Orthodox Conundrum

Sexual abuse continues to be a scourge in the Orthodox Jewish world; and the lack of awareness applies to all sectors of the population, whether Modern, Dati Leumi, or Chareidi. We can and must take action to address this and prevent it. What can we do? Join me as I speak with Rabbi Yakov Horowitz, Director of the Center for Jewish Family Life and Project Y.E.S., and one of the world's leading experts on sexual abuse in the Orthodox community, in a wide ranging, sometimes disturbing, but ultimately hopeful interview. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

Among many Orthodox Jews, there seems to be a crisis of faith - and the issue is even more acute among our children and students. Can we teach belief? Are there strategies to help inculcate emunah? Rabbi Shmuel Feld, founding director of the Jewish Education Innovation Challenge, joins me today to discuss some of the problems, and to offer practical techniques that can guide teachers and parents in their quest to develop genuine faith. Music: "Happy Rock" by Bensound.com

Orthodox Judaism prides itself on its emphasis on strong family life; but does that emphasis come at the expense of unmarried individuals in our communities? What sorts of challenges do singles experience, and is there more that we can do to create more a more inclusive Orthodoxy? Join Scott Kahn as he interviews Rabbi Josh Yuter about this important and pressing issue. (This episode continues a discussion which began on the Intimate Judaism podcast; check it out at https://www.intimatejudaism.com/singles-sex-and-orthodoxy-episode-14/) Music: "Happy Rock" by Bensound.com

"President Trump is the most benevolent leader the Jewish people have ever known in their 2,000 years in their Diaspora, believe me." So said Rabbi Yechezkel Moskowitz, chairman of the recent National Council of Young Israel dinner. Should an Orthodox synagogue organization so openly genuflect before President Trump? Does this express proper gratitude for what the president has done for Israel, or does it celebrate a person whose character represents the antithesis of Torah values? Should the Young Israel involve itself in controversial political decisions in Israel, which it did when it supported Netanyahu's brokering of a merger of the Bayit Yehudi and Otzmah Yehudit parties, the latter of which is run by supporters of Meir Kahane? And why did Rabbi Moskowitz claim that an anti-Trump Facebook group bears some responsibility for the Pittsburgh shooting last October? Join Scott Kahn for a contentious yet respectful discussion with Rabbi Moskowitz about these and other serious issues regarding Orthodoxy, Trump, Israel, and the American Jewish community. Please subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes - just go to itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ortho…rum/id1289716034, click on "View in iTunes," and you're ready to go. Music: Happy Rock by bensound.com

Talmud is the lifeblood of Jewish education; it is the centerpiece, the central pillar - and with good reason. But with so many students not enjoying or understanding Talmud, is it possible that we're doing something wrong? Is it possible that our educational system is predicated upon a wrong assumption? How can we inspire more students, without losing that which makes Jewish education unique? Join Scott Kahn as he begins the process of evaluating our educational system, on this episode of the Orthodox Conundrum. Please give to the Gift of Life's new campaign to save lives! Go to https://www.causematch.com/en/projects/gift-of-life-2019/ to help people suffering from blood cancers literally get a second chance at life. Please subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes - just go to itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ortho…rum/id1289716034, click on "View in iTunes," and you're ready to go. Music: Happy Rock by bensound.com

The Orthodox Conundrum has been on unintentional hiatus for a couple of months... but Scott Kahn has a good excuse. He explains everything through a story about a soccer ball hitting his son in his left eye, and the heady events - physical and spiritual - that proceeded as a result of a simple schoolyard game of monkey in the middle. Plus: a dvar Torah about Naaseh v'Nishma, and the unity of Israel. Please subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes - just go to itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ortho…rum/id1289716034, click on "View in iTunes," and you're ready to go. Music: Happy Rock by bensound.com

Sexual abuse is a terrible problem in all communities, and unfortunately, the Orthodox world is no exception. Is the Orthodox community better or worse than others? Have things improved over the past few years as awareness has increased - or have things gotten even worse? And is there reason to hope for the future? Join Scott Kahn as he interviews Shana Aaronson, the COO of Jewish Community Watch (http://www.jewishcommunitywatch.org/) about a problem that we dare not ignore. Please subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes - just go to itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ortho…rum/id1289716034, click on "View in iTunes," and you're ready to go. Music: Happy Rock by bensound.com

In our last episode, we asked if the ends justify the means in Torah Judaism; the answer, we stated, must be a resounding NO. Nevertheless, in the realm of politics in Israel, religious political parties often act as though any means - including the violation of Halacha - is acceptable in the service of reaching the parties' goals. In this episode of the Orthodox Conundrum, Scott Kahn looks at religious political parties in general, and why he feels that they are doing a disservice to Torah Judaism. Even more to the point, Scott argues that religious political parties are anti-Torah almost by definition. This is not a podcast that recommends any particular candidate or party; instead, it's a serious look at issues that are too often ignored, in the hope that listeners will perhaps think twice before casting their ballots - no matter whom they support. Listen to the podcast for a timely discussion you won't want to miss. Please subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes! Just go to itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ortho…rum/id1289716034, click on "View in iTunes," and you're ready to go. Music: Happy Rock by bensound.com

In this bonus mini-episode for Yom Kippur, the Orthodox Conundrum offers a reminder about something we all know, but so often forget: the message we're sending our children, spouse, and friends when we look at our phones while sitting at the table. Please take five minutes to listen, and share the message that starting today, #NoScreensAtTheTable.

Do the ends justify the means? This old question has been debated endlessly, but within Torah Judaism, the answer must be a resounding NO. Nevertheless, too often in the Torah community, the ends are treated as so important that violations of some of the most serious prohibitions in the Torah are countenanced in the context of achieving a seemingly noble goal. In this episode of the Orthodox Conundrum, Scott Kahn discusses this issue in the context of the well-known kiruv rabbi, Yosef Mizrachi, and his seemingly questionable methodology. He also carefully distinguishes between elements of Mizrachi's approach with which he disagrees, and those which he claims are a violation of Torah norms. Listen now to this careful yet passionate discussion. Please subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes! Just go to itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ortho…rum/id1289716034, click on "View in iTunes," and you're ready to go. Music: Happy Rock by bensound.com

The Israeli Chief Rabbinate has become a lightning rod for criticism - and in many cases, quite deservedly so. The institution is broken; should we try to fix it, or junk it altogether? Rabbi Seth Farber, the founder of ITIM, believes that it can be a force for good - but only if it changes its narrow and, in his opinion, incorrect understanding of Halacha and its place in the State of Israel. In this episode of The Orthodox Conundrum Podcast, Scott Kahn discusses these and other issues with Rabbi Farber, including the op-ed he wrote for the New York Times on August 1, and whether publishing it in so public a forum is merely giving fodder for people who look for new reasons to dislike Israel. Please subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes! Just go to itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ortho…rum/id1289716034, click on "View in iTunes," and you're ready to go. Music: Happy Rock by bensound.com