Articles by Aryeh Sklar

Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik and the Problem of Biblical Criticism

By Aryeh Sklar | Comment ()
Did the Rav, R. Joseph B. Soloveitchik, deal with the major theological issues that result from the conclusions of Biblical criticism?[1] On the face of it, he did not. In fact, he seemed generally unconcerned with the historical-critical method that so dominates academia. In part based on this ... Read more →

Rashi, Tosafot, and Hazal’s Knowledge of Tanakh

By Aryeh Sklar | Comment ()
  The Jerusalem Talmud[i] records the tradition that the Tannaitic sage Shmuel could recall the midwife who delivered him. R. Yehoshua ben Levi stated that he could remember his mohel. R. Yohanan claimed he could even remember the women who happened to be in the room when his mother gave ... Read more →

Maimonides and the Mean of Doctrines

By Aryeh Sklar | Comment ()
Just about every essay written about Maimonides and the contradictions apparent in his philosophic magnum opus, the Guide for the Perplexed, begins with some pithy statement about how Maimonides’ use of contradictions created more controversy than conclusions. Arthur Hyman, in his essay, ... Read more →

R. Zvi Dov Kanotopsky and the Kosher Switch

By Aryeh Sklar | Comment ()
YU’s Thinkers of the Past: A Series A series of articles exploring the ideas and opinions of rabbis of YU’s past, especially as they pertain to the issue of the month. We have seen Dean Revel’s response to the dean of a college with crosses on their diplomas. We have seen Rabbi ... Read more →

Rabbi Shimon Shkop’s Imitatio Dei and the Value of Fun

By Aryeh Sklar | Comment ()
Of the lesser-known teachers of RIETS’ past, Rabbi Shimon Shkop (1860-1939) definitely ranks near the top of the list. That isn’t to say that Rabbi Shimon Shkop is less-known. Far from it, as a close colleague of Rabbi Israel Meir Kagan (the “Chofetz Chaim”) and Rabbi Chaim Ozer ... Read more →

“Lovers of Humanity”: Rav Kook, Christianity, and the Ongoing Censorship of His Writings

By Aryeh Sklar | Comment ()
In the year 1920, a twelve-page pamphlet was written and distributed in pre-Israel Palestine called Kol Shofar.[i] It contained an extended criticism of and invective against Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, who was then the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem. Some of the criticism was directed toward Rav ... Read more →

Revel and the Cross

By Aryeh Sklar | Comment ()
YU’s Thinkers of the Past: A Monthly Column This new monthly column will explore the thoughts and opinions of rabbis of YU’s past, especially as they pertain to the issue of the month. Our first column will discuss an opinion of Rabbi Bernard Revel (1885-1940), the first president of ... Read more →

Bilga and Synthesis: An Ancient Response to the Clash of Universalism and Particularism

By Aryeh Sklar | Comment ()
Please enjoy this special Hanukkah article, and look out for our upcoming issue on Judaism and other faiths-arriving on the site and in newsstands soon! In October 2014, Jewish sociologist Alan Wolfe published a book entitled, “At Home in Exile: Why Diaspora Is Good for the Jews.” In ... Read more →