Personal Reflections

In this essay, Thomas P. Balázs considers Edgar Allan Poe as a springboard to consider what makes a life meaningful

Ariel Goldstein expands on the hardship of being a Jewish woman and attempting to live up to impossible standards.

Avi Schwartz reflects on the life and teachings of Rabbi Dr. Neil Danzig, Z"L.

Nechama Sternberg contemplates her relationship to her grandfather, and remarks on the person he was in life.

Aton Holzer reflects on Jerusalem and Zionism.

Eric Suben considers various Jewish and non-Jewish representations of angels and their significance in his life.

In honor of Hanukkah, Admiel Kosman considers literary and aggadic traditions that depict holy people as burning flames or sources of light. He proposes that these traditions be read in light of Martin Buber’s insight regarding the dialogical personality.

Benjamin Marcus was commissioned to create illustrations for an illuminated manuscript of the Book of Ruth. In this one-of-a-kind article, he shares his challenges, his discoveries, and his art.

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.

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.