The Honda Classic at the PGA National Champion Course Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

At the infamous "Bear Trap," three tough holes on the back nine of thePGA National Champion Course · Palm Beach Gardens, Florida The Honda Classic will be played there.Thursday Mar 1 – Sunday Mar 4, 2012 We played the course last month. Watch closely on TV to see our divo...

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New from Talmudic Books: "The Kosher Kabbalah: Non-Esoteric Passages from the Zohar" Kindle Edition

New from Talmudic Books, "The Kosher Kabbalah: Non-Esoteric Passages from the Zohar" [Kindle Edition], Maurice Simon, Harry Sperling, Paul Levertoff, with Reuven Brauner (selection, preface and notes). $.99.This amazing book contains a carefully chosen selection of 837 of the non-esoteric portions of the Zohar, Judaism’s most fundamental and influential work of the Kabbalah, the corpus of Jewish mysticism. You can read the first 71 selections free on Amazon using "Look Insid...

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Our RRJ Book Review of Naomi G. Cohen. Philo’s Scriptures: Citations from the Prophets and Writings: Evidence for a Haftarah Cycle in Second Temple Judaism.

RRJ Book Review by Tzvee Zahavy of Naomi G. Cohen. Philo’s Scriptures: Citations from the Prophets and Writings: Evidence for a Haftarah Cycle in Second Temple Judaism. Supplements to the Journal for the Study of Judaism Series. November 2007, Brill Academic Publishers, Inc., Hardcover, 278pp. ISBN: 9004163123Naomi G. Cohen taught for many years at Tel-Aviv and Haifa Universities and is presently a Senior Research Fellow at Haifa University. She has published both on Philo and on Jewish Liturgy, including her book, Philo Judaeus: His Universe of...

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Vatican: Court Decides that Jews In Netherlands Can Observe Sabbath

We don't know (1) why the Vatican Insider reports this as news and (2) why they report the decision as "intended to cause controversy"? And why the picture of Jewish men in rain hats?In any event this appears to be a good decision for the Jews.In the Netherlands on Saturday orthodox Jews can go around without documentsThe Supreme Court of the Netherlands has established a principle intended to cause controversy: religious obligation prevails over...

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Times: On Physical Talmudic Out-of-the-box Creativity

The Times article, "When Truisms are True" describes research on simple extrinsic factors that contribute to creative thinking.Here at this blog, we believe with true faith that Talmudic thinking is the most effective means of generating creative ideas. And for us Talmudic thinking = out-of-the-box thinking. Halakhic thinking is most definitely in-the-box thinking, i.e., not conducive to creativity.GRAY MATTER. When Truisms Are TrueBy SUNTAE KIM,...

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Is transgender kosher?

Joy Ladin was once Jay Ladin. Leora Tanenbaum reviews her new book at Huffington Post:On the face of it, "Through the Door of Life: A Jewish Journey Between Genders" (just out from University of Wisconsin Press) is the story of how Jay Ladin, the author and an English professor at Yeshiva University in New York City, transitioned into living as Joy Ladin. But it's Ladin's relationship with Judaism that anchors this book and makes it stand out.So is transgender kosher? Because it is rabbis who determine what is kosher, the official answer to the...

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Rabbi Norman Lamm's Book on Purim and the Megillah

Rabbi Norman Lamm is one of the most influential Orthodox Jewish scholars and leaders of our generation. I consulted with him for guidance when I was a young professor starting out on my academic career in Jewish Studies and when Rabbi Lamm was just appointed president of Yeshiva University. He steered me in the right directions. He also steered YU through some turbulent times and helped to rescue it from financial disaster in the late 70s and 80s.Rabbi Lamm is a staunch and eloquent spokesman for Orthodox Jewish values and philosophies. His new...

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Note to Self: Do not wear Geox shoes in the rain or snow. They have little holes in soles!

We wear Geox shoes almost all the time nowadays. They are truly more comfortable for someone like us who mainly sits at a desk throughout the day. They allow air to circulate around our feet.When we bought our first pair, the salesman assured us that the diameter of the holes in the bottom sole is smaller than the "diameter of a water molecule" and therefore the shoes are counter-intuitively waterproof, they will not leak, they will not let in water.Note...

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JStandard: Is Rabbi Shmuley Boteach's book "Kosher Jesus" Kosher?

Our review article about Rabbi Shmuley Boteach's book "Kosher Jesus" has appeared in the Jewish Standard.Read it here: Is Shmuley Kosher?Watch for our next free Kindle Book day, March 4 for God's Favorite PrayersFrom Talmudic Books New Soncino Talmud Titles (classic English translation)Kindle Talmud TemurahKindle Talmud KerithothKindle Talmud Meilah, Tamid, Middoth and KinnimKindle Talmud NiddahKindle Mishnah Seder TohorothNew Kindle books from TzveeKosher Talmud (my elegant translation of all of Bavli Hullin)Kosher Prayers: selected...

