JL;DR

Rabbi Avraham Rovigo, a noted 17th-century Kabbalist, embarked on a spiritual journey to the Land of Israel, a common aspiration among Jewish mystics of the ...

Mary F. Holley's essay delves into the spiritual and religious dimensions of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, contending that the ongoing strife is not mere...

Itxu Díaz reflects on the concept of honor and its foundational role in Western civilization, tracing its evolution from Greco-Roman times to today. Emphasiz...

Cindy Scarr reflects on the fleeting nature of life through the lens of public funeral notices in her city. These notices, though somber and reverent, are qu...

The summer 2025 letters section of the Jewish Review of Books features eclectic reader responses, including insights into Jewish themes in literature and phi...

Asaf Hazani's response to Matti Friedman's review of his book "Anthropology at War: Iron Swords, Field Notes" delves into the anthropological analysis of the...

Arnold Eisen, former chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary, offers a candid exploration of faith and theology in his new book, catering to nonacademi...

Guy Miron delves into the spatial and temporal experiences of German Jews under Nazi persecution, analyzing how the reordering of time and space affected the...

The article addresses the recent criticism aimed at the "Friends of" model, a group of American nonprofits raising funds for Israeli institutions, following ...

David Samuels reflects on the erosion of "cool" as a cultural concept and its diminished relevance in today's digital age. The once revered icons like Bob Dy...

Bernie Marcus, co-founder of Home Depot, was once rejected from medical school due to antisemitic discrimination, an experience that profoundly shaped his li...

Rebbetzin Sara E. Freifeld explores the timeless wisdom of Pirkei Avos, emphasizing its role as a profound guide for personal growth and ethical living. She ...

Hannah Arendt, a pivotal 20th-century philosopher, is well-regarded for her profound thoughts on political theory, yet her personal journey as a Jewish intel...

In this profound exploration of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov's teachings, Akiva Weisinger delves into the mystical concept of the "Vacated Space" and its theolog...

Public intellectual Micah Goodman discusses the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, emphasizing the need for practical solutions over idealisti...

The film "The Life of Chuck," adapted from Stephen King's novella by director Mike Flanagan, delves into themes of life, death, and Jewish philosophy through...

The episode delves into Rambam's introduction to the Mishnah, detailing the five components of Oral Torah, elucidating the distinction between Halacha L'Mosh...

Yuval Levin explores the concept of cultural renewal through the biblical story of Nehemiah, highlighting the dual responsibilities of rebuilding and defendi...

A deep dive into the theological perspectives of Hashgacha Pratis contrasts prominent Jewish philosophical approaches, from the Rambam's limited divine provi...

In an exploration of the 1967 Summer of Love, Sruli Fruchter reflects on the hippie movement's emphasis on personal freedom and liberation from societal norm...

Reflecting on the 1967 Summer of Love, this article contrasts the era's hippie counterculture with the disciplined life proposed by Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein...

Rabbi Irwin Katsof, a former nonprofit fundraiser for Aish HaTorah under Rav Noach Weinberg, chronicles his unexpected journey in the world of finance in his...

Stephen D. Smith, reflecting on the recent call for unity among Jewish organizations, advocates for a radical reimagining of resource allocation within the J...

The tension between Torah and science has long been a significant theme in Jewish thought, echoed through the ages by influential figures such as Rambam, Mah...

Rabbis Itamar Rosenzweig and Yitzchak Blau engage in a lively debate over whether morality exists outside of Judaism, moderated by David Bashevkin. They delv...

Facing the reality of mortality, particularly with a diagnosis like dementia, presents unique spiritual and emotional challenges. Rabbi Daniel Rose explores ...

"The Eternal Conversation," a new volume from OU Press, NCSY, and Maggid Books, compiles the late Rabbi Jonathan Sacks's poignant essays previously published...

Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman's book, reviewed by Rabbi Moshe Kurtz, delves into the complex theme of haaramot (circumventions) within the halakhic system, offerin...

Natan Slifkin's exploration of the concept of miracles considers recent events related to Iran’s nuclear capabilities in the context of Jewish thought on mir...

Shaul Magid reflects on Israel's recent decision to strike Iran, exploring historical visions of Jewish identity and self-fashioning. He delves into three ke...

Daniel Clarke-Serret's essay delves into the implications of Sayyid Qutb's ideology, which profoundly influenced Islamist movements and figures like Osama bi...

Dovid Bashevkin delves into the personal and theological significance of names, contemplating his own struggles with his name as a metaphor for exploring the...

Gary Rosenblatt explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and Judaism by tasking ChatGPT with creating modern interpretations of Maimonides' 13 Pr...

Admiel Kosman delves into the contrasting views of Gershom Scholem and Martin Buber on Hasidism, highlighting their differing perspectives on internal versus...

Admiel Kosman explores the intersection of psychoanalysis and Hasidic teachings on self-love, focusing on insights from Erich Fromm and the Rebbe of Warka. T...

Ana Levy-Lyons, a former Unitarian Universalist minister now studying to be a rabbi, critiques the secular left's lack of spiritual and community connections...

In a modern twist on Jewish mystical traditions, Jess, a struggling artist, becomes embroiled in the creation of a golem as she prepares for a critical art s...

Jackson Gardner delves into the life and philosophy of Yehuda Halevi, emphasizing that his work, notably the 'Kuzari', is not anti-science but rather critiqu...

Philanthropy can inadvertently maintain inequalities, especially within Jewish and regional contexts. "Impact Together," launched by the Oregon Jewish Commun...

The episode delves into Rambam's introduction to Mishnah, focusing on differentiating legitimate prophets from false ones, highlighting four categories of pr...

Dovid Campbell explores the Mishnah as more than just a foundational Jewish legal text, suggesting it embodies a philosophical framework similar to found poe...

Dovid Campbell explores the Mishnah as a work that extends beyond its traditional understanding as a mere legal text. By comparing it to 'found poetry,' Camp...

Rabbi Yehuda Leib Ashlag, known as the Baal Ha-Sulam, sought to revolutionize spirituality in the face of modern crises. Emphasizing Kabbalistic teachings li...

Rabbi Yehuda Leib Ashlag, also known as the Baal Ha-Sulam, profoundly impacted Jewish mystical thought with his teachings on Kabbalah and the Zohar. His idea...

Rabbi Dr. David Seidenberg discusses the integration of ecology into Jewish spirituality, emphasizing the importance of reconciling environmental consciousne...

Sarah Posner critiques Donald Trump's disregard for the separation of church and state, focusing on his alignment with Christian nationalist perspectives tha...

The article juxtaposes the moon's apparent insignificance in scientific discussions about life's origins with its profound significance in Jewish thought. Wh...

Cindy Scarr explores the concept of 'kivui,' or hope in Hashem, as a profound spiritual tool used by Jews during challenging times. Drawing on the teachings ...

Hannah Arendt: Facing Tyranny, a new documentary by Jeff Bieber, challenges the public's simplified perception of Arendt as merely a 'Holocaust philosopher,'...

Yosi Amram delves into the often misunderstood concept of Jewish chosenness, which traditionally implies a divine selection that can be perceived as elitist ...