JL;DR

Yaakov Jaffe analyzes the evolution in R. Yom Tov Lipman Heller's interpretation of Avot 5:6 between the first and second editions of his Mishnah commentary,...

Michael Bernstein explores the controversial presence of national flags, particularly American and Israeli, in synagogue sanctuaries, arguing they can be see...

Jonah Rocheeld explores the paradox of Modern Orthodoxy, which attempts to reconcile traditional Judaism with modern rationality and accessibility. He observ...

In this exploration of mentalism through a halakhic lens, Steven Gotlib delves into the ethical complexities of performing acts that involve seemingly supern...

Chaim Trachtman highlights the pedagogical approach of Christine Hayes, a retired Yale professor known for her engaging lectures on the Old Testament. Hayes ...

The article delves into the biblical sotah ritual described in Numbers 5:11-31, examining its implications regarding abortion and the status of a fetus withi...

Rabbi Yonah Lavery-Yisraeli revisits a pivotal teshuvah (responsum) by Rav Moshe Feinstein to the Bobover Rebbe, R. Shlomo Halberstam, about financial respon...

Exploring the intriguing proposition by Lekah Tov, Ezra Sivan delves into the possibility that Jethro might have been the first to conceptualize the monument...

Tzvika Aviv explores the deep connection between Shavuot and the wheat harvest, arguing it serves as an ancient bioethical reminder addressing humanity's mor...

Chaim Katz examines the historical narrative surrounding the death of Rabbi Akiva's students, traditionally attributed to a lack of respect among themselves ...

Exploring the intersection of Jewish theology, extraterrestrial life, and artificial intelligence, Max Hollander examines Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm's 1965 essay ...

David Muller recounts his childhood experience as an immigrant from Israel to the U.S., detailing the cultural and linguistic challenges he faced, particular...

Ori Bach offers a nuanced analysis of the eleventh chapter of Sefer Shoftim, where Yiftah's vow and its aftermath overshadow the military victory over Ammon....

Rabbi Yehuda Halevi, through some commentators, presents a unique interpretation of the date for the Omer sacrifice, suggesting that originally, the date was...

Bruce Black reflects on the Passover seder and the absence of two friends who passed away during the year. Their empty chairs are a poignant reminder of thos...

Psalm 132 offers a unique portrayal of King David's intention to build the Temple, emphasizing his submission to God's will over his actions. Whereas other b...

Michael Kurin's article explores the multi-layered significance of the biblical mitzvah of kisuy ha-dam, the commandment to cover the blood of a slaughtered ...

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, known for his insightful blending of traditional Judaism with modern disciplines, deeply engaged with the economic vision within the To...

Jonah Rocheeld reflects on his struggle to reconcile his religious upbringing in a Modern Orthodox community with his intellectual journey that revealed nume...

David Curwin explores the notion that love, encapsulated in the phrase "ahavah mekalkelet et ha-shurah" (love bends the line), transcends rational behavior b...

Peninah Taragin Gershman explores the complex and controversial territory of Holocaust humor and its ethical implications. She recounts a personal experience...

Elisha Price explores the intricate definitions of heretical categories within rabbinic writings, focusing on the terms "minim" and "epikorsim" as outlined b...

In a reflection on the commemoration of slavery, Steve Lipman explores how Jewish Passover rituals and African American slavery museums both serve to remembe...

Avi Killip explores a deep longing for the intense, tangible expressions of devotion characterized by ancient Temple practices, particularly the idea of burn...

Joseph Feiler explores the intersection of AI ethics and Jewish thought by examining how halakhah, or Jewish law, trains perception, an element missing in AI...

Ruth Mutzafi, a grandmother in Jerusalem, navigates the daily challenges of life while grappling with a personal and societal sense of causality and responsi...

Rabbi Joshua Berman's "Echoes of Egypt" Haggadah offers a unique visual and scholarly perspective on the traditional Passover text. Berman, a professor of Bi...

The review by Chesky Kopel delves into the inaugural collections of three American Jewish poets, reflecting the turbulent early 2020s. Tikva Hecht's collecti...

Michael Broyde reflects on his time as a student of Rabbi Dr. Haym Soloveitchik, highlighting their study of the Talmud Yerushalmi. He explores why the works...

Robert Browning, the eminent Victorian poet, intriguingly chose to title one of his notable works "Rabbi Ben Ezra," casting the medieval Jewish philosopher A...

Michael Kurin explores the notion that the construction of the Tabernacle serves as an opportunity for humanity to fulfill its desire to partner with God in ...

David Sperber examines the discourse of Jewish renewal in Israel, critiquing the Zionist-religious appropriation that often sidelines non-Orthodox voices. Am...

Marina Zilbergerts delves into a Talmudic narrative from Avodah Zarah 3b, which presents a unique theological perspective on divine consciousness. According ...

Zach Truboff's article explores the recurring theme of antisemitism through the lens of the Purim story in the Megillat Esther, drawing parallels between Ham...

Michael Kurin's exploration of Megillat Esther posits that this biblical text, traditionally seen as a diaspora narrative, is actually steeped in themes rela...

Yisrael Kashkin explores the perceived cultural and religious dichotomy between Hasidim and German Jewish Hirschians, demonstrating how these two seemingly o...

Steven Gotlib reviews "Accepting and Excepting: On Pluralism and Chosenness Out of the Sources of Judaism" by Raphael Jospe, which explores the compatibility...

In the wake of publishing a sensitive article, Ari Zivotofsky addresses critical responses it garnered through two letters to the editor. Arguing that these ...

Glenn Dynner's book, "The Light of Learning: Hasidism in Poland on the Eve of the Holocaust," as reviewed by Jon Kelsen, explores the pivotal role of Hasidic...

Perry Dane responds to Steve Lipman's article on young Jews leaving Orthodox Judaism, highlighting two key omissions. Firstly, Dane points out that Lipman ov...

Yaakov Taubes examines the Christian origins of chapter divisions in the Hebrew Bible, focusing on their impact on biblical interpretation and Jewish traditi...

Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik's 1954 ruling against attending mixed-seating synagogues, even at the expense of missing the shofar on Rosh Hashanah, reveals th...

Jackson Gardner's article explores how R. Yehuda Ha-Levy's work, The Kuzari, has often been misinterpreted when contrasted with the rationalist figures like ...

Rivka Neriya-Ben Shahar shares her experience taking her Amish friends to the ocean for the first time at Atlantic City, reflecting on their shared conservat...

Julian Alper recounts his youthful memories of sitting beside an elderly man, affectionately called "Mr. K," during synagogue services. Mr. K, along with his...

Aviva Lauer's insightful exploration of Deuteronomy 20:19 connects the Jewish holiday of Tu bShvat with a broader ethical mandate against unnecessary destruc...

The review highlights "The Devash Jr Book of Shemot," a children's book designed to introduce young readers to the Book of Exodus through engaging storytelli...

The responses to Ari Zivitofsky's article on the Sde Teiman Affair focus on differing perspectives regarding Israeli military conduct and ethical considerati...

Thomas P. Balázs explores how Judaism provides a path to infuse daily routines with spiritual significance, contrasting it with Western philosophies of seeki...

Michael Kurin explores the complex Jewish perspective on rejoicing at the downfall of enemies, a topic rekindled by recent conflicts involving Israel. The de...