Emes Ve-Emunah: The 8 Categories of Shelach Manos

Sunday, March 24, 2024

The 8 Categories of Shelach Manos

Me - in my Purim costume

Those who keep Cholov Yisrael And those who don't

Those who keep Yoshon And those who don't

Those who eat Geborkits And those who don't

Those who eat Chassidisha Schechita And those who don't

Those who eat in my house And those who don't

Those who have allergies And those who don't

Those who are dairy intolerant And those who aren't

Those who are gluten intolerant And those who are not

HT: Annie Maryles

Additional Categories (D'Rabbonon):

Those who trust the OU And those who don't

Those who trust the Eida Hachredis more than God And those who think they are Reshoim

HT: Harry Maryles

My outlook on Judaism is based mostly on the teachings of my primary Rebbe, Rabbi Aaron Soloveichik from whom I received my rabbinic ordination. It is also based on a search for spiritual truth. Among the various sources that put me on the right path, two great philosophic works stand out: “Halakhic Man” and “Lonely Man of Faith” authored by the pre-eminent Jewish philosopher and theologian, Rabbi, Dr. Joseph B. Soloveitchik. Of great significance is Rabbi, Dr. Norman Lamm's conceptualization and models of Torah U’Mada and Dr. Eliezer Berkovits who introduced me to the world of philosophic thought. Among my early influences were two pioneers of American Elementary Torah Chinuch, Rabbis Shmuel Kaufman and Yaakov Levi. The Yeshivos I attended were Yeshivas Telshe for early high school and more significantly, the Hebrew Theological College where for a period of ten years, my Rebbeim included such great Rabbinic figures as Rabbis Mordechai Rogov, Shmaryahu Meltzer, Yaakov Perlow, Herzl Kaplan, and Selig Starr. I also attended Roosevelt University where I received my Bachelor's Degree - majoring in Psychology.