Jewish Thought and History

Atara Cohen thinks through what our texts have to say about depression.

Zev Eleff takes us through the theology of one of American Orthodoxy much-discussed but less-analyzed rabbinic leaders, at least from this point of view.

In part one of this series, Ariel Mayse provides an introduction to the history of neo-hasidism, through the voices of Hillel Zeitlin and Martin Buber.

With newly found material, Bezalel Naor places Rav Kook's Hasidut into historical and literary context.

Gil Perl argues that Modern Orthodox currently lacks a “Hedgehog Concept,” namely something at their core that they passionately believe they do better than anyone else in the world. He argues that Or Goyim, as articulated by 19th century luminaries like Netziv and Hirsch, is the Hedgehog concept that can engage Modern Orthodox Youth in a postmodern world.

Did elite rabbinic figures jumpstart Bais Yaakov, or was it a grassroots women's movement? Leslie Ginsparg Klein explains.

Avi Garson traces the rise and fall of the classical Sephardic tradition and calls for a renewed return to its fundamental principles.

Malka Simkovich provides a valuable corrective on the parameters of universalism in Judaism and Christianity.

David Fried forwards the surprising thesis that Maimonides was a medieval mystic.

Jonathan Ziring comments on the "Jewishness" of religious tolerance.