Michoel Stern currently works for the Vaad Hoier of Cincinnati supervising various kosher facilities.
He has extensive experience in organizing kiruv programs, anti-missionary efforts, and communal leadership roles. His published articles have appeared in Torat Emet (a weekly Brandeis Orthodox Organization Publication), Baltimore Jewish Times and the San Diego Jewish World.
Michoel Stern learned at Yeshivas Kol Yaakov, Monsey, NY, from 2001 to 2008. He learned at taught at the Outreach Kollel of South Fallsburg.
Professor Robert Eisen of George Washington University has produced a work that not only does not inform, but also makes the uninformed more confused on the nature of the perspective of the sacred Jewish texts regarding war and peace. Oddly enough, that is the thrust of his argument- and his contribution to the understanding of Jewish literature regarding the topic at hand; that in reality we can not understand the texts because they are ambiguous to the extent (he claims) that there is no basic point of unification.
Submitted by admin on Thu, 08/06/2009 - 21:23
THE HEADLESS HORSEMEN
What needs to be known about what the New Atheists do not know
By: Michoel Stern
Many people have made the observation that there is a spirit of change in direction towards
the right in religion; a fresh and invigorated drive to proselytize the masses to believe in God. The bizarre truth is that the faithful are not the only ones who have a need to convert the world, now we have in the "New Atheism" a paradox of evangelical atheists who, in the words of Roy Abraham Varghese, "...sound like hellfire-and-brimstone preachers warning us of dire retribution, even of apocalypse, if we do not repent of our wayward beliefs and associated practices."1
Submitted by admin on Thu, 08/06/2009 - 21:09
[Note: Rivkin uses the name of G-d that starts with Y
in much of his section on the time period of the
prophets. Because I am not comfortable using this
name, I opted to type “*Hashem” where I quoted his
book where he uses the name of G-d that stats with Y.
I also spelled G-d, where as Rivkin spelled out the
entire name. The reader should be aware of this.]
Submitted by admin on Fri, 03/27/2009 - 15:12
TIKKUN HA-OLAM THROUGH TIKKUN HA-MIDDOS: Perfecting the world by perfecting oneself
By: Michoel Stern, Published March 27, 2009, by the Jewish Times, as “Tikkun Olam Vs. Tikkun Middos?”
When we take a look at the investment of time and resources the Jewish community puts into the cause of Tikkun HaOlam (repairing the world) we gain an appreciation of how projects under the banner of Tikkun HaOlam have a central focus in our community dedicated to them. Indeed, one can easily see how the concept of Tikkun HaOlam has permeated the Jewish community due to its intrinsic value to the Jewish religion and mission. Yet, tragically, at the expense of a broader definition … the word Tikkun HaOlam has become synonymous and limited to “social action.” I am not, G-d forbid, trying to mitigate the social action component to Tikkun HaOlam. Rather, I am pleading for the Jewish community to reassess our understanding of the word Tikkum HaOlam, and to gain a greater understanding of the concept entailed. In order to achieve this goal I think it is essential for us to understand and define the traditional concept of Tikkun HaOlam, and
how the concept of Tikkun HaMiddos (repairing character traits) plays a vital role in the implementation and achieving of a complete Tikkun HaOlam.
Submitted by admin on Fri, 02/27/2009 - 14:00
Published by Baltimore Jewish Times, as "Essence Of Jewish Literature"
Due to the vast depths of the sacred Jewish texts a
common misconception has become extremely prevalent in
the Jewish world. On a superficial level, the
multifaceted approach to Biblical and Talmudic
explanations of the texts seems to lend credence to
the idea that when it comes to understanding
traditional texts, “it is just a matter of
interpretation.”
Submitted by admin on Sat, 11/17/2007 - 14:06
By: Michoel Stern
“What about extending tolerance to the Orthodox
members of your family.” Published in the San Diego
Jewish World on November 13th , 2007
Often when the word intolerance is invoked within the Jewish world regarding interpersonal relationships, the mind automatically congers up imagery of Orthodox protests to a plethora of actions (or inactions) and positions demonstrated by their non-Orthodox brethren. This picture comes into place not only on a group level, but a personal level as well. However, as the adage goes: here are two sides to every story. While I do not deny that Orthodox intolerance exists, I would like to focus on the often ignored observation of the reality that there is often not only an intolerance of Orthodox Judaism among some non-Orthodox Jews, but also a close minded view regarding the adherents of Orthodoxy itself.
Submitted by admin on Sat, 02/04/2006 - 14:05
By: Michoel Stern
Chanukah: A Second Succos? Published in three installations in Torat Emet, a weekly Brandeis Orthodox Organization Publication.
January, 21st -February, 4th 2006 - Vol. VII, Issue XVI-XIV
The topic of this article was inspired by reflection upon my years in high school youth groups. I attended many different youth group conventions. Once, at one of the Chanukah concaves a fellow member of the youth group told me that his rabbi told him that the story of Chanukah was made up. How could it be!? I said to myself. When I returned home, I went to my local rabbi with my predicament. He told me, only the story with the oil was made up, but we really did win the wars. I didn't know what to do; I was always under the impression that the miracle with the oil lasting eight days was true. So, I accepted this new reality. Later in life when I was challenging some of my other previously held convictions, I also revisited this issue as well, and I would like to share with you what I have found.
