Articles by Penina Wein

Synagogues: Ensuring a Nation’s Continuation

By Penina Wein | Comment ()
Marc Lee Raphael, in his book, The Synagogue in America: A Short History, makes the claim that, “the most significant institution in life of Jews” has been, and is, the synagogue.[i] In the English language, a synagogue is defined as, “The building where a Jewish assembly or congregation ... Read more →

Shiv’ah: Psychology in Disguise

By Penina Wein | Comment ()
Different religions address death in a variety of ways, often with an array of practices. Judaism, in particular, has a very detailed system that normally consists of three stages: aninut, shiv’ah, and sheloshim. (Additionally, following the death of a parent, an eleven-month mourning period ... Read more →

To Possess or to Not Possess: The Question of Nuclear Weapons

By Penina Wein | Comment ()
“The purpose of war within Judaism is to restore peace.”[i]  While this statement is one potential description of the stance Judaism takes on war, it is by no means the only approach. Within Judaism, the laws of war are very complicated, with authorities disagreeing on what types of war ... Read more →