Culture

Beverly Siegel reflects on memory and love in Jewish life and tradition.

In this poetic tale from Marina Zilbergerts's recent poetry book You Were Adam (Wipf and Stock), a learned and passionate woman struggles with her yetser hara, nicknamed "Wicked." The yetser is imagined as a fantastic character who accompanies her through Jewish Toronto's banal suburbia. "Wicked '' is a sympathetic and tragic apikores who knows how to get her where it hurts, but he also speaks the truth. He is a careful social observer present with her at all times. From going on weekly shopping trips, being in shul, to more intimate moments, this demonic character becomes her unlikely friend. In an ironic twist, the lessons taught to her by her yetser help her embark on the path of repentance.

Zohar Atkins offers poetic reflections on Tisha be-Av on high.

Sarah Rindner with a review of the Met's latest exhibit, "Jerusalem."

Have you seen the latest teen magazine for religious Zionist women? Yoel Finkelman has, and he has some thoughts.

Two new poems by Temima Weissmann address national calamities, both past and present.

Poetry from Zohar Atkins.

Jeffrey Burghauser's three poems draw on the biblical and rabbinic imagination.

The poetry of the Mishkan: Abe Mezrich mines Parshat Terumah for its poetic potential.

Lawrence Kaplan responds to Eli Putterman's essay on Reish Laqish and sexuality.