Rabbi Shai Held's two-volume collection "The Heart of Torah, Essays on the Weekly Torah Portion" delves into the importance of the Torah reading cycle and the moral lessons found within the text.

Ruby Namdar's novel "The Ruined House" won the Sapir Prize in 2014, the first time awarded to a non-Israeli resident.

In a contemplative piece, Elli Fischer discusses the unique practice of celebrating the death of revered rabbinic figures, focusing on the example of Rabbi Shimon bar Yohai (Rashbi) and contrasting it with the lesser-known commemoration of Rabbi Hanina ben Teradyon.

The article discusses American Jews' tendency to adapt or create new traditions around Jewish holidays like Passover to fit modern lifestyles, highlighting examples such as kosher-style eating, shortened shiva periods, and moving religious services to Sundays.

Drake, the Jewish Canadian rapper known for being invited to Shabbat dinners, is scheduled to perform at Brooklyn's Barclays Center during Yom Kippur.

Tu B'Shvat, the Jewish new year for trees, traditionally observed on the 15th of Shvat, is a celebration that includes consuming fruits and nuts, like almonds, though not part of the seven species mentioned in the Torah.

The author struggles with understanding the spiritual significance of Tishah B'Av, a somber day on the Jewish calendar commemorating the destruction of the Temples and other tragedies.

Simchat Torah, a holiday celebrating the completion of the annual Torah reading cycle, has grown in popularity over the centuries despite not being mentioned in the Bible or Talmud.

Allison, Don, and Noah discuss the iNakba iPhone app that highlights Palestinian dispossession, Netanyahu's plan to legally define the Talmud in Israeli law, and Israel's potential crisis of authority.

The text describes a person's childhood memories of living in Israel for a year before returning to the U.S. due to their parents' divorce, which marked the beginning of a sense of exile.

Rabbi Joshua Berman delves into the lack of emotional connection many Jews feel towards Tishah B'Av, questioning why the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash does not evoke greater sorrow in contemporary times when Jewish life seems prosperous.

The text discusses the significance of the Jewish calendar, especially focusing on its importance during the Holocaust.