Articles by Yisroel Ben-Porat

Tearing Water: A Hassidic-Halakhic Vort

Many Torah commentators relating to the episode of Keri’at Yam Suf (the splitting of the Reed Sea) overlook a simple, yet significant question: why do Hazal, the Jewish Sages,[1] refer to the miracle as a keri’ah – tearing – whereas the Torah describes it as a beki’ah, splitting? God ... Read more →

The Science of the Past: Reading History on Shabbat

May one read history books on Shabbat? Although it may seem to be an innocuous activity, reading history actually poses several halakhic and hashkafic problems, some of which may apply even during the week. Perhaps a better question is, may one read history books at all? Various sources address ... Read more →