JL;DR

In this podcast episode titled "The State of the Spirit (and the Spirit of the State)," Allison, Don, and Noah examine various aspects of religion and spirit...

Harvey Shapiro's posthumous poetry collection, edited by Norman Finkelstein, reflects on themes of distance, silence, and spiritual inquiry. Shapiro, a city ...

Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein's legacy is multifaceted and open to interpretation, with different perspectives emerging about his teachings and approach. While s...

Rabbi Shalom Carmy discusses the complexity of human decision-making and values as exemplified by Rav Aharon Lichtenstein's teachings and actions. Rav Lichte...

The author reflects on a conversation about philosopher Leo Strauss and his idea of esoteric writing, where authors hide true meanings to protect themselves ...

The author reflects on their transformative experiences working on a farm and studying Torah, highlighting the interconnectedness of farming and Jewish tradi...

Dr. Michal Aharony from Beit Berl Academic College discusses her book "Hannah Arendt and the Limits of Total Domination" with host Gilad Halpern, focusing on...

This text explores the theories of Jewish-German philosopher Hannah Arendt on totalitarianism by examining testimonies from Holocaust victims and survivors. ...

Aharon Lichtenstein reflects on the profound sources of his faith, emphasizing that it derives not from abstract arguments but from influential relationships...

Rabbi Niles Elliot Goldstein reflects on his transformative experience leading a kayaking trip through Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which became...

Dr. Ephraim Chamiel discusses his book on the emergence of Modern Orthodoxy, where Jewish philosophers aimed to blend tradition with modernity. Dr. Sonja Nar...

Ayn Rand, known for her staunch individualism and capitalist philosophy, demonstrated these values even in personal interactions with her family, as evidence...

Josef Stern responds to Lawrence Kaplan's praise of his book "The Matter and Form of Maimonides Guide" by discussing key issues raised. Stern delves into Mai...

In Edith Brotman's book "Mussar Yoga," a unique combination of the Jewish ethical movement of Mussar and yoga practice is explored, aiming to cultivate ethic...

Josef Stern provides a thoughtful response to Lawrence Kaplan's critique of his reading of Maimonides' "The Guide of the Perplexed," acknowledging that Maimo...

In "Silence of the Lambs," the discussion revolves around the concept of sacrifice in both ancient religious practices and modern political and ethical conte...

Jewish emigrants who returned to Germany after being expelled found themselves as irreplaceable teachers, contributing to German philosophy and influencing t...

Richard Wolin criticizes the interpretation of Hannah Arendt's "banality of evil" thesis, pointing out factual errors and challenging the emphasis on Martin ...

The text reflects on the final days of the author's father, a man who found solace and purpose in philosophy throughout his life. As he faces a terminal illn...

"Moshe Halbertal's intellectual biography 'Maimonides: Life and Thought' delves into the relevance of Maimonides in modern times, exploring his contributions...

The author recounts a personal experience involving a fire accident to explore the concept of "middah kneged middah," or Jewish karma, where actions have con...

Richard Linklater's film 'Boyhood,' shot over 12 years, captures the essence of life's passage as it uniquely chronicles the growth of its characters, partic...

Martin Heidegger's recently published Black Notebooks reveal his deep entanglement with National Socialism, anti-Semitism, and belief in the superiority of t...

The text discusses the evolution of ideas on religion, atheism, and postmodernism, particularly through the analysis of Terry Eagleton's book "Culture and th...

In this personal essay, Ruchama King Feuerman recounts her crisis of faith upon discovering the similarities between the Torah's laws and the ancient Babylon...

The text explores the idea of responsibility in storytelling, highlighting how authors shape the fates of their characters. A series of interconnected events...

Sherwin B. Nuland, a prominent surgeon and writer, advocated for demystifying death to make it less frightening, believing that the quest for a dignified dea...

Yosef Hayim Yerushalmi, a prominent Jewish historian, is reflected upon through the lens of his essays and writings, shedding light on his fascination with r...

The text discusses the decline of Conservative Judaism and the factors contributing to it. It notes that the movement has failed to inspire congregants with ...

Rabbi David Wolpe delves into the profound teachings of Abraham Joshua Heschel, a revered Jewish scholar known for his spiritual insights and poetic prose. W...

In a symposium on Jewish belief, Commentary Magazine highlighted the influence of Franz Rosenzweig, a German Jew whose essay "The Builders" provided a meanin...

"Kafka at Bedtime" discusses two recent works based on the writings of Franz Kafka. The first, "Philosophy and Kafka," is a collection of essays exploring Ka...

Mandy Patinkin, renowned for his iconic role as Inigo Montoya in 'The Princess Bride', shares a deeper connection to a lesser-known quote from the film. Duri...

Ludwig Wittgenstein's "Philosophical Investigations," published in 1953, challenges traditional views of language and truth by asserting that words do not si...

"Man Is Not Alone" by Abraham Joshua Heschel, published in 1951, presents faith as a profound connection akin to the intimacy between lovers, where one repla...

Solomon Maimon, a controversial Jewish philosopher in the late 18th century, narrated his life in an autobiography where he critiqued the brutality and irrat...

Rabbi Simcha Zissel Ziv, a student of Rabbi Israel Lipkin Salanter, founded the Talmud Torah of Kelm, a unique yeshiva blending tradition with elements of th...

Jonathan Sperber's biography of Karl Marx portrays him as a figure of the 19th century, highlighting his bourgeois origins, lifestyle, and approach to revolu...

Dignity, a central concept in human rights and moral discourse, is explored through various lenses in Jewish and Western thought. The multifaceted nature of ...

Hannah Arendt's profound and controversial ideas are brought to life in Margarethe von Trotta's biopic, focusing on the philosopher's analysis of Adolf Eichm...

In "If God is Good, Why is the World So Bad?" by Rabbi Blech, the author addresses the age-old question of how to reconcile belief in a benevolent deity with...

In this series of letters from the Spring 2013 issue of a publication, several important discussions are summarized. Firstly, Henry Kissinger responds to Shl...

Jacques Derrida, the French philosopher known for deconstruction, was not easily categorized as a Jewish thinker despite his Algerian Jewish heritage. Benoît...

In a response to Jon D. Levenson's critical review of his book "The Philosophy of Hebrew Scripture," the author defends his thesis that the Hebrew Bible can ...

Arie Dubnov's book delves into the complex life of Isaiah Berlin, from his Jewish heritage in Riga to his esteemed status as a British intellectual figure. D...

This text describes a series of underground philosophy seminars held with a group of Hasidic Jewish participants, including Satmar and Lubavitcher members, e...

Yoram Hazony's book criticizes modern academia for trivializing the Hebrew Bible, particularly due to the influence of German research methods that viewed bi...

"Melisande! What Are Dreams?" by Hillel Halkin tells the story of a love triangle involving the narrator, Hoo, his wife Mellie, and their friend Ricky. The n...

In "The Peace and Violence of Judaism," Robert Eisen reflects on the impact of religious conflicts, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the ro...

In "Where Wisdom Begins," the discussion centers on the role of religion in modern society by challenging the idea that secularism alone can solve societal c...