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New for Kindle from Talmudic Books Soncino Mishnah Seder Tohoroth (Soncino Babylonian Talmud) the Mishnaic Law of Purities

# 3. In Talmud Kindle Books the Mishnaic Law of PuritiesSoncino Mishnah Seder Tohoroth (Soncino Babylonian Talmud)M. H. Segal, I. Fishman, I. W. Slotki, H. Bornstein, S. M. Lehrman, Isidore EpsteinAuto-delivered wirelessly$0.99  Product DescriptionTohoroth (‘Cleannesses’), which is the name given to the last of the six ‘Orders’ into which the Talmud is divided, has for its subject the laws of the ‘clean’ and ‘unclean’ in things and persons.The...

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Feldheim Publishers in Israel in Deep Trouble

Reuven wrote to tell us "Oy Vey" that Arutz Sheva reports, "Feldheim Books In Israel in Danger of Collapse. Feldheim Publishing in Israel, which caters to the hareidi religious community, is in danger of collapse and may be bought out."Book publishing is so over. Nobody buys physical books. The underlying story for Jewish books is that vanity authors are keeping some of the small Israeli and American Jewish presses alive, paying big bucks to have...

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Religion Dispatches: Is sport religion or is religion sport?

Jay Michaelson writes on RD, "Does God Want Jeremy Lin to Win?" And in the op-ed he ponders some questions about the religious sports figure of the hour.If you’ve unplugged your computer and TV for the last week, you may not have heard of Jeremy Lin, the sudden basketball phenomenon, Asian-American hero, and, like Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow before him, out-of-nowhere success story who wears his faith on his sleeve.Lin, like Tebow, is a...

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Haaretz: Is Rick Santorum an Israeli ultra-Orthodox Jew?

No, not yet. Rick Santorum is not an Israeli ultra-Orthodox Jew. He is not Jewish. He is an American Catholic politician. A political analyst for the Israeli newspaper Haaretz has a biting (a bit tongue-in-cheek) take on Santorum's mix of religion and politics.With a beard and a shtreimel, Santorum would be perfect for an Israeli ultra-Orthodox partyThe battle over contraception and other 'culture wars' now raging in American presidential politics...

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Amazon Judaism forum: Why do Haredim Target the Modern Orthodox?

Quite interesting that there is an Amazon Judaism forum linked to our book pages:Why do Haredim Target the Modern Orthodox?Not a bad discussion.Years ago we wrote a paper explaining our view at the time of why they do that:Apocalyptic Orthodox Judaism Meanwhile keep in mind tomorrow is free Kindle book day.Free Kindle Book, one day only, Monday, February 20: God's Favorite Prayers More Titles From Talmudic BooksKindle Talmud TemurahKindle...

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Free Kindle Book for President's Day, one day only, Monday, February 20: God's Favorite Prayers

For President's Day. A Free Kindle Book, one day only, Monday, February 20: God's Favorite Prayers Our book is all about classical Jewish prayers. On this national holiday it is worthwhile reflecting on the importance of prayer in our nation's history.George Washington's Prayer for the states, Jun. 8, 1783: "I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have you, and the State over which you preside, in his holy protection, that he would...

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Times: The Jeremy Lin Problem and Rav Soloveitchik

Is Jeremy Lin Jewish? No, he is not a Jew.David Brooks quotes our teacher Rav Soloveitchik to explain the "problem" facing Knick basketball player and religious person Jeremy Lin. This matter merits some Talmudic analysis. First, we don't have a clue what Brooks means in the essay. It has something to do with being religious and being a sports star. Somehow there is or ought to be a "problem" being both. Huh? Why? Anyhow, Brooks cites our teacher to support his "ideas". It is the first time I have seen our rav cited in the Times. Certainly it is...

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Bavli Temurah 2b: Women are on par with men

A highlight from Daf Yomi, Bavli Temurah 2b…And what will R. Judah do with the text: ‘And if he shall at all change’? — It is to include [the exchange by] a woman, and as it is taught: Since the whole context [of exchanging] speaks only of the masculine gender, as it says: He shall not alter it nor change it, whence do you derive that the same applies to a woman? The text therefore states: ‘And if he shall at all change’, in order to include a woman. And whence does R. Meir derive that a woman [can effect an exchange]? — He derives it from the...

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Is Golfer Corey Pavin Jewish?

It's complicated. Yes, professional golfer Corey Pavin was born a Jew. But no, he does not practice Judaism. In religious practice he is a Born Again Christian. We don't understand how he can be a "Born Again" Christian since he was born a Jew. He is fervent in his Christianity, one of the few golfers who in interviews used to openly thank Jesus for his success on the tour.Whatever his beliefs are now, in the Champions Tour's Allianz Championship...

