The Discovery of a Hidden Treasure in the Vatican and the Correction of a Centuries-Old Error

The Discovery of a Hidden Treasure in the Vatican and the Correction of a Centuries-Old Error

The Discovery of a Hidden Treasure in the Vatican and the Correction of a Centuries-Old Error Rabbi Edward Reichman, MD In 2018, I was invited to speak at a conference co-sponsored by the Vatican and the CURA Foundation entitled, Unite to Cure: A Global Health Care Initiative. The mission of the conference was to “convene leading decision makers in medicine, business, media, advocacy and faith to encourage multidisciplinary collaboration, increase investment in research and innovation… education and better access to…

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Gelatin, Abraham Goldstein, R. Moses Isserles, and More, Part 2

Gelatin, Abraham Goldstein, R. Moses Isserles, and More, Part 2

 Gelatin, Abraham Goldstein, R. Moses Isserles, and More Marc B. Shapiro Continued from here Among the matters I discussed in the previous post were gelatin and consumption of the human body as part of a medical cure. Believe it or not, consumption of human parts not in the context of medicine is mentioned in a short responsum of R. Joseph Kafih. R. Kafih was asked if it permissible to drink various non-Jewish milk products and also gelatin produced from non-kosher animals….

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Memories of Harav Shmryahu Shulman zt’l About Rav Ahron Kotler Zt”l

Memories of Harav Shmryahu Shulman zt’l About Rav Ahron Kotler Zt”l

Memories of Harav Shmryahu Shulman zt’l About Rav Ahron Kotler Zt”l By Avrohom Willner In honor of the Sheloshim of Harav Shmryahu Shulman zt’l formerly Rav in Jersey City and Norwich Ct. and later of Queens NY. R’ Shulman was the author of numerous Seforim and was the last remaining member of the Agudas Harabanim. Presented here are memories of his great Rebbe, Rav Ahron Kotler Zt”l, as one of the first students to learn in Beis Medrash Govoha in Lakewood as well as member…

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Daf Yomi: Seforim on Masseches Megilah

Daf Yomi: Seforim on Masseches Megilah

Daf Yomi: Seforim on Masseches Megilah By Eliezer Brodt Daf Yomi just started learning Masseches Megilah this week. Earlier today I had a conversation with Rabbi Moshe Schwed of All Daf.  The purpose of the conversation was for me to briefly highlight some of the Rishonim and Achronim “out there” on this masechtah, adding some tidbits of interest about them.  We recorded it and it’s available for viewing here and here. It’s only a half hour long. Many aspects could have…

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ענין הריגת עשו והמסתעף

ענין הריגת עשו והמסתעף

ענין הריגת עשו והמסתעף Shlomo (Steven) Flamer is a fourth-year medical student at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He previously studied at Yeshivas Ohr Hachaim (Queens, NY), and holds an M.A. in Jewish Studies from Touro College רש”י לפרשת ויחי (מט, כא) ד”ה הנותן אמרי שפר מביא דברי חז”ל אודות מיתת עשו, ז”ל רבותינו דרשוהו על יום קבורת יעקב כשערער עשו על המערה במסכת סוטה דף יג עכ”ל. ובאמת יש לכל הפחות ד’ דיעות מי הרג לעשו: (א) חושים…

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Gelatin, Supposed Retractions, and Abraham Goldstein, Part 1

Gelatin, Supposed Retractions, and Abraham Goldstein, Part 1

Gelatin, Supposed Retractions, and Abraham Goldstein, Part 1 Marc B. Shapiro In my last post I quoted something from Mesorat Moshe and wondered whether R. Moshe Feinstein could have actually said that which is attributed to him. While the Mesorat Moshe series is quite valuable, whenever one deals with “table talk” there is always going to be the issue of how much authority do you give to such reports, especially compared with written texts of R. Moshe. Here is an example of what I…

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