JL;DR

The bikkurim ceremony, depicted in the Beth Alpha synagogue mosaics, highlights the Jewish value of performing mitzvot with joy. This ancient ritual involved...

In the wake of trauma, such as the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel, families often channel their grief into charitable initiatives. Arnold Roth, c...

Cindy Scarr explores the enigmatic letter samech in the Torah, noting its rare appearance as the initial letter in passages related to grave national sins, s...

Cindy Scarr explores the Torah portion of Ki Savo, focusing on the significance of hidden transgressions and their impact on society. Using Devarim 27:15 and...

Exploring the concept of savlanus, or patience, within Jewish teachings, Cindy Scarr delves into how we can cultivate this virtue in our interactions with ot...

In this exploration of theodicy through the lens of the Book of Iyyov, Chaim Trachtman delves into why this particular biblical text uniquely captures the st...

Rivka Bennun Kay explores the harmonious blend of Written and Oral Torah through her reflections on reading Rav Kook's "Orot HaTorah" during a vacation. She ...

Rivka Bennun Kay delves into Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik's advocacy for keeping religious emotions private, highlighting how this reflects broader Jewish va...

Jon Polin reflects on the intersection of personal mourning and national hope in this poignant piece. Following the death of his son, Hersh, in Gaza, Polin s...

The American Technion Society (ATS) has seen an unexpected surge in planned donations from new donors, including children of Holocaust survivors and disillus...

The article addresses the common difficulty and overwhelming nature of embracing teshuvah, or repentance, during the Jewish month of Elul. Through insights f...

Cindy Scarr's piece examines the profound Jewish concept of 'vhalachta bdrachav'—walking in God's ways, which extends beyond loving one's neighbor to embodyi...

Jack Cohen explores the often-misunderstood concept of tzniut (modesty) in Jewish thought, particularly within Modern Orthodox circles. He critiques the idea...

The article by Saul Goldman critiques the notion that antisemitism can be attributed to mental illness, arguing that it is a manifestation of evil. Goldman c...

Dovid Bashevkin explores the enduring relevance of idolatry in a modern context while recounting his childhood memories of Avraham's iconoclastic tale. He de...

Rivka Bennun Kay explores the teachings of Rabbi Yehuda Amital on spiritual introspection during the month of Elul, drawing from his book "When God is Near."...

The episode explores the problematic notion of politics being driven by a constant state of emergency, highlighting the politicization of public health agenc...

Franz Kafka's works resonate deeply with Jewish readers by reflecting the perpetual challenges and uncertainties of Jewish identity, exile, and faith. Kafka'...

David Curwin's article explores the connection between the Torah's instructions on preserving fruit trees during a siege and the stories of the Garden of Ede...

Rivka Bennun Kay explores the concept of faith and authenticity (temimut) in Jewish tradition, drawing on various interpretations from Jewish scholars and ps...

Exploring the profound connection between mind and body, the article emphasizes how our thoughts, beliefs, and expectations can shape our physical and emotio...

Menachem Rosensaft, a legal expert on genocide, argues that Israel is not committing genocide in its conflict with Hamas, differentiating between genocide an...

Rochi Ebner discusses the integration of Rav Kook's spirituality and teachings in contemporary Judaism, emphasizing personal and communal transformation in p...

Ella Ben Emanuel explores the complex role of "Tikkun Olam" (repairing the world) amid the persistent antisemitism faced by Jews globally, particularly in th...

Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein discusses the challenge of internalizing the loss of the Beis HaMikdash and the coming of Moshiach, exploring how these concepts rela...

Andrea Freedman discusses the evolving fund-raising strategies within the Jewish community, especially in response to crises such as the recent Oct. 7 attack...

Rabbi Joey Rosenfeld discusses the role of Jewish mysticism in navigating contemporary chaos by exploring the concepts of imperfection and yearning. He empha...

Emily Yaffe critiques the concept of equal representation, arguing that it serves as a veneer for antisemitism by targeting Jews for being 'overrepresented' ...

Malki Sinensky's guest essay explores the oft-overlooked dimension of faith in discussions surrounding the Israel-Gaza conflict. She argues for integrating G...

Emily Tamkin reflects on her personal journey of reading the works of Italian Jewish writer Primo Levi as she prepares for motherhood. Enamored by Levi's exp...

The article explores the concept of "asthenes," an Aramaic term indicating a condition of physical, sensory, or psychological sensitivity, within Jewish text...

Eduardo Halfon's narrative, set in a luxurious penthouse in Guatemala City, weaves a tale of mystery and spirituality as the protagonist awaits a session wit...

Rabbi Shalom Paltiel explores the dual nature of the mitzvah of tefillin in the context of Parsha Eikev, examining whether the head and arm tefillin constitu...

Jewish educators, supported by the Jewish Education Innovation Challenge (JEIC), are exploring ways to integrate God-centered learning in Jewish day schools ...

Peter Beinart interviews Hungarian-Canadian physician Gabor Maté, exploring his insights on Israel-Palestine and the Jewish experience. Their conversation ex...

David Bashevkin explores the complexities of dating, sharing insights from his own journey toward balancing romantic, religious, and professional identities....

The article explores England's remarkable historical shift from one of the most antisemitic nations to a leading philosemitic society by the 17th century. In...

In a 2025 reflection on Jewish identity, the concept of 'chosenness' presents both challenges and opportunities for American Jews. While historically content...

The concept of Israel as the 'chosen state' is examined through biblical references, historical evolution, and modern political and cultural dynamics. The ar...

Jewish theology has wrestled with the concept of chosenness for over two millennia, as exemplified by interpretations that shift the focus from God choosing ...

The essay reflects on the dual nature of the concept of chosenness in Jewish philosophy, particularly within the context of the author's personal experience ...

Archaeological discoveries in the Sinai Peninsula suggest that the belief in YHWH might have predated the Israelites and was adopted from nomadic tribes such...

Leon Pinsker, a 19th-century Zionist thinker, diagnosed antisemitism as a chronic condition stemming from fear of the stateless Jew. This article argues that...

The article explores the complex and often contradictory concept of Jewish chosenness within traditional texts, highlighting tensions between unconditional d...

The Publisher's Note reflects on the ongoing debate regarding Jewish chosenness, exploring whether it represents a privileged status or a divine calling. The...

Reflecting on the Torah command to place a railing on a roof, especially during missile attacks in Israel, this article explores the theological tension betw...

In an exploration of philosophical perspectives on the moral implications of the Gaza conflict, Robert Zaretsky reflects on teachings from the Torah and comp...

This piece explores the root causes of modern antisemitism, suggesting a link between historical and current criticisms of Jewish values. The author argues t...

Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein explores the understanding of Moshiach and the Jewish people's national status, emphasizing the greater awareness of this lack in Isr...

The video titled "A Chasidic Antidote to Fear" is part of "The Rebbe’s Private Counsel" series, which aims to share the wisdom of the Lubavitcher Rebbe on ov...