Jewish Thought and History

In this essay, Matt Brandstein reflects on his place in the Jewish community as a single man.

In this essay, Alter Yisrael Shimon Feuerman reflects on his family history and Hasidic pedigree.

R. Meir Simcha Cohen of Dvinsk, the legendary author of Meshekh Hokhmah and Ohr Sameiah and early-20th century community leader, passed away exactly one century ago. In honor of this centennial, Chaim Oscar Jacob reappraises the legacy of R. Meir Simcha.

Reuven Mohl explores Rav Soloveitchik’s understanding of Areivut in Kol Dodi Dofek.

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

Rowan Williams and Irene Lancaster dialogue about the philosemitism of Robert Browning.

Fifty years after the Entebbe hostage situation and subsequent rescue, Moshe Rosenberg reflects on the ways the conflicts surrounding Entebbe relate to today's political climates.

Menachem Butler responds to Michael Bernstein's article about the propriety of placing flags in shul sanctuaries.

One of the central concerns of the work of Rav Shagar is translation, in both its literal and figurative versions. Michael Blank explores Rav Shagar's use and conception of translation by examining the way he puts the writings of Rebbe Nachman, Jacque Lacan, and Emmanuel Levinas in conversation.

In honor of Flag Day, Michael Bernstein argues that national flags do not belong in our shul sanctuaries. Drawing on halakhic responsa, news reports, and photographic evidence, Bernstein locates the practice of displaying flags in shuls in its historical context and proposes that flags do not ever belong in prayer spaces.