Holidays

Outside the Land of Israel, we add an extra day to several holidays. Michael Kurin wonders: why not on Hanukkah?

So many of the most exciting developments in Jewish thought, explains Ariel Rackovsky, are occurring in Israel. Are American Jews sufficiently aware of them?

Akiva Shapiro offers reflections on Naomi Shemer's culture-changing song.

Shimon Laufer examines how Rabbinic understanding of the holiday of Passover influenced the holiday of Purim, and how one of the oldest manuscripts of the Mishnah hints that the converse may be true as well.

Jerome Marcus on the Akeidah: It's not about ethics vs. divine command, but about Hashem versus Elokim!

Yaakov Jaffe advocates adding a song to those sung while lighting Hanukkah candles.

Shlomo Zuckier explores the nature of Yom Kippur and its relationship to atonement.

Merri Ukraincik contemplates G-d's role in our lives.

Chaim Katz examines the commonplace assumption that Rabbi Akiva's students died as a consequence of the Bar Kokhva rebellion, showing how the details depict a more nuanced story and provide a clue as to how Rabbi Akiva's Torah was passed down.

David Schwartz explores thematic similarities between the Hanukkah miracle and Pharaoh’s dreams.