Society

Embark on a journey of Jewish learning and discovery, exploring the depth of our Society resources, where tagged items including audio, programs, and podcast episodes await your exploration.

The Weight of Human Dignity (Part 3): Charity Begins at Home

Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash

Does the mitzvah of tzedakah extend to non-Jews as well? The Talmud introduces the principle of Darkei Shalom – ways of peace that mandate our ensuring non-Jews set up social structures to care for their poor and bury their dead. Find out how one…
Class

The Weight of Human Dignity (Part 2): The Banning of Weddings on Friday in Krakow

Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash

While many Israelis today get married on Friday morning, there was a ban on such weddings in Krakow in the 16th century. What was the curious story of the bride almost left at the altar and how does the Rema’s decision impact other responsa…
Class

The Weight of Human Dignity (Part 1): Nakedness in the Marketplace

Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash

Does halakha mandate disrobing in public if shatnez is discovered in the marketplace? Are there other instances where human dignity overrides halakha? 
Class

61. Franz Rosenzweig | Dr. Paul Franks

J.J. Kimche

J.J. and Dr. Paul Franks systematically consider Franz Rosenzweig in all his existential and idealistic glory. 
Podcast

Pesach 5785: Elijah's Journey: Life and Afterlife, Art and Music, Jew and Gentile

Rabbi Eric Grossman

Class

Adventures in American Judaism (Part 10): Mitzvah Merchants and the Creation of a Jewish Children's Culture

Rabbi Dr. Zev Eleff

From Brachos Bees, to Gedolim Cards, the Yeshiva World has borrowed from a uniquely American-style of education to support its own children's religious growth and appreciation for religion. Please note that this class is at 11:00 AM Eastern / 5:00pm…
Class

Adventures in American Judaism (Part 9): Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik and the Unorthodox Optics of Women's Talmud Study

Rabbi Dr. Zev Eleff

In 1977, Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik delivered the inaugural Talmud shiur at Stern College for Women. His work before and after to spearhead a democratization of Torah learning placed the Rav in a minority group. His careful arguments to support…
Class

Adventures in American Judaism (Part 7): Basketball Politics, Yarmulke Wars, and the Dynamics of Halakhic Change

Rabbi Dr. Zev Eleff

In the early-1980s, two Jewish day schools in Chicago took a high school basketball league to court for the right to play basketball while adorning kippot. The testimony and judgment suggests a lot about the American Jewish expectations of external…
Class

Adventures in American Judaism (Part 8): Agunot and American Jewish Policy Making

Rabbi Dr. Zev Eleff

The "chained wife" and "recalcitrant husband" is perhaps the most discussed and thorniest matter of Halakah in the American Jewish public square. The decades-long work to "solve" the issue is an important history of religious self-reflection and…
Class

Adventures in American Judaism (Part 6): Behind the Laughter: American Judaism and its Purim Shpiels

Rabbi Dr. Zev Eleff

How did the Purim Shpiel migrate to the United States? And how did it become a fitting annual activity for otherwise-straight-laced yeshiva students? The story is a good (and funny) one. 
Class