grab at straws... Anything to grab peoples attention away from Saturday shopping BBQ and other events. Its all about nothing...Much like Seinfeld.. Pathetic how we Jews are ready to change everything and anything to hold on to that which we deem to be important at that particular moment. I say stay with the original..It has been tested time and time again.

Adi Arad: glamor shot, Beyonce hairdo, hands together in Christian pose, looks like a Madonna wannabee.

Law - including codified halacha - is about the legislation of social norms. The actual halacha, meaning the mesora on an intellectual level, is very flexible, but it has to exist within a cultural framework. It doesn't exist in a vacuum. Culture changes more than the mesora does. We see in Tanakh King David stating he will go listen to the young men and women singing in Jerusalem. Yet, modern halacha adjudicates that men not listen to women singing (with various exceptions). The reasons for these pesakim are a result of different cultural realities that affected how we view the concept of modesty, not a definitive position in halacha. Now, you probably think I'm arguing the culture is wrong, but I'm not. In proverbs it says "heed the discipline of your father and the teaching of your mother." In other words, heed the law and the custom; heed the mesora and the culture it exists in. The Torah exists in the community of men, not on a musty old shelf. The codified halacha changes at a glacial pace because, while the mesora remains unchanged, the codified halacha shapes itself to the realities of the culture we live in. Thats how it should be. What it shouldn't be is politicized. There's no place for that.

How can anything bestowed by god such as a voice be indecent? If the people making those assertions had ever heard me sing, I could almost understand it. Considering that my singing instantly clears 2 square miles of coyotes, my voice, too, has a purpose. There was a time, when those coyotes would hear me and only start to howl, but after years of practice, three notes from me, and they're outa here. I've been trying different keys to get rid of the rabbits that eat my garden, but from the looks of it, my croaking puts them in a romantic mood. Maybe I need to switch from soft rock to hip-hop :-)

With all due respect, but Madonna never had such a good day in her life.

Hopefully songs will then be rewriten for sopranos and altos. There is nothing stupider than a women singing a song written for a bass or tenor.

A woman's voice is not indecent. The issue is that a woman's voice is, for a man, considered to be sexually provacative. The woman doesn't have a problem. We men have the problem.

I am not a fan of Madonna either, but Adi Arad doesn't look like any "Hazzan" I ever saw. Adi wants a career in show biz, period.

Judaism is not about the "Next Big Trend." There's nothing wrong with women singing for other women at women-only events, it has been going on for years. There is definitely something wrong about chasing the "Next Big Trend." I agree with #2, Adi Arad is trying to make herself look like a rock star.

How can anyone want to neglect the other half of humanity. Women's voices are the only perfecft and natural compliment to mens voices along with instrumentation. Just because a tradition has become so, does not mean necessarily that it is a good tradition. There are many bad traditions where ever you go in this world. Many traditions are meant to be , and should be, replaced by new traditions that uplift , inspire, and unify in new ways of participation, spiritual understanding, inclusion and enjoyment. Whe it comes to this, Reform Judaism has much to contribute and bring to Israel, if only allowed ,about cantorial beauty, traditional and modern music, classical and modern mixed instrumentation and Jewish choir music. Along with our great music, we have wonderful careing and involved Lady Rabbis who bring an entirely new dimension to the synagogue. GET WITH IT !

Such a one-dimensional, flat, dreary life you must lead ! You even found it necessary to cut down Seinfeld, one of the funniest and most successful TV shows of all time. Even though it's about nothing. Oy vey ! Al, try to lighten up. Live a little !

David, I can understand and respect your position. Surely I do. As a Reform Jew I have some more wiggle room in these matters than some others may have. When ever the questions of Jewish practice comes up, the subject of Halacha inevitably rolls in. The one thing that every Jew forgets now and then, that is if they knew in the first place, is the fact that Halacha, the backbone of Talmudic Judaism, which is the successor to Pharisaic Judaism, was the creation of Talmudic Rabbis. This reveals certain implications, if you understand.

Very funny ! Very very funny ! You broke me up when I read that !

From what I understand, this prohibiton' of men hearing a woman's voice comes from the part of the Bible where Miriam goes to the side to sing with the women after the parting of the Red Sea. From THIS the rabbis - many hundreds of years ago - 'deduced' that men should not sing in front of men! Singing in praise of HaShem is immodest??? I am sure G-d is on the side of the women!! Reminds me of an old joke: God says to Moshe: Do not seethe a kid in its mother's milk. Moshe: You mean we shouldn't eat milk and meat together? G-d: Do not seethe a kid in its mother's milk! Moshe: You mean we should have separate dishes? G-d: DO NOT SEETHE A KID IN ITS MOTHER'S MILK! Moshe: You mean we should wait six hours after eating meat before eating dairy?? G-d: Forget it! Do what you want!

There is hope for us yet. The reasonable responses fill me with hope and the humorous ones with joy. Taken together we can see that we'll survive, evolve and prosper.

thank God he talks to male and female, so can't female praise Him with all they are? Can't a female thank Him in His Sanctuary in their heart and under His sky? Who can stop love? Who gave the female her voice? If not to praise, sing, pray, to her creator? Is not her body fearfully and wonderfully made?

