Holidays

Zach Truboff argues that Purim reminds us of our vulnerability even with the State of Israel.

Shimon Lerner uncovers a surprising but profound message that goes to the very heart of the Purim story.

Whose idea was Sinai? A midrash contends that Sinai was first conceived by Jethro. Ezra Zuckerman Sivan supports this Midrash from the Torah's text, and explains why Jethro was the appropriate vehicle for providing the rationale of Sinai.

Yakov Ellenbogen reviews Susan Weingarten's Haroset: A Taste of Jewish History.

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

Hillel Broder reviews the latest release from Jeremiah Lockwood.

Yitzhak Szyf explores the piyyut of Shnei Zeitim, a once well-known addition to the Shabbat Hanukkah services that subtly critiques the Hasmoneans for usurping the kingship while serving as priests.

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.

Harris Bor meditates on the world of Passover in his new poem for the Lehrhaus.

Yaakov Jaffe explores Yehuda Ha-Levi's Yom Le-Yabasha.