Judaism and Politics

Yosef Blau, Senior Mashgiah Ruhani at Yeshiva University, wonders about the direction of Religious Zionism after October 7 and considers the role of Modern Orthodoxy outside of Israel.

Joshua Leifer’s new book illustrates the collapse of several paradigms that long sustained American Jewish life. In his review, Steven Gotlib notes that Leifer’s search for a viable, non-separatist, traditional Judaism overlooks several existing models of Jewish life and practice.

AJ Berkovitz offers a charitable perspective on American politicians' apparent errors in citing the Bible.

Jason Herman examines whether or not rabbis should talk politics in shul.

Chaim Trachtman shows how a careful examination of debates between Shammai and Hillel challenge our preconceived notions about them.

Moshe Kurtz explores the different meanings of silence in Halakhah in light of recent political events

This war diary, presented by Susan Weingarten, relates her experience in a kibbutz on the Gazan border on October 7th and the days following her return to Jerusalem after the Hamas massacre.

Eliezer Finkelman offers his thoughts on politicizing from the pulpit.

Politics from the Pulpit Redux: Don Seeman builds on Jason Herman.

R. Shimshon Nadel explores the connection between the Hasmonean dynasty and the modern-day State of Israel.