Churches, Ronald McDonald, and More
…church. I subsequently found that in his Otzar ha-Mikhtavim, vol. 1, no. 280 (p. 133), he tells of a visit to Malaga, Spain, where he also entered a church. Earlier, while…
Two Notes on Censorship and Plagiarism on the Ramban’s Commentary on the Torah
…books have been written to further understand this commentary. The most commonly used edition today is the edition by Charles B. Chavel.[2] This edition, published by Mossad HaRav Kook, in…
Was Professor Saul Lieberman “Orthodox” or “Conservative”? [1]
…Shapiro’s Saul Lieberman and the Orthodox.[8] Professor Shapiro has shown in his writings that he is adept at archival research.[9] This monograph is no exception; it quotes and/or publishes at least twenty-five letters…
In Praise of Ephemera: A Picture Postcard from Vilna Reveals its Secrets More than One Hundred Years after its Original Publication
…the Shulhan Arukh.[3] The inscription on its wall, and above the tombstone of R. Menahem Manes, reads: פה מצבת הגאון הגדול ר‘ מאנש חיות Here is the tombstone of the…
The “Doctored” Medical Diploma of Samuel, the Son of Menasseh Ben Israel: Forgery or “For Jewry”?
…Ages and Renaissance, particularly for the Jew. In fact, Jews were universally barred from attending or graduating universities, which were invariably under the auspices of the Catholic Church. Graduation from…
Depicting Difference: The Tower of Babel and the Language of Sacred Art
…Firstly, the labeling of the images aligns with Jewish tradition, specifically referencing Dor Haflagah. Secondly, Bruegel’s comprehensive visual representation notably omits any mention of violence. The interpretation that linguistic confusion…
A Conversation With Professor Marcin Wodziński on Hasidism
…the most successful museum in Poland.” Unfortunately, it hurts to hear that, because that is precisely what Hitler was trying to accomplish. The Nazis wanted to reduce Jews and Judaism…
Review of Dr. Michael Stanislawski, “A Murder in Lemberg: Politics, Religion, and Violence in Modern Jewish History”
…and label it as a death. He singles out the publishing house Mossad HaRav Kook and lays claim they also deliberately got it wrong. [2] Setting aside the possiblity that…
An Incident of “Pilegesh B’Givah” in 19th Century Germany
…Tearing off this “warning label” enabled the book to be sold, something that most likely happened over time to many books that were donated to libraries. ___________________________________________________ [1] Friedberg, History…
The Satmar Rebbe and a Censored Mishnah Berurah, and R. Baruch Rabinovich of Munkács
…Ner Baruch, which is a collection of Torah writings and letters from R. Baruch. He includes in the volume the haskamot written by R. Baruch. I examined new printings of…
Fixing a Typesetting Error in Order to Understand The View of the Mishnah Berurah on Women Wearing Tefillin
…topic but rather focus specifically only the view of the Mishnah Berurah. I believe the view of the Mishnah Berurah has been widely misunderstood due to two identical typesetting errors…
From Print to Pixel: Digital Editions of the Talmud Bavli
…one of the resources exclusively pertains to Kiddushin (Katz’s Mahberot Menahmiyot), my sample will be from Tractate Kiddushin, specifically Kid. 2b, which solely features the Gemara without the Mishnah. Images…
The Lost Library by Dan Rabinowitz and the “Burial of Souls” by Yehuda Leib Katznelson: Different Expressions of the Same Sentiment
…this earth, a soul that departs and ascends to the heavens after death. However, those who amass much knowledge, and with the intent to share their knowledge and benefit others,…
Do We Cut Off or Bury One’s Head in the Sand?
…willing to label any perceived enemy of Jews as deserving of the harsh consequences of Amalek. Some of these examples are rather disturbing. After dealing with the Book of Esther…
Yigdal: A Case Study in Modern Customology
…Chief Rabbi Joseph H. Hertz records that in 1722 in England they said Yigdal Friday night, thus, according to that post, demonstrating the Yigdal custom is old (or at least…