There have been many proclamations from the Torah leadership exalting outreach activities and declaring it obligatory for all those who could participate, to do so
Chanufah can be liberally translated as the prohibition against undeserved flattering. It includes giving undue compliments and praising transgressors. The prohibition also includes endorsing
The Shelah refers to tochachah as “a very great mitzvah.” However, the sources for mitzvas tochachah are quite spread out and therefore not easily accessible. In this chapter, we provide background to understand the kiruv applications of the mitzvah of tochachah. Tochachah: It’s All About Caring It is not good enough to be a “tzaddik”... Read more »
Issues relating to male-female interactions dramatically affect outreach in so many ways. Among the questions we will explore are: Can a man recite a
Teaching Torah vs. Tochachah Most outreach professionals teach Torah as the central part of their outreach efforts. The source for the mitzvah of teaching Torah to the unaffiliated is not the same as that for other aspects of kiruv, such as inviting them for Shabbos. Determining the original source for these laws has practical ramifications.... Read more »
It is prohibited to derive pleasure from this world without reciting a berachah. Even a Jew who is not observant is required to recite berachos over food. In fact, there are a number of anecdotes about the Vilna Gaon in which he encountered heretics and warned them that they would be held accountable for every... Read more »
Shabbos in general, and Shabbos meals in particular, are probably the most transformational experiences that one could offer to a non-affiliated Jew. While every ba’al teshuvah has a unique story and set of elements which influenced him/her, Shabbos almost always features as
There are several practical applications of the principle of lifnei iver to kiruv situations. May someone be invited for a Shabbos meal when he will inevitably drive there? May one make a shidduch for a couple who will not keep the laws of family purity? May one invite a co-ed group to a sleepaway weekend... Read more »
In the previous chapter, we cited the position of many poskim who stated that under extenuating circumstances, the status of tinokos shenishbu can be applied to contemporary non-observant Jews. The implication is that many of the lenient rulings that affect how we relate to non-observant Jews cannot be applied indiscriminately. Rather, to determine whether a... Read more »
During most of Jewish history, public Shabbos desecration was rare and was usually a one-time occurrence, when a merchant accepted goods that came on Shabbos. The Jewish community dealt with such transgressions severely. In those days, a mumar was usually a Jew who had converted to Christianity. Thus, the Rishonim frequently discuss issues such as... Read more » 
