The Chumra Syndrome

Rabbi Shlomo CohenNov. 2023 Introduction There was a Dor of Tannaim, of Amoraim, Rishonim, and Achronim. We’re going to be remembered as the generation of the Machmirim. Previous generations were not Machmir on everything. Some individuals, usually big Talmidei Chachomim, would take upon themselves various Chumrose which they felt enhanced their Avodas HaShem. Their stature … Continue reading The Chumra Syndrome

TO SPANK OR NOT TO SPANK: THE VIEW OF HALACHA REGARDING CORPORAL PUNISHMENT

RABBI SHLOMO COHEN 11/14 This is probably the most controversial article I’ve put on the web. You may very well disagree with me, however, you’ll have a tough time taking the opposite viewpoint. Over the years I have received many phone calls from mothers with a problem child. On many occasions, upon hearing the nature … Continue reading TO SPANK OR NOT TO SPANK: THE VIEW OF HALACHA REGARDING CORPORAL PUNISHMENT

WHY AM I BEING PUNISHED? Suffering in Jewish Thought

Rabbi Shlomo Cohen WWW.HIQJEW.COM Many others have addressed the issue of suffering. The following merely purports to raise an interesting option to the question. In effect, rather than any given situation being regarded as punishment, there are a number of other possibilities that must be considered. It may well be that much of our thinking … Continue reading WHY AM I BEING PUNISHED? Suffering in Jewish Thought

HOW COULD THEY HAVE KNOWN? The Number Of Stars reported in the Gemora

Rabbi Shlomo Cohen WWW.HIQJEW.COM More frequently than you might suppose the scientific community discovers something which turns out to be something that Chazal had already said 1,500 years ago. Sometimes this may be chalked up, by those who don’t believe in Mesora, to fortuity or a good guess. However, these statements turn up with such … Continue reading HOW COULD THEY HAVE KNOWN? The Number Of Stars reported in the Gemora

A Letter to a Conservative Jew. Some things your Rabbi never told you

  Rabbi Shlomo Cohen www.HIQJEW.com Conservative Judaism makes a claim to being the true keeper of the Judaic tradition. Your leaders claim to walk in the path of the prophets of old. Your movement, reminiscent of the Sadducees, Hellenists and Kairites, have maintained that, while they believe in the Written Law, they have chosen to … Continue reading A Letter to a Conservative Jew. Some things your Rabbi never told you

WHAT DO RABBINICAL SOURCES ACTUALLY SAY ABOUT WOMEN?

  Rabbi Shlomo Cohen www.HIQJEW.com With the advent of the feminist movement in the late ‘60’s Judaism came under fire, along with just about every other ‘sacred cow’, for its purported negative view and treatment of women. In the intervening decades the vitriol has gone out of the movement and the invective has toned down … Continue reading WHAT DO RABBINICAL SOURCES ACTUALLY SAY ABOUT WOMEN?