Gil Some thoughts on historiography, in preparation for Pesah, the holiday of history: History may not be a science, but it is a discipline that makes use of the sciences. That said, the material evidence of bygone ages that scientists have to work with is relatively scant, and the majority of textual evidence that might provide … Read more
AFAIK the best way to fulfill the precept of not owning any leavened bread foodstuffs during Pesah, is to get rid of it all before Pesah. If that’s not feasible for you – due to the financial loss it would incur, for example – it is also possible to sell it, in a halakhically-valid sale, … Read more
Someone could not translate their OU-approved easy Pesah cleaning guide from a well-known rabbi, so I figured I’d do a public service and share with you the Gil-approved easy Pesah cleaning guide from, uh, me: 1) Remove all leavened bread foodstuffs from your house 2) Remove all crumbs of leavened bread foodstuffs from all the … Read more
I used to hold space for anti-Zionism. Not any longer. The reaction since Oct 7 has clarified for me where anti-Zionists actually stand. I don’t begrudge Jewish anti-Zionists their right to an interpretation or a conscience but miss me with all that misguided rhetoric and propaganda. We can thoroughly criticize our own state without directly … Read more
R. Yitshaq alFasi disputed the Geonim and began the task of summarizing the practical law of the Talmud, making it accessible outside of the Geonic academies. Instead of establishing a dynasty like the Geonim did before him, he appointed his disciple Yoseph ibn Megas to lead the academy after him. R. Yoseph ibn Megas ruled … Read more
Morning thoughts: Sometimes solutions present themselves when you consider problems from alternate angles. Scared of how millions of Palestinians will vote, given the chance? Make sure your democracy is constitutional with a robust institutionalized system of checks and balances (that include the military), in which its democratic nature is preserved against populist hijacking – and … Read more
1) At Sinai, the people of Israel voluntarily contracted a bilateral covenant with the Creator, mediated by Moses, in which they agreed to follow the precepts instructed to them via Moses. 2) The aforementioned covenant includes a provision for dealing with questions that arise regarding the formulation or practical implementation of its precepts, especially in … Read more
Who is indigenous? The people of Israel speak the language of this Land, follow the calendar of this Land, retell the myths and stories of this Land, tend and protect this Land, and have considered this Land their ancestral home for 3200+ years. Most of their descendants were heavily colonized by the empires that came … Read more
When you think about it, part of the cultural revolution that occurred in Judea during the second commonwealth was the movement to institutionalize the authority of the sages in matters of law and life. That was a radical break from the aristocratic authority of the priests they accepted previously and a rejection of the imperialistic … Read more
Some have suggested that what makes a minyan “Maimonidean” is the rigorous exemplification of Maimonides’ halakhic ideals and prescriptions (such as praying with the sunrise). Others have suggested it is faithful replication of the socio-cultural conditions of the medieval Mediterranean (including the social roles and expectations typical of the period). On the other hand, we … Read more