JL;DR

The article discusses the presence of a "fifth question" at Passover Seder - "When do we eat?" and presents a historical and halakhic comparison regarding th...

"Sylvia Rafael: The Life and Death of a Mossad Spy" details the life of Sylvia Rafael, a Mossad agent targeted for assassination by Black September terrorist...

The article discusses the rise of anti-Semitism in France, attributing it to a mix of historical Islamic anti-Judaism, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and ...

Joann Sfar, a prominent French comic book creator, delves into Jewish themes in his works, notably exploring the challenges of anti-Semitism and Jewish ident...

In the Summer 2015 issue of Letters, several thought-provoking discussions are highlighted. Ruth R. Wisse reviews the novel "J," emphasizing the lack of Jewi...

In a response to Ethan Katz and Maud Mandel, Shmuel Trigano critiques their perspective on French anti-Semitism, highlighting divergent opinions on the roots...

The article discusses the Soviet-Jewish experience through the lens of artists and intellectuals who faced betrayal and persecution under Stalin's regime. It...

Michael Walzer's exploration delves into the paradox of liberation and secularism in post-World War II India, Israel, and Algeria, focusing on the tension be...

In Reservoir Hill, Baltimore, a formerly Jewish neighborhood now sees an increase in Jewish families alongside African-American residents. The rabbi of Beth ...

The discussion explores the origin of a Jewish legend regarding how a baby gets its philtrum, a small indentation above the upper lip. Initially observed in ...

"Nothing Is True and Everything Is Possible: The Surreal Heart of the New Russia" by Peter Pomerantsev examines the blurred lines between reality and PR in c...

David Bezmozgis' novel "The Betrayers" explores the complex themes of loyalty, betrayal, and sacrifice within the Jewish context, drawing parallels to real-l...

In his article "Strange Journey: A Response to Shmuel Trigano," the author reflects on Shmuel Trigano's analysis of the rise of anti-Semitism in France, attr...

Two analysts, Elliott Abrams and Itamar Rabinovich, discuss the impact of the chaos in Syria on Israel's northern border. The Syrian civil war has caused a h...

"Above and Beyond" is a documentary produced by Nancy Spielberg and directed by Roberta Grossman, focusing on the untold story of foreign volunteers who came...

In Alon Shevut, the Herzog Academic College hosts an annual seminar on Tanakh, the Jewish Bible, where participants engage in intense study and debate. This ...

Morris Dickstein's memoir "The Life of the Flying Aperu" provides an insightful account of his sentimental education, focusing on his Jewish identity and int...

Benjamin Harshav, a renowned scholar of Hebrew and Yiddish literature, passed away at 86, leaving a significant legacy in literary studies. His book, "Three ...

The author reflects on a conversation about philosopher Leo Strauss and his idea of esoteric writing, where authors hide true meanings to protect themselves ...

Bernard Berenson, a renowned art expert, was a Jewish-born man from Lithuania who converted to Christianity in his youth and later became a leading authority...

In the 1940s, Rabbi Stephen S. Wise and Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver were key figures in American Zionism. While initially working together, they faced conflicts...

Fanny and Hilde tells the story of Fanny von Arnstein, a prominent figure in the turn-of-the-19th-century Jewish salon scene in Berlin and Vienna. Fanny, a m...

Frank Herbert's iconic science fiction novel "Dune" presents a futuristic universe where religion is a potent force influenced by Judaism and other faiths, p...

In this conversation between Abraham Socher and Leon Wieseltier, they discuss various topics such as Yosef Yerushalmi, the renowned historian who was Wieselt...

Despite the vast knowledge found in the Babylonian Talmud about classical Jewish life, law, and culture from the 3rd to the 6th century C.E., there has been ...

In "Silence of the Lambs," the discussion revolves around the concept of sacrifice in both ancient religious practices and modern political and ethical conte...

The Winter 2015 edition of Letters featured various perspectives on Israel, ethics in warfare, and Jewish historical figures. Discussions included refuting t...

In the Fateless: The Beilis Trial a Century Later, the text discusses Mendel Beilis's notorious trial in 1913, accused of a blood libel murder in Tsarist Rus...

Götz Aly's book "Why the Germans?" delves into the historical roots of German anti-Semitism leading to the Holocaust. Aly argues that envy of Jewish economic...

Jacob Glatstein, the renowned Yiddish poet, wrote autobiographical novels titled Ven Yash iz geforn and Ven yash iz gekumen in response to his trip to Poland...

Josef Stern provides a thoughtful response to Lawrence Kaplan's critique of his reading of Maimonides' "The Guide of the Perplexed," acknowledging that Maimo...

In Edith Brotman's book "Mussar Yoga," a unique combination of the Jewish ethical movement of Mussar and yoga practice is explored, aiming to cultivate ethic...

POLIN, the Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw, was conceived as a tribute to Jewish life in Poland rather than another Holocaust memorial. It was...

Josef Stern responds to Lawrence Kaplan's praise of his book "The Matter and Form of Maimonides Guide" by discussing key issues raised. Stern delves into Mai...

The text explores the concept of disagreement within Jewish thought, contrasting it with the desire for consensus found in other philosophical traditions. Wh...

Helena Rubinstein, a pioneering Jewish female entrepreneur, transformed the beauty industry through her sheer entrepreneurial and marketing skills, amassing ...

The text discusses the evolving international perception of Israel post-1967, attributing the shift to various factors such as the revolutionary left's suppo...

Shlomo Sand, a well-known anti-Israel Israeli intellectual and history professor, challenges traditional Jewish narratives in his book "How I Stopped Being a...

"A Dual Inheritance" by Joanna Hershon follows the lives of two Harvard friends, Hugh and Ed, representing contrasts in upbringing and character. The narrati...

Jonatan Meir's publication of a three-volume set delves into Joseph Perl, an 18th-century maskil from Galicia who actively promoted the Haskalah ideology whi...

The text discusses the prevalence of anti-Semitism in modern discourse, particularly in the context of criticisms leveled against Israel. It highlights examp...

The text discusses a review by Richard Wolin of Bettina Stangneth's translated book about Adolf Eichmann, sparking a discussion on Hannah Arendt and the conc...

Richard Wolin criticizes the interpretation of Hannah Arendt's "banality of evil" thesis, pointing out factual errors and challenging the emphasis on Martin ...

In "Letters Fall 2014," different writers offer critiques and responses regarding various topics. The Cardinal Dulles Inspiration discusses the influence of ...

David B. Dennis's works shed light on how Nazis utilized culture for political ends, as outlined in "Valhalla in Flames." Dennis examined the Völkischer Beob...

Yihye Haybi, a Jewish man from Yemen, worked at a medical clinic where he excelled as a medical assistant and photographer, despite photography being illegal...

In "Yankel's Tavern: Jews, Liquor, & Life in the Kingdom of Poland," Glenn Dynner challenges the myth of Jewish sobriety and explores the deep intertwining o...

The response to Amy Newman Smith's article "Killer Backdrop" questions the focus and criticisms of Holocaust-related fiction, wondering if any examples meet ...

The text discusses the ethical considerations surrounding Israel's military operations, particularly focusing on Operation Protective Edge against Hamas. It ...

Daphne Merkin's new collection of essays, "The Fame Lunches: On Wounded Icons, Money, Sex, the Bronts, and the Importance of Handbags," explores themes of me...