Category Archives: Ethics

Aliyot for women in an orthodox setting?

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Benedict Roth

Last year, members of many orthodox synagogues in the UK created “partnership minyanim” in which women as well as men read from the Torah and were called up. Surprisingly, the classic rabbinic sources are more open to this practice than … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Gender, Torah | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

On Israel’s 65th Birthday

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Benedict Roth

Soon after the creation of the state, Rav Soloveitchik wrote an essay called Kol Dodi Dofek.  The title means “The voice of my lover knocks”.  The Rav is referring to the beloved of Shir HaShirim, the Song of Songs.  The … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Talmud, Torah | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Relations with the enemy

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Benedict Roth

Jewish thought usually takes care not to demonize enemies. But Purim might be an exception.  The rabbis connect Haman, the villain, with Amalek, a destructive nation whom we are commanded to exterminate.  Our relationship with Amalek is close to a … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Purim, Torah, War | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

May Anyone Serve?

Posted on August 29, 2011 by Benedict Roth

What kind of person is qualified to serve in the army?  What qualities should a soldier have? Rabbi Yossi the Galilean, writing nearly two thousand years ago on this week’s Torah portion, gives us a surprising answer to this question.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Talmud, Torah, War | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments