JL;DR

Photoshopping historical images within Orthodox Jewish communities to conform to contemporary religious standards is a troubling trend highlighted by Leslie ...

In this essay, the author explores different interpretations of the story of the Binding of Isaac (Akeidah). The traditional view, influenced by theologian S...

In this text, the author discusses the debate between philosophers Crescas and Rambam from the Middle Ages regarding whether God can command belief in His ex...

Leonard Cohen's album "You Want it Darker" reflects his ambivalence towards death and God, exploring themes of suffering and mortality. Cohen uses religious ...

This article explores the connection between the biblical story of Abraham and the social and spiritual revolutions of the 1960s. The Tower of Babel tale, ac...

Studying Tanakh from a young age provides a foundation in Jewish history and context for connecting to Jewish practice, with many baalei teshuva embarking on...

The article discusses the significance of Noah sending out a raven before the dove in the biblical story of the flood. While the text does not explicitly sta...

The discussion explores the translation of a Talmudic passage regarding the perceived suppression of the Book of Kohelet by the ancient sages. The prevalent ...

The article reviews the exhibit "Jerusalem 1000-1400: Every People Under Heaven" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which showcases art and artifacts from me...

In Jewish tradition, truth is associated with God's reliability and trustworthiness, while people are considered prone to falsehood. The concept of truth is ...

The text discusses a series of dialogues involving Rav Hisda, Abaye, and others, reflecting on themes of self-doubt, imperfection, and prayer. Rav Hisda expr...

The Midrash uses Adam's sin as a cautionary tale to illustrate the severity of sin, comparing his punishment to that of Cain's for murder. The text suggests ...

Rashi's well-known commentary on the first verse of the Torah asserts the Jewish people's God-given right to the Land of Israel. While this seems straightfor...

In response to the Scopes Monkey Trial in 1925, which highlighted the issue of Darwinism, two New York Orthodox rabbis, Leo Jung and David de Sola Pool, offe...

In 1968, high school students at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, IL, encountered the Chicago Cubs' Ron Santo, a revered baseball player, near their...

The legality and constitutionality of the traditional live-chicken version of the kapparot ritual, often performed by some members of the Jewish community, i...

The text discusses the role of "gedolim" (great Torah scholars) in Jewish communities, particularly in Modern/Centrist Orthodoxy and Liberal Orthodoxy. It ex...

The article discusses the Rabbinic attempt to remove the book of Kohelet from the Biblical canon, referencing a passage in Shabbat 30b. The text points out a...

The article explores the connection between the book of Jonah and the holiday of Sukkot. It highlights the importance of communal joy and happiness during th...

In "Not in the Market for a Gadol," Wendy Amsellem responds to Chaim Saiman's essay on the idea of communities led by a revered rabbinic figure known as a ga...

The symposium titled "The Market for Gedolim" brings together various writers providing reflections on the topic raised by Chaim Saiman's recent work for Leh...

Prof. Chaim Saiman delves into the differing perspectives on gedolim (great Torah scholars) in Haredi, Centrist Orthodox, and liberal Orthodox communities. W...

The article by Miriam Gedwiser discusses Chaim Saiman's argument that the number of revered leaders in the Orthodox community is influenced by demand as much...

The author of this essay responds to Prof. Chaim Saiman's essay on the relationship between halakhic authority and Liberal Orthodoxy. They argue that the aut...

Chaim Saiman's essay explores the concept of a gadol, a revered Jewish leader, within Centrist Orthodox and Haredi communities, highlighting the centrality o...

The article discusses the concept of "gedolim," revered leaders in Orthodox Judaism whose influence is significant within their communities. It explores why ...

Eviatar Banai, an Israeli rock musician and baal-teshuva, reflects on his religious journey and the contradictions of success in his song "Pergola". The lyri...

The text explores two contrasting paradigms of repentance seen through anecdotes in the Talmud. The first story depicts Rabbi Elazar b. Durdaya's deep repent...

The text explores the evolution and controversy surrounding the Alenu prayer, specifically its historical anti-Gentile language targeting Christians. Initial...

The essay delves into the message of Isaiah 58 in relation to Yom Kippur and fasting, challenging the traditional understanding of fasting solely as refraini...

Jeremiah Lockwood's new album, "Kol Nidre," offers a modern take on traditional Yom Kippur liturgy, blending cantorial melodies with blues and soul elements....

The text explores different motivations for religious commitment, focusing on the story of Jonah from the Bible. It contrasts religious motivations driven by...

The author recounts their experience meeting Shimon Peres in 1999, initially reluctant due to opposing his involvement in the Oslo Accords. Despite reservati...

The article discusses the custom of visiting the graves of Jewish saints, particularly on the day before Rosh Hashanah. The author describes her own experien...

In "The Origins of Jewish Universalism: What it is, and Why it Matters," Malka Simkovich explores how Jewish universalist ideas were prevalent in the late Se...

In his piece "The Ballad of Cain and Adam," Ari Lamm reflects on the significance of Elul leading up to Rosh Hashanah. Drawing parallels between the Biblical...

Rabbi Joseph H. Lookstein's unpublished memoir sheds light on the period between Dr. Bernard Revel's death in 1940 and Dr. Samuel Belkin's election as Yeshiv...