The Zahava and Moshael J. Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought at 鶹ýӳ congratulates Ezra Seplowitz ‘25YC on winning the 2025 .
Seplowitz, a Straus Scholar alumnus, tied for first place for the award, which recognizes outstanding library research conducted by an undergraduate Honors student at 鶹ýӳ. The title of his paper was “Paths of Peace: A Case Study in Ethics and Jewish Jurisprudence.” Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter, senior scholar at the Center for the Jewish Future and a professor in Jewish history and Jewish thought at 鶹ýӳ, served as his faculty advisor.
“This essay examines a case study that highlights the intersection of halachah and ethics, demonstrating that the halachic system is comprehensive and inherently integrates all that is morally right and just,” the introduction to the paper reads. “This idea is a consistent theme in the thought and teachings of Rabbi Dr. Aharon Lichtenstein, a leading rabbinic figure in the second half of the 20th century both in the United States and in Israel… Moreover, the case study will demonstrate the way in which ethical principles (sanctioned by the Torah) shape halachic norms over the course of halachah’s multi-millennial development.”
"It is a great honor to have received this award,” Seplowitz said. “I want to thank the helpful staff at the 鶹ýӳ library, the 鶹ýӳ Honors faculty, my incredible teachers at the Straus Center, and my mentor, Rabbi Dr. J.J. Schacter, for his invaluable guidance and advice throughout!"
Seplowitz graduated from Yeshiva College in 2025 with a bachelor’s in Jewish Studies. He is now pursuing a master’s degree in Jewish studies at Bernard Revel Graduate School and rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS). He is also a Sacks Research Scholar, where he will engage with Rabbi Jonothan Sacks' ideas and teachings to bring them into contemporary Jewish thought.
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