Daniel writes on Hirhurim: Some comments seemed to indicate that Professor Kugel is Shomer Mitzvos. However, if he does not believe in Torah min HaShamayim, then I do not see how he can fully believe (if at all) that the Mitzvos are binding. Part of being a Shomer Mitzvos is to perform the Mitzvos b...

From Urim Publications: We are pleased to announce the release of Nehama Leibowitz: Teacher and Bible Scholar. Professor Nehama Leibowitz (1905–1997), winner of the Israel Prize in Education, was a unique figure in the twentieth century Jewish landscape. She wrote a best-selling series, Studie...

From Hirhurim: R. Dr. Moshe Bernstein, a Professor of Bible at Yeshiva College, writes a very eloquent (and surprisingly forceful) opinion piece on the Kugel incident (link) in the current issue of The Commentator (link): Why Lines Need to be Drawn (and Where) When a writer for The Commentator asked...

Dr. Kugel, Bible scholar, was the target of a well-received (in Orthodox circles) pamphlets warning Orthodox parents about the dangers of sending their kids to secular universities. Anyone who thinks that Modernity and Orthodoxy are compatible is not Modernity and Orthodoxy seriously. Dr. Kugel main...

Here’s the second part of my interview with author Solomon Schimmel. Listen to the interview here. Read reviews of the book "The Tenacity of Unreasonable Beliefs: Fundamentalism and the Fear of Truth" here. Solomon: "To the extent that I am ethical and moral, I don’t want ...

A reader recently wrote me with a number of thoughtful observations, which, I think, merit discussion. I share them with you here for your reflection and comments: I really, really think a history of biblical criticism and the Catholic Church needs writing, and would have far more impact than many o...

During the third meal of the Sabbath (when the sun is going down Saturday evening), traditional Jews sing the 23rd Psalm in Hebrew (along with Yedid Nefesh and the Grace After Meals). Now picture an Orthodox shul where everyone’s enjoying their meal and their conversation. The rabbis starts th...