Outreach in the Torah

Outreach in the Torah

Rabbi Dovid S. Asher

Mosaica / 130 pp

Rabbi David Asher, rabbi of the Knesset Beth Israel synagogue in Virginia, has put together a warm and inspirational sefer on examples of outreach in the Torah. Outreach, or “Kiruv” as it is colloquially called, is the act of teaching and inspiring non-observant Jews about Orthodox Judaism.

“Outreach in the Torah” brings to light examples of Kiruv in every single Torah portion. For example, on the Torah portion of Teruma there is a discussion on how even  the “Erev Rav” troublemakers were included in the communal commandment to contribute funds for the construction of the Mishkan. If the Erev Rav were included in the community how much more so should we also include those who are not fully observant. On the Torah portion of Vayikra, there is a discussion on how “korban,” sacrifices, is related to “kiruv,” bringing people closer to God. On the Torah portion of Shlach, we read how the tragedy of the evil spies was that they destroyed the unity of the nation while strengthening the unity of the Jewish people brings redemption.

These are very nice, short entries, which will leave everyone with a quick ‘vort’ to say on something about kiruv on every parsha in the Torah. In addition to the classical rishonim that are presented there are also anecdotes on kiruv and education from contemporaries such as R’ Chaim Brisker, Rav Moshe Feinstein and the Chafetz Chaim.

All of us are obligated to work in kiruv in some form or another. It could be in the workplace, the synagogue, and even the home. And, unfortunately, even observant Jews need kiruv sometimes. This book will give us the drive to welcome and encourage both our observant and non-observant brethren.

Popular posts from this blog

Food: A Halachic Analysis

Image
Food: A Halachic Analysis Rabbi Yehuda Spitz Mosaica, 480 pp I am unsure whether “outstanding,” “remarkable,” or “spectacular,” best describes Rabbi Yehuda Spitz’s sefer “Food: A Halachic Analysis”  -- though all three adjectives may not do justice. In over 30 chapters discussing various food and kashrut related halacha, Rabbi Spitz, a sho’el u’meishiv at Yeshivat Ohr Somayach in Jerusalem, presents unprecedented clarity in explaining and demystifying the issues. Some of these issues include waiting between cheese and meat, using dishwashers for both milk and meat, fish and milk, eggs and onions left uncovered overnight, chalav Yisrael, marit ayin, and much much more. It is thorough, clear, and makes everything easy to understand. Definitely one of his flagship chapters is the appendix on the history of Gelatin and its kosher status. These chapters are not merely regurgitations of what readers have certainly seen in so many other places, but rather, original compositions in the author’
Read more

Sexuality and Jewish Law

Image
Sexuality and Jewish Law Yaakov Shapiro 430 pages In his Sexuality and Jewish Law, Yaakov Shapiro, an ordained rabbi and non-conformist Lubavitcher chassid, offers a thorough, unapologetic, and uncensored presentation of everything relating to sexual activity and Jewish law.  All rabbinic texts that deal with sexual matters are cited along with the interpretations and comments of all the relevant rishonim , achronim , and poskim . There is also a full presentation of the various halachic opinions and resolutions to the contradictions between them. The exhaustive endnotes are essentially an additional book in their own right. While the book is extremely well researched and impressive in its scope, the author clearly has an agenda and bone to pick. As he writes in the introduction, the book was born out of a bad experience and frustrations with what he was being taught in chattan classes and the “one-sided” approach to the laws of intimacy. The author seeks to put an en
Read more

Aruch Hashulchan in English

Image
Aruch Hashulchan in English Orach Chaim Chapters 242-292 Edited by Rabbi Ilan Segal Translated by Rabbis: Michael Broyde, Ilan Segal, Mordechai Torczyner Urim Publications / 520 pp I am completely blown away by the English Aruch HaShulchan that was just published by Urim Publications. This outstanding volume covers chapters 242-292 of Orach Chaim, the laws of Shabbat. Specifically, these chapters primarily discuss preparing for the arrival of Shabbat, Jewish/Non-Jews partnerships, preparing the stove/oven for Shabbat (shehiya, chazara, and hatmanan), kiddush, the Shabbat meals, and more. For those less familiar, the Aruch Hashulchan is a code of law written by Rabbi Yechiel Michel Epstein (1829–1908). The Aruch Hashulchan is incredibly unique in that before discussing the relevant halachot of each chapter, it first cited the relevant Talmudic passages and the view of the Rishonim. Most such Rishonim are only accessible to the advanced student of halacha. With this English translatio
Read more