Author Archives: Drew Kaplan

The Unfortunate Problem of Missing the Context of the “Pluralism” of the Academies of Shammai & Hillel

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Not infrequently, I come across articulations in Jewish writings about the need for pluralism in the Jewish world/community and listening to peoples’ views, which is fine. However, unfortunately, the writer/speaker will usually make recourse to referring to how the Academy … Continue reading

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Reading the Tanya, ch.2 [Sefer shel Beinonim]

Continuing in my project to read and write about my reading the Tanya/Likkutei Amarim, here are some thoughts of mine on the second chapter. The first thing that is quite different from the first chapter to this chapter is that … Continue reading

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Boba Fett in Television & Movies I: The Star Wars Holiday Special

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Being a fan of Star Wars, I have occasionally come across various postings or writings on the Internet (and elsewhere) where people have been very into Boba Fett, in fact, there’s even a Boba Fett Fan Club!  However, it was … Continue reading

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Rava and Jews Who Were Not Fond of the Rabbinic Traditions

As I mentioned on Thursday in my post on the first chapter of the Tanya, Rava seems to be defending the many Jews with whom he has been in contact who do not follow the words of the Sages, as … Continue reading

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Reading the Tanya, ch.1 [Sefer shel Beinonim]

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Having decided to begin a project to read and write about the foundational work of Lubavitcher Hassidim, the Tanya (a/k/a Likkutei Amarim), here is my first post, with my thoughts on the first chapter of the ספר של בינונים. I … Continue reading

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Yes, the Star Wars Holiday Special is Bad, but Here are a Few Reasons you Might Want to Watch

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Although I had seen the Star Wars Holiday Special years ago,* I have been wanting to re-watch it for months now.  While I remember the Boba Fett cartoon being valuable and certainly a highlight, I had struggled to recall anything … Continue reading

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Early Rabbis Approach Proverbs 14:34 (Some Initial Thoughts)

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In reading the first chapter of the “Regular People Book” (ספר של בינונים) as part of my Tanya-reading-and-blogging project, I, of course, am going through all of the Talmudic references (which are interesting). One that I found worth exploring in … Continue reading

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Where to Get the Best Crew, Gear, Ship Upgrades, etc. in Firefly The Game

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So, you got Firefly The Game (or one of your friends does and you play it), which came out just this fall, and are wondering what are the best crew, gear and ship upgrades in the game, right?  And you’re … Continue reading

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