Gil Student on Muck Rack

Gil Student

New York
As seen in: The Jerusalem Post, Haaretz, Forward, First Things, Commentary Magazine, The Jewish Press, The Jewish Link of New Jersey, 5 Towns Jewish Times, Jewish Action, The Jewish Link and
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The AI Age Is Today's Iron Age

The AI Age Is Today's Iron Age

Jewish Link — Lately, people are rightly debating the moral and philosophical questions raised by Artificial Intelligence (AI). We need to keep one point firmly in mind and all other conclusions follow: AI is a tool. The Torah's first description of metal working appears early, in the generations after Kayin.
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Religious Inconsistency and Hypocrisy - The Jewish Link

Religious Inconsistency and Hypocrisy - The Jewish Link

Jewish Link — Religious life is often marred by a jarring, almost hypocritical inversion of priorities. We encounter people who are meticulous about relatively minor details while neglecting far weightier obligations. Someone may insist on the highest standards of ritual observance while speaking cruelly to others. Another may display great punctiliousness in one area of halacha while acting carelessly in matters that the Torah itself treats more severely. The contradiction can feel hypocritical, even alienating to someone with more traditional religious sensitivities.
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Is a Kosher Cheeseburger Kosher?

Is a Kosher Cheeseburger Kosher?

Jewish Link — Lately, I've seen kosher pizzerias offering vegetarian pepperoni pizza. Additionally, more and more kosher restaurants are serving kosher cheeseburgers, either with vegetarian burgers or non-dairy cheese. These faux-treif dishes raise a question of maris ayin- giving the wrong impression. My preference is to always call them by a name that [...]
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Unintended Consequences of the Siddur's Publication

Unintended Consequences of the Siddur's Publication

Jewish Link — The prayers were originally taught orally, like all Jewish texts other than the Bible. Their publication involved a process that took place over time and had certain unexpected impacts on Jewish practice. The earliest written source about the prayers- what we consider the first written siddur- was sent by Rav Avram Gaon to Spain as [...]
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When Is Gambling Allowed?

When Is Gambling Allowed?

Jewish Link — When I was in yeshiva high school many decades ago, some students occasionally went to the racetracks to watch the horse races and bet on them. They bet very little; they really just went for the fun and bet so they had a horse to cheer for. Was this halachically forbidden?
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Will There Be Another Churban?

Will There Be Another Churban?

Jewish Link — Rav Yitzchak Herzog was personally convinced that the Jewish settlement in Israel would continue indefinitely. He said so on multiple occasions. Perhaps the most famous was when he was in the United States during World War II and met with President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
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Lavan and the Shidduch Crisis

Lavan and the Shidduch Crisis

Jewish Link — For many singles who deeply wish to marry but have not yet found the right partner, the pain is not only personal. It carries a broader dimension as well. There is also the quiet absence of the families, children and generations that have not yet emerged.
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Leaving Israel During War

Leaving Israel During War

Jewish Link — It is now common for many American yeshiva students to spend a "gap year" in Israel after high school. This year usually fosters religious growth through intense study in a specialized environment. Since war began with Iran, with missiles frequently raining down all over Israel, every student in Israel for a [...]
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A Convert's Beloved Name

A Convert's Beloved Name

Jewish Link — When someone converts to Judaism, he or she chooses a Jewish name with which to be called for ritual purposes. Should he or she use that name in common conversation and interactions? That is a very personal decision and includes many considerations, including the psychological and social benefits of identifying as [...]
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Iced Coffee as a Halachic Solution

Iced Coffee as a Halachic Solution

Jewish Link — Drinking coffee raises a surprising halachic difficulty. Coffee seems to have entered the Jewish world during the 15th and 16th centuries. Yet it was only in the 17th century that a major halachic question regarding its blessing was addressed. One proposed resolution faces its detractors but I suspect the current popularity of iced coffee gives [...]
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The Consequences of Failing to Pay Shul Dues

The Consequences of Failing to Pay Shul Dues

Jewish Link — Shuls (synagogues) need funding in order to maintain the building and provide services to members. This is clear and obvious. It is uncomfortable to talk about such matters because we want to focus on religious growth and higher ideals. However, the reality in this world is that spiritual sustenance requires physical sustenance, [...]
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Is Every Jew a Tzadik?

Is Every Jew a Tzadik?

