Author: Rabbi Menachem Genack

Joe Lieberman’s Love of Shabbat 

Just as Friday serves as the bridge between Shabbat and the week, Lieberman’s life, which was a bridge to convey the meaning and purpose of Judaism to the wider world, was an extended erev Shabbat.

Sukkot: A Time For Our Rejoicing

Sukkot, in our liturgy, is deisgnated as “Zman Simchatenu”-the time of our rejoicing. Yet, the Torah requires that we be joyous in all the festivals, so why designate specifically Sukkot as “Zman Simchatenu?” Through the obligation to be joyous on all festivals is universal, applying equally to Pesach, Shavuout and Sukkot, apparently there is a […]

Rav Aharon: An Appreciation for Complexity

In one of Rav Aharon Lichtenstein’s masterful discussions on the value of general culture for the development of a Torah personality, he reflected on the importance of being able to assess the character and uniqueness of individuals, and especially of gedolim.

My Teacher, My Master

I remember the first time I heard a shiur by the Rav. It was 1963 and the Rav was speaking on teshuvah. I was still only in high school, but I was completely enraptured and was determined to become his talmid.