Peace is not always the best solution to a conflict. There, I said it. How many times have we been taught that we must always forgive, but never taught that there are those which our Torah does not demand us to forgive? How often have we heard that we must judge everyone favorably, but never told that there are […]
This website is under construction, after years of neglect. It will slowly be updated, God willing. Until everything is up and running, the best way to reach me is via www.kshsd.org
Squelched. Repressed. Trampled. Unknown. Those are the words that come to mind when I think of Sepharadic Judaism in the 21st century, especially outside of Israel. But more about that later, perhaps even in a different article. I have spent the last few years in silence, just trying to take in the (online) Jewish scene, […]
“I wish to share with you my initial hesitancy in writing this letter. Rabbi Shalom Messas zt”l, Chief Rabbi of Morocco and later Chief Rabbi of Yerushalayim, related that he had never been asked a single Taharat HaMishpachah question from any woman during the duration of his leadership in Morocco. The women of Morocco were […]
[To understand this message, you must have an open mind and heart. For those who have not yet reached the level of sophistication to look at the world from outside their comfort zone, I echo the warning of our Master the Rambam: the following words will only bring upon you anger and pain.] There can […]
It is too often that I am asked “why can you not just be a mainstream rabbi?” To which I always respond: “what is mainstream in Judaism?” The answer? “What everyone else does!”. If the Jewish people believed that numbers created a mainstream one would be compelled to follow: 1. We would have to give […]
I have been struggling immensely after a conversation with a dear friend. Traditional Jewish phrases have been altered to include foreign concepts, but then we are blamed for lack of unity when we voice concern over them. For example… What used to universally be: “Give Nachat to our Creator” has now been replaced with “Give […]
It has come to my attention that a certain communal figure who is respected by many in matters of Kashrut, has questioned the reliability of the “Kosher LA” certification on our local The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. I state with absolute confidence: this is utter nonsense, and one who engages in the spreading of […]
In the Jewish world, literacy used to be a source of pride. Ignorance was shunned and enlightenment was chosen. I am constantly taken aback by how – seemingly – religious Jews are obsessed with publicly displaying their ignorance of Hashem’s legal system. There are very clear guidelines […]
I have turned red and lost my breath from warning us about the dangers of these misguided Jews who have been derailing Am Yisrael for years under the guise of being religious! Brought to you from the makers of every other false stringency…