Merriam-Webster's defines "junto" as "a group of persons joined for a common purpose." Apparently, the word derives from the Spanish "junta," which itself seems to be an adaptation of the Latin verb for joining, "junctus." But enough etymology; history beckons.

In 1726, a young man by the name of Benjamin Franklin established an intellectual discussion group in Philadelphia, which convened weekly on Friday nights and concerned itself with - in Franklin's words - "queries on any point of Morals, Politics, or Natural Philosophy." Franklin, who was only twenty-one years old at the time, headed his "club of mutual improvement," and, with its members, spearheaded a number of meaningful projects in the American colonies, including the formation of the first public library in North America. Franklin's name for his assembly of thinkers was straightforward and precise: he called it, simply, "the JUNTO."

Some two and three-quarter centuries later, we at The Commentator wish to replicate the sort of exchange of ideas that Franklin so nobly pursued with the formation of his JUNTO in 1726. And so, The Commentator presents, herewith, its own forum for the presentation and analysis of ideas by members of the Yeshiva community. In deference to Franklin, we have tagged our effort, "The Junto"; no further deference should be expected.

A new "Junto" article will be printed in every issue of The Commentator for which we receive a suitable submission. Space will be reserved in subsequent issues for critiques of previous "Junto" articles and for a response from the original author. Within certain guidelines, "The Junto" will consider for submission any reasoned argument on any topic of interest to Yeshiva students.

As of now, the guidelines include but may not be limited to the following:

No submission that questions the veracity of generally accepted halacha will appear in "The Junto." Perhaps a legitimate forum for this type of argument exists; "The Junto" is not that forum.

No submission that insults or degrades a person or a very small group of people (e.g. "All current Commentator editors with the initials YK") will be printed. Rational arguments with conclusions that might offend or annoy relatively large groups of people (e.g. "All universities should pay reparations to African Americans for the trans-Atlantic slave trade") are encouraged and are eligible for printing.

Unless otherwise indicated, The Commentator and "The Junto" do not necessarily endorse any view expressed in "The Junto."

Anonymous submissions will not be printed, unless "The Junto" is convinced that anonymity is necessary.

These rules should suffice for now. Please send all submissions and inquiries to junto@yucommentator.com