Holidays

In an original Hebrew poem, Shoshanah Haberman addresses the crisis in Israel and Gaza, mourns the dead, and prays for the future.

With Hoshanah Rabbah today and the theme of repentance in mind, Jack Cohen explores the role that outsiders play in one's teshuva process through an enigmatic midrash instructing one to return a person to themselves.

Michael Bernstein examines how the individual experience is ironically incorporated into holidays that are all about the community.

Jerome Marcus explores understandings of freedom within halakhah and how they relate to Pesah and Shavuot

Jon Kelsen uncovers a deeper rabbinic meaning to the blood needed to "passover" the Israelites.

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

Why is the annulment of vows so central to the High Holy Days? Wendy Amsellem discusses this, with a timely message.

Beth Kissileff on the book of Jonah and its relevance on Sukkot.

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

Through a careful reading of the Tosefta and its parallels, David Matar argues that Hillel led the Pharisaic faction to a populist victory over the Sadducean priests over the matter of offering the Pesach Sacrifice on Shabbat.