Jewish Link — A recent saying has it that every Jew is a tzadik, righteous. Taken literally, the statement strains credulity. Jews, like everyone else, commit sins, some grievously so. Even the conscientious Jew is marked by inconsistency and obvious need for improvement. Read as a factual description, the claim seems plainly false, and [...]
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Sinless in Israel

Sinless in Israel

Jewish Link — Living in Israel is a religious ideal, even a mitzvah. But the Gemara goes even further, saying it has additional spiritual benefits. Living in Israel is good not only for the body but also for the soul.
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Reading Charlie Kirk

Reading Charlie Kirk

Jewish Link — "Stop, in the Name of God" is a surprising book of praise for a traditional Jewish practice by a leading Christian figure. Charlie Kirk, the right wing political activist and devout Christian, wrote a book about Shabbos observance that was published posthumously after his tragic assassination this past September.
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My Independence From You

My Independence From You

Jewish Link — There is a fairly common practice for charity organizations to send people free gifts-calendars, books, Chanukah candles-and expect a donation in return. If you receive such a gift, are you required to respond with a donation? This sounds like a very specific question but it really addresses something [...]
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Retreating Due to Antisemitism

Retreating Due to Antisemitism

Jewish Link — The recent worldwide growth of open antisemitism has prompted many Jews to hide their identity. Out of fear of harassment or violence, many Jews have started hiding their identity in public outside their own neighborhoods. Men in particular tuck in their tzitzis and wear hats or caps instead of yarmulkes.
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Homeless on Chanukah

Homeless on Chanukah

The Jewish Link — Chanukah occupies an unusual place in halacha. Most mitzvos fall on the individual. Chanukah's primary mitzvah devolves on the location, not the person. The Gemara (Shabbos 21b) does not describe the obligation as lighting a candle on Chanukah. It defines the mitzvah as "ner ish u-veiso- a person and his home."
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The Absent-Minded Rabbis

The Absent-Minded Rabbis

Jewish Link — We tend to imagine the great sages as flawless in both halachic mastery and personal awareness. Generally, this attitude has great merit because these sages rose to their timeless prominence due not only to their brilliance but also their sterling character and attitudes. However, everyone has different personalities and some people are more observant and [...]
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The Knitted Kippah Shabbos and the Chanukah Omission

The Knitted Kippah Shabbos and the Chanukah Omission

Jewish Link — This Shabbos, Vayishlach 5786, is designated as the Knitted Kippah Shabbos in commemoration of the 30th yartzeit of Rav Moshe Tzvi Neriah. Rav Neriah was born in Russia in 1913 and studied there in yeshiva under the brothers Rav Moshe and Rav Mordechai Feinstein (yes, that Rav Moshe Feinstein).
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Missing a Mitzvah

Missing a Mitzvah

Jewish Link — People are complicated and may fail to perform a mitzvah for many reasons, including those entirely beyond their control. Consider someone who bought a mezuzah from a reputable and pious seller, only to learn years later that a word was missing. The mezuzah that hung in his home was unquestionably invalid.
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Rabbi Sacks on Reading Chumash Faithfully

Rabbi Sacks on Reading Chumash Faithfully

Jewish Link — Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, zt"l, whose fifth yahrzeit was observed this past week, focused much of his teachings on the Chumash, the Five Books of Moses. His analyses vary widely in style, ranging from close readings of single verses to the discussion of sweeping literary and theological themes.
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Judaism and AI Design Ethics part 2

Judaism and AI Design Ethics part 2

Jewish Link — In the first part of this essay, we saw that Judaism has long wrestled with the ethics of publishing and the dangers of unreliable or misleading content. The halachic tradition demands accuracy, rejects heresy, and insists that those who release information bear responsibility for its impact.
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The Art of Disagreement in a Polarized World

The Art of Disagreement in a Polarized World

First Things — In an era when disagreement often feels synonymous with disdain, the life and career of Rabbi Moshe Hauer, who passed away suddenly on October 14, stand as proof that...
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Judaism and AI Design Ethics Part 1

Judaism and AI Design Ethics Part 1

Jewish Link — Part I Artificial intelligence (AI) has quickly become a part of daily life, influencing the information we consume and the decisions we make. And the process is just starting. This places significant responsibility on the AI builder. Designing an AI system is not merely a technical challenge but also a moral and religious one.
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