Culture

Wendy Zierler interprets a 2015 poem by the late Haim Gouri, reflecting on the challenges of aging, and on the complex and often mournful relationship between the Jewish people, their history, and their literature.

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

Last year, Nathan B. Oman, a Latter-day Saint and law professor, bought hametz from the members of Chaim Saiman’s synagogue before Passover. This is his story—a profound meditation on the nature of religious law and legal fiction — with an introduction by Chaim Saiman.

A new poem by Janet Kirchheimer, on losing a father.

Poet Yehoshua November notices a defining characteristic of contemporary poetry—fixation on the ordinary. In light of Hasidic theology, November argues that appreciation for the holiness of the ordinary underlies Megillat Esther and the celebration of Purim.

In this personal reflection, Phil Lieberman addresses the unique pain that accompanies the loss of an abusive parent and considers the uneasy coherence of this pain with Jewish traditions of mourning.

Talya Jankovits presents a chilling narrative on the tragedy of a woman chained to her marriage.

These poems present a reflection on mortality and memories.

These poems present Dephy's reflections on memories, relationships, and the self.

Six new poems by Elhanan Nir—published here with English translation and annotation—capture the grief and discontinuity of this moment.