by Rabbi Haggai ResnikoffPosted on October 6, 2016
It may seem odd to us that people would ask a rabbi who to marry or vote for, but the Torah, in fact, does have reference to all aspects of our lives and the experts in Torah may well have wisdom and advice to impart in all areas of our lives. This is contingent on Continue Reading »
by Rabbi Dov LinzerPosted on September 26, 2016
What is the basis for Rabbinic authority? Why do we follow the Talmud? Why is the Rabbis’ interpretation of Torah mitzvot binding on us? The Talmud tells us that the answer to some of these questions can be found in our parasha. Much of Parashat Shoftim is devoted to institutions of authority: the court system, Continue Reading »
by Rabbi Avi WeissPosted on May 25, 2016
Whether appointing a king is legally obligatory or not is a subject of great controversy. But whether it is or is not, the Torah recognizes that it is human nature that people will ask for leadership in the form of a king (Deuteronomy 17:14). When they do, the Torah builds limitations into the kingship so Continue Reading »
by Rabbi Avi WeissPosted on May 21, 2016
The Torah’s sympathetic attitude toward ecology surfaces in a law legislating conduct during war. Parshat Shoftim says: “When you besiege a city for many days to wage war against it, to seize it, do not destroy its trees by swinging an axe against them, for from it you will eat and you shall not cut Continue Reading »
by Rabbi Dov LinzerPosted on August 29, 2014
One of the primary institutions needed for the well running of society is its legal system, both the laws proper, and the bodies to adjudicate and enforce those laws. For those about to enter the Land of Israel, the substance of the laws is no less than all the mitzvot of the Torah. As to Continue Reading »
