Holidays

Aton Holzer offers a novel re-reading of the Seder, arguing that it reflects and recreates four types of liberty that can be found in the Exodus narrative, as well as a fifth form of freedom.

In his latest for the Lehrhaus, Dan Ornstein creatively imagines the story of the Talmudic sage Rabbi Yohanan through his teachings on the Book of Job. The short story is followed by a reflection on the methodology and power of "contemporary midrash."

In 1927, Rabbi Boruch Ber Leibowitz wrote a poem, an ode to Rabbi Hayyim Soloveitchik of Brisk. Nati Helfgot provides the background and a translation.

Erica Brown explores the deeper meaning of joy in Megillat Esther and beyond.

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

Hillel Broder reviews the latest release from Jeremiah Lockwood.

In time for Tisha Be-Av, Marc Eichenbaum offers a meaningful new reading of Eikha using modern psychological concepts like grief, trauma, and narrative construction.

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.

Sarah Rindner has been listening to Eviatar Banai just in time for Sukkot.

How do Moses Mendelssohn and Revelation jibe? Judah Kerbel offers some perspective.