Israel: Israel in Jewish Thought
Rabbi Kenneth Auman
Rabbi Kenneth Auman has been an adjunct professor of Jewish studies at Stern College for Women at Yeshiva University since 1993. Rabbi Auman is also spiritual leader of the Young Israel of Flatbush, where he has served since 1984. Rabbi Auman is well known among his congregants and students for his warmth, humor and impressive scholarship, and has become a highly sought-after speaker in history, halakha and hashkafa. In addition to his rabbinical and teaching roles, Rabbi Auman is active in many community causes. Rabbi Auman has served as president of the Vaad Harabonim of Flatbush, established the Kehillah Kashrus Rabbinical Board, served as rabbinic advisor to the Get organization, was president of the Rabbinical Council of America and has played an important role in maintaining the Flatbush eruv. Rabbi Auman earned a BA in Jewish studies at Yeshiva College and an MA in medieval Jewish history from Bernard Revel Graduate School in Jewish Studies. He received both Yadin Yadin and Yoreh Yoreh semikha from Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. Rabbi Auman previously served as spiritual leader of Young Israel of Stamford and Inwood Jewish Center. He began his teaching career at SAR Academy in the Bronx and Ramaz Upper School in Manhattan. Sample Titles ISRAEL: The modern State as heir to the ancient kingdom May one go on the Har Habayit? Does arguing with G-d make any sense? The Mitzvah of chessed Shidduchim, Bashert, and dating The Jewish wedding ceremony How does prayer work? The seudat havra’ah and other cheerful topics What’s in a name? Attempting to be an honest employer or employee Receiving blessings from angels Family Dynamics Dreams and their significance The mitzvoth of Yibbum and chalitza – Jewish continuity Kavod hamet Reward and Punishment: Is the World Fair? The Halachic Obligations of Non- Jews How Much Are We Influenced by our Surroundings? The Mitzvah of Living and Settling in the Land of Israel Does Gd Judge us on Our Present or on Our Future? Halachic...
Rabbi Mordechai Becher
Rabbi Mordechai Becher, originally from Australia, is senior lecturer of the Gateways Organization and an instructor at Yeshiva University. He received his semicha from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem and holds an MA in Medieval Jewish History from the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Yeshiva University, where he is currently a doctoral candidate. He taught at Ohr Somayach and Neve Yerushalayim in Jerusalem for 15 years, and served in the Israel Defence Forces. Rabbi Becher has answered thousands of questions on AsktheRabbi.org and presents a Talmud class, Dimensions of the Daf, on cable TV with the Jewish Broadcasting Service. Rabbi Becher’s latest book, Gateway to Judaism, published by Artscroll, is in its ninth printing. He has taught in the USA, Canada, England, Israel, South Africa, Australia and Russia, and has conducted tours in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Israel and India. Sample Titles The Written And Oral Laws Introduction to the Written Law Introduction to the Oral Law The Bible as History (You’ve Seen the Movie, Now Read the Book!) Unearthing Ancient Mysteries: Archaeology and the Bible. Why Not Write It All Down? The Oral Law: Tradition or Invention? (Accuracy of the Oral Tradition)* Criticizing the Critics: Analysis and Response to Biblical Criticism Who Cares What Happened to the Ox? or Why Study Gemara? Do I Have To Take That Literally? Midrash, Metaphor and Meaning.* The Hidden Dimension: Mystical Aspects of the Talmud. Rabbinic Laws; Customs, and Jewish Practice. A Page of Talmud: Content, History, Development and Mystery Prophecy, Sinai and Jewish Law. The Seven Noachide Laws. “An Eye For An Eye”: What Does it Really Mean? Torah Study and the Pursuit of a Livelihood. Science and the Torah: Some Common Ground. What Is Kabbalah?* History, Concepts and Power of Kabbalah Probability, Statistics and Minority Rights: An Analysis of a Mishnah. A Mistaken Court: An Analysis of a Mishnah. Marriage by Proxy and Personal Responsibility: Talmudic Analysis Benefit and Loss: Talmudic Analysis How to...
