JL;DR

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, the former Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, was a highly influential figure in Anglo-Jewry and the g...

In response to a recent article by Moshe Krakowski, Yoel Finkelman and Hannah Lebovits argue that Krakowski's defense of the Hasidic educational system and a...

The new coffee-table Humash, titled the Koren Tanakh of the Land of Israel, combines the Masoretic text and a new English translation by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks...

In his article "The Synagogue after Corona: From Crisis to Opportunity," Judah Kerbel explores the impact of COVID-19 on synagogue life and the potential cha...

This article discusses the historical myth that Jewish men menstruate. The belief was prevalent during the Middle Ages and was used as a means of degrading a...

Rabbi David Fohrman's new book, "Genesis: A Parsha Companion," offers a pathway to Tanakh study that puts the text at the center and allows readers to reach ...

The hesped (funeral eulogy) for Rav Yehuda Herzl Henkin highlights his greatness as a rabbi and posek (halakhic decisor) in the Jewish world. He was recogniz...

The author explores the implications of Jewish liturgy, particularly in relation to the fast of the tenth of Tevet. He argues that the liturgy conveys histor...

In "The Torah of the Kishkes," Elli Fischer discusses Moshe Koppel's book "Judaism Straight Up" and his argument in favor of a non-ideological form of Judais...

The Torah presents a complex view of power, highlighting both its potential for good and the dangers it poses. While power is seen as a blessing in the creat...

The author examines the concept of masculinity and heroism in the context of Hanukkah, specifically focusing on the biblical term "gevurah" and its associati...

In Exodus 13, it is mentioned that Moses took Joseph's bones with him as the Hebrews left Egypt. Commentators explain that Joseph charged the entire nation w...

Rabbi Gedalia Dov Schwartz, a respected and influential figure in the Jewish community, has passed away. Rabbi Leonard Matanky delivered a eulogy, reflecting...

The disagreement between Beit Shammai and Beit Hillel regarding the order of lighting Hanukkah candles can be understood in terms of their different interpre...

Israeli singer-songwriter Hanan Ben Ari implores not to be confined or summarized through stereotypes. As a self-described Torah observant Jew, Ben Ari embod...

This article reflects on two different stages of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks' life and the impact he had. In London, Rabbi Sacks was known for his powerful oratory ...

Isaac, one of the revered patriarchs of the Jewish people, often appears passive, drab, and gullible in the biblical narrative. His passive nature is evident...

Harold Gans's book, The Cosmic Puzzle, uses scientific evidence to argue for the existence of God. Gans explores the fine-tuned nature of the universe and ho...

The author discusses the concept of tehum shabbat, which determines the range of permitted walking for Jews on Shabbat. The tehum shabbat restricts Jews from...

Rav Dovid Feinstein, the Rosh Yeshiva of Mesivtha Tifereth Jerusalem (MTJ), was a beloved figure in the Lower East Side Orthodox community. Known for his lov...

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, a beloved teacher and mentor, had a profound impact on many people, including the author Nathan J. Diament. Diament first encountered S...

This article discusses the phenomenon of (mis)quoting Scripture in American politics, highlighting examples from Abraham Lincoln, Nancy Pelosi, Joe Biden, an...

The author explores the significance of a minuscule letter, kaf, in the word "to weep" in the description of Abraham mourning Sarah's death in this week's To...

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks was known for his prophetic voice and ability to speak in a way that captured the hearts and souls of his audience. While not a pro...

The article discusses the rediscovery of the process of manufacturing tekhelet, the sky-blue wool mentioned in the Bible, by Israeli researchers. The dye was...

The author discusses the idea of streamlining High Holidays services in American Modern Orthodox congregations. He suggests that there is a need for a health...

In this article, the author explores the story of the Akeidah (the Binding of Isaac) from a new perspective. They discuss Aaron Koller's book, "Unbinding Isa...

The story of Lot's wife turning into salt is often seen as a punishment for disobeying the angels' command, but this interpretation raises questions about th...

In this article, Alan Jotkowitz discusses the theological response needed in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, racial unrest, and environmental crises. He s...

The author explores the question of whether the Torah endorses ethnonationalism or universalism. While some argue that the Torah supports ethnonationalism, c...

This article explores the perspectives of prominent Rabbinic authorities on the topic of public protests, focusing on two contexts: the United States and Isr...

The article explores the biblical narrative's view of cities and their founders. It notes that cities and their founders are often looked down upon in the Bi...

In this article, Melissa R. Klapper explores the involvement of Jewish women in the suffrage movement in America. She highlights the diversity of the suffrag...

The article discusses the conflicting views and emotions that arise in the Upper West Side community due to the conversion of hotels into homeless shelters. ...

In this poem titled "Backyard Prayer (Covid-19)" by Akiva Shapiro, the author describes a scene of prayer during the pandemic. The masked faces of worshipper...

The author explores the concept of "aveirah li-shmah," which refers to a sin performed in the name of God. While traditional scholars generally maintain that...

Shemini Atzeret is a holiday that follows Sukkot, but its specific nature is not clearly defined in the Torah. One interpretation, found in a well-known midr...

This text explores the complex personality of King Solomon (Shlomo) as depicted in the book of Kings and Chronicles. While Chronicles portrays Shlomo as the ...

The author reflects on the issue of "manels" (all-male panels) in Jewish institutions and argues that the problem goes beyond gender representation. She poin...

The article discusses the story of Jonah and the reasons for his desire to run away from his mission. The author suggests that Jonah's fear of punishment and...

The author explores the concept of teshuvah (repentance) and its relationship to physical journeys and escape from one's surroundings. They discuss the idea ...

Yehiel Poupko's upcoming collection of poems, titled "What Is Lost," explores themes of sin, repentance, and forgiveness in Jewish tradition. The first poem ...

The article discusses a Talmudic passage that presents a debate about whether one should confess and atone for sins that have already been confessed and aton...

The poem "Erev Rosh Hashana" by Hillel Broder explores themes of fear and hope as the world approaches its end. The poem suggests that amidst the chaos and u...

The author reflects on her own experiences with childbirth and infertility, connecting them to the stories of barren women in the Bible. She highlights the i...

As we reflect on the past year during Rosh Hashanah, a Jewish holiday that focuses on our shared humanity, we must also consider the iniquity of inequity in ...

This article discusses the intentions of Rav Elhanan Nir for Rosh Hashanah, focusing on his series of four poems entitled "Intentions" (Kavvanot). The first ...

In this article, Mali Brofsky responds to a paper by Dr. Shana Strauch Shick and Dr. Yoel Finkelman on women's participation in public discourse within Moder...

The "manel phenomenon," in which all-male panels dominate public discussions in the Modern Orthodox community, is a concerning issue. The absence of women's ...

Professor Yaakov Blidstein, a highly respected scholar, recently passed away. He was known for his deep understanding of Jewish texts and his ability to inte...