Non-Traditional Jews
Unlike in classical times, today many Jews are not Torah observant. Still, our classical sources have harsh words for Jews who do not conform to halachic standards. Some say they should be excluded from Jewish communities and not counted in minyanim, some prohibit any wine they handle like idolaters, some say they are considered untrustworthy, and others write they cannot participate in community eiruvim. Join Rabbi Dovid Fink and study the opinions of the great poskim from the beginning of modern times regarding the status of secular Jews.
Non-Traditional Jews: Lesson 1
Secular Jews: In our first few classes, we will survey the traditional attitude of Rabbis to Jews who do not keep the mitsvot of the Torah. In later classes we will see how and why this attitude has shifted in modern times. Sources are in Hebrew. In class we will translate and explain these sources in their historical context.
In addition to being one of Rabbi Brovender's first students, Rabbi Dovid Fink is an outstanding expertﾠand teacher of Halacha. Rabbi Fink received his Rabbinic ordination from ITRI and the Mir and was awarded his Ph.D in Semitic Languages and Linguistics from Yale University. Rav Fink has taught thousands of students from all over the world for over 35 years.