Rabbi Aaron Rakeffet-Rothkoff
Rabbi Aaron Rakeffet-Rothkoff of Yeshiva University’s Caroline and Joseph S. Gruss Institute in Jerusalem, is a noted scholar, author and teacher. Born in New York City in 1937, Rabbi Rakeffet moved with his family to Israel in 1969, following seven years as spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Ephraim and Maplewood Jewish Center in New Jersey. Rabbi Rakeffet has written many entries for Encyclopedia Judaica, including the one on the Rav, Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik. His two-volume “The Rav: The World of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik” was published in 1999 by KTAV Publishing House. Most recently, Rabbi Rakeffet’s scholarly memoir, “From Washington Avenue to Washington Street”, was published in 2011 by the OU Press in conjunction with Gefen Publishing House. Rabbi Rakeffet is also the author of “Bernard Revel: Builder of American Jewish Orthodoxy,” a biography of Yeshiva’s first president published by the Jewish Publication Society; and “The Silver Era: Rabbi Eliezer Silver and His Generation,” about the life and times of Rabbi Eliezer Silver (1881-1968) and published by Feldheim. Both these works have gone through three editions. In 1997, he published two volumes of “Rakafot Aharon,” a collection of published scholarship in the fields of halakha and Jewish history. The Yeshiva College Alumni Association awarded its annual Bernard Revel Memorial Award in Religion and Religious Education to Rabbi Rakeffet in 1975, the first time the award ceremony took place in Israel. He has taught at Jerusalem’s Torah College for Men, Machon Gold, Michlalah (the Jerusalem College for Women) and Midreshet Moriah, an advanced Torah study program for women....
Rabbi Dr. Michael Rosensweig
Rabbi Dr. Michael Rosensweig occupies the Nathan and Perel Schupf Chair in Talmud at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary and is a rosh yeshiva in the Yeshiva Program/Mazer School of Talmudic Studies of Yeshiva University. He has written extensively, contributing to numerous journals of Torah learning. Rabbi Rosensweig received his semikha (rabbinic ordination) from RIETS and was a distinguished fellow of its post-semikha institute, the Gruss Kollel Elyon. He received his BA from Yeshiva College and earned his PhD in medieval Jewish history from the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies while studying under Professor Haym Soloveitchik. Rabbi Rosensweig was also a student of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveichik for seven years, and a student of Rav Aharon Lichtenstein, renowned Talmudic scholar, rosh yeshiva at Yeshivat Har Etzion and director of the Joseph and Caroline Gruss Institute in Jerusalem. In 1997, Rabbi Rosensweig was appointed rosh kollel (dean) of the prestigious Israel Henry Beren Institute for Higher Talmudic Studies (Ha-Machon ha-Gavohah le’Talmud) at RIETS. Rabbi Rosensweig is known for his intricate conceptual approach to Talmud study, as well as his heavy use of Brisker methodology in Talmudic analysis. Sample Titles Judging and Being Judged: Ending Personal and Communal Divisiveness Knowledge, Wisdom, and Understanding: The Guidance of Daas Torah Family: The Cornerstone of Community How to Pick a School for your Child…Values & Priorities in Jewish Education The Role of Personal Initiative in Avodat Hashem: Opportunities and Limits Sefirat ha-Omer: The Bridge Between Pesach and Shavuos The Hashkafic Framework of Social Change The Teshuvas of Aseres Yemei Teshuva and Yom Kippur Repentance As a Response to 9/11 Eretz Yisrael: The Corporate Headquarters of Klal Yisroel Teshuva With Respect To Transgressions and Our Relationship with Hashem The Dual Nature of Rosh Hashanah Teshuvah on Yom Kippur according to the Rambam’s Hilchos Teshuva Reflections on the Conceptual Approach to Talmud Torah Personal Initiative and Creativity in Avodat Hashem The Interface between Yom Kippur & Sukkot: Joy and Awe as Complementary Expressions...