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What a Deal! Four Kindle Tractates for 99 cents - Soncino Babylonian Talmud Me'ilah Tamid Middoth and Kinnim

Step right up. What a Deal! Hot New Releases. Four Kindle Talmud Tractates for 99 cents.Soncino Babylonian Talmud Me'ilah Tamid Middoth and Kinnim [Kindle Edition] Kindle Product DescriptionME'lLAH (Trespass): Treats of the laws of Sacrilege or making unlawful use of consecrated things, in accordance with Lev. 5:15-16. Six Chapters.TAMID (the Continual Offering): Describes the Temple service, in connection with the daily morning and evening sacrifice,...

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Is Nicki Minaj Jewish?

No, pop singer Nicki Minaj is not a Jew. She is multiracial -- of African, Trinidadian and Indo-Asian descent (Times).She has riled up the Church with her song performance at the Grammy Awards.Catholic League takes aim at MinajA leading Catholic activist group is upset with Nicki Minaj for her exorcism-themed performance at the Grammy Awards, condemning the rapper for the "vulgar" sexual undertones during her set. The Super Bass hitmaker staged a...

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Secular Israelis attack Haredim with nude Gauguin and Botticelli posters

A new escalation in the current culture wars -- poster wars -- in Israel. Nude images hung in religious J'lem neighborhoodHaredi residents of Kiryat Yovel neighborhood in Jerusalem shocked to discover that paintings of nude women are hung on local bulletin boards – during ShabbatKobi NahshoniThe Secular-haredi tensions over the exclusion of women reached new heights in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Kiryat Yovel where there is a growing haredi community....

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Kindle your Daf Yomi Talmud Study for $.99 with the Soncino English Translation of Babylonian Talmud Tractate Temurah

The Soncino Babylonian Talmud tractate Temurah - Kindle Edition is $.99 at Amazon.The daily study of the Talmud called Daf Yomi starts tractate Temurah on Friday, February 17.[No Kindle yet? Pick one up at Staples or Target where the touch is $99 this week with a $20 or $10 rebate.]Babylonian Talmud tractate TEMURAH (Substitution): Sets forth the rules governing the substitution of one offering for another in accordance with the law prescribed in...

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From Talmudic Books: "Kosher Talmud: Babylonian Talmud Hullin" - live now and available for ordering

Another new Kindle Edition from Talmudic Books: "Kosher Talmud: Babylonian Talmud Hullin" - live for sale now and available for ordering at Amazon.Description: To know what food is kosher, that is, fit to eat according to rabbinic Judaism, you must study the principles set forth in this volume, the Babylonian Talmud Tractate Hullin. This translation, adheres closely to the text so that the reader has a sense of the structure and balance of the original....

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WSJ: A rabbi, a priest and a minister walk into an op-ed

The rabbi at the posh KJ synagogue on 85th street has poked his ultra-conservative head into a political fray. Here is the quintessence of how to overstate an opinion, bathing it in the waters of our finding fathers, anointing it with the oils of patriotism. Ahem. Way out of line.United We Stand for Religious FreedomObamaCare's contraception mandate stands the First Amendment on its head.By DONALD WUERL, CHARLES COLSON AND MEIR Y. SOLOVEICHIKStories...

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Our new cover for our Kindle ebook "Kosher Prayers"

We happily promote the publication of the new cover of the Kindle Edition of Kosher Prayers, our ebook anthology of texts from the Talmud Yerushalmi Berakhot on the topic of prayer, $4.99. Friends told us we needed a more distinctive cover. Psst, better buy it quick. We keep raising the price.And here is a description of the contents: The ancient rabbis had rare wisdom concerning how to talk to God in prayer. The Talmud of Land of Israel in Tractate...

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Is Desexualizing Jewish?

Rabbi Zev Farber discusses "Desexualizing Public Space" in a column in the Jewish Journal.The rabbi intelligently reviews several recent events, statements and controversies that he groups under the rubric of "desexualizing" within Orthodox Judaism.On fact and on its face, the answer is yes, desexualizing is an Orthodox Jewish activity. Farber provides texts and examples of how that works.There's no doubt that rabbis engage in many methods of desexualizing,...

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Is Mindful Eating Jewish?

The Times, in an informative article, describes mindful eating as a Buddhist practice....The concept has roots in Buddhist teachings. Just as there are forms of meditation that involve sitting, breathing, standing and walking, many Buddhist teachers encourage their students to meditate with food, expanding consciousness by paying close attention to the sensation and purpose of each morsel. In one common exercise, a student is given three raisins, or a tangerine, to spend 10 or 20 minutes gazing at, musing on, holding and patiently masticating.Lately,...

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Was Jesus Kosher?

Was Jesus Kosher? That question automatically demands an absolute answer. It's a total no-brainer. No, Jesus was not and is not Kosher. There are thousands, perhaps millions of reasons that Jesus cannot be considered kosher -- meaning in a narrow sense, "(of a person) Observing Jewish food laws" or "Satisfying the requirements of Jewish law" and in a wider sense, "proper" or "acceptable" to Jews.And yet, there's a new book by our neighbor Shmuley...

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