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There are so many ways to describe the death throes of Modern Orthodoxy. Lets see now: there’s the Yiddish adage of nisht aheen v’nisht aher, there is the Israeli version of lo dubim v’lo y’ar and then there is the American version which, although slightly vulgar hits the nail on the head: s t or get off the pot. Read More »
Rabbi Shael Speaks... 
Observer and commentator of the Jewish ethical,religious and social landscape. Visit my websites at www.shaelsiegel.com and www.shaelsiegellifecoach.com
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Corruption of Tikkun Olam and Other Things
Back in the day when I was a rabbinical student I had a very difficult and exacting teacher, Rabbi Zelig Starr (obm) who taught me a valuable lesson that has carried me through life: “know what you know and know what you don’t know”. For a student, that was a very difficult lesson to learn – after all students know it all. Read More »
Purim 2010: Ashtor and Mardoch
Another year and another moment when I sit in disbelief; when I can’t believe that once again my people, the intelligent ones, are going to make another b’racha l’vatalah. Read More »
Tzedek Tzedek Tirdof
This past week Martin Grossman was executed for the cold-blooded murder of Peggy Park. He had gone through the entire appeal process and he even had a little extra help that none of the other non Jewish, death row inmates have in any state of the Read More »
Striking the Right Balance
Not being a very patient person by nature, I have spent an inordinate amount of time and training developing that all too illusive quality that many of my yoga practicing friends seem to practice as routinely as breathing rhythmically. Read More »
Hardcore Haredi Hypocracy
Most of us were raised on lofty concepts such as “kol yisrael arevim zeh lezeh”, that each Jew has a responsibility to another Jew. Read More »
Man At His Best
The axiom “that women’s mass entry into men’s professions will dilute the prestige of that profession” holds true in the haredi world and in the Reform movement. Read More »
Revisiting Secular Judaism
Secular Judaism isn’t anything new. Its been around since the early twentieth century, waned and then gained momentum again after the Six Day war, dipped again but is now on the rise once again. Secular Judaism was once a potent force in mid nineteenth century Eastern Europe. Read More »
Culture Warriors
Ever since the issue of Women at the Wall presented itself for the upteenth time on December 4, 2009 I started connecting the dots between that and other issues that gnaw at the religious sensitivities of the haredi community whether in Israel or abroad. Read More »
Nittal Nacht
It’s that time of year again. I’m not sure what triggers the nostalgia; maybe it’s the winter solstice, short days long nights or perhaps it’s the impending New Year that stimulates morose thoughts. Read More »
Haredi Kulturkampf
The postmodern world is really causing havoc in the haredi community. That you all know and appreciate: but rarely can we see a manifestation of this so obvious, so crystal clear. Read More »
Over the Top
It’s one thing to enter into a relationship with our Christian neighbors for the purpose of political support on important Jewish agenda items like the State of Israel, but it is another thing to pander to their charitable side by degrading the Jewish community. Read More »
Reform Judaism – American Style
In the December 4th issue of the Forward, Jacob Neusner wrote an interesting piece on his journey from classical reform Judaism to conservative Judaism and then back to Reform Judaism. Usually I enjoy Neusner’s articles because they are well thought out, cerebral yet understated and with sophisticated humor. Read More »
A State of Mind
This past week the JTA featured an article by Amy Klein, in which she pointed out the phenomenon of younger orthodox Jews focusing on social action. Read More »
Eric Hoffer’s Prescient Premonition
A dear friend of mine sent me this essay, accompanied with this short introduction of Eric Holder. Finding this so prescient, fascinating and timely as well, I wanted to share this with as many people as possible:THIS WAS WRITTEN IN 1968 — 41 years ago!You probably don’t remember the name Eric Hoffer. Read More »
Guess Whose Coming to Dinner
Many years ago there was a sensational movie “Guess Whose Coming to Dinner” which was intended as a social commentary on the racial divide in America. Read More »