This is sheer MADNESS!! A woman's voice is "indecent"?No wonder that outside of Israel(where true religious freedom is denied by a band of fanatics) Orhodox in the diaspora are a small and ignored minority, Indeed.,with its barbaric misoginy (not to mention self segregation and a sick hatred for the rest of mankind) Orhodoxy in the diaspora is sinking into the status of a bizarre alien cult,

What are you talking about? Small group?? Cult?? in 25 years Orthodox will make up almost 50% of the Jews in the US. They are the only group growing at all. You are NOT in touch with reality. I also donr see any sick hatred here, they are following "our" Torah. Marcus the Reform Jew

Someone wise once said that 'singing a prayer is like praying twice'. As a regular in our synagogue choir I can vouch for this. It's so sad that the Jews who call themselves Orthadox and want to preserve Judaism seem to believe that they have all the means of doing so. The big picture shows otherwise.

It most likely is all showbiz. There is no biz like showbiz. Though one Madonna is enough. She didn't have the best influences on American culture and young people in general. Probably one of her best moves was her study of Kabbalah even though it was with Philip Berg. You can' blame Adi Arad for wanting to earn a buck, especially if this is all she has to do. Trends come and go, like riding a wave and pulling in the dough. When you have the talent, and are in the right place at the right time, I imagine it's like standing on an escalalator.

Your empty head is exploding from all the sick demented hatred inside of you. Ask yourself what you would call somebody who used the same language about homosexuals. Get. A. Freaking. Grip. You are having hysterics. This is YNet's incite-as-usual headline. From your reaction, looks like they succeeded. Or are you normally this rabid?

Why do you call youself a Jew? What traditions, what do you practice that makes yourself Jewish? You are such an imposter and a phony its laughable. PS: Answer me this, are you a communist, do you believe Bush and the "neo cons" concoted 911? Your not a Jew but a Goy.

Sorry not a communist Born Jewish"You are not a jews but a goy"LOL Is THAT supposed to be an insult?Keep your sick supremacist ideology. The civilised world has LONG passed U by,

ANY group-Jew or gentile.Black or White whose tenets proclaim the segregation and marginaliztion of women.who claim that those who disagree must be attacked to the point of violence,who preach that they are superior and know the ONLY truth and way to live-all deserve condemnation,Equality Tolerance respect for all These are not hysterics. These are the basic tenets of Western civilisation,If you choose to live your life outside of these fundamental truths dont be surprised if the decent sectors of humanity abhor your beliefs,

You spew your poison on every article that has to do with religious Jews. You are extremely ignorant of Orthodox life and you are too choked by your own venom to acknowledge that others choose to live in a way you do not approve of. You are the only one here who is bombasting that YOU HAVE THE ONLY TRUTH and that YOUR WAY IS SUPERIOR and you are projecting your own hatred onto your targets. It bothers you far more that there are Orthodox Jews in the world than your fanatical and stringent secularism offends me. Personally it does not bother me if these women want to have singing prayer services. The shul that I attend does not employ a regular Hazan anyway.

and I would like to know your insights on the other major religion quite popular in your home town that would also fit your description. Being from Toronto, you must know what I'm talking about. By the way, if you permit me to ask, since you define yourself as Jewish, is that a racial/cultural definition, or do you also practice the Jewish religion? I find it rather puzzling that you would choose something that offends you as your pen name on your comments.

I can see that you are getting worked up over these comments from up above. When someone criticizes Orthodoxy, or even Reform Judaism, ( two very large targets, by the way) it doesn't necessarily mean that they are talking about us directly. Usually it's about the idea that they have in their head. Most everyone knows that there are many different groups and organizations within our respective movements, and even different individuals too boot, that hold to different variations of an idea. I have learned not to take these criticisms too personally. It's really not worth the aggravation. Yet, every one must learn to live with some form of criticism. Sometimes a little criticism is a good thing now and then when it is constructive, honestly given, and even when comming from outsiders to our beliefs. Look at me, I am a Reform Jew. How often do you think I get criticised ? Just read some of these talkbacks. We all have to live with a certain amount of this. Why get excited at the first volley that passes overhead ? You know what I mean Kyle ? I know you are going to be a smart guy. None of us need to operate on a hair-trigger. Not yet anyway.

WOULD YOU LOOK TO 'GD' OR WOULD YOU CONSTANTLY LOOK AT HER BLOND VERY BEAUTIFUL AND WILD HAIR? WOULD YOU LOOK TO PRAYERS AND THINK OF HOW TO BE A BETTER JEW? OR WOULD YOU LOOK AT HER BEAUTIFUL FACE AND GET A SLIGHT SCENT OF HER PERFUMN WOULD YOU BE ELEVATED WITH THE HOLY VOICE INSPIRED TO PREPARE YOUR SELF FOR MASHIACH OR WOULD YOU GAZE AT HER BEAUTY AND HER SWEET VOICE LULL YOU INTO A DREAM OF LOVE AND EARTHLY DESIRES? #10 SAID WOMAND VOICES ARE BEAUTIFUL.(perfect earthly example) SO IS TEMPTATION ALWAYS BEAUTIFUL.. BUT THEY LAST ONLY BRIEFLY... YES MEN ARE TO BLAME AND SO ????

There is a huge difference between honest criticism and hysterical shrieking abusive insults. It is possible to hold a rational discussion with the first and it is impossible to communicate with the second. I am familiar with the doctrines of Reform Judaism from a historical perspective and I will be happy to discuss them in these talkbacks. Unfortunately there are certain talkbackers with whom friendly discourse is impossible, they deserve only to be ridiculed.

He pretends to be a Jew ? in an other tb he wanted to annihilate the "as polish peasants of the 17th century dressed" Jewish orthodox . Says enough of his "jewishness" This guy is the greatest anti Jew , anti Jewish religion , anti Israeli known of the world and millions of light years around the earth .