Rabbi Gil Student writes: The Purpose of the Priestly Garments R. Mordechai Willig reminds us to emulate the character of Aharon HaKohen in our everyday conduct: link R. Shalom Rosner discusses many halachic aspects of the Bigdei Kehunah: link (audio) R. Berel Wein explains the symbolic role of &ldq...

The prospect fills me with horror but if I could save the whole Jewish people by committing one tiny eeny wheeny indiscretion with a really hot and powerful shiksa who loved to read books, I suppose I could muster the moral fortitude to overcome my instinctive revulsion at the unsanctioned intimacy ...

Orthodox Rabbi Gil Student writes: There is a recent news item quoting R. Ovadiah Yosef as permitting women to read megillah on Purim for men (Haaretz, Arutz Sheva). This is in the news because R. Yosef recently said it publicly but it is not, in my opinion, newsworthy because he has consistently ru...

Rabbi Gil Student writes: A significant theological problem that has come to widespread attention over the last century is that of religious diversity. There are other religions whose devoted followers are often intelligent and pious, and take their traditions and religious experiences very seriousl...

Steven I. Weiss reports: Rabbi Gil Student posts: R. Yaakov Klass discusses the "Real Tough Times": Jewish Press I, Jewish Press II Rebbetzin Jungreis talks about how we should cope with the economic crisis: Jewish Press I, Jewish Press II Obama gives unprecedented access to Jewish groups:...

Rabbi Gil Student writes: To the great sadness of Jews around the world, R. Noah Weinberg passed away last week (link). There are many moving tributes on Aish.com.* One thing about R. Weinberg was that he was passionate. You couldn’t speak to him for more than 5 seconds without seeing his devo...

Rabbi Gil Student writes: R. Menachem Schrader, the Founding Director of the OU’s Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus (JLIC) program, said the following at a conference for principals and guidance advisors last week about yeshiva high school graduates who go to secular colleges (link): The st...

A teacher writes on Hirhurim: "As someone who has taught and teaches in high level post high school yeshivot and seminaries- I can attest that the reading level, as well as the ability to "sit" and study, has declined. They enjoy high level discussions- but can’t and won’t...

Rabbi Gil Student nominates Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. I agree that R. Sacks is eloquent, but he does lead anybody? Does he influence thought? Does he lead intellectual change? I don’t think so. He’s a silver-tongued spokesman for the British Jewish Orthodox establishment, but he doesn&...

Biblical scholarship is the single most uncomfortable matter for discussion among Orthodox Jews, particularly those familiar with the unanimous acceptance of the Documentary Hypothesis by university scholars. Orthodox rabbi Gil Student blogs: You might recall the "Jacobs Affair", in which ...