Podcast: Articles of Faith
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I joined a podcast on the New Books Network to discuss my new
book, Articles of Faith, with Michael Morales. While he is a Professor of
Biblical Studies at...
Interesting Psak: the rules of jihad
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Islamic CLeric Dr Salman Al-Dhaya (sp?) of Gaza has recently issued a
fatwa,or Islamic psak halacha, saying the October 7 brutal attack by Hamas
against Is...
Reb Shlomo Carlebach Tribute Concert 2024
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Saturday Night, November 16th Doors Open 8:15 PM | Concert Begins 8:45 PM
At West Side Institutional Synagogue, 120 West 76th St. FEATURING YEHUDA
GREEN EI...
Vaccinating Our Children Against Prayer
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I am writing this column on the train – the one AFTER the one I was
supposed to catch, as I experienced that forlorn feeling when I rushed as
fast as my ...
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Each year, I share some brief thought before Rosh Hashanah with a large
list of personal contacts, both Jewish and non-Jewish. Some recipients have
liked...
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Redux: adjective – resurgence; refers to being brought back, restored, or
revived; something familiar presented in a new way. Not to see what no one
else h...
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1925-26 broadside from European and EY rabbis, including the (late) Chafetz
Chaim, Rav Kook, Rabbi Meir Hildesheimer, and others, against mechitzaless
sh...
Petition to relaunch the blog
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https://www.change.org/p/avi-webb-avi-webb-must-relaunch-shir-shel-yom?recruiter=917338524&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=tap_bas...
Adar 2 - Rabbi Yitzchok Wolpin
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As we have already begun the second month of Adar, and we all know that in
this month we are to increase joy and happiness, I’d like to share with you
a t...
Signing Off
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Taking the advice of my mentors and close friends, I’ve decided to bring
this unpopular blog to a close.
I can imagine that many people will be very happy...
The Conservative Mangling of the Word "Halachic"
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Rabbi Student astutely pointed out that because the meaning of 'halachic'
(or 'kosher' or 'rabbi' isn't trademarked, it is wide open to mean anything
you ...
Signing Off
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When I first started blogging, it was before the Asifa. Post-asifa, there
arose the question whether I could (and should) continue. Consulting my
mentor, w...
This Blog Has Moved
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After a great get-together last night, we are ready to move the blog to a
new format that has more functionality and is more esthetically pleasing.
Please ...
Brooklyn’s Best Build Bridges (Baseball - Hatzoloh vs. NYPD)
On Tuesday, July 6, MCU Park at Coney Island hosted the annual Hatzoloh vs. NYPD summer baseball classic. While I am not a fan of spectator sports, this contest was an exception for a variety of reasons.
Whereas following a sports team for an entire season leads to much batallah, a single game for entertainment purposes is certainly within the realm of reason, just as one would spend time going to a circus or a museum. Also, the proceeds of the game were to benefit Hatzoloh and the police fund which assists families who have had their breadwinner taken from them while on active duty.
The ballgame was played under a beautiful blue sky, as the sea breeze cooled off an unusually hot day. The Star Spangled Banner was sung by a Chazzan, and the contest was underway.
Now batting … Moishe, now batting … Avromi, now batting … Yitzi… there was a certain amount of pride engendered as the beard sporting, peyos flying, tzitzis wearing, pot-bellied over-the-hill team-members stepped up to the plate. Very quickly we learned that these medical volunteers were able to hold their own against NYPD’s Finest.
There were no assigned seats. Some sections were marked for various organizations, yet all felt comfortable sitting among the opposition’s fans. All were there for the same purpose; to enjoy a night out with family while supporting some good causes. There was a strong feeling of camaraderie.
Bringing together Jews of all persuasions and Police of all types goes a long way into healing stereotypical prejudices. Perhaps the officers will not be so quick to write a summons for a Hatzoloh member on his way to perform his duty, perhaps the Hatzoloh volunteer will recognize the difficulty of performing one of NY’s toughest jobs, when they engage one another as “people”, fighting for the same cause.
The officiating was sterling, the errors unfortunate, as the Hatzoloh team pounded out six runs to the mere two of their opponents. Highlights of the event included the NYPD chopper buzzing the field and Chazzan and choir’s rendition of “God Bless America”.
Kudos to the organizers and organizations that brought this Kiddush Hashem to Brooklyn.
Nice write-up. The game was great. This is my yearly visit to a sports event. I am just wondering why I didn't see it advertised more.
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