Commentary

As 2021 comes to a close, the Lehrhaus team is delighted to highlight many of the thought-provoking essays we’ve published this year, with a diverse array of incredible thinkers and writers.

What do the wisdom of traditional Jewish texts and the recent findings of modern psychology have in common? Marc Eichenbaum finds commonalities in both to promote a character-driven approach to Jewish education.

Zev Eleff on a perennially interesting portion of the liturgy.

Shana Strauch Schicks's reflection commemorating the passing of Yaakov Elman, ob"m.

Margueya Poupko explains how lessons from literature can bring us closer to Torah truths.

Yaakov Jaffe provides an ideological argument against including ideology in our Chumashim.

Aton Holzer reflects on the loss of faith Israelis are going through following the events of October 7.

Shmuel Winiarz contributes to the Lehrhaus Symposium on the recent OU statement regarding female clergy.

In unpacking the meaning of a tricky verse from Eikhah that we say as part of the Shofar service on Rosh Hashanah, Mitchell First introduces us to the literary principle called hendiadys, which can help us understand various phrases throughout Tanakh.

Zev Eleff offers a rejoinder and some reflections on "What if Rav Aharon Had Stayed?"