The Fourth Chapter of Avot as an extended reflection on Epicurean Philosophy
In the spirit of Hanukkah, Yaakov Jaffe offers an intriguing thesis tying together a series of Mishnayot in the fourth chapter of Pirkei Avot: they are all responding to various aspects of Epicurean philosophy.
The Breslover’s Song
Jerome Marcus responds to Bezalel Naor's earlier essay, delving further into the worlds of Maimonides and Rabbi Nahman of Breslov.
The Directional Shaking of the Lulav: Bible, Mysticism, and Religious Polemics
Yaakov Jaffe traces the origins and evolution of the custom to shake the lulav in different directions.
Is Religious Tolerance a Jewish Idea?
Jonathan Ziring comments on the "Jewishness" of religious tolerance.
The Origins of Jewish Universalism: What it is, and Why it Matters
Malka Simkovich provides a valuable corrective on the parameters of universalism in Judaism and Christianity.
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