Three Weeks and Tisha be-Av

Yaakov Jaffe analyzes what the Kinah about the Ten Martyrs says about heroism.

Chaim Saiman on halakhic change and the observance of Tisha Be-Av.

Erica Brown considers the little-discussed prohibition on planting during the Nine Days and what it teaches about the nature of mourning and joy.

R.A. Alpert argues that the differences between Hamas and the Zealots outweigh the similarities.

Zohar Atkins shares a few poetic excerpts in honor of Tishah be-Av

The Talmudic story of Kamtza and Bar Kamtza is often used to highlight the destructive consequences of baseless hatred. In an intriguing reading, David Hellman suggests that the hatred that motivated the tale’s participants is more complex than meets the eye.

Zoe Jick Fertik explores the parallels between holidays on the Jewish calendar.

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."

Zvi Grumet suggests that when read in sequence, the kinot of R. Elazar Ha-Kalir—often seen as the ones most difficult to understand—offer a powerful theological narrative from despair to hope.

Max Hollander analyzes the Talmudic narrative of Pardes and the four rabbis who entered it.