JL;DR

Michael Broyde, a law professor and former rabbinical judge, explores the impact of alternative court systems like track two arbitration in the U.S. in his b...

At the sixteenth World Congress of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem in 2013, a special session was dedicated to Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein in honor of his 80th bir...

In his article "She-Hehiyanu: An Endangered Blessing Species," Johnny Solomon discusses the challenges Orthodox Jews face in reciting the She-Hehiyanu blessi...

In the Talmudic period (200-500 CE), Jews had ceased being tempted by idol worship, focusing instead on co-existing with pagan societies. The text emphasizes...

The Brachos Bee, conceptualized by Rabbi Dovid Price in 1971 and organized by Torah Umesorah, was a competitive event for Orthodox Jewish day schools in New ...

Literary critic Adam Kirsch is engaging with the Talmud through the Daf Yomi cycle, focusing on Tractate Avodah Zarah which discusses laws against idolatry. ...

Lawrence Kaplan reflects on the enduring relevance of Moses Mendelssohn's work, "Jerusalem," by exploring Mendelssohn's discussion on the ceremonial law and ...

The author passionately advocates for women's participation in in-depth Torah study within batei midrash, despite challenges and limitations in the tradition...

In "Forest Dark" by Nicole Krauss, the novel delves into Jewish literary traditions by exploring themes of identity, biblical allegories, and a search for me...

The text describes a personal journey within a Jewish shtiebel, focusing on the author's interactions with Rabbi Moshe Halevi Steinberg. The shtiebel is port...

Abraham Socher's essay "Is Repentance Possible?" discusses the debate on morality between Aristotelian virtue ethics and the Judeo-Christian obedience to law...

The text delves into the significance of the Torah in Judaism, discussing its origins and relationship with physical objects like Torah scrolls. It highlight...

The text explores a newly discovered poem by Yehuda Amichai and reflects on his unique poetic style that intertwines scientific and poetic perspectives. It r...

The Winter 2018 edition of "Letters" touches on various topics. Ben Rich discusses the use of the simile of seas and ink in the Quran and its potential origi...

Abraham Socher's examination of Aristotle's akrasia and Maimonides's teshuvah in a 2017 article led to a discussion on true repentance. In response, Andrew N...

Rabbi Prof. Eliezer Berkovits, a leading Jewish philosopher, addressed critical issues facing Orthodox Judaism in a changing world, advocating for creative s...

Prof. Hindy Najman from the University of Oxford aims to modernize the analysis of ancient Jewish scriptures by moving away from outdated Protestant and paro...

In this episode of Unorthodox, the hosts delve into a wide array of topics ranging from Jewish superstitions about baby showers to recommended readings for p...

In the 1570s, Italian Jewish Renaissance figure Azariah de Rossi translated and published The Letter of Aristeas, a second-century BCE work recounting the tr...

Rabbi Bezalel Naor explores the concept of a new Hasidism proposed by Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, often seen as a precursor to modern Neo-Hasidism. Naor delves...

Sholom Rubashkin was a key figure in a contentious legal battle after being sentenced to 27 years for bank fraud related to his kosher meatpacking business, ...

Rabbi Norman Lamm, a prominent Orthodox Jewish leader, emphasized the importance of the Jewish family as a sanctuary and a stronghold of religious tradition ...

In this essay, Yaakov Jaffe discusses the disconnect between the traditional rabbinic guidance on when to begin morning prayers and the current practices of ...

The symposium on women and Torah learning highlighted the support from Jewish leaders like the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Soloveitchik, and Rabbi Lichtenstein ...

Literary critic Adam Kirsch delves into the intricacies of the Talmud's organization through his daily study of a page of Talmud. Despite the Talmud's hierar...

Yehuda (Udi) Dvorkin reflects on the teachings of Rav Shagar, emphasizing the ongoing publication of his works and the importance of understanding his philos...

The author discusses the issue of racism within religious texts and communities, highlighting that while some scholars argue that Rabbinic Judaism is not inh...

Rabbi Hershel Schachter's faith centers on the concept of mesorah, the chain of rabbinic transmission that upholds Orthodox tradition, guided by divine inter...

The article by Batya Ungar-Sargon examines the increasing cultural and political alignment between Orthodox Jews and the Christian Right in the U.S., particu...

A couple, both entrenched in literary and academic pursuits, found their love deeply intertwined with the written word, particularly through emails quoting p...

In this episode of Unorthodox, the hosts discuss the work of Footsteps, an organization helping formerly-Orthodox Jews transition to secular life, as highlig...

An eruv is a symbolic boundary used by observant Jews to extend the area where carrying objects on the Sabbath is permissible, addressing a need established ...

Gidon Rothstein responds to Rabbi Dr. Gil Perl's essay, highlighting their shared background influenced by Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein's teachings but differin...

A Jewish author reflects on his childhood love for collecting baseball cards with a Catholic friend, initially indifferent to players' Jewish background but ...

The discussion explores a Mishnah from Negaim, focusing on the diagnosis oftzaraat, a skin condition, in Jewish textual tradition. The Mishnah raises questio...

Rabbi Dr. Gil Perl reflects on his journey within Modern Orthodoxy, initially inspired by Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein, but ultimately seeking more certainty in...

Literary critic Adam Kirsch delves into Tractate Makkot of the Talmud, exploring the punishment of conspiring witnesses, who give false testimony to cheat ot...

The essay delves into the issue of racism within Judaism, exploring how religious particularism can contribute to prejudicial attitudes and xenophobia. It di...

The author reflects on the traditional Jewish poem, Eishet Hayil (Woman of Valor), initially viewing it as a metaphor between the Jewish people and the Sabba...

The story of the Binding of Isaac, or Akeidah, showcases Abraham's dilemma between obeying God's command to sacrifice his son and acting ethically. However, ...

The article discusses the state of advanced Talmud Torah for women, particularly in the context of Rabbi Soloveitchik's influence and the experience of teach...

The article discusses the implications of a passage in the Talmud that states all Jews have a share in the World to Come, even those executed for serious cri...

Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein emphasizes the importance of women's Torah study and religious practice, rooted in a concern for current and future generations. He...

Jon D. Levenson responds to Levi Morrow's objections regarding Levenson's interpretation of a passage from the Babylonian Talmud linking the Temple to restra...

The Torah, aside from being foundational in Judaism, contains the only contemporary account of the origin of the seven-day week, including the weekend. Abrah...

The text explores the purpose of rabbinic law and its relationship to biblical text through a narrative involving Rabbi David calming threatening waters thro...

Rabbinic law's purpose and creativity, distinct from biblical law, are explored through aggadah narratives, like the story of David subduing chaotic waters w...

Devora Steinmetz responds to Rabbi Saul Berman's essay on Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik's influence on women's Talmud study. She appreciates the progress made...

Leonard A. Matanky reflects on his experience teaching girls Talmud at Ida Crown Jewish Academy in Chicago for nearly 30 years, emphasizing the importance of...

The discussion revolves around the permissibility of using zip-ties to hold down the sekhakh (covering) of a sukkah. While some halakhic recommendations disc...