JL;DR

Rachel Goldberg-Polin, whose son Hersh was kidnapped by Hamas, discusses the emotional challenge of celebrating Passover while hoping for his release. She ex...

Elana Stein Hain and Leora Batnitzky discuss the omnipresence of chaos in contemporary life, exploring lessons from Talmudic stories about King David's confr...

Justice Stephen Breyer, who recently retired from the Supreme Court after 28 years, contrasts the judicial philosophies of pragmatism and textualism in his b...

The text discusses the concept of endlessness in the Jewish experience, particularly in the context of galus (exile). It reflects on the despair and hopeless...

Debra Band's illustrated volume "Qohelet: Searching for a Life Worth Living" with commentary by Menachem Fisch delves into the existential ponderings of the ...

The episode explores the revolutionary ideas and legacy of Frantz Fanon, emphasizing his unique approach to psychiatry and anti-colonial struggle while maint...

The discussion explores the idea of reintroducing a blasphemy law in the UK considering Noahide laws' prohibition on blasphemy. The Orthodox view mentions th...

The text discusses encountering aliens who appear to be living among humans, particularly in Israel. These aliens, disguised as regular people, come from a d...

Donniel Hartman and Sarah Breger discuss the connection between Jewish identity and Jewish values, exploring the strands of "Genesis Judaism" and "Exodus Jud...

Alan Zweig and Ralph Benmergui reflect on their long-standing friendship and creative collaborations, exploring their youthful journeys in India that took th...

Exploring Talmudic sources regarding what fetuses do in the womb, leading to a discussion on reincarnation in the latest episode of the Parshah Rabbit Hole.

Rabbi Joseph Dweck engages in a comprehensive Q&A, addressing diverse topics such as academic biblical criticism, karet, and the role of Hashem in daily life...

A philosophical exploration using a solar eclipse as a litmus test.

Elana Stein Maimon and Christine Hayes explore the Talmudic insights from Tractate Yoma, discussing how pride and shame influence leadership and interpersona...

The text discusses the upcoming solar eclipse in North America, prompting a reflection on Jewish teachings regarding eclipses. Traditional Jewish sources, li...

The article discusses the Israeli drone strike on a World Central Kitchen convoy in Gaza and questions the use of the term "tragedy" to describe the event, s...

The article "Jewish Life Tomorrow" reflects on the historical and contemporary dynamics of Jewish belief and identity, prompted by a 1966 survey of prominent...

The article explores the evolving relationship between the Jewish diaspora and the State of Israel, challenging traditional notions of diaspora as exile. It ...

The article explores the pervasive theme of doubt in human life, using the recent tragic events in Israel as a backdrop. Drawing on Jewish philosopher Abraha...

The reflection on mortality, prompted by recent tragic events including the COVID-19 pandemic and the Hamas attacks on Israel, highlights the human condition...

The article reflects on the concept of Nature and how human perception separates it from humanity. It discusses how ecological crises challenge the notion of...

This article explores the concept of obligation within Judaism, emphasizing how communal responsibility shapes the Jewish covenant with God and future genera...

This article explores the dynamics of Jewish secularism, contrasting its development with its Christian origins. A family story metaphorically captures the t...

Micah Goodman argues that the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas is perceived differently by Israel and the West due to differing stakes and necessiti...

Chaim Goldberg responds to Tzvi Goldstein's essay on Centrist Orthodoxy and Haredi Orthodoxy by highlighting nuances in Ramhal's Mesilat Yesharim that challe...

Rabbi Shai Held discusses how love is central to Judaism in a conversation with Amy E. Schwartz.

Rabbi Shai Held, president of the Hadar Institute and author of "Judaism Is About Love: Recovering the Heart of Jewish Life," challenges the misconception th...

Judaism's beliefs about the afterlife are diverse and not extensively discussed, despite classical Jewish sources refuting the misconception that Judaism lac...

Rabbi Shai Held's new book, "Judaism Is About Love," challenges the common perception of Judaism as focused solely on laws and justice, arguing that love, co...

The text explores the challenge of controlling our thoughts, using the analogy of trying not to think about a pink elephant. It delves into the idea that whi...

In his 1967 essay, Professor Isadore Twersky challenged previous views on Maimonides by rejecting both Leo Strauss's idea that Maimonides was primarily a phi...

Leora Batnitzky and Elana Stein Hain explore the intricate contradictions in Jewish life, drawing upon the wisdom literature of Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) and ra...

Dr. David Barak-Gorodetsky discusses the complex and often contradictory figure of Judah Magnes, a Reform rabbi and Zionist who championed a vision of binati...

Rabbi Shai Held asserts in his book "Judaism Is About Love: Recovering the Heart of Jewish Life" that love is the cornerstone of Jewish belief and practice, ...

"The Banality of Evil" is a play that reimagines philosopher Hannah Arendt as a detective solving the mystery of Adolf Eichmann's atrocities, based on Arendt...

Growing up with a non-Jewish name in Iran, the author was prompted to choose a Hebrew name at her New York wedding, ultimately settling on Ketura before late...

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz advocates for a new spiritual framework for Zionism, highlighting the need for a shift towards Musar, the Jewish ethical traditio...

In "Kohelet: A Map to EdenAn Intertextual Journey" by David Curwin, the author presents an insightful analysis of the Book of Kohelet, known for its enigmati...

Exploring various themes including the construction of the ark and mishkan, this episode of Parshah Rabbit Hole delves into the topics of Golems and mind con...

Spertus Institute, a Chicago-based Jewish institution, is hosting a free online event titled "Critical Conversations: Artificial Intelligence, Jewish Ethics,...

In "Maqam for a Green Silence," the text explores the concept of silence as seen in the Quranic story of Moses meeting the Servant of God. Moses is asked to ...

Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein delves into the Vilna Gaon's theory of 'incongruent actions' and explores how overreaching spiritual or behavioral goals can lead to ...

The text discusses the author's initial disappointment with the Talmudic focus on seemingly mundane topics like laws about damages and cows, questioning the ...

Exploring the concept of heresy and theological questions surrounding G-d in the context of Parshah Ki Sisa.

The text discusses the modern challenges to belief in Judaism, with questions arising about the veracity and relevance of Torah stories and laws in today's s...

The theological problem of evil and suffering, also known as theodicy, challenges belief in a just and fair world governed by a traditional view of God. Rabb...

Maimonides, a renowned rabbinic authority and philosopher of the Middle Ages, was also a prolific physician who authored various medical works focusing on a ...

Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi explore the global reaction to Israel's military actions 137 days into the conflict, questioning whether the narrative...

Rabbi Yakov Danishefsky, a licensed social worker, discusses the relationship between our mental health and connections with others, including God, in the 18...

Aharon Frazer reflects on the sanctity of human life amidst violence, exploring the Torah's nuanced approach to basic human morality. He highlights how the T...