Evolution and My Friend Barry

Rationalist Judaism: Have Your Futile Arguments About Evolution Right Here!



For the last 36 years my friend Barry and I have derived great pleasure from disagreeing on almost any issue we could possibly find, preferably arguing vehemently about it. Sometimes - rarely!- we unfortunately agree about something, robbing us of the pleasure of disputation.



The linked discussion on evolution is one of these instances. Barry is eloquent, cogent and impressive.



יישר כוחו לאורייתא!

Video and Audio: Avodas Hashem for Grownups part 2

Download Audio here

Tomorrow Night: "Avodas Hashem for Grownups: HaMaspik L'Ovdei Hashem of R' Avraham ben HaRambam" part 2

The second shiur will be this 

Thursday night, Feb. 27th

11:00 pm- 11:20 pm EST

10:00-10:20 pm CST, 8:00-8:20 pm PST

Avodas Hashem for Grownups part 1, Video and Audios

Click here for streaming

Audio only

Click here to download
Audio only

Rescheduled Inaugural Shiur: "Avodas Hashem for Grownups: HaMaspik L'Ovdei Hashem of R' Avraham ben HaRambam"

Due to technical difficulties last week,

 the inaugural shir will be this 

Thursday night, Feb. 20th

11:00 pm- 11:20 pm EST

10:00-10:20 pm CST, 8:00-8:20 pm PST

Psakim from the Rivevos Efraim zt"l, final installment

In the following letter, the Rivevos Efraim discusses the question of whether one who does not say Baruch Hashem L'Olam may answer Amen when he hears the bracha. The discussion digresses into whether a Ben Chutz La'Aretz in Eretz Yisroel should say Baruch Hashem L'Olam etc.

On the reverse side of the letter, the Rivevos addresses the question of whether one needs to say Krias Shema of Ma'ariv before eating a meal. If one does not have a minyan kavu'a it is appropriate to do so:

In the last letter that I have from our correspondence, the Rivevos addresses the question of whether Chazoras HaShatz can serve as tashlumin when one missed the previous tefillah:

On the reverse side of the letter, the Rivevos discusses the question of whether an electric urn or similar appliance needs tevilah or not:

יהי זכרו ברוך

More Psakim from the Rivevos Efraim zt"l

In the following letter the Rivevos Efraim rules (tersely!):

1. That automobile expenses may be considered oness mammon to exempt one from the chiyuv of tefillah b'tzibbur.

2. That you can make a personal copy of a music tape, so long as you don't sell it.

3. That for those who are makpid on Cholov Yisroel, ice cream must be Cholov Yisroel.

In the lower right hand corner he added a vort on Noach.

In the following letter the Rivevos writes about the berachah on chocolate-covered raisins, about Shnayim Mikra and then rules that:

1. B'sh'as ha'dchak one can drink coffee out of porcelain mugs in non-kosher establishments.

2. The minhag is that one does not stand at a podium or in a space that is normally reserved for the use of a Rosh Yeshiva.

Phenomenal Essay by Dr. Benzion Sorotzkin!

www.drsorotzkin.com/pdf/ELUL-ANXIETY.pdf



I was looking to find sources that comment on Tzidkas HaTzaddik no. 43 and came across this great essay. True, I am biased - anyone who quotes both Reb Tzadok and RAEK in the same essay will automatically be in my good graces - but the essay is phenomenal independent of that factor.

Snow Day Mini-Shiur 2

New Interactive Video Series: "Avodas Hashem for Grownups: HaMaspik L'Ovdei Hashem of R' Avraham ben HaRambam"

Beginning this Thursday night, Feb. 13th

11:00 pm- 11:20 pm EST

10:00-10:20 pm CST, 8:00-8:20 pm PST

Snow Day Mini Shiur

Snow Day Mini Shiur

The first two perakim of the Kunteres HaChesed in "Strive for Truth" with comments and interactive discussion.