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Morning Minyan Returns

Beginning this coming Sunday morning at 8:15 AM, May 17th, Shir Hadash will re-open it’s Corona dormant Shacharit minyan, albeit with certain limitations, including: The minyan will be outside; Seating will be separated by 2 meters or more (as a result, please do not move the chairs); Masks will be required; Entrance is from the Western side only of the…

When the Rambam Argues with himself: His Two Hagadot and a Taste of the World to Come

When the Rambam Argues with himself: His Two Hagadot and a Taste of the World to Come

Throughout Jewish history, a number of halachik[1] terms have existed to describe the non-Jewish population with which the Jewish community interacted; these terms, in turn, helped define the nature of the relationship between the two populations.  Being a member of the “Seven Indigenous Nations of the Land of Canaan (ז’ עמים),” for example, would propel the relationship in a negative…

Imprisonment for Debt in Jewish and Israeli Law

Imprisonment for Debt in Jewish and Israeli Law

Imprisonment for Debt in Israeli Law Debtor’s prison has a long – but not proud – history in many of the world’s legal systems, including Israel’s.  During the 1970’s and 1980’s, for example, some 500,000 letters were sent threatening prison to those who could not pay their debts, and some 20,000-40,000 people actually served time in prison for their inability,…

Defamation in Jewish and Israeli Law

Defamation in Jewish and Israeli Law

One interesting distinction between Israeli and American law connected to Jewish Law arises in the field of defamation.  US law, of course, tends to favor the defendant, the entity whose statements allegedly cause damage to the plaintiff.  With the guiding principle here the First Amendment and its concerns for freedom of speech and freedom of the press, the Supreme Court…