Rabbi Y. L. Ashkenazi, the heroes of the Torah are evolving personalities.
  • The Bible Dynamics commentary is a unique interpretation of the Torah through the lens of this tradition.
  • The 388-page book covers the first half of the Book of Genesis.